Class News
Edward Massey '64 publishes his fourth book
Founding Sheriff
by Edward Massey ’64
Release date deferred to February 19, 2021 because of CoVid
An immigrant cooper appointed constable and then sheriff investigates a girl murdered in her bed and tracks her husband who escaped in Grandma’s buggy.
Capturing him in the high mountains in Bonanza Flat, the founding sheriff decides not to kill the son of a bitch and sets in motion a long and broken path to a tradition of justice where none existed before in Summit County, Utah Territory.
Capture comes swift. Conviction takes longer. Execution drags on for years.
Life in a growing frontier town that starts with six people and no buildings either demands frontier justice or unfolds its apparent willingness to assist the murderer’s effort to avoid his fate. Indian troubles, vigilantes’ murderous justice, and a railroad hell-on-wheels town threaten the founding sheriff ’s promise to the murdered girl’s mother.
Author's Biography
Mountains and pioneer heritage formed Edward Massey. They gave him the willingness to set out on his own and try. Good people and great institutions honed, inspired, and molded him. Together these influences bear total responsibility for his progress and none for his setbacks. He brings progress and setbacks to a writing career started late in life.
Founding Sheriff is Edward's fourth published novel, preceded by Telluride Promise, Every Soul Is Free, Fugitive Sheriff, and a handful of short stories. His novels have won a few awards. He wants them to win readers. Consulting and speaking support his writing. Anne and Edward live in Connecticut. Visit edwardmasseybooks.com. The next novel is in progress.
Note to Yale classmates
If you would like to read an advance reader's copy of the novel and then write a review and place it somewhere (newspaper article, historical journal, Amazon), send an email to Edward and he will send the book right away.