They were the first and only all-female gang in the American West. Though the newspapers refuse to give them credit, their exploits don’t go unnoticed. Now, they’ve got a rival male gang on their trail and an old score to settle.

Margaret Parker and Hattie LaCour never intended to turn outlaw.

After being run off their ranch by a greedy cattleman, their family is left destitute. As women alone they have few choices: marriage, lying on their backs for money, or holding a gun. For Margaret and Hattie the choice is simple. With their small makeshift family, the gang pulls off a series of heists across the West.

Though the newspapers refuse to give the female gang credit, their exploits don’t go unnoticed. Pinkertons are on their trail, a rival male gang is determined to destroy them, and secrets among the group threaten to tear them apart. Now, Margaret and Hattie must find a way to protect their family, finish one last job, and avoid the hangman’s noose. 

It’s kind of a funny story how I wound up getting the chance to read this awesome book!! It’s published by Redhook, an imprint of Hachette. But because Redhook doesn’t have much of a social media presence, the author tagged Orbit on Twitter at some point leading up to the book’s release. And it caught my eye in a big way! Although I don’t read them very frequently, I’m a HUGE fan of Westerns! Heresy was billed as a feminist Western, and I knew straight away I wanted to read it. After some confusion on my part trying to find out more info on the Orbit website, I contacted Melissa Lenhardt through her website, and she very graciously offered to send me a copy!! She even signed it!!

Heresy tells the story of Margaret Parker, Hattie LaCour, and their gang of female outlaws in late 1870’s Colorado. But this book tells their story in some really unique ways. Presented almost as non-fiction, the book is introduced by Dr. Stephanie Bailey, the historian who has painstakingly pieced these events together (again, this is all fictional, but laid out in such a way that it seems quite real). There are first-hand accounts/interviews, journal entries from two of the main characters, newspaper “clippings”, and even the odd telegram exchange. There’s a lot to take in, visually!! There are different fonts used for different sections, and the finished copy (I received an ARC) even has a great map! MAPS!! YASSS!!!!

I thought Heresy was outstanding!! Lenhardt writes these characters with a lot of heart, and there’s great a flow between the different sections. Margaret (known as Garet) and Hattie are equally compelling leads, and their friendship is fucking gorgeous and heartbreaking. The book is also laced with moments of brutal & bloody violence… dang…some of the action sequences are quite grueling. 

The book takes place in the early stages of the suffragist movement, which factors into the plot in some ways. Moreover, Heresy confronts sexism (as well as racism) head-on. Whatever you may think of Garet & Hattie’s motives (and they are complex), they can’t even get credit for their own heists, because no one is willing to believe female outlaws are capable of such things! 

Melissa Lenhardt describes this part of the United States vividly, and the rugged & beautiful landscape becomes integral to the story. This is a great book…in turn funny, sweet, harrowing, and heartbreaking. It’s violent & unpredictable, and incredibly readable. It also features several LGBTQ+ characters! Heresy feels deeply personal in many ways, and it’s written so thoughtfully & carefully. Highly recommended!!

A huge thank to Melissa Lenhardt for sending me a copy!! Heresy releases today, October 2nd!!