1883 – Darke County, OhioShoot Like a Girl depicts the historically fictive tale of a young Annie Oakley’s struggles before she becomes the most famous sharpshooting woman of all time. After the death of her father, Annie is sent to the Darke County poorhouse where she learns to cook, sew, and keep house for other families to help her mother make ends meet. Annie ends up at the McCrimmons, a … McCrimmons, a couple whom she comes to refer to as “the wolves.” Cruel and neglectful, the McCrimmons push Annie to the brink of despair. The only bright spot in her dreary existence is Buck, a beautiful buckskinned horse, and the two form a bond.
Despite her resolve to help her family, Annie loses hope of ever seeing them again, as life at the McCrimmons’ becomes more oppressive, and she is cut off from all outside communication. Physically and emotionally weak from illness, hunger, and abuse, Annie resigns herself to a life of servitude to the abusive couple. But, when Mr. McCrimmon’s continued cruelty to Buck finally threatens the horse’s life, Annie takes matters into her own hands and formulates a plan for escape.
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This novella is a great prequel to Girl with a Gun about Annie Oakley, the first kick-ass woman with a Gun in the west! And this is the first book I’ve read of Author Kari Bovee. I truly thought the emotions she brought about were realistic and gut-wrenching. I can understand how these horrific. Events could have made a victim Out of Annie, but I stead, she weathered them, and went on to support herself and her family. I look forward to reading the next novel by Kari Bovee!
If I hadn’t already known some of this story, and if I hadn’t known that everything would turn out okay for young Annie Oakley (Phoebe Ann Mosey), this book would have broken my heart. When Annie’s father dies, Annie’s mother has neither the finances or the energy to raise all three of her children. Annie, the oldest, is sent off to learn skills that will help her find employment and a husband. She’s sent off to tend to a couple’s baby. The terror and torment she meets in that household shouldn’t happen to any child. She’s treated like dirt and physically assaulted. Her only friend is a horse. But Annie is a determined young woman. She works hard and does her best, and she does everything she can to maintain her modesty. It’s no surprise that she’ll go on to become a celebrity, a sharpshooting star, we still remember
I highly recommend this book, despite the uncomfortable subject matter, including attempted rape. The writing is splendid, and the narration is excellent. This book is definitely worth the time to listen to or read.
I received an Audible code for this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Great book…really enjoyed reading!
Shoot Like a Girl Offers Readers a Short Biographical Look at Young Annie Oakley. Shoot Like a Girl is a prequel to the Annie Oakley Mystery series. While this novella is not a mystery–it fills in the Annie Oakley backstory for series readers. I have read the series in random order. I read the 3rd book, then the first, and THEN the prequel. I would recommend reading the series in order–beginning with the prequel. Shoot Like a Girl fills in some of the historical backgrounds with a look at the events immediately leading to Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show career. The prequel also allows readers to settle into the author’s writing style and develop an interest in the fictional mysteries.
Shoot Like a Girl Tells the Story That Developed Annie’s Character. The author shares the pieces of Annie’s childhood that are both heartbreaking and character-building. Understanding Annie’s past gives more depth to the flow of the books in this series. Annie’s matter-of-fact nature and her strength and drive become more realistic through the series after reading this prequel.
Would I recommend Shoot Like a Girl from the Annie Oakley Mysteries by Kari Bovee? I recommend beginning at the beginning of this series. While this novella is not a mystery–it is key to setting up the backstory of Annie Oakley and the Wild West Show characters. The book also helps readers adapt to the author’s writing style and her setting/character development for upcoming mysteries. I read the novella and did not listen to the audio version–but I am interested in seeing if listening to the stories changes the emotional energies of the characters and the storyline. Nonetheless–if you are interested in Annie Oakley and would enjoy watching her character solve some historical mysteries–begin the series with Shoot Like a Girl.
I received a copy of this book for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
Author Kari gathered the little-known facts of Anne Oakley’s young life before joining Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and weaved a heartfelt journey of all the hardships Anne may have endured before her life of fame. I found myself cheering for the young girl who could outshoot men and who only sought to survive so that she could help her mom and siblings, who faced losing their home after her father’s death. The suffering she endured at the hands of the Wolves, the family she worked for to help support her mom, pulled at my mom’s heartstrings. Her resilient spirit and determination to keep going and stand up for herself in a time when a women’s voice was easily ignored, filled my woman’s pride senses. The narrator did a spectacular job. I didn’t want to stop listening.
If you decide to delve into this series featuring Annie Oakley, make sure to read this prequel first. I didn’t read it before I had read Girl with a Gun and wish I had because it gives us a better understanding of why Annie decided to enter a shooting contest and then join up with Wild Bill’s Wild West Show at the young age of 15. We learn the back story of how she obtains Buck (the horse) and how she had a rough few years helping another family.
I felt for Annie in this story and what she had to endure. This couple was selfish and what she had to do for them was akin to slavery but only slightly better. Annie has a big heart but could only stand so much abuse from these people.
I was so glad to see her escape her tormentors and return home. Many truths were discovered at that point about the home that trained her and the couple that employed her.
While the rest of this series fits into the cozy mystery genre, this one isn’t much of a mystery but provides the backstory of Annie.
I am a fan of Annie’s and can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. We give this 5 paws up.
Shoot Like a Girl is part of Kari Bovee’s series, An Annie Oakley Mystery series. I had the pleasure of previously reading the third installment, Folly at the Fair. I really liked that one and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. I found it to be a fun and entertaining read. I loved how the author was able to use historical details and vividly bring Annie Oakley to life. I loved seeing how she envisioned Annie and how lived before she became a famous gun slinging sharpshooter celebrity. I felt like I was transported back in time and living within her circle. I enjoyed seeing her interaction and love for the horse Buck. I admired her bravery and courage despite the challenges she had to overcome. It was heart wrenching reading what she had to go through but inspiring to see that she refuses to give up and kept going. I thought it was great.
I am giving Shoot Like a Girl a very well deserved five plus stars. I am looking forward to reading more books from An Annie Oakley Mystery series in the near future. I thought this one was great. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a historical fiction based on true historical figures from American’s past of the nineteenth century.
I received a digital copy of Shoot Like a Girl from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
This tale of historical fiction begins around
1883 in Ohio. It is the story of Phoebe Ann
Mosey eventually known as Annie Oakley.
After the death of her father, Annie takes
up hunting to provide for her family. She
becomes a crack shot.
Her mother sends Annie away to the Dark
County Infirmary to learn to sew, cook and
train to be a caregiver for a family to bring
income to her mother, brother and sister.
But the home Annie is bound out to ends
up as a nightmare for her. She finds herself
suffering from both mental and physical
abuse.
After being locked out of the house in the
cold of winter, Annie find warmth next to
Buck the horse who is also being abused by
the mean, drunken man of the house.
Annie decides to escape in the spring and
take Buck with her.
Although this is a short story the storyline is
gripping. The author writing flows along
smoothly. Her descriptions will put the reader
right there with Annie. You will see, hear and
feel what Annie does.
All the characters are colorful, vivid, well
defined and interesting.
Come along too discover how Phoebe Ann
Mosey is saved and becomes Annie Oakley
and saves her family.
A Highly Recommended Read!!!