Review: 'Sing to Me Billy the Kid' by Frances Bonney Jenner

When did legendary Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid crawl his way into the fabric of mainstream culture? Was it in 1882 when Pat Garrett, the man who ended his life, published The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid? (Although technically, he had a ghostwriter, Marshall Ashmun Upson.) Or was it in 1948 when Brush Bill Roberts strolled in claiming to be the infamous outlaw himself? Perhaps it was 1988, when Emilio Estevez donned a bowler hat and roamed the screen as Billy in the film Young Guns? Regardless, Billy the Kid continues to haunt our collective imagination like a restless specter.

I've long been enthralled by Billy the Kid; in fact, I had a wall plaque of his famous wanted poster proudly displayed in my childhood bedroom. Maybe it’s because my name is Billy, or maybe because as a kid, he felt like a kindred spirit; an outcast bound by fate. I even remember the nostalgia of late '80s Billy the Kid apparel; I had a shiny belt buckle and a few shirts that made me feel like a renegade at recess. Of course, my parents took me to see Young Guns in theaters when I was probably a bit too young; but hey, that was a different time.

Over the years, I’ve read a range of books about this enigmatic outlaw. Recently, I read Sing to Me Billy the Kid, written by Frances Bonney Jenner and published earlier this year by Speaking Volumes. It popped onto my radar thanks to a publicist who reached out, and naturally, I couldn’t resist the chance to jump into its pages.

This is not your typical shoot-'em-up Western, nor is it a straight biography. Instead, it’s a fascinating piece of historical fiction that weaves together threads and yarns from Billy's life, as the author opts for an intimate portrayal of Henry McCarthy, aka William H. Bonney, whom she affectionately calls Billy throughout this lyrical narrative.

The story kicks off in Silver City, New Mexico, in 1874, where a mere 14-year-old Billy, a boy who can sing and dance, watches as his mother, Catherine, slowly dies of consumption. She discovers her son's reckless plan to steal jewels for her medicine and ominously warns him that he’ll hang before he’s 21 if he doesn’t change his ways. Guilt shrouds Billy like a shadow after her passing, a haunting whisper that echoes in the corners of his mind.

As the years roll on, Billy finds himself a seventeen-year-old ranch hand in Lincoln County, navigating the treacherous waters of adult life until the storm of the Lincoln County Wars crashes into his world. A gang comes for his boss, John Tunstall, and Billy’s mother’s dark prophecy looms closer and closer. A dead-or-alive bounty is placed on his head, and Sheriff Pat Garrett is hot on his trail. Meanwhile, amid the chaos, Billy meets a Spanish beauty, Paulita, and falls head over heels for her.

Sing to Me Billy the Kid is a dramatized version of Billy's tale, spanning from his mother’s tragic passing to the fray of the Lincoln County War, all told from Billy’s perspective up to the fateful moment when Pat Garrett puts an end to his story. The author takes creative liberties with historical facts, infusing humanity into Billy’s character, steering clear of the usual portrayal of him as a mere cold-blooded killer.

Now, I must admit there were some pacing issues throughout; I found myself lingering over sections longer than intended, retracing my steps to catch character dialogues, especially in the first half where some figures felt a bit flat. I hate to nitpick, but certain chapters seemed to fall prey to the age-old “show don’t tell” writing trap. Speaking of chapters, there are seventy-eight of them, each one short and sweet; I personally prefer my chapters a little meatier.

All nitpicking aside, I did like Sing to Me Billy the Kid. After all, I’ve got a soft spot for anything related to the Kid. While it was far from a perfect read for me, the novel definitely offered an interesting take on the legend, and I recommend it to anyone who shares that fascination with Billy the Kid. ╌★★★½✰

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〜B.J. Burgess

Disclosure: I received a free review copy from the publicist. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. [*]