I don’t recall ever reading a book that takes place during the “old west.” It reminded me of Gunsmoke and other cowboy/saloon shows. It was appealing to read something with a different premise; and the beginning of the book grabbed my attention right away. There were several dramatic events that I wasn’t expecting at all and I literally gasped when reading them. There was no end to the surprising twists and turns and cadre of characters. Even though there are related topics of friendship and women’s independence included, which you can find in many historical novels, this one definitely stands out as a refreshing change and keeps you guessing to the end. I appreciate the privilege of reading this ARC from Net Galley.

Catherine McClain grew up in Baton Rouge in the 1870s. She lived with her Cajun mother Marie, who was prone to drink and not to motherhood. Her Irish father was no where to be found. The Parish priest Father Jean chose young girls for "paintings", including her sweet friend Louise. Louise escapes and then it's Catherine's turn. Father Jean naturally accuses her of molesting him!

We follow Catherine, Louise, and other members of the supporting cast Gabe(a Haitian boy), Mamie (a buxom girl), and eventually her lover and later husband Mick McCormick. There are more bad guys, most notably the Reverend with his dreams of revenge, salvation, and arrogance. Catherine moves from Baton Rouge to St. Louis and Dodge City, and she eventually ends up in the small town of Tascosa, Texas where her 80 year old self, now called Frenchy McCormick, is writing her story. The book takes us to the end of Frenchy's life.

I enjoyed this novel for the characters, Catherine smart, cool, and competent, Louise sensitive, shy and determined, and Mamie, a lovely spiritual creature with pluck and common sense. The historical aspects of the wild west with cowboys, gambling (Faro), drinking and burlesque was amplified by words in common parlance, though not so much that you could not follow it. As I dug a little deeper I was surprised to learn that Faro was the most common card game for gambling at the time and also almost always full of cheaters! If you like strong women and novels about the West I think you will enjoy this book. There is drama, some of it heartfelt.. Frenchy and Mick McCormick were real people, and what little is know about them served as the inspiration for the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Texas Christian University Publishing for providing an advance review copy of The Last Woman in exchange for an honest review..

This story follows the journey of Frenchy McCormick from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Tascosa, Texas in the 1870s where she faced many adversities from religious trauma to gender inequality.

The character development stands out, with several supporting characters playing critical roles in Frenchy’s journey, especially Mamie.

Mamie provided a contrasting perspective on womanhood and survival in a harsh, patriarchal world. Her spirituality and inquisitive nature offer Frenchy both guidance and occasional tension. Their dynamic showcases how women navigated solidarity amid grief, uncertainty, and other challenges, adding a layer of feminism to this story.

Conversely, there is Reverend Campbell Harper, the antagonist, who represents an overwhelming, oppressive figure for Frenchy. Harper is a difficult character to endure in this book but an effective representation of moral hypocrisy and oppression of the time. His manipulation of faith and authority was a constant challenge for Frenchy throughout her journey, causing her to question her own faith and autonomy.

The climax of the novel landed a bit flat for me. The narrative builds steadily; however, when the moment finally arrives, it lacked the payoff the buildup seemed to promise. Still, the strength of the storytelling stayed true to who Frenchy was and the subtlety of the climax may reflect the quiet victories that defined much of Frenchy’s real life.

Ultimately, this is a powerful tribute to a woman who might have otherwise been forgotten. It succeeds in making you understand her struggle, admire her strength, and remember her story.

I enjoyed the friendship, challenges, danger and lives of these women. A good book that I will read again.

I was given an ARC to give an honest review. These are my words and opinion.

What a wonderful protagonist we have here in Frenchie McCormick! She would easily fit into the cast of Deadwood (which I must rewatch!) A bold fearless woman who tells her story as an eighty-year-old who has become the last woman in the wildest cowtown in the West, Tascosa, Texas. As one of three intrepid women who weather the harsh and dangerous life and perils of escape to the West in an act born of desperation. I'm reminded of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All by Allan Gurganus.

It would be very hard to read this book without saying WOW at the end. I'm a lover of GOOD westerns, and John Willingham has written a GREAT one. It was an emotional journey based on the real-life tales of Frenchy McCormick. We meet our MC when she's 80 as she shares her incredible story as the last woman in Tascosa, Texas, a town that earned its reputation the hard way. Willingham made it all too easy to "see" the events and hear the background music of life in 1870's Texas, when women lived a constrained life or were judged quickly by the "good" people. It's going to be very interesting to see where John Willingham takes readers next.