STARMEN: A Novel by Francis Hamit

This novel begins at the El Paso branch of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in 1875 when the budding Anthropoligist George James Frazer needs help contacting a local Apache tribe and a huge hot air balloon appears over the town. It is owned by the Britih Ethnographic Survey which is up to no good. Frazer infiltrates the Apches and discovers that Apache witches can fly. The Pinkertons have a few witches of their own. Two Pinkertons go in search of bad men wanted "Dead or Alive" and a missing heir from a wealthy Chicago family and discover a very unusual town that is playing host to some very unusual gun fighters. Other complications ensue. The result is an action-packed, mind bending adventure with romance and political elements...and some Quantum Mechanics and String Theory.