Basque author lauds ‘Deception at the Diamond D Ranch’ for its cultural accuracy

A Basque writer and blogger is lauding ‘Deception at the Diamond D Ranch’ as a “fun, page-turning suspenseful read” that accurately depicts Basque culture and places.

“I was pleased to find that most of the references to the Basques and Basque locations in the book were accurate,” wrote Nancy Zubiri, a retired English teacher and editor of Euskal Kazeta, a Basque website and blog.

Zubiri is author of “A Travel Guide to Basque America,” a comprehensive book about thehistory, communities, and festivals of Basques in the United States, and “Jaialdi: A Celebration of Basque Culture.” She’s Basque and Peruvian, and said she’s very connected with both of her parents’ cultures.

“I later called my friend, Patty Miller, the former director of the Basque Museum, and found out that she was one of the proofreaders of the manuscript,” Zubiri continued. “I’m glad to hear Stahl went to those lengths to get his details right. 

Writing about identity, whether cultural, sexual, financial, or another way of perceiving one’s self or community, is a natural part of writing fiction, but it’s also one of writing’s many challenges.

I’m an American with German and Scandinavian ancestry who hasn’t lived in Idaho half as long as many Basques. I worked hard, however, to build characters and a storyline that celebrate Basque Culture, and I’m proud to be able to write that effort appears to resonate with at least some people of Basque descent.

Read Zubiri’s review: A Fun New Mystery Novel About Basques in Boise