SANTA CLAUS
BANK ROBBERY
A True-Crime Saga in Texas
When Marshall Ratliff dressed like Santa Claus to pull a Christmas-time heist, he thought it would be easy. Unfortunately for him, when the citizens of Cisco heard Santa was robbing a bank, they came running – with loaded guns in hand!
But can you blame them? In 1927, the only way to earn the $5000 Dead Bank Robber Reward was to kill a bandit while the crime was in progress.
This bungled bank robbery led to a wild shootout and a getaway with two little girls as hostages. And that is only the beginning! Tui Snider’s true-crime tale reads like a comedy of errors as the consequences of the Santa Claus Bank Robber’s actions escalate to include a botched car-jacking, one of the biggest manhunts in Texas history, and a jailbreak leading to a deadly conclusion.
Meanwhile, it’s up to readers to decide whether or not a mysterious blonde helped these gangsters escape. And if so, did she get away with murder?
I’m all for sappy romance, especially during the holidays. (Let’s be honest, I’m always down for a sappy romance!) But a true-crime Christmas story? That’s unusual for me. I took a chance on Santa Claus Bank Robbery based on my previous history reading other books by Ms. Snider. I had a feeling she’d put her signature style into the novel. And she does! What I like most about Ms. Snider’s books is the highly researched topics written in a conversational style, usually with a side of humor.
Santa Claus Bank Robbery breaks down an attempted robbery of the Cisco, TX, bank in December 1927 by four men. But one of the crew is known in town and decides to disguise himself in a Santa suit for the robbery. What follows is Ms. Snider’s accounting of the actions of the robbers, police, vigilantes, and innocent bystanders. The bank robbery and subsequent shoot out were mass chaos. Kids approaching Santa Claus! The local hardware store was handing out guns and ammo to anyone, including teenagers! The bumbling activities of the gang are also rather hilarious, showing Ms. Snider’s signature humor. And yes. I know. A shoot out shouldn’t be funny. But it was to me. What can I say? When
Santa shouted for everyone to “grab some sky”
I can’t help but chuckle.
Ms. Snider does a fabulous job of walking the reader through the activities of the robbery step by step, how the members of the gang are later captured, and then how justice is served.
Ms. Snider is a detailed researcher. Her book is based on the most exact information, resources, and interview which she could find. I learned several random facts while reading. Here are a few that I found very interesting:
- The high number of bank robberies in Texas led to a $5000 reward for dead bank robbers.
- Banks even went so far as to install machine gun turrets and outfit the staff with tear gas guns.
- The last mob lynching in Texas was of Marshall Ratliff, our actual Santa Claus.
I also really enjoyed the summary sections at the end of the novel. In one section, we get a glimpse of where some of the key characters are now and how the events of that fateful day impacted their lives. In the second section, we get a detailed list of Places of Interest. I’m always curious to learn of more places with Texas history to visit on my travels through the state.
In addition to a great story, the novel is full of clippings and photos which enhance the reading experience. There is even a helpful diagram of the bank and all those involved during the robbery.
In all seriousness, though, Santa Claus Bank Robbery also makes me think how trusting society is, especially children, with anyone dressed in a Santa suit. Maybe cautioning children from talking to strangers isn’t so bad of an idea. Even if those strangers are dressed like Santa.
I would recommend this novel for history or true-crime buffs. Or really, anyone who enjoys humorous stories about bumbling criminals.
Tui Snider is an award-winning writer, speaker, photographer, and musician specializing in offbeat sites, overlooked history, cemetery symbolism, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction, but then I moved to Texas!”
Tui lectures frequently at universities, libraries, conferences, and bookstores.This fall, she will speak about the Great Airship Mystery of 1897 at this year’s UFO Congress and teach a course on Understanding Cemetery Symbols at Texas Christian University. She also shares weekly info-videos based on her research at her YouTube channel.
Snider’s writing and photography have been featured in a variety of media outlets, including WFAA TV, Coast to Coast AM, LifeHack, Langdon Review, the City of Plano, Wild Woman Waking, Shades of Angels and many more. She has several more books in progress.
Signed Paperback +$10 Amazon Gift Card
+ Thank You Post Card
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
|
12/12/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/12/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/13/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/14/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/14/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/15/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/16/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/17/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/17/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/18/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/19/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/20/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/20/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/21/19
|
Review
|
|
|
12/21/19
|
Review
|
|
[…] books yet, you are missing out! (Check out some of my other 5 STAR reviews here, here, or here). For 6 Feet Under Texas, we have a tour around Texas of unique gravesites and cemeteries. Perfect […]
Another terrific review, and I’m glad you pointed out the humor in the book. There were many places that made me chuckle, too, especially when the little girl “outed” Santa by saying he was wearing pants just like her father’s.
Thanks, Maryann. And yes, I agree. That scene with Santa wearing the wrong pants was funny!
Great review! Some of this is so serious, but appropriate or not, some of the antics of those bumbling robbers were laughable.
Thanks, Kristine. And glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who found it humorous!