The Marfa Blues: searching for treasure

Vera DeSoto runs a cafe in Marfa, Texas in 1968. The cowboys and truckers who come in fantasize and hope for a chance with her, but she enjoys her solitary life and isn’t ready to settle down with anyone.

Somehow, Vera seems to collect strays—lost and wayward people looking for second chances. A 14-year-old girl, two hippie boys, and a scared young artist manage to find their way into her life and suddenly, Vera is joining them in a search for buried treasure in the badlands of the rugged desert of Southwest Texas.

Egenes gives us a mismatched group of characters that helps explore themes of found family, redemption, and the varying interpretations of “treasure”—is it gold, or human connection? The dusty, mystical backdrop of 1968 West Texas—with its iconic Marfa Lights—adds a magical, almost surreal quality to the narrative. In a playful yet poignant tone, the author takes us from hippie culture and desert adventure to giant cloned cows and a psychic raven, as the novel balances whimsy with real emotional stakes.

If you’re drawn to offbeat, character-driven fiction with a strong sense of place, this could be a delightful discovery. It’s breezy enough to read quickly, yet it lingers in your mind due to its emotional resonance and quirky charm. It’s an unexpectedly warm, humorous, and heartfelt adventure story—perfect for fans of nostalgic road trip vibes and unconventional treasures. If you enjoy that kind of narrative, The Marfa Blues is definitely worth a read.

From the author of the award-winning “Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America.”