Two for Texas (1982) Signed First Edition Reference

Two for Texas was published in 1982, ending the long drought during which Burke could not get a novel into print. Set during the Texas Revolution of 1836, the novel follows two escaped convicts who join Sam Houston’s ragtag army and fight at the Battle of San Jacinto. It is Burke’s only historical novel, demonstrating his ability to write convincingly in a genre far removed from contemporary crime fiction.

First Edition Identification

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston Publication date: 1982 Format: Hardcover in dust jacket

Small first printing. Burke’s return to Houghton Mifflin after the long hiatus makes this a transitional book in his bibliography — the bridge between his early literary career and the crime fiction that would follow.

Signed Copy Market Values

• Signed first edition, fine/fine: $200–$600
• Unsigned first edition: $40–$100

Less sought after than the Robicheaux novels but important for completists. The book was later adapted as a television film, which has given it a modest secondary life. Signed copies are uncommon, as Burke was not yet a regular presence on the signing circuit in 1982.