I don’t normally read too many westerns, but they are by far some of my favorite stories from a time long gone. I enjoy the camaraderie and the pace of life that was present back in the day, which was a Tuesday by the way, it always is. To think that people lived life with death surrounding them from all sides without the simple necessities that we have today is amazing, which makes the authentic western feel that McCauley captures that more impressive.
In the first of a new series, McCauley brings to life a complex yet charismatic deputy U.S. Marshall Jeremiah Halstead. Halstead if on the dusty Montana trail running from Rock Creek to Helena, by way of Silver Cloud. After capturing the infamous Hudson gang leader, John Hudson, Halstead uses his wit and intrepidness to end one of the most businesslike standoffs I’ve ever seen. Halstead is doing what is right and always thinking about the implications of the actions he takes, yet at no point is he able to rest as his body count starts to pile up.
In what should have been a welcoming, Halstead meets the lazy and overconfident sheriff with his cronies and bones are broken along with pride. As he learns who really runs the town, his time in Silver Cloud is plagued by inconsistent management from his boss, the death of one of the promiscuous saloon gals, and bad intentions from the town’s banker and so-called owner. Halstead’s past defines his current state of mind and how he operates, but McCauley doesn’t give up too much, heightening the intrigue. Hudson’s gang is trying to spring their former leader from jail, and the hanging that is likely back in Helena and use all kinds of trickery to try and kill Halstead. Will Halstead succeed in getting his catch back to Helena for prosecution, or will the scorned group of outlaws get their man back? Whatever the outcome, there will have been plenty of shots fired.
McCauley crafts an exciting western adventure flush with unending action while bringing authentic emotion to an era exhausted by time. Jeremiah Halstead is a remarkable character that is not immune to the flaws that plague his foes as well. His devotion to his mission while being a lone wolf leads to incredible gunfights in the unending battle for the life of John Hudson. If you enjoy westerns, this one will definitely quench your thirst.
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