Review: Deeply engaging--a must read for all fans of the genre
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 14, 2014
As a huge fan of the Western genre, I eagerly devour every book or movie that is set in the Wild West. So imagine my delight when I encountered G.H. Lambert’s incredibly entertaining Western book, ‘Blood Trail’—it’s like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert.Like most Western stories, ‘Blood Trail’ starts with a coveted treasure—huge amounts of gold—said to be buried somewhere along the old Spanish trail. Against that backstory do main characters Dylan Ryan and Mort Lems meet, but they soon move on more in search of starting a new life than finding gold bullions, which they eventually find in a peaceful settlement along the Red River. But as it turns out, the seeming peace is a thin veneer easily cracked by the slightest intrigue—this time, in the form of increasingly hostile native Indians who contest that the land given to the settlers is part of their hunting grounds. Dylan and Mort soon find themselves facing an unpredictable enemy, when all they wanted was to be able to live a normal life.‘Blood Trail’ is strongly reminiscent of that under-appreciated but well-loved TV series, ‘Deadwood’. Most importantly, I love ‘Blood Trail’ not only because it belongs in the genre that I have eagerly followed ever since I saw Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’ many years ago, but also because this book is one of the finest examples of gifted writing—author G.H. Lambert tells the story with that rare mastery of plot and pacing—the well-placed elements of verisimilitude, plus the fact that the story is based on real life in that little settlement somewhere in North Texas, are just icing on a very satisfying “cake”.Let me suffice it to say that ‘Blood Trail’ will sate your thirst for a good, well-crafted Western novel—it bears the vital genetic threads of, say, a Larry McMurtry novel, or even Stephen King’s ‘The Gunslinger’—yet it stands on its own as a Western classic. Fans of the genre must not miss this out—even non-fans will enjoy it. Highly recommended. Get a copy today—also makes an awesome gift to like-minded friends and loved ones. Five stars for this one.