itle: Marshal Felton and the Wild Bunch
Author: Terry Larkin
Publisher: Pageturner Press and Media
ISBN: 978-1649089090
Pages: 490
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Literary
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Hollywood Book Reviews
In an age where technology reigns supreme and continues to advance every single day, one of the aspects of life that people want to get back to but are nervous about their safety or security in the process is adventure. Life itself is an adventure, and there are so many paths to take to get us to that sense of adventure once more. As Helen Keller once said, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
In author Terry Larkin’s Marshal Felton and the Wild Bunch, the author takes readers into one of the nation’s most adventurous times, when every little decision meant either life or death. In the novel, readers are introduced to Marshal Shawn Felton, a US Marshal who is a bit of a gunslinger that would make the likes of John Wayne proud. Making a shocking decision back in the 1800’s, he takes young Native American Wapiti under his wing as his new deputy, as the young man seeks to become a lawman in a time when settlers distrust the Native American people. Soon this undertaking leads to unruly settlers, dangers desperados and the hunt for gold that will put them on the path of danger.
The author has crafted a genuine Western here, bringing authenticity and detailed narratives that reflect the violent and judgmental times of the past. From the dangers of nature and the environment to the unlawful criminals and citizens alike who challenge the Marshal and his new Deputy, the author perfectly captures the balance of danger and adventure that the West often represented. The author’s writing is captivating, bringing an old Hollywood style cinematic quality to their writing that invokes that imagery of John Wayne in one of his many Westerns.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy literature and fiction, in particular literary works that delve into the Western genre while bringing a sense of honesty and wit to the narrative. What really shines in this work is the perfect marriage of fleshed out characters with fully realized arcs and the power storylines the author delves into in this nearly 500 page read that keeps readers hanging on the author’s every word.
A gripping, adventurous and engaging Western, author Terry Larkin’s Marshal Felton and the Wild Bunch is a must-read novel. The action and incredible setting make readers feel transported back to a Post-Civil War era Wild West, with all of the subtle and not so subtle hostilities the war brought with it fully intact. The protagonist’s move to take in and train Wapiti during a time of great unrest against the Native American people in that era made for great character study, and the narrative’s end left readers wanting more from this ragtag group of lawmen and adventure seekers. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!