The Trailsman #333

BLACK HILLS BADMAN
as by Jon Sharpe
Signet, July 2009

Sioux territory is no place for a sane man, but that’s where Fargo finds himself guiding a blustery senator, his beautiful new wife, and their bratty daughter. And the hunting party soon becomes prey to some mighty warriors led by a medicine man with dangerous magic and a bloodcurdling hatred of the Trailsman. Fargo will have to pull more than one rabbit out of his hat if he doesn’t want to end up vulture bait.

David Robbins (writing as Jon Sharpe) comes up with some superb characters in this book, from Senator Keever, his wife, and their daughter Gerty – a child who really wants a good slap, or more, and soon had this reader hoping she’d meet a grizzly end. There are other well-drawn characters too including Owen and Lichen, and the medicine man, Little Face. All these people may or may not be who they say they are, or be telling the truth about their reasons for being in Sioux territory.

So plenty of mysteries for Fargo to ponder on and solve whilst frequently fighting for his life, talk about ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’, Fargo barely has time to breathe between each battle to stay alive. Action packed doesn’t come close to describing the fast moving, twisting plot, that makes this book impossible to put down once started.

Due to the nature of the people Fargo finds himself dealing with brings out the tougher side of The Trailsman, meaning there is plenty of harsh dialogue and treatment of his enemies – although David Robbins still manages to add moments of humour too.

And does Gerty get her comeuppance as she deserves? Oh yes, and more, making for an excellent end to this terrific entry into the Trailsman series.