Domingo's Trail

By Greg Mitchell

Hale, September 2012

Vicious Mexican bandit, Estrada, is holding an American to ransom in the Sabinas Valley and has arranged for two different expeditions to come and shower him with gold in return for a safe release. But vengeful Apaches appear and also a mysterious Mexican, named Domingo, who warns that the captive is dead and that Estrada means to slaughter them all.

With the combined ransom parties now joined in their mission, they are ready for bloody battle with both Indians and bandits. Can Domingo’s advice be trusted? And will all who follow his perilous trail survive?

This book doesn’t really have a standout hero or heroine figure as Greg Mitchell tells his story from the viewpoint of various characters in the ransom parties, none of whom seem able to completely trust each other, these mistrusts becoming stronger when the two parties team up to fight a common enemy.

There’s plenty of action, in fact the last three quarters of the book reads like one continuous gunfight as the ransom parties attempt to escape from the Mexicans and Indians.

It is never a foregone conclusion as to who will be alive at the end and there are one or two surprises along the way as some of the characters show their true colours. The mystery as to who Domingo really is provides compelling reading.

Greg Mitchell is a pseudonym used by Paddy Gallagher and once again his fast paced style and great storytelling prove that he is a western writer worth reading.

Crooked Foot's Gold

By Greg Mitchell

A Black Horse Western from Hale, July 2011

Jim and Barney are hot on the trail of a thief when they arrive at White Rock but they soon find themselves drawn into the mysterious community, which is claimed by white gold-seekers and restless tribes alike.

Then, a dying renegade tells them the story of Crooked Foot’s gold and the pair find themselves being hunted down without knowing why. Now they must venture into dangerous territory seeking answers … and who knows what perils await them?

This book starts in the thick of the action, an Indian attack on a surveying party which results in there only being one survivor. The man Jim and Barney are hunting could be one of the dead. Although their quest may now be over leaving White Rock could be difficult as the Sioux are killing everyone who attempts to do so. Yet something doesn’t seem quite right, and it’s these puzzles that grab the readers’ attention and won’t let go until these mysteries are solved.

The book is filled with great characters, Jim and Barney themselves, ex-army scout Zeke, Angela Brophy -   whose paintings may well provide some of the answers to the mysteries – and, not forgetting, her dog, Cassius. There’s plenty of gun action that is well described, often providing tense reading. Everything comes together well, leading to a neat ending, that, even though we don’t read about it, we know for one man justice will finally catch up with him.

This is the third book I’ve read by Greg Mitchell – this is a pseudonym used by Paddy Gallagher – and once more it’s left me eager to read more of his work.

Crooked Foot’s Gold is officially released on July 29^th but is available now from the usual Internet booksellers.

Hard Road to Holford

By Greg Mitchell

A Black Horse Western from Hale, March 2011

The stagecoach run from Muddy Creek to Holford should have been an easy one. But since one of the passengers is being hunted by a Mexican revolutionary colonel who was swindled in an arms deal, things are unlikely to be that simple….

Forced to abandon their coach, the travellers must experience many dangers before they reach their destination…and even then their safety is by no means guaranteed.

Greg Mitchell brings together a fascinating group of people to play the central roles in this fast moving tale. His characters are easily identifiable with and you’ll soon be wondering if any of them are exactly who they say they are. Just which of the passengers is it that the self-styled Mexican colonel wants? Or is it the stage driver or his shotgun guard? Greg Mitchell creates suspicion superbly well on all these characters.

There are plenty of well-written action sequences and descriptions of scenes are expertly drawn, making the reader feel like they are sharing the hardships of the author’s characters.

I’ve only read one of Greg Mitchell’s books before and that left me wanting to read more of his books, and this, his tenth BHW, strengthens my desire to track down more of his work.

Greg Mitchell is a pseudonym used by Paddy Gallagher.

Hard Road to Holford is officially released today, and if you’d like a copy I’d suggest you get your order in without delay, as BHW tend to sell out quickly.

Murdering Wells

as by Greg Mitchell

A Black Horse Western from Hale, April 2010

When a military deserter robs a mail contractor and leaves him to the mercy of Apache raiders in a remote corner of Arizona, the contractor’s brother, Luke Adison, vows to track down those responsible.

Soon, the tables turn, however, as Luke is captured by the deserters. Will he manage to escape and avenge his brother, or will he learn the true secret behind the sinisterly named Murdering Wells?

Luke Adison makes for an engaging hero. He’s a man who is perhaps a little too trusting, particularly of women. But having said that when he teams up with a brother and sister he does remain slightly suspicious of them – and they of him. This allows the author to add a sense of mystery to the tale around their reasons for wanting to find the deserters.

Greg Mitchell’s descriptions are very well written. When his characters are struggling to survive in the desert you share their thirst, feel the heat of the sun.

And what of the secret of Murdering Wells? I’m not going to reveal that here but I will say it makes for a fine conclusion to the story and leads to a just ending for some of the characters.

Greg Mitchell is a pseudonym used by Paddy Gallagher and here he presents the reader with an entertaining read that offers great characters, plenty of action and a few surprises along the way.

Murdering Wells is the ninth book from this author, but the first one I’ve read, and it definitely has me wanting to check out more of his work.

The book is officially published on April 30th but is available now from the usual Internet sources.