Ride the Desperate Trail

The first thing that struck me upon reading Mike Kearby's reconstruction era cowboy trilogy for Young Adults is that these novels should be listed as adult literature, as well as YA. The writing is clean and smart, the characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, the dialogue rings true, and the story lines have nuances complex enough to keep any adult reader interested. There is no "dumbing down," no condescending to a younger reader. These are not the usual "problem novels" with a young protagonist in a coming-of-age tale. The two main characters in these books are veterans of the Civil War, one black, one white. They fought for the Union at Palmito Ranch in deep South Texas, the last battle of the war, and formed a lasting friendship. "Ride the Desperate Trail" is book two in the Trilogy and begins six months after the first novel ends. The book opens right away with action. Free Anderson and Parks Scott are in business together, mustanging, and Free has started a homestead. The two hear that their friend, who owns the livery stable in town, has been beaten nearly to death, so Free and Parks go to avenge him. In the process they rile a no-good cowboy named Tig Hardy, who later burns Free's home, kills his mother, and kidnaps his wife, Clara. Tig Hardy is a particularly reprehensible outlaw, Chasing him down takes our heroes across West Texas and all the way to the Guadalupe Mountains. With his deep knowledge of time and place, he should have a great big reading audience.

RIDE THE DESPERATE TRAIL is number two in a trilogy (following The Road to a Hanging), and continues the saga of Free Anderson and Parks Scott, whose friendship began when they were in the Union Army. Free Anderson is a black ex-slave, and Parks is a white mustanger. Free has married Clara and the two of them are establishing a Texas homestead. Free and Parks are away from home on a rescue mission when they happen on a situation that results in a rogue outlaw getting killed. His sidekick makes a bee-line to the outlaw's brother and they embark on a ride for revenge to Free's homestead. The two outlaws kidnap Free's wife and kill his mother, who also lives at the ranch. The action is non-stop and the suspense is in high gear as Free and Parks follow the trail left by the outlaws. The pregnant Clara, putting up a fierce fight against the men, is taken through the Sand Hills of Texas to the Guadalupe Mountains. A band of Apaches are also after the outlaws, and after a fierce battle, manage to kill both men. Clara is then taken prisoner by the Indians, one of whom plans to make her his slave. They travel to an Apache winter camp in Big Bend country, with Free and Parks in hot pursuit. Mike Kearby manages to give us great insight into the minds of the heroes, the outlaws, and the Apaches in this exciting adventure of the Old West that is laced with accurate historical detail and high emotions. The characters are compelling, and the multi-level plot keeps the action moving quickly right up to the satisfying climax. Mr. Kearby includes a glossary in the back of the book with word, phrase, and name meanings in English slang, Comanche, Spanish, and Apache languages. There is also a page of discussion questions to help gain better understanding of the history and theme of the story. This series is sure to be a hit with teens...it's easy to read and exciting. Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

The sequel "The Road to a Hanging" and second in a trilogy, Ride the Desperate Trail continues the saga of Free Anderson in the Old West. Written for young adults and adults alike, Ride the Desperate Trail portrays the fast bond between two friends from the Union Army, one black and one white, as they work together to battle frontier violence and establish homesteads in Texas. When Anderson's wife is kidnapped by an outlaw, the search to rescue her stretches from the Sand Hills of Texas to the Guadalupe Mountains, culminating in a life or death showdown at the Apache winter camp in the canyons of Big Bend country. A rousing, action-packed saga of rough justice in an untamed land, highly recommended.

This compelling story made me feel like I traveled back in time to Texas in the late 1860's. This novel goes beyond being a good Western. Readers gain insight into the minds of the villains as well as the heroes in this tale of survival, culture class, sexism and racism. Mike Kearby's plot twists and historical richness make this a fun book to read and re-read.

A quick read with simple dialog, Kearby's second novel deals with loss and retribution softened by the voice of reason. Ride the Desperate Trail has good guys triumphing over bad amidst the unrestrained evil unique to the Wild West. The plot weaves in and around places I know, like the Pecos River. Eventually the hero is floating downstream to a new life after running the rapids of personal tragedy.