Enjoy!
The Man From the Broken Hills by Louis L’Amour, Narrated by
MacLeod Andrews
#4 Talon and Chantry
Western, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random
House Audio
Published: 3.5.19
ISBN: 1524783315
Time: 8 hours 10
minutes
Rating: 4
Narrator Rating: 5
Format: CD
Source: Random House
Audio
ADD TO: GOODREADS
Blurb:
For years Milo Talon had been riding the outlaw trail,
looking for a man who had betrayed his family. Only Hank Rossiter wasn't the
man he had been: old now and blind, Rossiter was trying desperately to hold on
to a small ranch to support his daughter, Barbara. Suddenly Talon found himself
in the middle of a range war, siding with the man he'd marked for payback. But
had Rossiter really changed? And could his daughter be trusted by either of
them? For Milo, getting to the truth meant a long hard fight to separate his
enemies from his friends--and forgiveness from revenge.
Sophia's Review:
A drifting cowboy, more than he seems, who enjoys riding the
wild country and experiencing life from the back of his horse stumbles upon a
big cattle rustling mystery and he now sits in the center of a potential cattle
war powder keg waiting for the spark to touch it off.
Milo Talon grew up on one of the largest spreads in Colorado
owned by his fierce Tennessee mountain bred mother and his renaissance man
father. His brother Barnabas takes on
scholarly pursuits and will run the family ranch someday, but Milo hasn't found
what he needs to make him settle down.
He's a hard worker and enjoys the hard life out on the wild
frontier. He's loyal and hates bullies
which is what makes him take a job with a small ranch operation in north
central Texas working for a man from his past who may or may not have mended
his ways after attempting to steal Talon cattle back in the day. Someone is stealing and they are doing it
from all the local ranches. That person
is also trying hard to make Milo dead.
Meanwhile, Milo encounters four local Texas gals and falls back on what
he learns from his ma and pa's marriage to keep him out of that sort of
trouble. Hopefully.
I love the blend of elements that L'Amour brought to this
story. There is traditional western
frontier adventure, a thriller-style mystery, whiffs of romance, and excellent
characters and feel for time and place.
Milo is an introspective man who is looking for a reason to light and
stay even while appreciating all he encounters along life's journey. He has strong principles and works hard,
crediting both his parents for this. The
reader is immersed in the life of a cowboy and ranch work throughout this book
even while the tension from a potential range war that will hurt everyone sits
on the horizon. There are lag times, but
for the most part, this story moves along drawing the suspense and offering a
few twists to keep the reader fully engaged.
The narrator, MacLeod Andrews, did excellent work bringing
to life the men and women living on the Texas frontier. He gave distinct accents for southern
aristocrat The Major to Mexican California Tony. He told this tale in a way that kept me
riveted even through the philosophical moments let alone the action sequences.
All in all, another winner for me from this author that left
an ongoing thirst for more particularly from the Talon and Chantry family
series. Those who enjoy western fiction
with a strong mystery and lesser romance element should pick this one up.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the opportunity
to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author Bio:
Louis L'Amour was an American
author. L'Amour's books, primarily Western fiction, remain enormously popular,
and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death all 101
of his works were in print (86 novels, 14 short-story collections and one
full-length work of nonfiction) and he was considered "one of the world's
most popular writers".
Website: http://www.louislamour.com/
Narrator Bio:
MacLeod Andrews is a multiple award-winning audiobook narrator.
He has starred in a number of independent short and feature films and is a
member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory Company in NYC. Andrews has narrated
many audiobooks, including The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Testimony, and
Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever?
Website: http://macleodandrews.blogspot.com/
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking,
book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man
and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region
of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:
Milo Talon sounds like an interesting character. The story sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteHe really was, Mary. I fell a bit in love with him. :)
DeleteOOh Sophia Rose you know I think I've only read one Louis L'Amour. I had a gentleman in my in-person book club who loved western and I would always try to include one a year for him and I think I remember one of them was by Louis but this sounds really good too! Thanks
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, that was so kind of you to pick a western for your book club friend. Several have good mystery and/or romance elements in them so I could see it appealing to more than a western fan.
DeleteGlad you are continuing to enjoy this author and series Sophia.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, totally addicted. Ordered my next one already. :)
DeleteAww Sophia, yes you do love his stuff
ReplyDeleteTotal fangirl! I've got the next one... LOL
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