Liar's Trail
By C.K.Crigger
Amber Quill Press, LLC
ISBN ISBN-1-59279-143-3
2003
"It was her way with the dog that decided him. How she told the rough-coated, one-ear-up one-ear-down mutt to stay with the wagon using only a slight hand signal. Except somehow, at the same time, she turned the command into a caress."
Gincy Tate posts an advertisement for a man that would be willing to help her father trail a herd of about fifty horses and mules to the army at Fort Spokane. Her father visits the saloon and has a confrontation with William Blau. Blau holds a mortgage on Quiet Woman Ranch ranch. He arrogantly lets Tate know that he wants to add Gincy to the collateral and is determined to foreclose. He believes no one in town will question his actions because Gincy is part Indian.
Two men, Sawyer Kennett, a gray-eyed cowboy riding a big roan horse and Elmer Fitch, rough in appearance, experienced in handling horses, but smelling of horse manure, answer the ad. Leery of both men, but desperate to get the horses to the fort and get enough money to pay the mortgage, Gincy knows she has no choice but to hire them.
Facing rumors of an Indian uprising on the way to Fort Spokane and doubting the loyalty of both of the newly hired cowboys, Gincy is determined to fulfil her father's contract with the army and save her ranch. William Blau is every bit as determined to take control of Quiet Woman Creek Ranch and Gincy.
Gincy hides as someone tries to set the house on fire. Later horses and mules get away from their lead ropes and crazy things begin to happen. The wagon is smashed. Gincy's dog is shot. One of the men riding with the herd has to be working for William Blau.
C.K.Crigger creates interesting, appealing and fully formed characters that grab and hold the reader's attention. Liar's Trail is full of fast-paced action and a delightful touch of romance. It's a great read, hard to put down to the end.
A.H.Holt, editor
WesternFictionReview
June 2004