It’s a quintessential American image: the silhouetted figure of a rider on horseback, ten-gallon hat sitting squarely on his head. Whether you grew up on Spaghetti Westerns or just know the classic boots and hat combo, you’re certainly familiar with the idea of a cowboy. We’re told they were rugged men set on a path through the lawless prairies of the American West, with just their 44 pistol and their wits to protect them. But this cut-and-dry image is merely one aspect of life on the frontier; the true Wild West was, and still is, than its depictions on TV and in storybooks.
Of course, the setting of the American West still serves as a wellspring of inspiration for authors today. But the past century has given authors an opportunity to explore the complexity of these stories, adding nuance to the narrative. The modern villains of these tales aren’t nameless outlaws rolling into town for a duel — they’re friends, family, neighbors and coworkers who you’d never suspect. And forget the cowboys of old — the protagonists of these new stories are the beaten-down everyman fighting for the safety of their community. Whether they’re vigilantes fighting for justice in the face of corruption or wilderness guides confronted by violence, these characters are met with a far more complex challenge than their bygone counterparts. These seven modern thrillers traverse the full span of the American West, from the borderlands of Texas to the prairies of North Dakota, each with their own haunting tale.
Under Tower Peak by Bart Paul
Retired veteran Tommy Smith has traded in his combat fatigues for his cowboy hat, returning to life as a wilderness guide in California’s Sierra Nevada. But even the isolated mountains, human greed and corruption make their mark; when Tommy and his partner find the battered remains of a billionaire’s plane, their discovery sets off a startling chain of violent attacks. Caught between the billionaire’s wife, the entitled son and his fledgling drug syndicate, things are looking grim for Tommy. He’s done his best to find a new normal in civilian life, but this newfound nightmare threatens to send him back to circumstances he’d rather leave in the past. But with his community in need of protection, Tommy knows he may need to step up and take on these threats personally.
Named one of the 10 Best Mysteries of 2013 by the Wall Street Journal, Under Tower Peak packs an adrenalizing punch that is sure to keep readers on their toes. Just as Tommy makes his mountain trek, the action escalates alongside him. Author Bart Paul creates a searing narrative that asks what levels of baseness people are capable of, and if it’s truly possible to leave the past behind. At the rapid pace the suspense ratchets up, just make sure you don’t get vertigo.
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
On the Great Plains of South Dakota sits the Rosebud Indian Reservation, where Virgil Wounded Horse lies in wait for his latest target. Antiquated state law demands that the tribe pass felony cases to federal authorities, who rarely bother to investigate cases on the reservation. So instead, Virgil serves as a vigilante to his community, working around the laws that do little to help his tribe.
But as good as Virgil has gotten at enacting justice, there’s something different about his next case. When a tribal councilman appeals for help with a recent heroin operation on the reservation, Virgil senses there’s more that he isn’t being told. He refuses — until he finds out that his nephew has been dragged into the mess. With such high stakes, Virgil sets off to track down the mastermind of the heroin ring and put a stop to things by “any means necessary.”
Named A Best Book of 2020 by NPR and shortlisted for an Edgar award, Winter Counts is both an exhilarating piece of crime fiction and an earnest look at an unsung and undervalued part of American life. Read our interview with David Heska Wanbli Weiden here to find out more.
Solitario: The Lonely One by John Manuel
As a river guide in West Texas, it’s Robbie Ducharme’s job to know the tributaries of the Rio Grande like the back of his hand. So it’s an exciting new challenge when a changing climate brings torrential rains to the area, the deluge forms a desert arroyo. It’s the perfect river path for a couple of adventurers like Robbie and his companions — but when a spontaneous river rescue turns into a crime scene, Robbie is suddenly caught in the middle of a vicious court case. With his personal relationships and professional life both on the line, Robbie must ask himself if the high risk he took that fateful day was worth it.
Author John Manuel’s experience as a canoeist and environmental journalist is evident in his writing; every aspect of the West Texas landscape is richly detailed, from the waters of the Rio Grande to the wind-beaten sands. But even more accurate is the way he portrays human nature through the narrative of Solitario. The novel shows just how quickly the best intentions can unfold into unforeseen consequences, and how one person’s actions can have a ripple effect on all those around them.
Check out our full review of Solitario, as well as our interview with author John Manuel.
The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, this captivating novel tackles conversations about racism and the distortion of history head-on. For generations, the town of Pluto, North Dakota has been haunted by the legacy of a farm family’s murder and the subsequent lynching of three Ojibwe men falsely blamed for the crime. The ramifications for the attacks are still felt, especially on the nearby reservation, and those with living memory of the event refuse to speak about that night. But Evelina Harp is determined to uncover the truth. Part Ojibwe and part white, she walks a line between the two communities, and she has the connections to help get to the truth — particularly her grandfather, a source of family and tribal history, as well as Pluto’s Judge Antone Bazil Coutts.
With rich imagery and a deep understanding of the human experience, author Louise Erdrich crafts a narrative that gets to the heart of what it means to be truly haunted by the past, and the damage that previous generations’ actions have on the present. The Plague of Doves uses skilled prose, witty humor and a stunning sense of gravitas to immerse the reader in the flawed, complicated lives of Pluto’s citizens.
Back of Beyond by C. J. Box
A New York Times bestseller and an Edgar Award winner, Back of Beyond plunges readers into an electrifying thriller set in the deadly wilderness of Yellowstone National Park. Cody Hoyt is a talented detective with a shattered personal life — he’s lonely, struggling and only two months sober. Things only get worse when his close friend and AA sponsor Hank Winters is found dead in his isolated cabin. Most people chalk it up to a suicide, but Cody’s not convinced, and he soon he finds a lead with a local Yellowstone guide who leads multi-day hiking trips through the park. That discovery only adds urgency to Cody’s search — because his son Justin has just headed off on one of those expeditions.
The first of the Cassie Dewell series, Back of Beyond tells a gripping tale of a man dangling close to rock bottom, and the killer who will make or break him. Author C.J. Box reminds us that Yellowstone’s a dangerous place — but it’s not just the wildlife that lurks in the shadows, ready for the next kill.
Check out some of C.J. Box’s other books that we’ve featured on BookTrib.
The Far Empty by J. Todd Scott
In a small town on the rugged borderlands of Texas, seventeen-year-old Caleb Ross is desperate for answers about his mother’s disappearance. Meanwhile, a former football superstar of the local high school is back in town, now known as Sheriff Deputy Chris Cherry. But there’s something strange about Sheriff Standford “Judge” Ross that Chris can’t quite put his finger on — and when skeletal remains are found just outside town, it’s the sheriff’s own son that comes to Chris for help. Their joint research brings them both to the same terrifying conclusion — that Sheriff Ross may very well have had a hand in his own wife’s murder.
A decidedly modern Western thriller, author J. Todd Scott abandons the classic “hero sheriff” narrative for a far grittier, more grounded tale of small-town corruption and violence. This chilling novel weaves a tale of loss, anguish and a desperate play for revenge. The Far Empty shines at depicting the all-too-real consequences of putting wicked people in positions of power, creating a tyrant among men.
Driving on the Rim by Thomas McGuane
Flipping the narrative of the other books we’ve covered here, the protagonist of Driving on the Rim isn’t hunting down a killer. In fact, he’s the one who’s been accused of murder — and as much as he pleads his innocence, his community doesn’t believe him. Shunned by his small Montana town, Berl Pickett escapes the suffocating judgement and hits the road in search of a reprieve and a sense of purpose — and all the while, hoping that the real killer is found.
Part whodunit, part contemplative fiction with moments of dark humor throughout, Driving on the Rim is an immersive and thought-provoking story of one man’s odyssey for redemption and acceptance. And with a Washington Post Best Novel of the Year award to its name, it seems other readers approve as well. A contemporary spin on the wandering cowboy narrative, Berl steers his car down isolated country roads to explore all the remote wilderness that the American West has to offer. With snappy dialogue and emotional depth, Driving on the Rim depicts a poignant tale of solitude, injustice and inner strength.
