Snarling Wolf
Ghosts along the Oregon Trail, Book #4
by David Fitz-Gerald
Ghosts Dive back into the gripping, frontier chaos. Snarling Wolf is the fourth adventurous installment in the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series.
The famed Snake River marks the point the wagon master claims that all the greenhorns turn loco. After twelve hundred grueling miles and four relentless months on the trail, the expedition teeters on the brink. Frayed nerves, exhausted patience, and the specter of doom cast a dark cloud over the travelers.
At every turn, new dangers emerge. A young man who is like a brother to Dorcas Moon is ravaged in a mountain lion attack. A heat wave grips the dusty, barren plains and spreads sickness. The wolves that lurk in the shadows edge closer. Even the rattlesnakes seem emboldened.
Dorcas' daughter, Rose's descent into madness can no longer be ignored. What began as an eerie preoccupation with death takes a shocking turn when Rose reveals her truths. Dorcas is thrust into a realm of disbelief, and her worst fears about Rose's mysterious suitor become a stark reality.
As weary emigrants yearn for respite, tales of murderous outlaws spread like wildfire across the prairie. Passing strangers share the latest terrifying news. It's only a matter of when, not if, the notorious highwaymen will strike. Which bend of the mighty snake shelters the feared outlaws?
Grab your copy of Snarling Wolf now and unveil the next chapter in Dorcas Moon's relentless saga. Sink your teeth into this tale of survival, madness, and the unyielding spirit of those who brave the treacherous migration.
I don’t care what Captain Meadows or The Committee thinks of me and my family. Our fellow travelers will have to accept us, or not, as they wish. If the friends who accompanied us on this expedition now judge us unfit company, so be it. If our new friends want to ostracize us, we shall have to endure the separation.
For the past four months, Dorcas Moon and her family have been journeying to Oregon, and life on the road has become their new normal. They have grown accustomed to the daily labour of chores, walking, and steering the wagons that transport their cherished belongings.
They have reached the penultimate part of their journey – Snake River. After spending a considerable amount of time on the trail, Snake River is renowned as the tipping point where people on the journey start losing their sanity. Despite knowing that the end is near, the caravan grows more disheartened with each passing moment. Weariness starts to set in, and with it comes irritation, and short tempers. Things are said and done with little thought of the consequence.
Snarling Wolf, the fourth novel in David Fitz-Gerald’s series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail, rejoins Dorcas Moon as the caravan reaches yet another landmark in the journey of their lives. With mounting tension, it quickly becomes apparent that it is not only outside forces that threaten the safety of Dorcas and her family.
Dorcas and her family are already seen as different from everyone else. Rose, specifically, is the one who receives the harshest criticism, as she often seems detached from the reality of those around her. Her fixation on the graves along the path has intensified. Making matters worse, she has established a bond with a Brulé shaman, causing the caravan to become increasingly unhappy with her. Throughout the trail, Dorcas has been there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. And yet, when things turn around, when she needs help, everyone turns a blind eye towards her and her family. They don’t want to associate with her, and so she and her family must attempt to make their way by themselves, even while surrounded by other people. As strong as Dorcas’s resolve is, she is not as tough as nails, as she would have those around her believe. She struggles through the nasty looks and words she overhears, and attempts to shield her family from any such hate. Dorcas definitely goes through a lot in this series, while trying to protect those around her, and although she rarely sees anything back in return, that doesn’t stop her from being nice to those around her. She is truly a character to be admired, for no matter what life throws at her, she refuses to roll over and give in, but will fight anyone and everyone to protect those she cares about.
Love plays a significant role in this series, but its true importance and impact on the story start to become evident in this novel. Love is a strong bond, and Dorcas is very much a believer that love is a force not to be reckoned with, but rather one to nurture. She might not be the biggest fan of the shaman who goes by the name of Snarling Wolf, but she can see that, however much she might not like the age difference, Rose has a connection with him, and Dorcas tries her hardest to come to terms with their relationship, and accept Snarling Wolf into her family. Her love of Rose, and her desire to maintain a good relationship with her eldest daughter, is enough for her to put aside her concerns for the sake of her daughter’s happiness.
In several instances in this series, Dorcas places the feelings of others above her own and provides unwavering support as they follow their hearts. This results in the development of strong friendships. Her own love life, however, is not so forthcoming. She is adamant that she is too old for courting, and does not need a man in her life in order to survive. But ever since setting out on the journey, she has been unable to forget about the assistant wagon master, Agapito Huerta Delgado. She knows she could never pursue a relationship with him, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming. Dorcas and Agapito have a developing friendship filled with gentle words and caring gestures, but the series’ ongoing traumas prevent them from finding the right time to deepen their connection. There is no day of rest, for there is always something happening, and something that must be attended to, but when there is a spare moment, where they may spend a few minutes together, the connection between them is undeniable. The author has done a marvellous job of creating chemistry between two characters who do not get to spend much time together. While reading, you cannot help but root for them, even to just become better friends, for there are many obstacles standing between them and for all she does for other people, Dorcas deserves someone to look out for her as well.
Continuing the trend set by the prior instalments, this novel heightens tension by incorporating the viewpoint of a notorious gang of brothers, relentless in their pursuit of unsuspecting travellers along the trail. The mounting suspense amplifies as the wheels of the wagons inch forward, drawing nearer to the outlaws’ concealed hideout. Waiting for the moment that they finally advance upon the wagons will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat, and ensure you cannot put one book down without wanting to pick up the next one in the series.
As the series progresses towards its climactic conclusion, Snarling Wolf: A Pioneer Western Adventure (Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail Book 4) by David Fitz-Gerald establishes itself as the next captivating instalment in this enthralling narrative. With the future still unknown, and with only one book remaining, this novel is an integral part of the story, building not only tension, but advancing relationships and capturing the reader in an unescapable trap. There is no other option but to keep reading and hope that the beloved characters reach their destination unscathed.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Ellie Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
The title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Series Trailer Link:
David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.
Connect with Dave:
Congratulations on another fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maddie. We're so thrilled that Ellie is enjoying this riveting adventure. :-)
DeleteThank you so much and deep appreciate to Ellie, Cathie, and the Coffee Pot Book Club for this wonderful Editorial Review. 🙏
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Dave. It's always a pleasure to share news of your wonderful books.
Delete