Peter Grant brings us a meticulously researched and expertly narrated, true-to-life western in A River of Horns.

Walt Ames and his Texas partner, Tyler Reese, know that the U.S. Army is bound and determined to push the Comanche and Kiowa tribes onto the reservation for good. Once the Texas Panhandle is pacified, millions of acres of land will become available. They aim to be among the first to set up a ranch there – but that’ll take money… a whole lot of money.

How do you raise money for a cattle ranch? By selling cattle, of course! Buy them where they’re cheap, sell them where they’re dear, and use the profits to bankroll your project. It sounds simple – until storms, floods, fires, cow thieves and stampedes show up. They’ll have to buy their cattle in blood, as well as money…

A River of Horns is a departure from other westerns where you either get a Snively Whiplash (kids, ask your parents) or treacherous Indian out to destroy the hero.  Grant tells the story of people working against the elements and the odds as they gather and drive a large herd of cattle across the Texas prairie.

You can tell that this series is a labor of love for the author.  Every detail is researched and explained in a way that makes even the casual fan of the western genre pay attention.

A River of Horns doesn’t read like a page turner, but I was surprised to find that I had read it cover to cover in just a few hours.  The plot is steady as the wind across prairie grass, but moves along smoothly enough that the reader doesn’t get bored.

If you enjoy good westerns, this one is for you.  Take some time and read the rest of the series, then have fun with A River of Horns.