Review by P Reefer -- The McCoys Before The Feud

[P Reefer]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The McCoys Before The Feud" by Thomas McCoy.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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“Get to cover someone just saw us! Thomas hollered,” is the opening line of McCoy’s saga. Thomas A. McCoy’s,The McCoys: Before the Feud is an action-packed novel set in 1865 at the tail end of the war. The narrative recounts real-life historical events of a battle that is just beginning. Tommy Mc Coy hungers for justice for himself and a neighboring community plundered by the war generals. The author in a measured tone builds excitement as he unravels the premeditated plots that the McCoy’s clan devises to follow a trail of several wagonloads of well-guarded stolen bounty.

Two parallel plot lines unfold as the reader also gets to witness what happens among the platoons who are guarding the looted treasures and those sent to secure the tampered telegraph lines. A lot of planning takes place among the McCoys, and each plan requires the cooperation of all participants for the project to proceed.

Tension is in the air throughout this narrative with a mix of a little romance. I liked that the McCoys, while seeking justice, tried to avoid killing anyone or using obscene language. Their deliberate plans to reclaim the stolen bounty without engaging in the cold-blooded murder seem unattainable but as the narrative unfolds the reader waits with bated breath to witness whether the careful execution of the plans would accomplish such a feat without a hitch.

It was difficult to isolate one or two protagonists as the author’s action-driven narrative featured a bevy of McCoys, each with an important role to play in ensuring the success of their planned ambushes. The book examines ambush tactics, loyalty, injustice, collaboration, and secrecy. Allan McCoy, the book’s author, is a direct descendant of the original McCoy family involved in the Hatfields and McCoys’ feud. He recreates the start of one of the most legendary and infamous family feuds in American history.

I found nothing that I disliked about this book, just when I thought I could predict the climatic point it surprised me that my assumption was incorrect. The McCoys: Before the Feud reads as a well-edited text with limited errors. Readers who enjoy westerns, adventures, or historical novels will enjoy this book. I rate this family saga 4 out of 4 stars. I am ready to re-enter the western territory of enrapturing adventures with Book 2 and Book 3 of the series.

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The McCoys Before The Feud
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