Review by timd -- Rescued by E. Alan Fleischauer
1 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Rescued" by E. Alan Fleischauer.]
Rescued by E. Alan Fleischauer is the first book in a series about J. T. Thomas, ex-marshal and an ex-senior officer from the Unionist Army in the American Civil War. The tale begins when he accidentally spies a wagon with bound women being dragged behind it, from a secret location in a mysterious cave that he has stumbled upon. As an honorable man he shoots the ruffians, frees the ladies and takes them to the nearest town in order to allow them to recover from their ordeal and to receive medical attention, as one of them was wounded.
Unfortunately for him, matters are not as straightforward as they appear and one of the ladies is in fact in league with a gang of bank robbers and criminals. In the town, matters come to a dramatic head and she robs a bank, sadistically murders the elderly manager, and leaves the town with her ill-gotten gains in order to meet up with the other members in her gang. J. T. and one of the ladies whom he has rescued are strongly attracted to each other. Both of them are incensed by the criminal woman's actions and together they decide to pursue her in order to bring her to justice. This is the introduction to a typical tale of Western adventure which includes action, romance, hidden treasure, murder, and deception. The surprising conclusion takes place in New York City and provides an interesting twist to an otherwise ordinary Western adventure.
The novel is written in a taut but gripping style that holds the reader's attention. Although the plot initially appears to be somewhat predictable, it provides some welcome twists which make it exciting and entertaining to read. I think it would make an exciting movie as it has elements of action, suspense, and tragic romance. The main protagonists also have surprising depth, unusual for a story which is typically set in the Wild West.
I enjoyed the characters in the story, although they were clearly divided into either starkly good characters, or purely evil, which is unrealistic in true life. Nevertheless, the writing managed to highlight the atmosphere of the period and this made it absorbing to read. There was nothing in particular that I disliked about this book, although I would have preferred to have seen some more descriptive scenes included in the story. There were very few descriptions or details of the physical location of the story, except that it takes place in Colorado but the dramatic conclusion takes place in New York, although there are also very few actual descriptions of the city included, except for the names of places where some of the scenes are set. The author is somewhat brutal with his characters. Both animals and humans lose their lives in violent scenes, contributing to a large amount of tragic loss in the story.
Lovers of Westerns will certainly appreciate this book, as will readers who simply enjoy a wild adventure. Sensitive readers should be aware that the plot is brutally realistic, and this may dismay romanticists. Readers who enjoy more detail from historical fiction may be disappointed as the plot is concentrated on the story and does not provide much accompanying detail at all. The book is suitable for all readers as there are no explicitly violent descriptions in it, nor are there any erotic scenes. In both cases, eroticism and violence are only mentioned but not explicitly described.
There are no religious issues in the plot, other than a mention of the belief of reincarnation by the local Indians, and this book may be enjoyed by readers of any religious faith. From a political perspective, there is a slight inclination supporting abolitionist policies. Sensitive readers may also be aware that there is only mildly sensitive profanity, with the word, damn, being the harshest word used.
The editing and the layout of the book were of an extremely high standard, and I noticed only one mild error in grammar. I have awarded this book a rating of four out of four stars.
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Rescued
View: on Bookshelves |
Rescued by E. Alan Fleischauer is the first book in a series about J. T. Thomas, ex-marshal and an ex-senior officer from the Unionist Army in the American Civil War. The tale begins when he accidentally spies a wagon with bound women being dragged behind it, from a secret location in a mysterious cave that he has stumbled upon. As an honorable man he shoots the ruffians, frees the ladies and takes them to the nearest town in order to allow them to recover from their ordeal and to receive medical attention, as one of them was wounded.
Unfortunately for him, matters are not as straightforward as they appear and one of the ladies is in fact in league with a gang of bank robbers and criminals. In the town, matters come to a dramatic head and she robs a bank, sadistically murders the elderly manager, and leaves the town with her ill-gotten gains in order to meet up with the other members in her gang. J. T. and one of the ladies whom he has rescued are strongly attracted to each other. Both of them are incensed by the criminal woman's actions and together they decide to pursue her in order to bring her to justice. This is the introduction to a typical tale of Western adventure which includes action, romance, hidden treasure, murder, and deception. The surprising conclusion takes place in New York City and provides an interesting twist to an otherwise ordinary Western adventure.
The novel is written in a taut but gripping style that holds the reader's attention. Although the plot initially appears to be somewhat predictable, it provides some welcome twists which make it exciting and entertaining to read. I think it would make an exciting movie as it has elements of action, suspense, and tragic romance. The main protagonists also have surprising depth, unusual for a story which is typically set in the Wild West.
I enjoyed the characters in the story, although they were clearly divided into either starkly good characters, or purely evil, which is unrealistic in true life. Nevertheless, the writing managed to highlight the atmosphere of the period and this made it absorbing to read. There was nothing in particular that I disliked about this book, although I would have preferred to have seen some more descriptive scenes included in the story. There were very few descriptions or details of the physical location of the story, except that it takes place in Colorado but the dramatic conclusion takes place in New York, although there are also very few actual descriptions of the city included, except for the names of places where some of the scenes are set. The author is somewhat brutal with his characters. Both animals and humans lose their lives in violent scenes, contributing to a large amount of tragic loss in the story.
Lovers of Westerns will certainly appreciate this book, as will readers who simply enjoy a wild adventure. Sensitive readers should be aware that the plot is brutally realistic, and this may dismay romanticists. Readers who enjoy more detail from historical fiction may be disappointed as the plot is concentrated on the story and does not provide much accompanying detail at all. The book is suitable for all readers as there are no explicitly violent descriptions in it, nor are there any erotic scenes. In both cases, eroticism and violence are only mentioned but not explicitly described.
There are no religious issues in the plot, other than a mention of the belief of reincarnation by the local Indians, and this book may be enjoyed by readers of any religious faith. From a political perspective, there is a slight inclination supporting abolitionist policies. Sensitive readers may also be aware that there is only mildly sensitive profanity, with the word, damn, being the harshest word used.
The editing and the layout of the book were of an extremely high standard, and I noticed only one mild error in grammar. I have awarded this book a rating of four out of four stars.
******
Rescued
View: on Bookshelves |
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