Incident at Twenty-Mile

Rating:
Summary: Taut & gripping thriller cast as a western
Review: This book has obviously provoked strong reactions among its readers (as you will see from reading the reviews below). Such is the power of Trevanian's writing that he is able to do that.

I suppose it's cliche, but you'll probably either enjoy this or hate it. I thought it was quite good. Trevanian is a gifted writer and one of the best authors in the thriller genre. It would seem a strange choice for him to write a western after so many years in hiding--but it works for him. This is an exciting, gripping story that holds you in its grasp and slowly squeezes. (I think those who read it as parody are off the mark.) You'll find yourself loathing the villains--as well you should--and hoping that someone will finally prevail over them.

One note of interest: Trevanian (aka Rodney Whittaker) portrays this book as a "true" story that he uncovered. Any thoughts on whether this is just an extension of the myth?

--Reviewed by David Montgomery, Mystery Ink