The Hunt
by Andrew C. Watzek
Trafford Publishing
book review by Maggie Harding
“He still marveled at the fact that he was now a rancher and father after spending most of his life hunting men. Mac had been an Arizona Ranger, and now he remembered the last men he hunted, the manhunt that had caused him to quit the Rangers.” Adam “Mac” McCulough’s thoughts as he awaited the birth of his fourth child.”
In 1876 it was not common for single parents to be raising children. But, when unavoidable circumstances leave Mac McCulough in just that position, he takes on the task in a way that would be the envy of any man in that position. Out of town, on a mid-sized ranch, Mac begins the difficult job of raising his four precious daughters. At first he relies heavily on the help and advice of some kind women in town, but he soon warms to the project and does an admirable job. In addition to treating his girls with love and respect, he sets standards for them that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Hawk, a half White Mountain Apache and good friend of Mac, offers to help teach the girls how to take care of themselves in a time when civilization was just starting to take root in the Wild West. The common task of hunting an Elk for the winter food supply can easily turn into a life threatening encounter with a black bear and a pack of hungry wolves. The girls love their father and Hawk so they delight in learning life lessons from them, lessons that will be more valuable then they can ever imagine.
Andrew Watzek has written an outstanding debut novel. He has not committed many of the mistakes found in first novels, which is a relief for the reviewer who often has to wade through endless pages of descriptions and rabbit trails in order to keep track of the plot. The Hunt is a straightforward story with a beginning, a middle, and an end that will keep the reader fascinated until the very last word. And we hope that this will not be the last book Watzek writes.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
