DISTURBING THE PEACE
A Jeremiah Halstead Western
By Terrence McCauley
Pinnacle Western
325 pgs
Coming on the heels of the first Jeremiah Halstead western, “Blood on Trail,” this new book has the young U.S. Deputy Marshal traveling into northern Montana on the trail of the outlaw Ed Zimmerman. After Hastead had wiped out his gang and stronghold, Zimmerman managed to escape to hills and mining camps where he hoped to ally himself with another vicious killer, one Rob Brunet. Zimmerman has come up with an elaborate scheme that goes beyond simple robbery. He plans on using the stolen loot he, Brunet, and the gang of outlaws they recruit, to buy a small town.. Hard Scrabble is on its last leg economically and as the story opens, the majority of its citizens have moved to the newly established township of Battle Brook.
Of course, Halstead and his fellow deputy, young Jerry Sandborne, have no inclination of the outlaw’s grand scheme. Their simple directive from Marshal Aaron Mackey is to find and apprehend Zimmerman and Brunet and bring them to justice; dear or alive. Once again, McCauley establishes his plot fast and keeps the action moving smoothly. Along the journey, Halstead makes friends with Battle Brooks veteran lawman, Marshal McBride, who quickly becomes a valuable source of information. He also crosses paths with Abigail Newman, a newly arrived school teacher and almost instantly the sparks fly between them as both become enamored of each other. All of which is both an exciting and frightening experience for Halstead. Exciting in that this beautiful, intelligent young woman has taken a genuine fancy to him; frightened because as she becomes someone dear to him she also becomes a vulnerability. Were Zimmerman to learn of his affection for her, he would have no remorse in using her as a pawn in his game of destroying the deadly Halstead.
“Disturbing the Peace” once again adds validity to the fact that Terrence McCauley is one of the finest new Western writers on the paperback scene today. First, we had his wonderful Aaron McCkey trilogy and now he’s back with this spin-off series proving to be just as much fun as the first. Honestly, saddle pards, waiting for the next Halstead tale will be damn tough.
