The sun has finally set on the violent hellstorm that fell on Dover Station, Montana, like a scourge. But when disaster returns, it falls to a lawman armed with a fistful of vengeance to make things right once more . . .
THE BURDEN OF THE BADGE
At long last, U.S. Marshal Aaron Mackey and Deputy Billy Sunday will see crime baron James Grant and his kill-crazy cronies stand trial for the mayhem and suffering they unleashed on the people of Dover Station. But as Montana Territory’s statehood is approaching, murdering devils like Grant can no longer be tolerated in positions of political power.
Or can they? Montana’s capital of Helena follows its own set of laws—laws that not only set Grant free, but give peacekeeping authority to a sadistic murdering gunslinger like Colonel Warren Bell, Mackey’s commanding officer during the war. The city’s leaders prefer keeping killers like Grant and Bell under their thumbs.
Mackey knows there’s no controlling these bloodthirsty madmen. And if they think they’re above the law, then Mackey and Billy will just have to appoint themselves judge, jury, and executioners . . .
About the Author
Terrence P. McCauley is an award-winning writer of crime fiction, thrillers, historical fiction and Westerns. His Western fiction debut, Where the Bullets Fly, received a Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award and was named Best New Western Paperback of the Year by True West magazine. His short stories have been featured in Thuglit, Spinetingler Magazine, Shotgun Honey, Big Pulp, and other publications. A Spur Award and ITW Award nominee, he is a recipient of the Silver Medal for Historical Fiction from the Military Writers Society of America. He is a member of the New York City chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, the International Thriller Writers, the International Crime Writers Association, and the Montana Historical Society. A proud native of the Bronx, New York.
Industry Reviews
"A captivating Western...the setting is harsh and evocative; the villain is sufficiently slimy and scheming; and even the violence is gratifying, as the punches are strong and swift and the bullets whiz by close enough to make readers' hair stand on end. The plot progresses with calculated, yet dramatic, twists and turns...The author manages to craft an ending that will strike the reader's sweet spot between being deeply satisfied and yearning for more. Folks picking up this title will likely seek out the preceding book and will eagerly wait for the next."
Booklist, STARRED Review on Dark Territory
Comes out guns blazing from the very first page and doesn't let up until the action-packed finale...McCauley does an expert job of weaving suspense and intrigue into this traditional Western tale. Along with the enjoyable Western tropes, McCauley incorporates elements of a good old-fashioned mystery that make this book a real page-turner.
True West on Dark Territory
"Dark Territory has much to offer. Well written, it is at once a first-rate Western, expertly exploiting all the genre's tropes and traditions, and a political thriller, as Mackey needs to rely on his acumen as much as his brawn and shooting skills. Well-paced, its quieter moments are as compelling as its outstanding action set pieces. McCauley has definitely piqued my interestI'm going to seek out previous works, as well as follow him in the future."
Mystery Scene
"Sheriff Mackey is a hard-nosed Western hero of the Civil War who packs a punch with both his fists and his guns. Prepare yourself for a fast-paced ride as you turn the pages as tension builds until the final chapter"
The Historical Novels Review on Dark Territory
"Terrance McCauley has done it again. The author of Where The Bullets Fly has followed it up with another excellent read, Dark Territory...Train robberies, labor agitators, small town elections, suicides, love interests, attempted assassinations, and shoot 'em ups fill the book. The action starts on the first page and keeps on going. Twists and turns kept me from figuring out the ending until I had only 2 1/2 pages left to read. Enough, I don't want this review to be as long as the book. Get it, read it, you will be glad you did."
Rope Burns on Dark Territory
"The action starts in chapter one and doesn't let up."
Rope Burns
