Breakheart Pass

Precisely ninety-eight minutes after I started this re-read, I completed it. Well, no sense in dawdling, now is there, when there's really nothing much to "see" or what-have-you. MacLean wasn't a descriptive writer, had no ear for dialogue, and wasn't familiar with the US West; go fight them odds.

He also wrote such awful women...names with a tic or two to prevent them from melting into the walls too far to be even detected...but he was *aces* at "omigawdwhathappensnextomigawd"ness. And, to my surprise, at the greyness of real-life motivations. His Native American (called in period style "Paiutes" which, well, just ain't one thing and...nevermind) aren't Bad Guys. They want what they want to reclaim their ancestral way of life, not to show more blood-thirstily murder white mens and rape they womens.

The first time I read this ancient hardcover was in 1974. My older sister the bookstore lady was going to send it back to the publisher unsold and I successfully wheedled it out of her. I don't remember how long it took me to read the book, but it couldn't have been a lot longer than this re-read took. There simply isn't enough there there to demand a close, attentive read.

It did pass the ninety-eight minutes well enough, which is really all I asked of it. show less

An excellent entry by MacLean, set in post-Civil War American west. I loved how the plot kept twisting and I was unable to figure out what was happening until well into the book. I'm definitely keeping this one.

Alistair MacLean doing a Western? Yes please! This is a great concept and the suspense just keeps building as the train rushes ever closer to the titular Breakheart Pass. It's a very low-tech thriller, too, with an economical page count that makes it a refreshing book to read in between larger works. My favourite parts were the description of the saloon in Chapter 1, and the protracted showdown over the last two chapters or so, which was somewhat reminiscent of the end of Where Eagles Dare for some reason. I also enjoyed the fact that there was a character referred to as "the Governor"; my brain's central casting immediately brought in David Morrissey from The Walking Dead, despite the text saying that this Governor looked like Mark show more Twain.

However, I think I need to read this book again, and/or watch the movie, in order to fully appreciate it. Even though it's a short book, I've been very restless in my reading and did not give it the full attention it deserved. It's definitely something I would enjoy if I were in a better reading mood, so I still recommend it very much if you like MacLean and Westerns, or if you enjoyed Where Eagles Dare. show less

A great story from a great story teller.

A secret service agent, in 1873, boards a medial troop train heading to Fort Humbolt where there has been an outbreak of cholera. Thus begins a twisting story of intrigue and murder. Published in 1974 this is a book that is timeless and exciting. I highly recommend this book if you haven't read it, if you have read it before a re-read should be considered.

I loved this book, possibly not enough for 5 stars but nearly.... :)

A multiple murder mystery set in 1873 and situated in the rocky mountains. A train is bound for a cholera stricken fort but things start to go wrong as people start dieing and going missing.

Who is the killer? The novel unravells at a rapid speed with various twists and turns that hook you until the dramatic outcome.

Def one worth trying as an introduction to maclean.

This book takes place on an Army train in the American West in the 19th century after the Civil War. The train, under the command of Colonel Claremont, is full of relief troops and supplies, headed to Fort Humboldt, a remote mountain fort in Paiute Indian territory. The train also has on board a Marshall who is escorting a captured Federal prisoner named John Dekin. On its journey, there will be murders, conspiracies, sabotage, ambushes, rooftop fights, and Indians seeking revenge. The action is non-stop, and at times it is somewhat hectic, with one plot twist after another. My only complaint is that a whole lot of characters are introduced at the beginning of the book, and without much character description, it was difficult for me to show more keep them straight for awhile. Basically, this book is all about action and suspense, and it does an excellent job of delivering both. show less

After I started this book I was surprised to find out it was a western. I did not expect it from this author. It was a very slow start and the plot was predictable. It was not a bad story but not what you call exciting. Not too many surprises.