Savage Country by Robert Olmstead is a hard-hitting, at times brutal story that I found hard to put down. Although I loved this story, I would hesitate to recommend it to everyone because of the very graphic violence it contains. By the 1870s the millions of buffalo had been wiped out, yet there were still enough that money could be made by the slaughter of these beasts.

It’s Kansas in 1873 and Michael Coughlin has arrived in time for his brother’s funeral. Elizabeth Coughlin is burying her husband and even as she is adjusting to the loss of her mate, she realizes that her home, her land and her cattle are going to be taken from her by the hard men that got their hooks into her husband. She and Michael decide to raise money by travelling to Texas on a large scale, highly dangerous buffalo hunt. They plan to hunt over the winter when the Comanche are settled into their winter quarters, but nevertheless, the land offers up many dangers. Through prairie fires and flash floods, rattlesnakes, rabid animals, and human betrayals and treachery the cruel and back breaking work of the buffalo hunt goes on.

I have read a number of Robert Olmstead books and have loved each and every one. Here he is delivering a gripping narrative as he depicts a small corner of American history. But of course, Savage Country delivers much more than history, this is also an intimate human story that is both powerful and realistic. ( )

A wonderful, well written book. Can't wait to read more by this author, very strange to me that my library doesn't hold his other novels in their collection. Hidden gem. ( )

Very entertaining read that depicts the rough and violent nature that was the American west. I believe Olmstead's version is amped up a bit to provide greater entertainment, but the darkness he portrays does feel realistic. Story centers around a buffalo hunt that is taken on to enrich a widow. Expedition is more or less guided by her brother in law, while all kinds of characters join them to make the trip more profitful, yet dangerous. Book is good for teen audiences, particularly later teens that struggle to find reads that hook them. Death, gore, and violence are around each corner from page to page. ( )

The first paragraph really sets the tone of this novel - it's raw, it's dirty, and you can feel it! The whole book is like that - the "real" west, blood and guts and crust in yer eyes! I felt like Olmstead really captured what it was like to be out on the range in 1873 on a buffalo hunt. And his character Michael is as rough and tough a man as they come! The story itself isn't much in the way of something that really stands out and may be remembered down the road. But the writing, well, I think I'm still coughing trail dust outta my lungs after reading this. ( )

Kansas, 1844, Elizabeth finds herself without monetary means after the death of her husband. she learns that he had hinged everything on a buffalo hunt, a hunt he hoped would provide him with the necessary funds the clear his debts. His estranged brother Michael, makes an appearance and Elizabeth begs him to take on this hunt, and to take her with him.

The last buffalo hunt, two powerful characters, gorgeous writing, outstanding imagery of nature, but a very brutal time. The title is apropos, a time when survival was less than certain. Where many things could kill you, snake bites, the betrayal of other men willing to take what you have, by whatever means necessary, the changing, harsh weather, and Indians. I loved how he portrayed Elizabeth, a deep inner strength, but kind when needed, decisive in her thinking, and willing to inhabit and endure these harsh conditions, alongside her workers.

The buffalo hunt that basically wiped out the herd, is historical fact. Have to admit at cringing at the very graphic descriptions of the slaughter, skinning and cutting of these noble animals. Yet, it was survival, during a time when one had to make their own way, their own money and living by whatever means they could. Thought this novel was very well done, as well as providing an insight of a particular harsh period of time.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )