The Man from Shadow Ridge

Saga of the Sierras #1

by Brock Thoene

The year is 1863. In the East, the Civil War rages on. The mountains of California seem remote and untouched by the struggle of the young nation. Tom Dawson has found a refuge from the political and social conflicts running a small ranch with his brother beneath Shadow Ridge.

This man with a restless past, his "rugged, sun-browned face creviced from the weather like a landscape," discovers some measure of peace and happiness at Shadow Ridge with his brother's little family. Then comes the news that the stagecoach has been robbed and six people murdered by a gang of rebel sympathizers stealing Union gold for the South. Without warning, the turmoil of Dawson's past returns.

As he moves toward a final confrontation, the Dawson home is shattered by a second tragedy. Where will he find the courage and faith to continue?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Westerns, Christian, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Paperback

First published February 1, 1990

About the author

BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure I was going to, but it realistically and colorfully portrayed characters. Some of the descriptions were priceless. (In this general store) “you could buy seed, a machine to plant that seed, or a coffin…..to plant a person in.” There was good character development and suspense. Some of the descriptions regarding the local geography were confusing and possibly contradictory. The main character had several damaging encounters in a short succession of time and still managed to be the hero. That was probably the least believable part. Looking forward to the next book!

[Calvin T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Man from Shadow Ridge. It was well written and thoughtfully put together, with a strong story and a clear Christian message that fit naturally into the book. The characters felt real, and the plot kept me interested all the way through.
At times, the Southern accents in the dialogue made it a little harder to read, but once I adjusted, it didn’t take away from the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable and meaningful read, and I’m glad I picked it up.

[Coby Haltiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I generally like western stories set in the 1800’s. I think that I enjoy reading them is because they are typically filled with action, suspense, good story, and is usually good flowing and easy to read.

The first reason that I think that this book is worth reading is that, like many other westerns, is filled with action, suspense, and adventure. Their were many points where I couldn’t put the book down and had to read the next chapter because I had to know what happened next. A couple of chapters were left with major cliffhangers, which caused me to read on.

The second reason that I approve of this book is that it is a great story in general that is filled with great plot twists, danger, hardships, compassion, family, and many more. I believe these reasons alone make it worth reading. It was a really well written book and I think it should deserve an award.

There wasn't much that I didn’t like about this book, the only thing that I found slightly boring when the dialogue carried on for a couple of pages or a chapter

I would rate this book 4.5/5 stars because it had all the good points of a good book, full of action and suspense. And all of the other attributes a good book should have.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've started my usual summer series reading, this time with westerns by the authors of "Vienna Prelude" and all its sequels, which I enjoyed immensely.
In this novel, Tom Dawson has left Missouri to join his brother Jesse in California. They wanted to be out of the border state where the issues and controversy surrounding the Civil War and abolition were making their lives difficult. They thought California would be a place they could live out their belief in the equality of all men without fear.
But when a black child joins the family after violent circumstances, their peaceful existence is threatened. Then family tragedy strikes, and Tom must fight for everyone and everything he loves.
This was an exciting story, with nice period details. The short length also made it an easy and quick read.

[Rachel Tobey Barrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was the thing I enjoyed most about this story. The plot is revealed immediately to the reader, but we wait to see the characters in the book discover the answer to the mystery.
The N-word and a few other racial slurs are used in regard to a run-away slave. Although it is historically accurate to use this language, it still made me uncomfortable.
There are slight religious/Christian faith themes in this book.
Easy read if you enjoy western mysteries.

[Mark M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rereading books from my younger years is always an interesting blast of nostalgia. I remember reading one or two of these in middle school and when I found the full set at Goodwill for $4 I figured it was worth my time. I’d give it 2.5 stars if I could - absolutely average quality plot, storyline, characters, and setting. Also, sure it’s meant to highlight the villain’s lack of character but Christian novels in the 1990s were a bit too free with the racial slurs for my liking.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why I picked this up other than a change of pace seemed good. I never read Westerns and I kinda remember why as character development and romance is a bit scarce, but it did seem really escapist to me at the time and I enjoyed it for that reason. The hero ends up saving the day in the end and sometimes that is just nice to read.

[Lexi Faith Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to start to get into, but worth every second of it!

[Vince Waechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good western.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventure, intrigue, wild west criminals and brave kids, make this a page turner. Violence tempered by faith makes this readable.

[Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good western set in 1863. Interesting interaction with the Civil War and race relations. Good pace and plot.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

gives a good perspective on town and ranching life on the frontier as the Civil War progressed and shaped life's surroundings even in the West

[Liberty M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. I would call it the spaghetti western of books. The plot is predictable but in a nice comforting way. The writing isn't amazing but that's not why I picked it up.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

California 1863 - Life has been good for the Dawson family. Then a stagecoach is robbed and people are murdered. Will Tom be able to find the culprits before two young boys are killed?
The Thoenes are my favorite authors of historical fiction. I have read everything they have written except their Westerns - until now.

[Jacob Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters of this book are James, Tom, Charlie, Byrd, Nathan, Jed, and Jesse. The setting is in the California mountains during the civil war. In the beginning of this book Tom and his two nephews Jed and Nathan. They are delivering some supplies to a station called Granite station. They got a nasty surprise when Byrd shot someone and tried to take a slave. Tom got the kid and Got Byrd away. Toward the end Byrd kid napped one of toms nephews. So tom goes after him on to shadow ridge. what will happen next.

The theme of this book is plan it first. Like how tom didn't plan things before he did it. So why not plan the next thing you will do.

This book isn't the greatest in my opinion because of the bad language and how they abbreviate the words. It is hard to under stand the abbreviated words. Although this book does come with lots of adventure. I still like this book but i would have been better with out the bad language and the abbreviated words.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an adequate Western adventure with Christian themes. The portrayal of racial relations is problematic, especially in the use of dialect and moments such as naming the horse and Montgomery's concerns of bleaching his skin. Racial language is also a problem; while the villains use the N word freely, the others use a variety of terms, most of which are anachronistic.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Man From Shadow Ridge" is a historical (with some western elements) set in 1863 in California. The historical details of everyday life and Civil War politics were woven into the story. It's clear that the authors did in-depth research yet the details never overloaded the story or slowed the pace.

The suspense was created mainly by the physical danger that the "good guys" were in. The characters were varied, interesting, and somewhat complex. Tom, his brother, his family, and the local parson were Christians. There were some references to them praying or going to church or believing God would help them, but the Christian element was spotty and not lecture-y.

This novel was the first in a series. While it can stand alone, the ending was a bit quick and left some minor things to be resolved in the next novel. There were a few horse-related practical details that were wrong (including a boy being carried stomach-down over a saddle horn without sustaining internal injury) and parts of the ending felt improbable.

There was no bad language and no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel to those who like historical novels.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, it was a fairly interesting story. For Christian fiction, there really wasn't that much spiritual presentation, which was disappointing. There were just a few subtle tones here and there. The scenery was pretty, but the dialogue was cheesily trying to be western. The book really could have been a lot longer, and a lot better in my opinion, if the authors had really taken their time with each character. It was decent though.

[Amy Riccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, it was a fairly interesting story. For Christian fiction, there really wasn't that much spiritual presentation, which was disappointing. There were just a few subtle tones here and there. The scenery was pretty, but the dialogue was cheesily trying to be western. The book really could have been a lot longer, and a lot better in my opinion, if the authors had really taken their time with each character. It was decent though.

[Raymond Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, it got boring for a while but the book was still good. It's about a man back then going on a journey. I'm not really a fan of books based on back then, but this book made me like it. I wish it was longer and had more pages because it got me interested. Even if it was based on back then I still enjoyed reading it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes old time books and adventure.

[Ratforce]

Brock and Brodie Thoene are award-winning Christian fiction writers with stories in a variety of historical settings, including the West. Try the Saga of the Sierras series starting with The Man from Shadow Ridge.

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Looked forward to reading this book for a while, was a little disappointing. Bit slow in places for me and just not up to the usual standards...

Second read through was a little better, but still not a great page turner…

[Carol Poulson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Thoene books this one is not up to their usual "can't put it down" writing. I think it would be fine at the middle school level, but not for adults.

[Sasha (bahareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7 Stars

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I made it through the whole series, checking them out from the church library.

They were fun, easy reads. Though I definitely preferred the two series before and after WWII.

[Cws]

JAR6-Tho