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The Stalking Moon
Hoping to settle down after an adventurous military career, Sam Vetch learns that his wife was once the mate of a notorious Apache who has come to claim her in a duel to the death with Sam. Original.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1965
About the author
Theodore V. Olsen
75 books8 followersTheodore Victor Olsen (April 25, 1932 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin – July 13, 1993 in Rhinelander) was an American western fiction author.
Olsen's family immigrated from Norway in 1901. Theodore Olsen was born on April 25, 1932 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He went to school in Rhinelander and began to write in high school. He began a western novel at that time. Olsen went to college in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He finally finished his novel, Haven of the Hunted, and it was published in 1956. Olsen also began to sell western stories to pulp magazines at this time. Though Olsen would occasionally travel west, he lived his whole life in Rhinelander and would use exhaustive research to help accurately portray scenes of the west in his stories.
Olsen was married to fellow western fiction author Beverly Butler.
Olsen died in Rhinelander on July 13, 1993, and several works were published posthumously.
Much of T.V. Olsen's family still lives in the Rhinelander region. They own a 300-acre (1.2 sq km) ranch with a century old farm house and dairy barn.
Olsen's family immigrated from Norway in 1901. Theodore Olsen was born on April 25, 1932 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He went to school in Rhinelander and began to write in high school. He began a western novel at that time. Olsen went to college in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He finally finished his novel, Haven of the Hunted, and it was published in 1956. Olsen also began to sell western stories to pulp magazines at this time. Though Olsen would occasionally travel west, he lived his whole life in Rhinelander and would use exhaustive research to help accurately portray scenes of the west in his stories.
Olsen was married to fellow western fiction author Beverly Butler.
Olsen died in Rhinelander on July 13, 1993, and several works were published posthumously.
Much of T.V. Olsen's family still lives in the Rhinelander region. They own a 300-acre (1.2 sq km) ranch with a century old farm house and dairy barn.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 1, 2020
Not your usual western
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: August 13, 2013
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Language: English
ASIN: B00ECD2W4I
Amazon.com Sales Rank: 162744
240 pages
A tense, atmospheric Western which could easily be a modern horror story along the lines of Cape Fear (Two movies of that title based on THE EXECUTIONERS, a psychological thriller-suspense novel written by John D. MacDonald, published in 1957.).
An almost superhuman, legendary Apache warrior called Salvaje, wants his children and revenge. Sam Vetch, married to the former captive Salvaje claims as wife, is on his home ground and has help. Or has he just provided the killer with more targets and victims? Despite some elements of the story being predictable, the suspense builds to a final, dramatic, unpredictable confrontation.
This novel was the basis of the 1968 Gregory Peck movie with Robert Forster and Eva Marie Saint. Directed by Robert Mulligan, who also directed Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, Stalking Moon was an unusual western which opened to mixed reviews. I liked both the book and the movie though when you compare the movie to the two Cape Fear movies, you can not help but think of what could have been with a little wistful disappointment.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: August 13, 2013
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Language: English
ASIN: B00ECD2W4I
Amazon.com Sales Rank: 162744
240 pages
A tense, atmospheric Western which could easily be a modern horror story along the lines of Cape Fear (Two movies of that title based on THE EXECUTIONERS, a psychological thriller-suspense novel written by John D. MacDonald, published in 1957.).
An almost superhuman, legendary Apache warrior called Salvaje, wants his children and revenge. Sam Vetch, married to the former captive Salvaje claims as wife, is on his home ground and has help. Or has he just provided the killer with more targets and victims? Despite some elements of the story being predictable, the suspense builds to a final, dramatic, unpredictable confrontation.
This novel was the basis of the 1968 Gregory Peck movie with Robert Forster and Eva Marie Saint. Directed by Robert Mulligan, who also directed Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, Stalking Moon was an unusual western which opened to mixed reviews. I liked both the book and the movie though when you compare the movie to the two Cape Fear movies, you can not help but think of what could have been with a little wistful disappointment.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
June 29, 2018
Really good story about a woman and child, who escaped captivity and need a veteran Calvary man to get them to freedom.
July 8, 2010
A tense novel of a man. Sam Vetch, army scout on his last assignment before retiring, rescues a white woman in a raid on an Apache village. A captive for ten years, she has two sons, one nine and one a few months, by a feared warrior named Salvaje. He was away on the raid and, as the rest are returned to the reservation, Vetch is asked to accompany her to a railroad station.
What happens is she becomes his wife and returns with children to his New Mexico ranch where he fifgures they are safe.
Until his best friend Nick Tana, a half breed scout, shows up with the news that Salvaje is coming.
Thus begins the stalking. Sam realizes arly on the the Apache is fighting a war of nerves, like a cat playing with it's prey before the kill.
What happens is she becomes his wife and returns with children to his New Mexico ranch where he fifgures they are safe.
Until his best friend Nick Tana, a half breed scout, shows up with the news that Salvaje is coming.
Thus begins the stalking. Sam realizes arly on the the Apache is fighting a war of nerves, like a cat playing with it's prey before the kill.
May 6, 2018
The Rescue of a White Woman and Her Half Breed Son From Apaches
TVO penned this novel from a short story that became a novel which led to a movie. The Calgary rescue a White Woman from Apaches who has a son by one of the Chiefs. A scout becomes involved, who has his friend with him, an Indian, after the rescue, but is ordered to get them to safety. The chase is on and the Chief follows them to California before his demise. This is an excellent read for the genre. And an outstanding movie......DEHS
TVO penned this novel from a short story that became a novel which led to a movie. The Calgary rescue a White Woman from Apaches who has a son by one of the Chiefs. A scout becomes involved, who has his friend with him, an Indian, after the rescue, but is ordered to get them to safety. The chase is on and the Chief follows them to California before his demise. This is an excellent read for the genre. And an outstanding movie......DEHS
May 9, 2017
What a great western
Captured me from the very beginning. Throughout the entire story the characters were so vivid along with the country side . I highly recommend this book
Captured me from the very beginning. Throughout the entire story the characters were so vivid along with the country side . I highly recommend this book
July 15, 2019
This was one really great, gripping Western with an exceptionally well-crafted story and original, warm-blooded, well-developed characters. Prepare to read it in one sitting!
January 26, 2011
This tense, brisk-paced Western with a social message behind it features a white tracker who retires from the Army to live in his dream house and ranch. The rub is his new wife is the former wife of an Apache renegade who also fathered her son. Of course, the showdown comes along, and things get a little tight. I seem to recall seeing this movie starring Gregory Peck on cable TV a few years ago, but I might be wrong. Anyway, I sure did enjoy a fun night of reading THE STALKING MOON. You might, too.
November 4, 2016
I thought it was a good read overall, however it was very predictable in the story line. That was why I gave it 4 star's and not 5
It was a very good read, however, it was predictable in the story line. It seemed that I always knew what was coming next. That is the reason I gave it 4 star's and not 5
It was a very good read, however, it was predictable in the story line. It seemed that I always knew what was coming next. That is the reason I gave it 4 star's and not 5
September 16, 2014
very tense and don't know what's going to happen next until you really get into the book and it keeps you guessing who's actually the bad guy and who's trying to take the child away from his mother until you get to the end of the book
December 7, 2014
The movie is somewhat different from the book.
November 27, 2025
First of all, let me just make one thing clear: I am not very fond of the cover of this edition that I own (surely they could have done something better).
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. The Stalking Moon is a Western / Slasher / Thriller hybrid and actually does a pretty good job. It's edgier / gnarlier than other Olsen novels I have read and also inspired a fine film featuring Gregory Peck (check it out, if you can find it).
The novel deals with bias and follows a path less taken (slasher westerns couldn't have been a dime a dozen back in the day). Lots of psychological and emotional content in this one.
Recommended.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. The Stalking Moon is a Western / Slasher / Thriller hybrid and actually does a pretty good job. It's edgier / gnarlier than other Olsen novels I have read and also inspired a fine film featuring Gregory Peck (check it out, if you can find it).
The novel deals with bias and follows a path less taken (slasher westerns couldn't have been a dime a dozen back in the day). Lots of psychological and emotional content in this one.
Recommended.
June 5, 2026
After reading this I can see why they immediately made this into a movie starring the great Gregory Peck and why Michael K Vaughan (YouTube) mentions him as his favorite western author. Solid and enjoyable from beginning to end with no boring stretches, my kind of western for sure. I'm glad I picked this one up from the local used bookstore and definitely a keeper for my western collection.
March 29, 2025
I like a good western
Good western…like the suspense…good ending, not “happily ever after” …always love Native Americans in westerns, especially when they are superior to their enemies !
Good western…like the suspense…good ending, not “happily ever after” …always love Native Americans in westerns, especially when they are superior to their enemies !
April 8, 2020
Great book
Great book that made a great film, excellent and exciting to the finish a must read it’s never dated over time
Great book that made a great film, excellent and exciting to the finish a must read it’s never dated over time
March 26, 2015
Read in my youth and found it gripping. It led me to read other T.V. Olsen novels. Including a historical Viking novel which I believe was called Brothers of the Sword. Had the pleasure to meet Mr. Olsen and his wife and acted the part of an embarrassing fan girl.
May 29, 2017
A decent western that furnished the basis for a much better movie.
Read
November 13, 2008W Ols
November 1, 2016
Good story
Good story with realistic actions of the time period (and unfortunately today). Good flow and well written. Looking forward to more.
Good story with realistic actions of the time period (and unfortunately today). Good flow and well written. Looking forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews