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Tommy Smith High Mountain Noir #1
Under Tower Peak
After two tours as a sniper in Iraq, Tommy Smith has returned to his former life as a cowboy and wilderness guide in California’s Sierra Nevada, hoping to reclaim the simplicity of his youth and heal the wounds the world can’t see.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
415 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
Bart Paul
5 books37 followersBart Paul is the author of TV documentaries, short stories, the biography Double-Edged Sword: The Many Lives of Hemingway's Friend, the American Matador Sidney Franklin (University of Nebraska Press, 2009), Under Tower Peak (Arcade, 2013), and Cheatgrass (Arcade, 2016). Throughout his school years, he spent summers working on cattle ranches and pack outfits in California's Eastern Sierra. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley and years in southern California, he now divides his time between Bridgeport, California, near Yosemite, and Smith Valley, Nevada - the ranching country of his novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
January 15, 2019
It starts with a plane crash near Tower Mountain’s peak in California’s Sierra Nevada. Hypothermia sets in and the man doesn’t make it. A few months later, our narrator Tommy and his partner Lester are clearing out the danger areas caused by an avalanche and Tommy spots the plane, so he and Lester go to investigate.
Lester isn’t the best-shod hoof on the horse, and things start to get complicated when he discovers some valuables and is amused to help himself to parts of them. Then things get more complicated when it comes time to report the incident – mostly delayed because Tommy insists they need to return first to replace the items Lester made off with.
When they get back to the site – there are more surprises in store, and this is when things become not only complicated but chillingly ominous. This book moves quickly from a routine Spring cleanup amble into an intense and fast-paced contest between their adversaries’ intentions to eradicate all witnesses to the mountain’s secret and their own will to survive. Tommy, whose background as a decorated sniper from two tours in the army manages to extricate himself and Lester from several close calls. Despite that, the body count mounts and the evidence leads local law enforcement down a false trail.
I found it difficult to absorb that this was a debut novel. The writing, the plot, the pacing, the fully-developed characters – all felt like a seasoned writer at the top of his form. The descriptive writing flows so seamlessly below it all – a strong yet fluctuating current carrying the weight of this story – and sometimes hiding the evidence from view. I am still under the spell of this well-written novel and recommend it to everyone who enjoys reading gripping stories where people push their agendas as far as they can (onto nature as well as other people) with unexpected results.
Lester isn’t the best-shod hoof on the horse, and things start to get complicated when he discovers some valuables and is amused to help himself to parts of them. Then things get more complicated when it comes time to report the incident – mostly delayed because Tommy insists they need to return first to replace the items Lester made off with.
When they get back to the site – there are more surprises in store, and this is when things become not only complicated but chillingly ominous. This book moves quickly from a routine Spring cleanup amble into an intense and fast-paced contest between their adversaries’ intentions to eradicate all witnesses to the mountain’s secret and their own will to survive. Tommy, whose background as a decorated sniper from two tours in the army manages to extricate himself and Lester from several close calls. Despite that, the body count mounts and the evidence leads local law enforcement down a false trail.
I found it difficult to absorb that this was a debut novel. The writing, the plot, the pacing, the fully-developed characters – all felt like a seasoned writer at the top of his form. The descriptive writing flows so seamlessly below it all – a strong yet fluctuating current carrying the weight of this story – and sometimes hiding the evidence from view. I am still under the spell of this well-written novel and recommend it to everyone who enjoys reading gripping stories where people push their agendas as far as they can (onto nature as well as other people) with unexpected results.
February 15, 2017
Oh, Bart. You made me think you didn't know what you were doing at first. A first person narrative? A somewhat confusing beginning? No idea who's who at the start? I soon realized the gradual reveals and fun characters you were dropping were intentional, and my curiosity grew. It didn't take long after that for me to become engrossed in your story of these two mountain cowboys and all their horse wisdom. Tommy's stoic assurance made me feel safe. We all can depend on Tommy. But even Tommy can't stop everything.
I loved your descriptions, Bart. I've visited those mountains and lived near and ran in some myself for a time now and your landscapes were nearly just as warm and pine-scented. I appreciated the cowboy details. You never included too many or made them too intrusive—they were just the right amount to make me believe you knew what you were talking about, and to occasionally make me nod in satisfaction at a nugget I imagined other authors neglecting. Often, especially at the very end, these details were integral to the story.
I know, I know... but I did it. I most certainly judged your book by its cover and I've no problem with it. I thought as I neared the end of your story that I wouldn't mind at all seeing Tommy again. And sure enough, it looks like you've written Cheatgrass just for the occasion. I'll be looking into that sometime, hopefully sooner than later. Until then, Bart. And may you never meet a gun-wielding Cuban on your home trails.
I loved your descriptions, Bart. I've visited those mountains and lived near and ran in some myself for a time now and your landscapes were nearly just as warm and pine-scented. I appreciated the cowboy details. You never included too many or made them too intrusive—they were just the right amount to make me believe you knew what you were talking about, and to occasionally make me nod in satisfaction at a nugget I imagined other authors neglecting. Often, especially at the very end, these details were integral to the story.
I know, I know... but I did it. I most certainly judged your book by its cover and I've no problem with it. I thought as I neared the end of your story that I wouldn't mind at all seeing Tommy again. And sure enough, it looks like you've written Cheatgrass just for the occasion. I'll be looking into that sometime, hopefully sooner than later. Until then, Bart. And may you never meet a gun-wielding Cuban on your home trails.
October 23, 2025
Set in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, Tommy Smith is working as a wilderness guide after serving two tours of duty as a sniper in Iraq. He and his partner Lester are working on maintaining the high mountain trails when they discover the crashed plane of a billionaire adventurer. The storyline follows the separate conflicts that arise with the man's wife and his estranged son, who has gotten involved with drug traffickers. Tommy gets pulled into a moral dilemma by Lester and his girlfriend’s desire to profit from the discovery, and must use his combat skills to defend himself and his friends.
It is fast paced, with scenes alternating between wilderness work and bursts of violence. Tommy is a man who says little but acts decisively when necessary. The plot is over-the-top, but I guess that is to be expected in these types of mystery-thrillers. I picked it up due to the setting. The Eastern Sierras are beautifully described and realistic. I have been to many of these places, which I think helped elevate the book beyond the typical outlandish thrillers that I tend to avoid.
It is fast paced, with scenes alternating between wilderness work and bursts of violence. Tommy is a man who says little but acts decisively when necessary. The plot is over-the-top, but I guess that is to be expected in these types of mystery-thrillers. I picked it up due to the setting. The Eastern Sierras are beautifully described and realistic. I have been to many of these places, which I think helped elevate the book beyond the typical outlandish thrillers that I tend to avoid.
February 19, 2021
3.5 stars. An compelling modern western thriller with bit of emotional bits to it, not fully a thriller but not fully just a fiction either. I didn't get fully emersed in the characters or mysteries but I'm compelled to continue on with the series, it has potential to be great.
March 17, 2021
Top notch contemporary western with real cowbuys
Bart Paul carved a twisted tale of two buddies leading a mule string to campers in the high mountains. They find a downed plane lost years ago, and then everything turned sideways. Missing pilot is worth millions and the family is fighting over who gets the money. Then the worthless son brings in Cubans and hired Mexican cartel gun hands to kill the cowboys who found the wreck. A nice noir feel to a modern western.
Bart Paul carved a twisted tale of two buddies leading a mule string to campers in the high mountains. They find a downed plane lost years ago, and then everything turned sideways. Missing pilot is worth millions and the family is fighting over who gets the money. Then the worthless son brings in Cubans and hired Mexican cartel gun hands to kill the cowboys who found the wreck. A nice noir feel to a modern western.
April 7, 2017
I was really impressed with Paul's first book of fiction, especially since I don't think there was even one curse word or graphic sex in the entire book. How is that possible in this day and age, but very appreciated. I look forward to future books from this author.
August 25, 2023
This one gets 3 Stars for a short, intense story about a discovered plane crash that sparks the heirs of the deceased rich man pilot to fight for the inheritance. The lead character is a veteran with tours as a sniper in Iraq. He employs his Dad's 270 Winchester with deadly effect and without flair when he needs to. I like the feel of the story, definitely captures the understated competence of the western cowboy.
July 3, 2014
I read 3/4 of this book in one night... I ended up going to bed 2.5 hours past when I originally thought because once you start this book, you cannot put it down. I read the remaining 1/4 during my lunch hour because I just had to continue the story! I essentially inhaled this novel. I was disappointed that Bart Paul seems to have written only this book because I would surely read more like this.
It's a thriller set in the Eastern Sierras of California just north of Mammoth and east of Yosemite. It's a very rural, mountainous region with a lot of history. The narrative hooks you in from the first few pages and doesn't let go. I enjoyed reading about Les and Tommy's many attempts to thwart the trouble that comes to town after a plane crashes at the snowy top of Tower Peak during the winter.
The reason why this book doesn't get 5 stars is because there's little in the way of character development. It's like the author drops you in the town of Piute Meadows and expects you to put the characters together yourself without help from him. This may be a literary device, but at times the names can be hard to keep straight when you have little background to base them on. Additionally, there is a lot of pack/horseback riding vocabulary in here that I wasn't familiar with, due to my upbringing as a "flatlander" (as the main character refers to people who don't grow up on the mountains). It didn't distract from the story, but at times it was a bit technical for someone who may not be familiar with packhorse terminology. I also think this book could highly benefit from a map at the beginning of trails and places mentioned in the story.
A fantastic choice for someone looking to dive into a book that holds onto you until the very last page!
It's a thriller set in the Eastern Sierras of California just north of Mammoth and east of Yosemite. It's a very rural, mountainous region with a lot of history. The narrative hooks you in from the first few pages and doesn't let go. I enjoyed reading about Les and Tommy's many attempts to thwart the trouble that comes to town after a plane crashes at the snowy top of Tower Peak during the winter.
The reason why this book doesn't get 5 stars is because there's little in the way of character development. It's like the author drops you in the town of Piute Meadows and expects you to put the characters together yourself without help from him. This may be a literary device, but at times the names can be hard to keep straight when you have little background to base them on. Additionally, there is a lot of pack/horseback riding vocabulary in here that I wasn't familiar with, due to my upbringing as a "flatlander" (as the main character refers to people who don't grow up on the mountains). It didn't distract from the story, but at times it was a bit technical for someone who may not be familiar with packhorse terminology. I also think this book could highly benefit from a map at the beginning of trails and places mentioned in the story.
A fantastic choice for someone looking to dive into a book that holds onto you until the very last page!
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April 23, 2022hiding my review until book club is over. ;P
December 1, 2019
A modern day Louis Lamour or Zane Grey novel. It had a strong hero who quietly goes about doing the right thing. He does not want or expect praise for it. He just does it.
A nice feel good western.
A nice feel good western.
April 11, 2022
I found this weirdly enjoyable, but
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2013
"The Tetons were flashy, cold, bloodless Eurotrash mountains—too spectacular for their own good. They were the mountain equivalent of supermodels. The Gros Ventres were a rich graveyard of human history—both American Indian and early white—that held their secrets close and refused to accommodate the modern era. The Wind River Mountains were what the Tetons wanted to be: towering, incredibly wealthy with scenery and wildlife, vast, and spiritual. The Bighorns, Joe’s mountains in Northern Wyoming where his family still was waiting, were comfortable, rounded, and wry—a retired All-Pro linebacker who still had it. But the Sierra Madre was still a mystery…he couldn’t yet warm to the mountains, and he fought against being intimidated by their danger, isolation, and heartless beauty."
January 20, 2022
Two young men working on clearing a mountain trail come across the body and plane of a missing millionaire. This opening leads to an exciting thriller involving a fight on who will inherit the money and the involvement of organized crime. I really enjoyed this book not only because it was exciting, but because it also depicted loyalty and friendships in a small unsophisticated community and the values that underline the actions of the characters. I would really like to read more by this author.
March 25, 2013
Rather good western type thriller
August 23, 2013
Such a nice voice the narrator/hero has! It felt serene although it's a thriller.
March 27, 2021
Two-haiku review:
Forest trail riders
Find crashed rich guy in mountains
One tries to cash in
Started pretty slow
But then couldn't put it down
Very abrupt end
Forest trail riders
Find crashed rich guy in mountains
One tries to cash in
Started pretty slow
But then couldn't put it down
Very abrupt end
April 4, 2019
This one was a little slow at first but halfway in I was hooked. The storyline is somewhat different from most books and I must read more from this author. I actually got book 2 before this was finished.
November 29, 2018
The book cover describes this one as a "western thriller". The first few chapters have you placed in the west, but nothing too thrilling happens…at first. Discovering the plane crash of a billionaire leads to trouble for two cowboys - one a heck of a lot smarter than the other. Tommy Smith is a very likeable character - laid back Iraq vet, smarter than he wants people to recognize, keeps his head down but knows when running isn't an option. Despite being tracked and hunted by cartel hitmen, Tommy never dismisses his responsibilities and takes care of Lester through it all. As the story plays out, the author includes subtle notes that simply make you like the guy - adjusting a pack on his horse because he saw how it was rubbing into its back, recognizing the impact of a lie, personally telling the parents their son has died, saying the right thing at the right time to defuse a situation, but then acting with certainty when the situation requires. You learn late in the story that he's only 26 years old, but Tommy acts like a much older, more experienced man. This could easily be a self-contained story, but Tommy Smith is a solid character I'd like to follow on more western adventures.
January 19, 2019
Thomas is a strong silent, thoughtful, very faithful friend to his coworker, Lester. Lester is more adolescent acting and gets into trouble because of his girlfriend, Callie, and her expensive tastes. The two, Thomas and Lester, find a crashed plane and dead pilot high in the Rockies as the spring thaw is beginning. This dead person is a multimillionaire and he has a family squabbling over an expected inheiritance. There is a lot of trips on horseback and flying of helicopters, and using and packing of a rifle-by Thomas, and a lot of dead folks by the end of this one. I liked it but would have really given it
a 3.5 rating. There is a lot of action but not much character development, except for Thomas and Sara, and part of the local policing force.
a 3.5 rating. There is a lot of action but not much character development, except for Thomas and Sara, and part of the local policing force.
December 24, 2017
Great atmospheric read
I have really enjoyed this book, apart from a great plot and action it wonderfully portrays the environment in which it is set. The area of mountains and lakes, aspens, pines and meadows and rushing streams is so captivating that I'm left with the feeling that I must go there. The plot is well devised and the clever protagonist Tommy Smith totally believable. One of those books you are sorry to finish. This author definitely added to my favourites list and can't wait to read his next book.
I have really enjoyed this book, apart from a great plot and action it wonderfully portrays the environment in which it is set. The area of mountains and lakes, aspens, pines and meadows and rushing streams is so captivating that I'm left with the feeling that I must go there. The plot is well devised and the clever protagonist Tommy Smith totally believable. One of those books you are sorry to finish. This author definitely added to my favourites list and can't wait to read his next book.
December 30, 2017
I don't believe there are any spoilers in this review. I enjoyed all aspects of this book. Paul's descriptive writing allowed me to imagine being there. The story was intense and kept me engaged throughout. I look forward to reading the second book! Thank goodness the author didn't pull a Cormac McCarthy and kill off the main character!
February 13, 2018
For fans of Joe Pickett, Walt Longmire, or Mike Bowditch
This is a well-written thriller with unique characters and plenty of action. The high country is well described, and you will feel like you are up in the mountains with Tom and Lester. If you enjoy books by Craig Johnson or CJ Box, you'll love this one too.
This is a well-written thriller with unique characters and plenty of action. The high country is well described, and you will feel like you are up in the mountains with Tom and Lester. If you enjoy books by Craig Johnson or CJ Box, you'll love this one too.
August 29, 2018
An Honest Modern Western
Never read this author but you can bet he' on my list. It was good to read a good yarn set in places I've been, with characters I was comfortable knowing. Sgt. Tommy Smith was a good soldier, one who kept his troops safe, did his job quietly and without fanfare. He had the sort of quality a man could appreciate.
Never read this author but you can bet he' on my list. It was good to read a good yarn set in places I've been, with characters I was comfortable knowing. Sgt. Tommy Smith was a good soldier, one who kept his troops safe, did his job quietly and without fanfare. He had the sort of quality a man could appreciate.
August 16, 2018
Comfort in Competence
The first thing- the prologue- too me in. This author is a pro. The rest of the book didn't let me down. For CJ Box fans, this is a great read. Looking for more.
The first thing- the prologue- too me in. This author is a pro. The rest of the book didn't let me down. For CJ Box fans, this is a great read. Looking for more.
October 26, 2018
Great modern day westerm.
Lots of action, beautiful scenery and well filled out characters to this modern western. Believable story although sad so many characters don't make it to the end!
Lots of action, beautiful scenery and well filled out characters to this modern western. Believable story although sad so many characters don't make it to the end!
January 5, 2018
Entertaining read
Had to stop and think often as the story took its surprising turns. No loose ends at conclusion, but it took a few minutes.
Had to stop and think often as the story took its surprising turns. No loose ends at conclusion, but it took a few minutes.
January 13, 2018
Love this!
Loved cheat grass, can't wait for more!!
Love stories about the old West set in modern times! Shame about lex though.
Loved cheat grass, can't wait for more!!
Love stories about the old West set in modern times! Shame about lex though.
August 29, 2018
I dont know how I got suckered into this book. It's like a cheesy western Lifetime movie. I'm actually embarrassed to say I even read it and finished it.
April 15, 2020
I can't say I've ever read a "western thriller" before. I can't say that I was expecting to really enjoy the book, even though goodreads gave it an average of 3.97. I'm not crazy about cowboys and guns, and all that stuff. This story started off kinda confusing, and I thought, oh oh, what I have gotten myself into? But it honestly didn't take much longer before I realized the writing was excellent, and the characters were wonderful (at least the main characters were, not the "bad guys") and I ended up really, Really enjoying this story!
This is Bart Paul's first novel - I'm impressed! I understand there is a second book too to this story called Cheatgrass. Heck, I'd be interested in reading it too.
Tommy and his sidekick, Lester, go up into the mountains on horseback. They are cowboys after all. They discover a crashed plane and there's a dead body (thrown out when the plane crashed). Lester, who isn't all too bright, ends up taking the dead guy's watch off the guy's wrist, and some stash of money he found in the small airplane. Turns out the dead guy is a billionaire that has been missing for a year, where his wife doesn't care if he's found or not, his son has put out a search and reward.
It's not until they are back down from the mountain that Tommy finds out Lester stole the Rolex watch and the money. Tommy knows that's wrong and plans on them returning in two days time to return it. But Lester and his "girlfriend", Callie, decide they want in on the reward and make some calls saying the body was found. I was confused why they decided to make these calls then, and not after the second time they returned from the mountain top? It would line up with them finding the plane and body when they would have to tell their story to the police and to the guy's son. It turns out it was their second big mistake!
The story is fast pace, so much happens, there's drugs and money involved, many people die and you don't want to stop reading. You want to know what's going to happen next because some things are just going to surprise you.
A great story! Great writing!
This is Bart Paul's first novel - I'm impressed! I understand there is a second book too to this story called Cheatgrass. Heck, I'd be interested in reading it too.
Tommy and his sidekick, Lester, go up into the mountains on horseback. They are cowboys after all. They discover a crashed plane and there's a dead body (thrown out when the plane crashed). Lester, who isn't all too bright, ends up taking the dead guy's watch off the guy's wrist, and some stash of money he found in the small airplane. Turns out the dead guy is a billionaire that has been missing for a year, where his wife doesn't care if he's found or not, his son has put out a search and reward.
It's not until they are back down from the mountain that Tommy finds out Lester stole the Rolex watch and the money. Tommy knows that's wrong and plans on them returning in two days time to return it. But Lester and his "girlfriend", Callie, decide they want in on the reward and make some calls saying the body was found. I was confused why they decided to make these calls then, and not after the second time they returned from the mountain top? It would line up with them finding the plane and body when they would have to tell their story to the police and to the guy's son. It turns out it was their second big mistake!
The story is fast pace, so much happens, there's drugs and money involved, many people die and you don't want to stop reading. You want to know what's going to happen next because some things are just going to surprise you.
A great story! Great writing!
September 6, 2022
I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. I could not put it down.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero and hero's friend find a plane wreck with a billionaire in it. Hero wants to report it but hero's friend took the dead guy's Rolex and thousands of dollars in cash from the plane. Hero doesn't want his friend to get in trouble so they agree to put it back the next day, then report the crash.
But hero's friend is an idiot. He tells his girlfriend they found the plane so she calls the dead guy's wife and son (who hate each other).
When hero and his friend return to the plane, it's been "edited". The billionaire's body is missing and there is a note that says he survived the crash and is going to walk out.
Hero doesn't know what to do now.
SPOILER PSOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Basically billionaire's son kills the hero's friend's girlfriend. They try to kill hero and his friend but hero gets them first. Hero's friend is shot and he calls a helicopter to take him to the hospital. The pilot took money to get rid of them so he crashes the helicopter and hero's friend and the paramedic drown while pilot swims away in the lake.
Hero shoots pilot in the head.
After all of that, billionaire's son is framed for murder and killed by the drug dealers he was working with.
When hero's friend's body is brought in from the chopper he finds out the dead guy's watch wasn't there. In his last few seconds of life, he undid the watch strap in the lake so hero and hero's friend wouldn't be known as body robbers. So all of those bad problems that happened, and hero's friend finally did the right thing.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero and hero's friend find a plane wreck with a billionaire in it. Hero wants to report it but hero's friend took the dead guy's Rolex and thousands of dollars in cash from the plane. Hero doesn't want his friend to get in trouble so they agree to put it back the next day, then report the crash.
But hero's friend is an idiot. He tells his girlfriend they found the plane so she calls the dead guy's wife and son (who hate each other).
When hero and his friend return to the plane, it's been "edited". The billionaire's body is missing and there is a note that says he survived the crash and is going to walk out.
Hero doesn't know what to do now.
SPOILER PSOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Basically billionaire's son kills the hero's friend's girlfriend. They try to kill hero and his friend but hero gets them first. Hero's friend is shot and he calls a helicopter to take him to the hospital. The pilot took money to get rid of them so he crashes the helicopter and hero's friend and the paramedic drown while pilot swims away in the lake.
Hero shoots pilot in the head.
After all of that, billionaire's son is framed for murder and killed by the drug dealers he was working with.
When hero's friend's body is brought in from the chopper he finds out the dead guy's watch wasn't there. In his last few seconds of life, he undid the watch strap in the lake so hero and hero's friend wouldn't be known as body robbers. So all of those bad problems that happened, and hero's friend finally did the right thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews