Working the Trail

by Chris Ryan

The RCMP have learned the hard way to expect the unexpected from Rory O’Ryan and Butch Hynes. In May 1982, the two nineteen-year-olds lead the RCMP on a merry chase following a brazen armed robbery on Newfoundland’s Southern Shore. They eluded capture for twelve days on foot, only to turn themselves in after they discovered they’d been backstabbed—someone had stolen their marijuana stash. Now locked away in separate federal penitentiaries, split from each other and their beloved Southern Shore, Rory and Butch must fend for themselves as they try to distinguish friend from foe behind bars. Meanwhile, Constable Jack Campbell is piecing together the clues of how Rory and Butch had used traditional footpaths along the coastline to evade the RCMP, confident that he’ll get the last laugh over the two lads. Working the Trail continues the story of Rory and Butch as they deal with the consequences of their actions in Working Cape Race

236 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2025

About the author

Christopher P Ryan was born on March 6th/1964 in St. John's Newfoundland. He grew up in Bay Bulls, one of the oldest fishing communities in the Province. His family operated Ryan's Funeral Home serving the Southern Shore from January 1969-January 2024. Chris dropped out of high school in grade seven, after failing this grade twice. In 2001 he was diagnosed as being Bipolar, along with severe ADHD. He has been a voracious reader since his preteens and started writing in 2013. He released his first book in November 2014. Since 2021 he has published six novels. He has trained in Shotokan Traditional Karate on and off since 1985 and holds a third-degree Black Belt. A serious birder having seen 358 species of birds in his Province. He was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers-August 2019, for his years of service on the board of directors of the East Coast Trail Association.

Reviews

[Mary Harrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working The Trail By Chris Ryan

Working The Trail was an exciting read . Great book about the Southern Shore and the newly cut East Coast trail .
Two young locals Rory O'Ryan and Butch Hynes who got in serious trouble and are sentenced and placed in Federal prison . Now the RCMP has to follow their trail and figure out how they were able to avoid getting caught . For twelve whole days they walked from Shoal Bay Rd in The Gould's to their buried secret stash . While the RCMP was desperately searching for them with no clue to their motives or why they choose to run where they did .
I would recomend this read to anyone but especially those from Southern Shore . It is filled with familiar names , places and facts . Places that bought back many delightful memories.

[Maureen Drew-Mulcahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a beautiful sequel to Working Cape Race! I was anxiously waiting to learn what happened to Rory and Butch, and thoroughly enjoyed following their journey. The book is captivating, and once you pick it up you will not want to put it down until you have read it completely. The author, Chris Ryan, did an amazing job of portraying people who originally lived on the Southern Shore that are no longer with us as characters in his novel - a beautiful tribute to their memory. Looking forward to the next novel of this sequel! Congrats Chris on another marvelous book!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual the author did not disappoint! This book seamlessly brought you through the stages of a riveting story set on the Southern Shore. The author spared no expense when it came to attention to detail, everything from the characters to the communities was thoughtfully researched and evident through the entire book.

[Danielle Toner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully enjoyable read and much anticipated sequel! The characters' bond of friendship continued to deepen and the imagery made you feel like you were right there with them. I highly it recommend for anyone wanting an exciting Newfoundland tale.

[Natalie Carter-Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sequel to the Butch and Rory saga. It was interesting to watch the RCMP unravel the two fugitives' travels along the NL coast. Still not a fan of so much Nl slang but overall a interesting read! And I love that Lucky ended up where he should be! Haha

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Chris Ryan. I loved this sequel. I was waiting patiently for it to be released and once I received it, I could not put it down! Looking forward to reading more books by Chris. I truly loved the Newfoundland setting and language throughout all books! Highly recommend!!

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable sequel to Working Cape Race. I enjoyed this novel, but not nearly as much as the first book. This novel answers many questions that were left in book one. If you read book one, you'll want and need to read this book.

[Elaine Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow-up to Working Cape Race!

[Tina Wakeham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sequel on Rory and Butch.Two characters that I came to have a soft spot for.I hope there’ll be another book in this series.

[Julianna Ryan-Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited anxiously for this book to come out and it didn't disappoint. Hope there's a third book to this sequel . Great writing!

[Judy Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book as a good read,it was great for a follow up on Butch and Rory. I love their characters. I would recommend this book.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic sequel to Working Cape Race!

[Marlene Putt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. Chris you are amazing. I can't wait to read what Rory and Butch get up to when they return back home from Jail. (Hint hints Chris)

[Laura Ouwerkerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, interesting to read, also when u are not a native english speaker, it has a lot of good descriptions from the area which really make u feel like ur there. Nice next part from the first book.

[Chris Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be the first to rate my novel. This sequel to Working Cape Race is the long drawn-out police investigation of the travels of Rory O'Ryan and Butch Hynes. The acting commander of the Ferryland RCMP detachment is determined to figure out how these two young lads could be last seen running down Shoal Bay Road in the town of Goulds, and mysteriously walk into the RCMP detachment twelve days later. Unseen and not reported to the police during the manhunt. There are a few twists and turns and events that happen in this sequel that goes back to the lifestyle and behaviour of these two lads before they were sentenced to federal penitentiaries. I hope you enjoy this sequel as much as I enjoyed compiling it. Chris Ryan