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O'Sullivan Chronicles #2
The Chase
The ChaseA Novel of the Old WestDuring the last few days of the Civil War, a company of Confederate raiders rode into the small Kansas town of Elbow. There they raped, pillaged and murdered among the local populace, thus triggering a chain of events and a chase that extended for more than a thousand miles across the grasslands and mountains of Kansas and the deserts of New Mexico.
Along the way, Confederate Lieutenant Jesse Quintana, a ruthless, cold-blooded killer without a conscience, and his men massacred a band of Comanche women and children, fought two battles with Comanche War Chief, White Eagle, and murdered and plundered his way southwest along the Santa Fe Trail.
Quintana had a nine-day start over his pursuers, Captain Ignatius O'Sullivan and Sergeant Major Boone Coffin, along with an Osage Indian scout and a small company of Federal cavalry. The climactic end to the chase came among the mountains on the Mexican border six weeks after it began.
You will remember O'Sullivan and Coffin from the author's previous novel, The Mule Soldiers. Their adventures continue.
Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Along the way, Confederate Lieutenant Jesse Quintana, a ruthless, cold-blooded killer without a conscience, and his men massacred a band of Comanche women and children, fought two battles with Comanche War Chief, White Eagle, and murdered and plundered his way southwest along the Santa Fe Trail.
Quintana had a nine-day start over his pursuers, Captain Ignatius O'Sullivan and Sergeant Major Boone Coffin, along with an Osage Indian scout and a small company of Federal cavalry. The climactic end to the chase came among the mountains on the Mexican border six weeks after it began.
You will remember O'Sullivan and Coffin from the author's previous novel, The Mule Soldiers. Their adventures continue.
Scroll up and grab a copy today.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2015
66 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Blair Howard
370 books347 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 14, 2021
This book has an uninteresting cover with two figures standing still and not in a chase. There are typos galore with misspellings and missing quotation marks. There are two Chapter 19's. Muzzle loading Minie balls were being used in breach loading rifles. The geography of Kansas is wrong. The proper name of New Mexico Territory should have been used. The word Indian on the back cover is incorrectly split in the third paragraph. Checked out this book through interlibrary loan from the Mississippi Valley Library District.
November 17, 2015
This is Blair Howard's third book in the "A Novel of the American Civil War" series. No two books are ever alike. This book is no exception. I used to read Louis L'amour's westerns. Never in those has there been a chase like this one. It keeps you on your toes. There is always something around the next corner to keep you glued to the pages.
The book starts with a gang of 23 rouge confederate soldiers, including their demonic "commanding officer" , Lieutenant Jesse Quintana. This motley gang ravages a small frontier town, Echo, on the Kansas prairie. From there, they are on the run for Mexico.
Word gets out to O'Sullivan ("The Mule Soldiers") that he was to report to Colonel Richard at Fort Scott, Kansas. He was given orders "to track down and arrest, or kill, this band of renegades". Along with Sergeant Major Coffin, nearly right out of military school Lieutenant Warwick, a scout, and 14 troops, O'Sullivan is out on the quest of his life.
One word of caution. This book is full of gore, very detailed. It may not be suited for children or sensitive people. However, Mr. Blair is making this as real as possible. There are some equally humorous parts, too. I love the level of detail in this book. It, as a whole, is extraordinary. Like his previous Civil War novels, you will feel like you are literally in the book. It is so good, you will be begging for more.
Mr. Blair Howard gave me a free copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
The book starts with a gang of 23 rouge confederate soldiers, including their demonic "commanding officer" , Lieutenant Jesse Quintana. This motley gang ravages a small frontier town, Echo, on the Kansas prairie. From there, they are on the run for Mexico.
Word gets out to O'Sullivan ("The Mule Soldiers") that he was to report to Colonel Richard at Fort Scott, Kansas. He was given orders "to track down and arrest, or kill, this band of renegades". Along with Sergeant Major Coffin, nearly right out of military school Lieutenant Warwick, a scout, and 14 troops, O'Sullivan is out on the quest of his life.
One word of caution. This book is full of gore, very detailed. It may not be suited for children or sensitive people. However, Mr. Blair is making this as real as possible. There are some equally humorous parts, too. I love the level of detail in this book. It, as a whole, is extraordinary. Like his previous Civil War novels, you will feel like you are literally in the book. It is so good, you will be begging for more.
Mr. Blair Howard gave me a free copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
November 9, 2017
This is a compelling story that holds the reader to the end. The quintessential battle between good and evil is drawn clearly, as each side commits to the death in each battle as the men on each side pay the price. This story is a testament to perseverance-never give up.
The Chase by Blair Howard opens with a viscous guerilla raid in SE Kansas at the end of the Civil War. The rape and shooting of the pregnant sister of a US Cavalry officer, Captain Ignatius O’Sullivan, sets the title in action. The Army grants Sullivan, and his faithful Sgt. Coffin, a transfer from Nashville to Ft Scott Kansas to capture a splinter group from Quantrill’s guerillas.
Captain O’Sullivan leaves Ft. Scott with a small Army detachment 7 days behind the splinter group lead by Jesse Quintana. Quintana leads his rag-tag group west, robbing and killing as they go. The gang meets a small Army detachment from Ft. Zarah, learning the War has ended, but the information doesn’t change Quintana’s ingrained hatred of Union soldiers. He pushes arrows in the soldier’s bodies to make it look like an Indian attack. It fools Ft. Zarah until O’Sullivan arrives to report on chasing Quintana. It becomes clear Quintana is following the Santa Fe Trail SW. O’Sullivan fears Quintana’s gang is headed to Mexico to escape capture and punishment.
Quintana raids a Cheyenne tribe migrating toward Oklahoma, killing all. The Cheyenne retaliate, but Quintana holds them off while losing about half his original force of 25. Quintana’s treatment of the Indians and of his wounded men reinforces the evil image created for him.
The delays caused by these fights allow O’Sullivan to close the gap to a few days behind the gang. “The Chase” becomes a game of cat and mouse as O’Sullivan closes on Quintana in NW New Mexico. Quintana is an experienced soldier, and like any guerilla force, skilled in ambush and misdirection. His accuracy with a rifle appears to give Quintana an edge. Each encounter reduces the number of men on each side as the battles become more vicious as Quintana rides south for the Mexican border.
The final battle between Quintana and O’Sullivan occurs just 15 miles from the border in the Franklin Mountains north of Ft. Bliss (and the Mexican border) where Quintana appears to have the upper hand after O’Sullivan falls in the rocks and is injured.
I received an advance reader copy, but the comments in the review are my own.
The Chase by Blair Howard opens with a viscous guerilla raid in SE Kansas at the end of the Civil War. The rape and shooting of the pregnant sister of a US Cavalry officer, Captain Ignatius O’Sullivan, sets the title in action. The Army grants Sullivan, and his faithful Sgt. Coffin, a transfer from Nashville to Ft Scott Kansas to capture a splinter group from Quantrill’s guerillas.
Captain O’Sullivan leaves Ft. Scott with a small Army detachment 7 days behind the splinter group lead by Jesse Quintana. Quintana leads his rag-tag group west, robbing and killing as they go. The gang meets a small Army detachment from Ft. Zarah, learning the War has ended, but the information doesn’t change Quintana’s ingrained hatred of Union soldiers. He pushes arrows in the soldier’s bodies to make it look like an Indian attack. It fools Ft. Zarah until O’Sullivan arrives to report on chasing Quintana. It becomes clear Quintana is following the Santa Fe Trail SW. O’Sullivan fears Quintana’s gang is headed to Mexico to escape capture and punishment.
Quintana raids a Cheyenne tribe migrating toward Oklahoma, killing all. The Cheyenne retaliate, but Quintana holds them off while losing about half his original force of 25. Quintana’s treatment of the Indians and of his wounded men reinforces the evil image created for him.
The delays caused by these fights allow O’Sullivan to close the gap to a few days behind the gang. “The Chase” becomes a game of cat and mouse as O’Sullivan closes on Quintana in NW New Mexico. Quintana is an experienced soldier, and like any guerilla force, skilled in ambush and misdirection. His accuracy with a rifle appears to give Quintana an edge. Each encounter reduces the number of men on each side as the battles become more vicious as Quintana rides south for the Mexican border.
The final battle between Quintana and O’Sullivan occurs just 15 miles from the border in the Franklin Mountains north of Ft. Bliss (and the Mexican border) where Quintana appears to have the upper hand after O’Sullivan falls in the rocks and is injured.
I received an advance reader copy, but the comments in the review are my own.
August 26, 2020
I follow Mr. Howard in his other series and have begun the Civil War O'Sullivan series and am thoroughly enjoying them. I listened to The Chase on audio and enjoy listening to the drama, the banter, and the sense of humor he incorporates into his work. This is the second book in the series. I will read the Comanche next. For anyone who enjoys the Civil Wars/Western genre, this will be for you. I listened to this novel on audio and thoroughly enjoyed the drama and sense of humor employed by the author. I highly recommend it.
Read
July 11, 2020Enjoyed the story
I was born and raised in western Kansas and went to University of Kansas, plus married a girl from Larned. Know the area well. There are NO mountains on the old Santa trail in Kansas and until you get at least 150+ miles west of Dodge and then only foot hills.
I was born and raised in western Kansas and went to University of Kansas, plus married a girl from Larned. Know the area well. There are NO mountains on the old Santa trail in Kansas and until you get at least 150+ miles west of Dodge and then only foot hills.
December 12, 2017
The Chase: a Novel of the Old West (The O'Sullivan Command)
O'Sullivan and his sidekick, back in Indiana, a tasked to capture or kill the remaining members of the Rebel Quintana gang who have been raiding, torturing and killing everything and everyone in their path in Kansas, Colorado, and, New Mexico, one place in particular, Elbow where O'Sullivan's sister was raped and her husband killed. O'Sullivan takes command and the chase is on. Over three months and hundreds of miles, the chase comes to an end outside SantaFe, New Mexico but O'Sull's command is left with his Sergeant Major, a wounded Captain, and two other troopers also wounded. You'll like the action, the determination and perseverance of the small Calvary unit as they carry out their duties. Thanks for another great read.
O'Sullivan and his sidekick, back in Indiana, a tasked to capture or kill the remaining members of the Rebel Quintana gang who have been raiding, torturing and killing everything and everyone in their path in Kansas, Colorado, and, New Mexico, one place in particular, Elbow where O'Sullivan's sister was raped and her husband killed. O'Sullivan takes command and the chase is on. Over three months and hundreds of miles, the chase comes to an end outside SantaFe, New Mexico but O'Sull's command is left with his Sergeant Major, a wounded Captain, and two other troopers also wounded. You'll like the action, the determination and perseverance of the small Calvary unit as they carry out their duties. Thanks for another great read.
August 16, 2018
A chase across the Southwest to kill a group of Confederate Soldiers who have raped, pillaged and burned their way until a small group of dedicated war veterans and an Indian Chief chase after them. A back intelligence a Ross the confronted after vicious killers. This is an excel!any read for the genre.....DEHS
February 3, 2019
More Heroics From The Captain And Coffin
The characters from "The Raid" return when, at the end of the Civil War, they find themselves out west in pursuit of a band of killers. Mr. Howard 's knowledge of the area at the time of the Old West, together with the sinister exploits of Quintana, make this an excitingly, quick read!
The characters from "The Raid" return when, at the end of the Civil War, they find themselves out west in pursuit of a band of killers. Mr. Howard 's knowledge of the area at the time of the Old West, together with the sinister exploits of Quintana, make this an excitingly, quick read!
October 11, 2018
I really enjoyed thyis book. Great character developement and great writing. The book keeps you riveted to it. Very hard to put this book down. You are wondering what is going to happen from page to page.
I received this book for free through Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book for free through Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2018
My second read from author Blair Howard and the second in his Civil War/Western Series, picks up shortly after the first book's end. It won't be my last since I've already started Ths Comanche. A well-written historical blend of fact and fiction.
July 14, 2021
Broken arm?
I am confused. Did O’Sullivan break his arm in the fall or not? Also Quintana was awful close to the captain when Coffin fired, how come blood on the captain. Good story but several spelling and grammar errors.
I am confused. Did O’Sullivan break his arm in the fall or not? Also Quintana was awful close to the captain when Coffin fired, how come blood on the captain. Good story but several spelling and grammar errors.
October 3, 2018
Good Story
Great characters
Good background characters with their own story
Definitely worth a read. I received an ARC in return for an honest review
What a treat
Great characters
Good background characters with their own story
Definitely worth a read. I received an ARC in return for an honest review
What a treat
October 25, 2020
THE CHASE
Chilling story of the last days of the civil was, and the Confederate . Traveling across Kansas and New Mexico and the massacre they did, along the Santa Fe Trail. The chase lasted six weeks.
The narration was good and brought this story to life of what happened. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Chilling story of the last days of the civil was, and the Confederate . Traveling across Kansas and New Mexico and the massacre they did, along the Santa Fe Trail. The chase lasted six weeks.
The narration was good and brought this story to life of what happened. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
April 27, 2015
Chase
This book had an incredible sense of urgency which built throughout the story. I was compelled to push through it to find out what the next event was going to be. I highly recommend this work to those readers who enjoy this genre.
This book had an incredible sense of urgency which built throughout the story. I was compelled to push through it to find out what the next event was going to be. I highly recommend this work to those readers who enjoy this genre.
January 23, 2016
The chase
As always Blair Howard delivers. He makes the civil war come alive for me. Since I'm a genealogy nerd and had relatives fight on both sides I find his books both factual and entertaining.
As always Blair Howard delivers. He makes the civil war come alive for me. Since I'm a genealogy nerd and had relatives fight on both sides I find his books both factual and entertaining.
December 23, 2015
Excellent civil war/western. All action all the time. It helps to have read The Mule Soldiers because the main characters are first fully developed there.
February 14, 2016
A very good western
Some very good memorable characters that kept me interested, enough to want to read more by this author which I have already started to purchase
Some very good memorable characters that kept me interested, enough to want to read more by this author which I have already started to purchase
February 21, 2016
Fast paced
It kept my interest til the very end. I really like fast moving stories and The Chase was fast and interesting. Very sad at times, but that's reality.
It kept my interest til the very end. I really like fast moving stories and The Chase was fast and interesting. Very sad at times, but that's reality.
March 30, 2017
Impressive
As a life long lover of the Old West, Louis L'Amour and a few, very few, authors of great old west books it is so exciting to find a contemporary author of this degree of skill.
He doesn't over dramatize or use excessively vivid language.
This is a tale of headship and determination by men who are going to get the right thing done despite the cost.
As a life long lover of the Old West, Louis L'Amour and a few, very few, authors of great old west books it is so exciting to find a contemporary author of this degree of skill.
He doesn't over dramatize or use excessively vivid language.
This is a tale of headship and determination by men who are going to get the right thing done despite the cost.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews