Cheatgrass

Tommy Smith High Mountain Noir #2

by Bart Paul

The follow-up to Under Tower Peak is another taut, fast-moving thriller that builds to an explosive, action-filled conclusion.Under Tower Peak was acclaimed by the Wall Street Journal as one of the Ten Best Mysteries of 2013. In this sequel, Tommy Smith, the Iraq War vet and former Eastern Sierra packer, is home from war after re-upping for a tour in Afghanistan. When his old friend Dave Cathcart disappears from his ranch, Tommy answers the call to help find him. What he learns is that his love for Dave's daughter, his old flame Sarah Cathcart, has never died, but the country where he grew up is undergoing change. Stockmen are selling off water rights to the highest bidder, rendering ranches barren and the community bitter, as drugs and a dangerous new element have moved in.When Sarah confides that her husband, a smooth-talking entrepreneur, has lost her trust and may not be all he seems, Tommy begins to investigate. Soon another disappearance leads to a gruesome discovery, and a brutal sequence of events takes Sarah and Tommy to old haunts in the high country, where once again he will need to call on his sniper's skills to save them both and to rescue her missing father.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction-novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Westerns, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Thriller

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2016

About the author

Bart 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.

Reviews

[Jaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bart Paul has done it again. In this sequel to Under Tower Peak, it is now two years later and when Tommy Smith returned from yet another overseas war, he was nursing an injury. He is having a light affair with Captain Ofelia Cruz in Georgia when he receives a text message from his long-time secret love, Sarah. She hadn’t waited around for him to get out of his system whatever he needed to – she found someone else to marry. However, her father has gone missing and she asks for Tommy’s help.

I loved the pacing in this book – it was as perfect as the prior one. Slow and ambling to begin with while Tommy is busy gathering information and sorting out who can be trusted and who can’t. Then the pace picks up as every piece of information he gathers brings forth repercussions. The last 30% was wildly intense – a high-speed blender gone wild chopping up and spewing out chases, dangers, and yes, even killings.

Tommy once again narrates the book and I like how he thinks and how he sees things. His army sniper’s eyes seem to catch details that others miss completely. And many others, especially law enforcement, don’t seem to realize that when Tommy makes a statement “D”, it’s because he’s already sped through A, B, and C to get there.

I loved this book, and definitely look forward to reading future books by Mr. Paul. Simply outstanding.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

An war vet is home again after been sent to war. Back home one of his friends are missing and while he tries to solve that it turns out that the friend's daughter, was never dead. Mystery, romance and snores!
It wasn't bad written but I just thought that it was a slow, quiet snooze fest. Didn't get engaged into the story or particularly liked the characters. If there is an other book in the series I won't read it.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to the excellent "Under Tower Peak" was disappointing IMHO.

[Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is author's 2nd western mystery novel set in eastern sierras, with mostly same characters too. fun, exciting, true descriptions of landscapes. surprises too.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series I read and it is really good, it's like a thriller and a western set in modern day. I can't wait to get my hands on the third one.

[Thelma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must not have read the same book as other reviewers. I found Cheatgrass horribly convoluted and contrived, with situations that were just too improbable. I couldn't even finish this unbelievable mess. Don't waste your time or money.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 2 years after the first in the series, and Tommy, an Army sniper, has been recovering from a war injury and considering whether to re-enlist when he gets notice that a close friend of his late father has disappeared. Dave's daughter Sarah is the girl Tommy has loved since childhood but it never has quite managed to coalesce into a real relationship. Sarah asks Tommy to come back home and he does, working to find her father and in the process uncovering a whole lot of evil in his hometown. What follows is a high action thriller set in ranch country in the Sierras of Nevada and California where Dave's disappearance seems to be related to the controversial sale of water rights, as well as involve drug dealers and possibly even Sarah's new husband.

The geographic, environmental, and political setting is one of the best features of this series. Another is the almost laconic, even taciturn tone which matches Tommy and suits a story centered on a cowboy turned sniper who has served multiple tours in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Mid-East. It's also a real contemporary western.

The title btw refers to a wild invasive grass now pretty much found world wide. It's in some areas considered a noxious weed. I actually saw some on my recent trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park where it was everywhere. Cheatgrass is mentioned in land descriptions throughout the book. 'Cheatgrass' is an excellent metaphore for the invasiveness of the drugs and criminal activity into the communities of the Sierras in this story.

[Dlmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t read the first book in the series. Glad I didn’t. The best thing about this book is its cover. The setting is appealing. The plot is totally implausible. No more Tommy Smith for me.

[Nora Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuthin’ fancy. Bad guys and good guy. Strong woman ranching community and lots of horses and guns. An easy read. Peters comments were far less gracious , “I finished that stupid book”.

Really needed an editor

[Kevin Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to the hotly commended "Under Tower Peak", where a cowboy - and former sniper - Tommy Smith is struggling to beat the bad guys, who would do anything to secure enormous amount of money and inheritance from the deceased billionaire from plane crash that was accidentally discovered by Tommy and his friend Nester. It was slow-burning thriller that emanated the hard boiled, Hemingway-type feel.

Cheatgrass starts the story after two years since the incident described on the first installment. Tommy took an emergency leave upon getting the 'help me find my mysteriously-disappeared dad' call from Sarah, whom he has long been smitten with since he was twelve. This second installment also starts slow, then quickly building murderous tension between him and Sarah's estranged - and deranged - husband Kip. It has become clear that this is another winner in terms of developing web of conflicts with dense plots, risks and dangers, complemented with now more prominent love interest between Tommy and Sarah; and of describing beautifully the rugged landscape that seems matching well with the meandering, sometimes steep story-telling. Tommy's narration sounds perfect for the story and atmosphere of the background as well.

One thing I felt wanting was that the sequel seems to be more like the scenes from movie "Die Hard" or gun-related carnages we hear more often than we hope from the U.S., rather than a more realistic and small-scale personal conflict like the first, despite that it involved dead billionaire and gambling thugs. The second installment involves too many killings and too many guns, although which may look fitting to the U.S. situation.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the characters mildly interesting at first, and I liked the setting of the story. That's why I gave it two stars rather than the one that it probably deserves. I have to say, I'm just not seeing where all the positive reviews are coming from. To begin with, there is really nothing special about the main character, except that he's kind of an idiot. They set him up as some kind of impressive Army sniper, but there is no evidence of that in his actions or the way he approaches his challenges.
The love interest is shallow and uninteresting, but the cardinal sin, in my opinion, for an author writing a mystery/thriller is to come up with a weak, unrealistic, and silly antagonist. In this novel the bad guy is laughable. His motivations are really contrived, and the explanations for what he is doing seem like an after-thought. Law enforcement are treated as complete morons throughout the book. The plot is ridiculous. Don't want to ruin anything for those who intend to read this drivel, but, for example, Army captains don't do what one of these characters does toward the end of the book, especially not in response to what is portrayed as a fairly casual affair.

Dialogue is bad too.

[Dave Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Under Tower Peak by Bart Paul four or five months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I jumped at the opportunity to bury myself in the second book in the series, Cheatgrass. I was not disappointed, as I felt this book was even better than the first. At the end of book one I was certain that the relationship between Tommy Smith and Sarah Cathcart would blossom, but instead the reader finds Tommy in bed with his ranking superior in Fort Benning, GA at the outset of Cheatgrass. Needless to say, this was a surprise. Meanwhile he receives a text message from the love of his youth, Sarah, regarding an urgent development in her life, so he jumps on a plane and returns to his home. I will not reveal any additional details regarding the plot, but suffice it say that the story is riveting. This author does an outstanding job of developing the main characters, and he is especially adept at capturing the scene of the dry eastern Sierras. He is also obviously a horseman, because I constantly checked the dictionary to find the meaning of horse riding, packing, and cattle round up terms. If you enjoy outdoor thrillers, give Cheatgrass a read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergeant Tommy Smith is at Fort Benning, Georgia when he gets a call from his old girlfriend Sarah Cathcart. Her father has disappeared and she has no idea where he is. Many of the ranchers were selling their water rights and Dave Cathcart had been on the fence. Maybe someone wanted him to sell his rights.

When Tommy reupped for the third time, Sarah ended their relationship and married someone else. Someone who presents himself to be a wealthy businessman but in reality is a drug dealer. Sarah has no idea. Kip's real name is Kevin Ingles and he has a long rap sheet. He's heard of Tommy and plans to play with the two in a sick game.

Sarah is a deputy and should have checked out Kip before marrying him. Kip fooled her, her dad, and the local sheriff Mitch.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy Smith is just a great character. And so are all the other cowboys and cowgirls. I just enjoyed these little mystery thrillers, with a pinch of the romantic. Not to mention the sage and the piñon and the sorrel and the .247 and all the other nature-horse-gun stuff I'd no clue about. I wouldn't be surprised to find myself giving these a reread someday. Or maybe a listen? (I vote Jay Snyder.) Or a watch?!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could rate this book higher, because there were elements of it which were definitely worth four stars, even five. I liked Tommy Smith and Sarah Cathcart. I liked a lot of the dialogue. I liked the setting, and the many details which made it feel real. I liked the first two thirds of the plot, and how the Eastern Sierra setting really mattered to the plot. But I was deeply disappointed by the final third of the book (can't say more without spoilers!).

[Craig Hess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main character is an idiot

This decorated army sniper is an idiot. He vastly underestimates his opposition. Instead of stalking his enemies, he lets them stalk him. His basic plan appears to be "walk around and be shot at - hope they miss and I get a chance". Many if his friends and family end up dead due to his poor planning. I'm done with this series.

[Dawn Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this author and his books!! Hope there are more in the works.

I really enjoyed this author and his books. Hope there are more in the works! Couldn't put the book down until I finished!

[John Rumery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hot mess. Too many characters. Too many horses and too many pick up trucks. The western setting was cool but the narrative was whacky. Really inept law enforcement left me shaking my head. Too bad. I think the lead character; army sniper, cowboy, could of been interesting but he was kind of boring and a bit dumb.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bart Paul part II!

Unlike most series this story picks up years later and things and the characters have been through dramatic changes. Tommy comes back home and things get really wild!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the atmosphere, the surroundings, but got lost on the horses. I grew up around work horses on a farm, and I was stymied a good share of the time. We’re all the local cops numb nuts? Good read for the most part.

[Frank Kelso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy Smith rides again

A thriller with non-stop action. A wacko megalomaniac has a CA county sheriff dept turned topsy turvy with a gang of steroid pumped weight lifters turned into drug dealers. An enjoyable read, and I look for the first book to catch up.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first one of these so long ago that I couldn't remember it. It's very obvious from the first who the bad guy is, but this is so well crafted it's hard to put down. A little too violent for me but I will definitely continue with the series.

[David D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic

Bart Paul does such a great job of capturing the place and the Ranch culture of the Eastern Sierra Nevada

[Kim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. 2 days from start to finish.
Having a thriller and a modern western in one book , I just want more.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Look forward to more.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars! This is a great series!

[Rob McFarren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable modern Western thriller that really brings you into the setting of the Eastern Sierras. Characters are strong, if not a bit reserved in the information they share with one another, which leads to plot twists and am enjoyable experience for the reader. Not quite as compelling as the author's first in the series, Under Tower Peak, but a solid continuation of the characters!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horses hoof it to help hell raisers. Hero and Heroine hearts entwine. Hail! Here’s to Holding happy.

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very suspenseful.