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Fandango
They plunged into a pristine wilderness, pursuing a rich man's vendetta and a missing trove of beaver pelts. Among the high, harsh peaks and embracing valleys they would fight, hunt, and die, pulled into an epic confrontation with the warriors of a murderously mad Indian renegade; an outlaw mountain man, and a traitor within their own ranks. In the tradition of Lonesome Dove, FANDANGO is the gripping, beautiful, and vividly realistic saga of men who gave their blood and tears to a country as wild as their souls.
- GenresFiction
466 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2017
89 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Michael Zimmer
24 books88 followersMichael Zimmer is the author of twenty novels. His work has been praised by Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, the Historical Novel Society, and others. City of Rocks (Five Star, 2012) was chosen by Booklist as one of the top ten Western novels of 2012. The Poacher’s Daughter (Five Star, 2014) received a starred Booklist review, and was selected winner of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s prestigious Western Heritage Wrangler Award for Outstanding Western Novel (2015); both were finalists for the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, and his short story, The Medicine Robe, won the Spur Award in 2019. Among his Westerns is the seven-volume American Legends Collection series.
In addition to Westerns, Zimmer also writes Mysteries, including the Two-Bit Street Mystery series featuring 1940s private eye Lafayette “Lafe” Doyle.
Zimmer resides in Utah with his wife Vanessa and their two dogs. His website is: www.michael-zimmer.com
In addition to Westerns, Zimmer also writes Mysteries, including the Two-Bit Street Mystery series featuring 1940s private eye Lafayette “Lafe” Doyle.
Zimmer resides in Utah with his wife Vanessa and their two dogs. His website is: www.michael-zimmer.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 7, 2018
This book is incredible. Well written, great characters, great scenery, a great story through and through. If you enjoy stories about mountain men, you will love this book. I would read more about these characters in a heart beat if there were more books in this series. This is my first time reading this author, once I finished this book I immediately bought two more.
The story follows a mountain man with high ambitions to move above his "station" in life. Eli Cutler is tasked to lead an expedition into the wilderness to trap beaver and find out the truth behind a suspicious massacre. With the help of retired soldier and company man McClure, they recruit a rag tag group of old timers and greenhorns. Setting out from Taos late in the season, the group runs into many obstacles and foreboding characters, some versus the company, some from the past of the men. If the group doesn't learn to band together, it is only a matter of time before the weather, natives or the past comes calling.
The story follows a mountain man with high ambitions to move above his "station" in life. Eli Cutler is tasked to lead an expedition into the wilderness to trap beaver and find out the truth behind a suspicious massacre. With the help of retired soldier and company man McClure, they recruit a rag tag group of old timers and greenhorns. Setting out from Taos late in the season, the group runs into many obstacles and foreboding characters, some versus the company, some from the past of the men. If the group doesn't learn to band together, it is only a matter of time before the weather, natives or the past comes calling.
May 20, 2022
Michael Zimmer generally writes a good book. Or story. And generally writes well.
Ordinarily I don't much care for mountain men stories. I'm not sure why.
"Fandango" is a big and complex story, with lots of characters, many of whom are interesting, and it's interesting how their different individual stories come together into the big picture.
This big book didn't really hold me as Zimmer's other books have, but I did read on to the end.
Zimmer must have done a lot of research to be able to write this involved and wide-ranging story, and it's a shame I wasn't able to appreciate it as it probably deserves.
There is one to me very strange usage: All the "Indians," and the Mexicans, are called "brown-skins" or "brownskins." I have never seen that terminology in this context.
The "Indians" are usually called "redskins" by everyone else. I'd like to ask Mr. Zimmer to explain that terminology. He probably has a good reason, but it was distracting, even jarring.
Ordinarily I don't much care for mountain men stories. I'm not sure why.
"Fandango" is a big and complex story, with lots of characters, many of whom are interesting, and it's interesting how their different individual stories come together into the big picture.
This big book didn't really hold me as Zimmer's other books have, but I did read on to the end.
Zimmer must have done a lot of research to be able to write this involved and wide-ranging story, and it's a shame I wasn't able to appreciate it as it probably deserves.
There is one to me very strange usage: All the "Indians," and the Mexicans, are called "brown-skins" or "brownskins." I have never seen that terminology in this context.
The "Indians" are usually called "redskins" by everyone else. I'd like to ask Mr. Zimmer to explain that terminology. He probably has a good reason, but it was distracting, even jarring.
July 5, 2021
In some respects this story reminded me of the old tv series, "Wagon Train." The central character, Eli Cutler, who leads the trading company is the Ward Bond wagon master who has a mission is the anchor to this novel. It's the intertwined adventures of the mountain men and newbies that the author weaves together that moves the story, as with the tv series it's the members of the wagon train whose stories made for the weekly programming. The ending shifts to being totally Eli's story.
Zimmer keeps the reader's interest in all the characters. His detailed, descriptive writing is vivid; its cinematic, easily placing the reader in the midst of this saga. This is a splendid story.
Zimmer keeps the reader's interest in all the characters. His detailed, descriptive writing is vivid; its cinematic, easily placing the reader in the midst of this saga. This is a splendid story.
February 24, 2019
Story was hard to follow with so many characters and situations. Unbelievable situations with constant battles with indians, traitors and survival from impossible situations.
Very hard to continue with readinng to the finish.
Very hard to continue with readinng to the finish.
May 8, 2018
An epic story!
KUDOS Mr. Zimmer, you did it again, and you just keep getting better and better!. I loved this book and am going on to "Where the Buffalo Roam" .
KUDOS Mr. Zimmer, you did it again, and you just keep getting better and better!. I loved this book and am going on to "Where the Buffalo Roam" .
November 18, 2019
Christina Petersen
I loved reading about the Pioneers and how they survived .wonderful book I want to read all of Michael books .
I loved reading about the Pioneers and how they survived .wonderful book I want to read all of Michael books .
May 29, 2022
A True Western!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews