The Predators

by F.M. Parker

Caroline Shepard, a recent Mormon convert, leaves her impoverished life in England for what she believes is the promised land in 1859 America, only to engage in a battle of survival on the Great Plains along with a Texas rancher and a mountain man. Reprint.

344 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 1990

About the author

As a boy F. M. Parker hitchhiked around the country working as a sheepherder in Montana, a bellhop in Colorado, and a logger in Ohio. He received a B. S. in Geology from the University of Dayton, and did graduate work in Geology at Ohio State University. He worked in the factories of GM and Chrysler at night to put himself through college. After that he went into the U. S. Navy for 5 « years with service in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans aboard the Timbalier, AVP 54, a seaplane tender.

After the navy he was employed as a geologist in the oil fields of Kansas, and as an exploration geologist in the uranium mines of Utah. After four years as a geologist, Parker became a manager in the Bureau of Land Management, part of the Department of Interior. He worked in several western states and Washington, DC, then progressed up through the ranks to become District Manager of the Vale District in Oregon, which is as much as 5 million acres. He was responsible for the management of the multiple resources of the land and its environmental protection. He was responsible for hundreds of grazing permits, several herds of wild horses, wild rivers, wildlife, recreation, timber, fire fighting and other factors regarding such a large land area.

Doubleday published his first book in 1981. The title was Skinner and there was an interesting story behind that title. The chairman of the grazing advisory board was named Skinner and the Skinner of Parker's novel was a drunkard and a pistoleer, while the real Skinner was a rancher and a straight arrow. Parker wasn't sure how the real Skinner would take the use of his name, but he laughed and thought it was a good story.

Reviews

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focused on 1859 Mormon handcart migration from Europe to Utah, three plot lines converge: Texans seek wives among the Mormon women, one poor English girl endures many hardships during the trip, and a trapper hunts down gang who is planning to murder the Mormons. Interesting stories, but too many subplots and poorly developed characters.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical fiction of the Mormons journey to Utah. Based on the actual migration by handcart which lasted five years (1856 to 1860). Mostly young women recruited by missionaries to England and Scandinavia.

[Mister Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like this genre, this novel has all that, but also well-written prose and well-sketched characterization.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good novel by this author. I will continue reading more by this author.