Endless River

by Elizabeth Fackler

When Nathan Wheeler is taken from school by a drifter posing as a policeman, his girlfriend Amy Sterling, her mother, and a retired homicide detective spend the night searching the mountains for him and following his attacker.

229 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Elizabeth Fackler is an American author known for her works in the Western and mystery genres. Writing under both her own name and the pseudonym Eli Fackler, she has crafted multiple series, including the Seth Strummar Western series and the Devon Gray mystery series, as well as standalone novels. Her writing is recognized for its deep character development, moral complexity, and suspenseful narratives.
Born in Lansing, Michigan, Fackler pursued a career that combined her literary talents with her academic background. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego, and worked as a librarian for the Santa Fe Reporter before dedicating herself to writing full-time. Her Western novels, particularly those featuring the gunfighter Seth Strummar, aim to present a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the frontier, exploring themes of redemption and personal transformation. She has stated that her goal was to depict the evolution of a morally corrupt man into a responsible member of society.
In the mystery genre, Fackler has gained a dedicated readership with her Devon Gray series, centered around a homicide detective in El Paso, Texas. The series, praised for its psychological depth and gripping storytelling, often delves into dark themes, including crime, justice, and the consequences of personal choices. Notable entries include Patricide, When Kindness Fails, Endless River, and Lucinda’s Summer Vacation, with critics highlighting her skillful character development and suspenseful plots.
Beyond her series fiction, Fackler has also written historical novels, such as Billy the Kid: The Legend of El Chivato, offering a fresh take on the legendary outlaw, and Texas Lily, a Western romance. Her works reflect a keen understanding of human nature, often depicting flawed yet compelling characters navigating complex moral landscapes.
Fackler continues to be recognized for her contributions to Western and crime fiction, crafting stories that blend historical authenticity with engaging narratives

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prose is beautiful and vivid, very image driven. The only thing that was really lacking for me was the dialogue, and the ending was a sad one but that's likely to be expected. This was a fictionalized account of a true crime, part of it an unsolved mystery. It's definitely worth the read just for the prose and descriptions. The characters and their motivations felt believable.

[Karen Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it's an interesting detective mystery and based on a true story, it isn't particularly well written and doesn't carry an important message.

[Aza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is fantastic but the writing did not grab my attention. The language was a little too simple for my taste. Despite this, the story held my attention all the way through.