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The Blackfoot Trail
A MAN OF HONOR
Despite his apathy toward white folks, mountain man Joe Fox reluctantly agrees to lead a group of settlers through the Rockies to Oregon. Taken aback by their appreciation, he soon finds himself enjoying their company -- especially the attentions of young Callie Simmons. That is, until her parents warn Joe to keep his distance.
But they should have worried about Max Starbeau. A wolf in sheep's clothing, he travels with the party until the opportunity arises to steal and murder -- and then to kidnap Callie for good measure. When the settlers find themselves unable to track Starbeau, they once again turn to Joe Fox -- who owes them nothing but will do anything to save Callie.
Despite his apathy toward white folks, mountain man Joe Fox reluctantly agrees to lead a group of settlers through the Rockies to Oregon. Taken aback by their appreciation, he soon finds himself enjoying their company -- especially the attentions of young Callie Simmons. That is, until her parents warn Joe to keep his distance.
But they should have worried about Max Starbeau. A wolf in sheep's clothing, he travels with the party until the opportunity arises to steal and murder -- and then to kidnap Callie for good measure. When the settlers find themselves unable to track Starbeau, they once again turn to Joe Fox -- who owes them nothing but will do anything to save Callie.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
26 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Charles G. West
71 books75 followersCharles G. West first arrived on the western literary scene in March, 1998 with his first novel, Stone Hand, published by Penguin under their Signet imprint. The book was the first of a three-book series, featuring Jason Coles, master tracker. The public response to those first three books called for more western fiction by West, and as of January 2014, Signet has published forty-five.
Inspired in his youth by great adventure authors like A.B. Guthrie and Vardis Fisher, West has always sought to be true to the men and women who braved the dangers of the savage frontier that was ultimately forged to become the American west. Novels by Charles G. West are classified as historical/westerns due to his diligent research in his subject matter, choosing to weave his fiction into the fabric of the actual places and events, being true to the times as well as the people. As a result, his protagonists are usually not heroes, but are often called upon to perform heroic deeds.
Insisting that his protagonists must be instilled with a sense of fairness in addition to courage. West readily admits that many of the characters in his books are patterned after his two sons, both of whom are graduates of the University of Montana, one still lives in Kalispell, Montana - and is the source of much of the author's detail on the ways of the mountain man. Both sons share West's love for the Big Sky Country.
Presently, the author resides in Ocala, Florida with his wife, Ronda, whose name is found on the dedication page of every West novel.
Inspired in his youth by great adventure authors like A.B. Guthrie and Vardis Fisher, West has always sought to be true to the men and women who braved the dangers of the savage frontier that was ultimately forged to become the American west. Novels by Charles G. West are classified as historical/westerns due to his diligent research in his subject matter, choosing to weave his fiction into the fabric of the actual places and events, being true to the times as well as the people. As a result, his protagonists are usually not heroes, but are often called upon to perform heroic deeds.
Insisting that his protagonists must be instilled with a sense of fairness in addition to courage. West readily admits that many of the characters in his books are patterned after his two sons, both of whom are graduates of the University of Montana, one still lives in Kalispell, Montana - and is the source of much of the author's detail on the ways of the mountain man. Both sons share West's love for the Big Sky Country.
Presently, the author resides in Ocala, Florida with his wife, Ronda, whose name is found on the dedication page of every West novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 27, 2020
Average pulp shoot em' up. On a side note, why does every American Indian hero in Western novels have to be a "half breed"? Can't we get some full blooded Native heroes? Western authors treat Native Americans like fantasy authors treat orcs and it's a shame.
December 5, 2017
Another fine western, hits all the right marks, with the usual tropes we've come to expect. this is my third book by West and I thoroughly enjoyed it, partially I think because it had the main character is half Indian, so we get to see the west from a bit of a different Viewpoint than we normally see. The story was good, the action good, and the main bad guy was straight evil incarnate. I felt slightly like the end was a little bit rushed but after the multiple tracking and chase scenes it felt just about the right time to end the story.
All in all, if you like westerns, I think you'd like this..
All in all, if you like westerns, I think you'd like this..
August 4, 2018
JOE FOX RIDES THE VENGEANCE TRAIL
Joe Fox, a mixed heritage Native American leads a train of families ridicules to Oregon, where they hoped to settle. Kidnapped by Max Starbeau from the mule train, Cassie is brutalized by this rat turf and then traded to the Silasa tribe for a leg of venison, all she could think of she just went from the frying pan to the fire..Oh Lord...so now Joe Fox is on the trail of Max Starbeau whose leaving a trail of dead bodies, robberies of a town bank and a couple of miners were robbed of gold that they had mined from their claims..just a nasty mess. Fast reading actions of all sorts some not so nice, but nonetheless a whole lot going on. There's a good remedy for Max Starbeau in the end, but as my father said "an ill wind only blows one way." This so true and you will read and visualize some of these scenes not the bad ones, but the descriptions of mountains, the flora all sounds breathtaking.
Joe Fox, a mixed heritage Native American leads a train of families ridicules to Oregon, where they hoped to settle. Kidnapped by Max Starbeau from the mule train, Cassie is brutalized by this rat turf and then traded to the Silasa tribe for a leg of venison, all she could think of she just went from the frying pan to the fire..Oh Lord...so now Joe Fox is on the trail of Max Starbeau whose leaving a trail of dead bodies, robberies of a town bank and a couple of miners were robbed of gold that they had mined from their claims..just a nasty mess. Fast reading actions of all sorts some not so nice, but nonetheless a whole lot going on. There's a good remedy for Max Starbeau in the end, but as my father said "an ill wind only blows one way." This so true and you will read and visualize some of these scenes not the bad ones, but the descriptions of mountains, the flora all sounds breathtaking.
July 9, 2025
Usually I like West’s books but this is one I’m gonna have to put down.
The story started out well enough. Two white stragglers enlist the help of the archetypal White-Man-Raised-By-Natives, Joe Hawk, to find and later escort their pioneering party across the mountains. One of the party is a bad dude and conflict broils.
But when Joe’s young love interest is kidnapped, the story delves into too much sexual violence for my preferences. I understand it’s something that happens, (and it’s an easy ploy to fuel revenge) but how it is pursued it at length in this story felt gratuitous. So much that I decided enough was enough.
I’ll still continue to read West’s other works but this is so far the weakest of all that I’ve read.
The story started out well enough. Two white stragglers enlist the help of the archetypal White-Man-Raised-By-Natives, Joe Hawk, to find and later escort their pioneering party across the mountains. One of the party is a bad dude and conflict broils.
But when Joe’s young love interest is kidnapped, the story delves into too much sexual violence for my preferences. I understand it’s something that happens, (and it’s an easy ploy to fuel revenge) but how it is pursued it at length in this story felt gratuitous. So much that I decided enough was enough.
I’ll still continue to read West’s other works but this is so far the weakest of all that I’ve read.
October 11, 2020
I have given this book 5 stars because it delivered exactly what I was expected it to, a no nonsense great adventure.
The hero, Joe Fox, is likeable, the heroine isn't annoying, and the villain.....well he's just a thoroughly bad egg, blacker than black and completely beyond any kind of redemption except the bullet shaped kind.
I won't spoil it by talking plot but it is essentially a rescue mission followed by a hunt. I would definitely call this "a page turner" and great starter if you want to try out Charles G West's novels.
I like his style and have bought about ten more of his westerns on the strength of this one.
The hero, Joe Fox, is likeable, the heroine isn't annoying, and the villain.....well he's just a thoroughly bad egg, blacker than black and completely beyond any kind of redemption except the bullet shaped kind.
I won't spoil it by talking plot but it is essentially a rescue mission followed by a hunt. I would definitely call this "a page turner" and great starter if you want to try out Charles G West's novels.
I like his style and have bought about ten more of his westerns on the strength of this one.
January 13, 2019
nice short story, about a white guy raised buy Indians helping a group of travelers. For the PC readers the idea of white dude being better at being indian than the indians(he takes down 2 indians by himself) then probably a skip.
September 11, 2019
Damn good book. I’ve decided to read all of West’s books. This is #21 for me and they never disappoint.
October 30, 2020
Their own trail of tears
Story of a group of Easterners heading for Oregon far too late to make it before the snows, and the trouble that ensues.
Story of a group of Easterners heading for Oregon far too late to make it before the snows, and the trouble that ensues.
December 5, 2009
Joe Fox was found beside a dead woman at age three, probably his mother. Raised as a member of the Blackfeet, obviously his father had been white.
He spoke only one word, "Joe" and that became his name, the Fox the name of the creek beside which he'd been found.
While away at eighteen, a Crow war party attacked the village and his parents were among the dead. He led a war party of Blackfeet that tracked and found the attackers. In the battle, he killed two.
Going up into the mountains to find a vision of what to do, Joe never returned, eventually becoming a legend among the tribes. Rarely any congress with anyone, he was surprised when two men came looking and yelling his name. He was even more surprised when he agreed to help them find a party of family and friends that had gotten lost while heading for the Oregon territory. The guide they hired wasn't very expert.
He convinces the band of religious folks that it was to late in the season to get through the mountains before the snows and leads them to a valley to winter.
He finds an attraction to the party leader's daughter, Callie Simmons, as does she to him. Mom is not happy, believing her daughter deserves better, forcing Dad to set the man straight. Insulted, he leaves, returning to his mountains.
The one they should have been worried about was a bear-like man named Starbeau who had invited himself along early in the trip. Surly and uncooperative, during an Indian attack, he robs the band, murders a couple, and kidnaps Callie, heading out.
Her father and one more go looking for Joe, hat in hand, for help, not sure whether he would after the way he'd been treated.
They didn't know Joe. Nothing would stop him, not even a two week old trail. Using all his wiles and knowledge of the territory, he starts after them. He knows Callie's life will last only as long as Starbeau doesn't reach any settlements before he can find them.
He spoke only one word, "Joe" and that became his name, the Fox the name of the creek beside which he'd been found.
While away at eighteen, a Crow war party attacked the village and his parents were among the dead. He led a war party of Blackfeet that tracked and found the attackers. In the battle, he killed two.
Going up into the mountains to find a vision of what to do, Joe never returned, eventually becoming a legend among the tribes. Rarely any congress with anyone, he was surprised when two men came looking and yelling his name. He was even more surprised when he agreed to help them find a party of family and friends that had gotten lost while heading for the Oregon territory. The guide they hired wasn't very expert.
He convinces the band of religious folks that it was to late in the season to get through the mountains before the snows and leads them to a valley to winter.
He finds an attraction to the party leader's daughter, Callie Simmons, as does she to him. Mom is not happy, believing her daughter deserves better, forcing Dad to set the man straight. Insulted, he leaves, returning to his mountains.
The one they should have been worried about was a bear-like man named Starbeau who had invited himself along early in the trip. Surly and uncooperative, during an Indian attack, he robs the band, murders a couple, and kidnaps Callie, heading out.
Her father and one more go looking for Joe, hat in hand, for help, not sure whether he would after the way he'd been treated.
They didn't know Joe. Nothing would stop him, not even a two week old trail. Using all his wiles and knowledge of the territory, he starts after them. He knows Callie's life will last only as long as Starbeau doesn't reach any settlements before he can find them.
October 18, 2014
What is up with the rape? I do not understand why there needs to be rape in a story. Don't give me that it is what happened back then because nearly every other western author tells about how women, especially women that are almost children, were treated with respect and nobody would mess with them for fear of retaliation from even criminals. Is is necessary to have rape of a woman that is almost a child in order for a book to be good? Really, I like this authors stories but find his attraction to brutality of women very troublesome. If I could find out wether or not his stories had rape in them before I read them I would read the ones that didn't and leave the others alone. Duel at Low Hawk is another one that has him raping a 14 year old girl. REALLY, REALLY???? I guess thats the only thing that gets drama.
February 18, 2015
The Blackfoot Trail
Suspenseful and intriguing novel. MR. West has a way with words that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A great way to enjoy the wild west from the comfort and safe abode while vicariously living the exploits of such fearless characters. I would recommend this novel to everyone blessed with the ability to read.
Suspenseful and intriguing novel. MR. West has a way with words that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A great way to enjoy the wild west from the comfort and safe abode while vicariously living the exploits of such fearless characters. I would recommend this novel to everyone blessed with the ability to read.
April 3, 2014
At first I thought it was about the Donner saga all over, but this was different.
September 14, 2015
Charles G. West has never failed to entertain. A western story with action, adventure, a hero large as life and a menacing villain, The Blackfoot Trail is a western lover must-read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews