Murphy's Trail was written by Gary Paulsen and Brian Burks. Murphy's Trail is one book in a series of books about a sheriff named Al Murphy. As of the writing of this blog, I believe there are seven books in the Murphy series. The first book in the Murphy series is simply titled, Murphy (1987). Murphy's Trail was written in 1996. I am not sure what number this book is within the series. The Murphy books have been written for those of us who like to old West, Gary Paulsen's humor, and his detailed story telling.
Murphy's Trail must be somewhere in the middle of the series of books. Although the book is a stand-alone book, one can tell that Al Murphy has had some tough experiences in the past and that there where more in the future.
This story begins in a small town named San Patricio. A friend from the past, Risa, pleads for his help to find her husband and two boys. A rich and powerful man has begun to muscle his way into the lives of the people in many of the small towns within territory. Ben King is his name. He has many people working for him both on the surface and under the surface. In other words, there are those who openly work for him and those whom get paid by him under the table. Ben King has been buying up businesses in the surrounding area. Not just in one town but in many of the small towns surrounding the area. Typically when his men come into town, the town's people shy away and let the men do their thing (i.e. drink, get rowdy, bully).
Risa takes some time to explain to Mr. Murphy what happened prior to her husband and son's disappearance. Murphy agrees to help investigate. Murphy soon discovers that Ben King has a silver mine operation and has enslaved many Mexicans and Apaches to work the mines. Ben King catches wind that Murphy is on his trail so Mr. King sets him up. In a very short period of time Murphy becomes a wanted killer, a fugitive, and horse thief. With the help of an unexpected foe and a group of town's people, Murphy shuts down Ben Kings operation and frees the people of his tyrannical rein.
MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it so much that I went on-line and bought four more Murphy books. Gary Paulsen is a talented writer. He is able to bring his readers "into" the story with his tremendous talent character development and attention to detail. If you enjoy Western type books about the old west (1800's) that are filled with action and a sense of realism, the Murphy series is highly recommended.
Murphy's Trail must be somewhere in the middle of the series of books. Although the book is a stand-alone book, one can tell that Al Murphy has had some tough experiences in the past and that there where more in the future.
This story begins in a small town named San Patricio. A friend from the past, Risa, pleads for his help to find her husband and two boys. A rich and powerful man has begun to muscle his way into the lives of the people in many of the small towns within territory. Ben King is his name. He has many people working for him both on the surface and under the surface. In other words, there are those who openly work for him and those whom get paid by him under the table. Ben King has been buying up businesses in the surrounding area. Not just in one town but in many of the small towns surrounding the area. Typically when his men come into town, the town's people shy away and let the men do their thing (i.e. drink, get rowdy, bully).
Risa takes some time to explain to Mr. Murphy what happened prior to her husband and son's disappearance. Murphy agrees to help investigate. Murphy soon discovers that Ben King has a silver mine operation and has enslaved many Mexicans and Apaches to work the mines. Ben King catches wind that Murphy is on his trail so Mr. King sets him up. In a very short period of time Murphy becomes a wanted killer, a fugitive, and horse thief. With the help of an unexpected foe and a group of town's people, Murphy shuts down Ben Kings operation and frees the people of his tyrannical rein.
MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it so much that I went on-line and bought four more Murphy books. Gary Paulsen is a talented writer. He is able to bring his readers "into" the story with his tremendous talent character development and attention to detail. If you enjoy Western type books about the old west (1800's) that are filled with action and a sense of realism, the Murphy series is highly recommended.
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