A quiet rancher in Civil War-era Texas emerges from an alcohol-soaked haze to find his sole ranch hand and lover has been lynched—hanged by party or parties unknown. Left with nothing but his failing ranch, Daniel Hays takes it upon himself to seek out those responsible for his lover's death, experiencing puzzling new relationships along the way—including repeat encounters with a ghostly coyote that leads him to the final stop of his odyssey for revenge. "Kurtz delivers an intense, gritty, and moving story that takes a new look at the Old West." —Lee Thomas, author of The German and Ash Street "Many Westerns have explored the theme of revenge, but few have done so as provocatively as Ed Kurtz. Sympathetic characters, skillful plotting, and most notably a moving and insightful meditation on love and loyalty." —Heath Lowrance, author of City of Heretics "Daniel Hays is one of the most interesting characters to cross the western terrain." —Edward A. Grainger, author of the Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles series "Ed Kurtz is a master storyteller." —Todd Robinson, author of The Hard Bounce and Rough Trade
A quiet rancher in Civil War-era Texas emerges from an alcohol-soaked haze to find his sole ranch hand and lover has been lynched—hanged by party or parties unknown. Left with nothing but his failing ranch, Daniel Hays takes it upon himself to seek out those responsible for his lover's death, experiencing puzzling new relationships along the way—including repeat encounters with a ghostly coyote that leads him to the final stop of his odyssey for revenge. "Kurtz delivers an intense, gritty, and moving story that takes a new look at the Old West." —Lee Thomas, author of The German and Ash Street "Many Westerns have explored the theme of revenge, but few have done so as provocatively as Ed Kurtz. Sympathetic characters, skillful plotting, and most notably a moving and insightful meditation on love and loyalty." —Heath Lowrance, author of City of Heretics "Daniel Hays is one of the most interesting characters to cross the western terrain." —Edward A. Grainger, author of the Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles series "Ed Kurtz is a master storyteller." —Todd Robinson, author of The Hard Bounce and Rough Trade