Hell’s Gate by Stephen Frey
Release date: 2009 / 326 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): When thirty-five-year-old litigator Hunter Lee decides to turn his back on the rat race that has made him rich but cost him his marriage, he takes the advice of his brother and goes to Montana. But escape from the ugly side of human nature is hardly what he finds when word reaches him of a small town’s little secret involving arson and the reckless quest for profits at the expense of lives.
First line: “As far back as he could remember Hunter Lee had known his fate lay in the law.”
Review: Well, after reading a bunch of novels this summer that would be considered “chick lit” by most men, this rousing adventure tale provided me with a nice shot of testosterone!
I accepted this novel due to the setting — Montana. Since my husband and I have decided to move to Colorado, I have a yen for the West, and this novel embraces the rough and ready West of our collective national imagination.
Hell’s Gate has a strong sense of place — not only regarding geography, but of the “tough but fair” men that populate this region, too. I couldn’t help but think of what our Colorado builder said to us on our last visit: “I don’t know if you two are gun people, but if not I would recommend getting one.” Now, our builder was referring to the skat he saw while hiking our property, fortunately, but the protagonist of Hell’s Gate needed a gun for predators of the human variety. (By the way, my response to our builder was: “We’ve decided to get an air horn instead.” To his credit, his only response to my comment was a solemn nod…).
>Hell’s Gate resembles a traditional western, where the good guys and bad guys are clearly delineated and a bit in extreme in their characteristics. However, the focus of the novel really is its plot — which is exciting from the opening court scene to the final show-down. I think this novel would lend itself to audio very well, by the way, and would appeal to both genders, too, despite its rather macho leanings.
So, if you are in the mood for a fast-paced story with clearly-defined morality, leave me a comment and I’ll choose a winner by Saturday!
Please count me in!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower and would like to win this book.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
Sounds like a “good guy/bad guy” Western romp! Please enter me in the drawing.
This sounds a lot like CJ Box’s books and I’m a big fan of his writing. The good guy sees himself as an average guy, but he does extraordinary things in the pursuit of justice.
Thanks,
Melinda
I would love to be in your drawing for another great book. Thanks
I just finished a C.J. Box book and enjoyed it so I’m sure I would like this one, too! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
Please enter me. I would love to read this book. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
enter me too…I would never pick this up on my own, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the review!
I’d love a chance to read this!
please enter me.
I would really like to have a book that would provide a good moral debate! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love Stephen Frey – please enter my name in the drawing!