Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com

AMBUSH AT MUSTANG CANYON tells the story of the struggle to settle the West and accurately shows the motivation and issues of all the players in this great historical drama. This final book of the Free Anderson-Parks Scott trilogy (following THE ROAD TO A HANGING and RIDE THE DESPERATE TRAIL) finds the men caught up in conflict as the U. S. Army and the various Indian tribes battle over territorial rights.

It's mainly the story of one man's struggle to live in peace and raise a family in post-Civil War Texas, but also of the unique friendship between a black ex-slave and a white ex-soldier that rounds up and sells mustangs. Free now has a homestead, and he and his wife, Clara, have a small son, and another child on the way. That story is told within the conflict involving the U. S. Army, the buffalo hunters, the Mexican rustlers, and the Kiowa, Comanche, and Cheyenne Indians, all of whom have a stake in the conflict, and different viewpoints of the desired outcome and the way it should be accomplished.

Real characters from history join the two fictional characters in the skirmishes, and Kearby lets us see it from various viewpoints. Anderson and Scott don't always agree with the U. S. Army, but are committed to upholding the law of the land in trying to outwit the enemy in a way that results in the fewest casualties on both sides.

AMBUSH AT MUSTANG CANYON is an electrifying, fast action story that is historically accurate, written for young adults, but with enough excitement to interest adult western and history fans. From the first attack on Britt Johnson, through the battles of Adobe Walls, Lost Valley, and Buffalo Wallow, Free and Parks are caught up in the conflict and in frequent danger of losing their own lives.

Mr. Kearby includes a glossary in the back of the book with word, phrase, and name meanings in Kiowa, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Spanish languages. There is also a page with author's notes on history and a page of discussion questions to help gain better understanding of the history and theme of the story. Your reluctant reader would enjoy this exciting series. ( )