Horse Trouble

Stone Cold Adventures

By: Robert Knox

Narrated by: Robert Knox

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

There was an underlying hum that seemed to blow in from the plains. A song that reached inside me was something primal; it spoke of beauty and death. Some melody I didn’t understand in the civilized part of my brain was calling out to me. I just leaned on a hitching rail, staring out over the open grasslands across the railroad tracks. I could feel it’s harmony deep inside my soul, telling me a story I couldn’t hear fully, not yet. Offering me life and freedom so long as I learned its rules and abided by them. The soft hum resonated with me, waking a dormant wild piece that remained under the veneer of civilization. It connected to that feeling from years ago on the ship—a feeling of open, wild expanses. An old man behind me spoke from where he sat, shaking me out of my reverie.

“You hear it, don’tcha boy?” His voice was dry and hard, like a crackling fire trying to form words. “You can hear her singing.”

“What is it?” I asked, lost in the subtle song. Knowing when he said "her," it fit; the hum was feminine, soft, and alluring.

“It’s the land she’s trying to lure you in boy. She’s a trap in her way, just like the sea to sailors. Lure you in, an once she has you, at’s it. You’ll spend your life with her, short or long won’t matter none. She’ll always own a part of you.” The way he talked, he understood. There was a longing for something lost in his rough voice.

“Sounds like home.” I said it without thinking about my words.

“Your doomed boy, she has you now. Lucky though, most folks never hear that song. They just live on top, never knowing she’s alive. Strip ya down ta show the world who ya is. Show you too I reckon, an then let’s ya out on the world like a twister! Ta rip an snort’n taking everything that comes at ya, giv’in it right back.”

His adventure started when he started sailing across the ocean to New York at five years old. Learning from the sailors, later running the streets of the city. At 10, he found his passion, the west. Luck gives him opportunities to learn from an old mountain man and the local people. Now, at 16, he finally sets out to pursue his dreams. His travels will take him to places of impossible beauty and his Colts will keep him alive.

The problems start with a beautiful Appaloosa mare; they will follow him from Dodge City to Red River Station. Haunting his steps. Becoming friends with the Bar C crew and beginning to understand what it means to ride for the brand. New friends and unseen enemies will make his choices, but in the end, right and wrong will force him into action.

©2023 Robert Knox (P)2023 Robert Knox

I will be getting the next book.

I am not a big western fan but by the time I got to the end of this story I was ready to get the second book. I think I may not have given westerns a fair shake and will be looking at more titles in this genre in the future. I felt it was an easy listen.To be fair the writing was not perfect and the narration was a little rough at first but got better as the story went on. Since I am not a writer or voice actor I will just keep it to what my experience was. I felt the world building went a little long but when the first action scene hit, it actually startled me, which I can't recall any audio book ever doing that. All in all I think it is a first good book and I am looking forward the the next installment.

Equine Difficulty

I truly enjoyed the well woven tale of Horse Trouble. From the camaraderie on the trail to the culture of cowboys in the west, it was a lot of fun, and an excellent listen. My only gripe is with JC being so damn good at everything he does (except making coffee and cooking) but it works for the story.

Catchy Title!

I bought this book because I liked the title and the outline of what the book was about. I was disappointed. The storyline was interesting but not really presented in a manner that held my interest. I will not be continuing with anymore books in this series..