Stryker is learning the ways of a man hunter when he and the Hunter are summoned to the Sierra Bonita, the ranch owned by the legendary, Henry Hooker. They are given the job of hunting one of the worst killers in the history of the Arizona Territory. The Ghost, or as he is known in rural Mexico, la Fantasma, is a black Irishman devoid of pigment in his white skin, piercing blue eyes and long greasy jet black hair. His game is women and children especially if they fight. His preferred tool, a razor sharp Bowie knife.
As the Hunter and Stryker find his tracks and begin the hunt, the Hunter is injured when a snake strikes at his horse and he is thrown down a mountain. Forced to leave him at a ranch, Stryker sets out on his own to hunt down this killer.
As the story progresses Stryker is saddened to find the Ghost had visited the Circle-J ranch on his route and rides up on a funeral being held at the ranch. His anger fueled, Stryker again takes up his pursuit in earnest. Finding the Ghost at a small rancho in Mexico, Stryker is nearly killed when his inexperience led him into a barroom rush through a door and into the blade of the Ghost.
Upon his recovery, he again takes up the trail only now he is dogged by two relentless but moronic bounty hunters, Whitey Wellford and Lenny Bristol. The story takes another turn twist as the hunt continues unabated yet in earnest as the body count is still rising.
As Stryker begins to become comfortable in the hunter's shoes he learns a lot about himself and the ways of the hunt. As he learns he matures and quickly becomes sharp yet still somewhat impulsive as youth will be.
As the story comes to the conclusion, the reader is faced with a new Stryker. Bone tired, yet willing to take the hunt where it logically needs to go and a conclusion that was written in blood in the beginning, at the Sierra Bonita ranch.
This is the best yet...and possibly the worst villian Arizona has ever seen. Grab a copy, sit back and read about a young man coming of age.
advertisement