Preachers Strike -- 5 stars  

Preacher’s Strike by the Johnstone syndicate is a different story than many of the Preacher-series stories.  In this book, Preacher (no relation to an actual clergy member) is asked to accompany a member of the European nobility (Geoffrey Fitzwarren) of a small duchy to find the daughter of the ruling family.  She had left, of her own volition, with a lothario to explore in America’s west.  All is not as it seems with the “love tryst” and it is up to Preacher and his Horse and Dog along with some trusted allies to intervene.

Preacher and Fitzwarren hire some men to accompany them on a trip westward where they hope to find Charlotte, the noble woman.  What they do not know is that a less than respectable character named Knox also has been listening to their plans and has hatched a nefarious one of his own that has nothing to do with Miss Charlotte.  It is to capture and hold for ransom the noble Fitzwarren.  Knox’s gang is comprised mostly of uncouth cutthroats but one man, Bellamy, might have a glimmer of honesty.  If he does, he may be the only path of salvation for Preacher and members of his group.

Throw in some disgruntled Teton Sioux who are easily offended and there is a triangle of danger being formed.  How will the angles work out?  Well to see it will be necessary to read the story, which I recommend.  It is a quick and easy read that I found hard to put down once I started it.