PANHANDLE

Nate Rawlins and Billy Champion set out to conquer the untamed Texas Panhandle of the 1880s the only way they know how: driving cattle, breaking horses, and doing a little drinking and gambling. There's an earthy realism and attention to detail in this first novel that sets it apart. Brett Cogburn, great-grandson of the legendary Rooster Cogburn, has a deft ear for planting emotion and honesty in his rhythmic cowboy dialogue. Narrator Mort Shelby and a cast of voices turn this reading into true theater, and well-placed sound effects and music give the production a sense of place and depth. Young and foolish, Nate and Billy fall for the same girl, run into some hard winters, make some difficult choices, and have to live with the consequences. B.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2013]