Unputdownable and richly rewarding.
Set against the harsh yet beautiful backdrop of 19th-century British Columbia, David M. McGowan’s ‘Boundaries‘ delivers a rich fusion of Western drama and historical fiction. The novel follows Bob Morgan, a seasoned bounty hunter now donning the badge of a lawman, as he returns to reclaim his land.
When Bob finds his property under threat from newcomer David McCallum, the confrontation leads him into a tangled web of secrets, crime, and unresolved traumas. With a murder in his past and a vendetta still unsettled, Bob is pulled deeper into a world of deceit and violence. Mary Ballantine’s entrance only complicates matters further, a resourceful yet morally ambiguous woman, Mary seeks Bob’s help, pulling him further into a web of deception and power struggles. As Bob navigates shifting allegiances and dangerous enemies, he is forced to confront his own sense of morality and duty.
McGowan’s storytelling excels through a seamless blend of action and reflection, crafting an atmosphere steeped in realism. The pacing is tight, the prose sharp, and the historical detail spot-on. He writes with clarity and precision, rendering both the landscape and historical context in vivid detail—from the rugged terrain to the cadences of frontier speech. The dialogue is authentic, reflecting the patterns and mannerisms of the time, while the characters are well-developed, each with their own complexities and motivations. Bob Morgan stands out as a compelling protagonist—hardened by experience yet deeply introspective. The characters are layered and compelling, drawing readers into a world where law is fragile and morality ever shifting.
‘Boundaries’ is more than a tale of land and law—it’s a meditation on justice, legacy, and what it means to carry the weight of one’s choices. A gripping, immersive read that delivers both visceral action and emotional depth, this novel stands tall among the best of modern Westerns. 5 Stars.
