600 Hours of Edward

Edward Stanton is a man hurtling headlong toward middle age. His mental illness has led him to be sequestered in his small house in a small city, where he keeps his distance from the outside world and the parents from whom he is largely estranged. For the most part, Edward sticks to things he can count on...and things he can count. But over the course of 25 days (or 600 hours, as Edward prefers to look at it) several events puncture the walls Edward has built around himself.

In the end, he faces a choice: Open his life to experience and deal with the joys and heartaches that come with it, or remain behind his closed door, a solitary soul.

The Bottom of the Sky

The Bottom of the Sky, a debut novel, is an aching rags-to-riches family saga that springs from rural Montana squalor into the power chambers of Wall Street and Silicon Valley.  The story contrasts the 30-year struggles of an abused sister and brother who, after one abandons the other, seek to claim themselves from their abhorrent legacy. This bare-knuckled tour de force deals head-on with childhood shame, promiscuity, prejudice, Wall Street’s rape of Main Street, genius, madness and violence. It is a tale of extraordinary sacrifice, of discovery, of redemption.

The Pass

“The Pass” was Thomas Savage’s first novel, written by the iconic Western novelist in the 1930s and originally published by Doubleday in 1944. The book, set near Savage’s hometown of Dillon, Montana, takes place around 1910 when the area is newly settled.

The railroad is on its way, bringing all that civilization has to offer to a remote valley, changing it forever. New rancher Jess Bentley struggles against the elements, against fate, and against all odds to run a successful outfit that will be suitable for his beloved new bride, Beth, and the baby the doctor warned them they would never see.

Read about the life and times of author Thomas Savage in the Winter 2008 edition of “Montana: The Magazine of Western History”.

Lodestar

Riverbend is pleased to be distributing Lodestar by Sarie Mackay, which tells the story of young Persis Allen. Persis travels west to marry a successful railroad baron in 1880 and begin a life of adventure with him in Territorial Montana.  Persis arrives in Helena and finds a wild, unruly place of dreams, characters and outlaws,  a place that sends cowards home and forces the courageous to stand tall. 

Persis quickly finds her marriage to be not what it seems, and must slowly peel away layers of deceit and betrayal in order to save herself and her children.  Persis nearly loses herself in her struggle with her larger-than-life partner Alexander MacKinney, but in the end, this strong female heroine stirs in the ashes and rises on bold wings.  Readers will have no difficulty seeing hundreds of parallels between the Persis of 1880 and women they know right now, today.

All of this happens against the backdrop of Territorial Montana, a landscape so rich with western history and romance that it simply can’t be crammed into one novel.  Lodestar was ten years in the writing and reflects extensive, careful research on mining, cattle ranching, and railroads.  The convergence of these economic forces on the Butte mining camp and the territorial capital of Helena created a social and financial vortex, forming the perfect setting for a view of the late 19th century west, with all its buckle-and-swash.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE MONTANA CHRONICLES

Scares and frights and mysteries!

For the first time, here are the long-lost records of four intriguing mysteries solved by the famous English detective Sherlock Holmes when he traveled to Montana in the late 1800s. Using his inimitable eye for clues, his astounding deductive reasoning, and – when necessary – clever subterfuge, Holmes solves a very public murder at the famous Opera House, a supernatural theft of gold at a mine near Georgetown Lake, the disturbing threats to Copper King Marcus Daly’s most famous racehorse, and the sudden odd behavior of a miner’s wife.

            As usual, these cases were recorded by Dr. John H. Watson, Holmes’ affable companion and chronicler, but Watson’s accounts were lost for more than a century. They were recently discovered in an old safe in Anaconda’s Hearst Free Library by researcher John. S. Fitzpatrick, who edited the manuscripts for publication. Not only are the actual crimes unique and challenging, but the stories are filled with fascinating details of life in early-day Montana—details that amply illustrate Holmes’ superb powers of observation.

            This immensely entertaining book is certain to delight all fans of detective stories, mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes.

THE WATERSHED YEARS

By Russell Rowland

This is the long-awaited sequel to Rowland’s highly aclaimed first novel, In Open Spaces. Follow the Arbuckle family through years of troubles, trials, and triumphs as they struggle to hold their Montana ranch - and their family - together. In this dramatic story, brothers and wives turn against each other as they struggle with greed, deceit, and murder.

In Open Spaces received excellent reviews (The Atlantic Monthly, Publishers Weekly, and more), made several best-book lists, and was praised by Ivan Doig, Guy Vanderhaeghe, and others. The Watershed Years may be even better. Long after finishing this book, readers will still be remembering its sharply drawn characters and their unexpected fates.

HORSES THEY RODE

By Sid Gustafson

A dramatic novel of love, family, and changing cultures along Montana’s rugged Rocky Mountain Front. The novel lyrically weaves the protagonist’s journey through women, children, horses, and Indian spirituality, culminating in a thrilling cross-country horse race. His storytelling is full of rhythm and surprise.

“With Horses They Rode Sid Gustafson further establishes himself as a strong new voice among Montana novelists.” -O. Alan Welzien, Drumlummon Views
“Horses They Rode is a one-sitting book. And it’s the kind of book about something important in a world full of books about unimportant things.”
-Brian Ames, Washington State Magazine

ON SARPY CREEK

By Ira S. Nelson

Co-published with Bedrock Editions

A novel of love, adultery, murder, race, family, and forgiveness in a tight-knit Montana community after World War I. This is a masterpiece in its exploration of human emotions and motivations.

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

By Dorothy M. Johnson

The Western Writers of America ranked these four stories as the best short stories of the 20th Century, but they have never been collected in one book until now. This edition is destined to earn a place in every western library. Great educational tool.

THE STORY OF MARY MACLANE

By Mary MacLane

The sensational book that turned a Montana teenager into a worldwide celebrity. A breathtaking tour de force about life, love, and longing.

SHORT IN THE SADDLE

By Don Laubach and
Mark Henckel

It's not always the biggest fish or biggest game that you remember about days in the outdoors. It's the funny stuff that happens along the way. Enjoy these great stories illustrated with the cartoons of John Potter.

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