The Survival of Margaret Thomas
The West of the late 1800s is a lonely place. Margaret Thomas lives that ache. Alone, after the shooting death of her sheriff husband that she blames on herself and searches for solace in a liquor bottle. Then one day a miracle arrives in a telegram informing her that the bank robber who shot her husband has been arrested. She is invited to the trial.
But that judicial proceeding is all the way across the wild United States and she’s a former easterner now living in Missouri. Margaret must make this journey for her husband’s sake and, if she is ever to live again, assuage the guilt that’s been haunting her since the day he was gunned down.
Ride with Margaret Thomas as she reveals this frightening tale from her point of view. A strong woman and the bloody West meet in this unforgettable epic adventure in the tradition of True Grit.
Reviews
"After my first reading, I knew then that I'd want to explore The Survival of Margaret Thomas at a more leisurely pace. I didn't, however, expect to feel the desire to take up the book again so quickly, having finished it only weeks ago...it's a testament to how deeply invested I am in the world Del Howison has so lovingly created and etched each wounded soul."Clive Barker, bestselling author of Hellraiser
“THE SURVIVAL OF MARGARET THOMAS is proof that there are still compelling Western stories to be told.”
“The story of how she accomplishes the journey will be enjoyable for those who have a strong stomach for the gory parts.”
“[T]his leads to a brutal journey, rife with violence. The book not so much a western as a horror novel in a western setting, is filled with plenty of graphic violence.”Western Writers Roundup
"Howison has stepped out of the looming shadow of the horror genre and into the blistering sun of the Wild West, to give readers a journey fraught with danger and hardship, sprinkled with moments of tenderness, a journey in which poor Margaret Thomas will learn her own strength, and just how far she’ll go to seek justice and protect those she loves."
"When Margaret and friends have to ride out for a showdown to get justice, the book delivers everything we want from the genre with human flair."
"Fantastic. Absolutely vicious by the end. I loved it."Neil Marshall, director of "The Descent," "Dog Soldiers," and "Game of Thrones"
“A truly remarkable novel. While set in the 19th century West, it is far greater than a ‘western’; it is an American novel–brutal, violent, gripping, evocative, and redemptive. The heroine is a beautifully realized, complex character, and her first-person telling of the story echoes with the rhythms and elocution of 19th century American speech. This is one hell of a ride.”Douglass Preston, New York Times bestselling author of COLD VENGEANCE and THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE
“The stunning Western debut of an accomplished, veteran writer. With the authority of Loren D. Estleman and the heart of Larry McMurtry, Howison breathes new life into a beloved genre. I was in the right place at the right time when given the chance to read THE SURVIVAL OF MARGARET THOMAS ahead of publication. Saddle up again, Del Howison. I will ride anywhere with you.Nancy Holder, multiple award-winner and author of the New York Times bestselling series the Wicked Saga
“Del Howison knows his westerns. Smart and swift, this is no cheap powder burner, but is instead a mesmerizing novel of the West. Strong characters, beautiful storytelling narrative, and enough heart for the entire wild west. You need this."Joe R. Landsale, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of THE BOTTOMS and JACKRABBIT SMILE
“An old west road trip that becomes a runaway steam train, THE SURVIVAL OF MARGARET THOMAS is simply fantastic. Part western epic, part epic drama, it is a powerhouse of emotion set against the backdrop of frontier America. THE SURVIVAL OF MARGARET THOMAS got its teeth in my boots and never let go.”Peter Clines, bestselling author of PARADOX BOUND and DEAD MOON
“I’ll put this in terms that western movie fans will understand: Del Howison’s novel is Westward the Women meets China 9, Liberty 37 meets Bone Tomahawk – elevated by the author’s dry wit, attention to historical detail and colloquialisms, and matter-of-fact approach to human savagery.”Joseph Maddrey, author and screenwriter of "Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film"
“Memories are what we take with us, and what we leave behind. As Americans, we all carry, like memories we can’t shake off, rich veins of the frontier myths that gave birth to our literature. Del Howison mines these wonderfully.”James Sallis, author of Drive
“Absolutely amazing page turner.”John Debney, Oscar-nominated composer for The Passion of the Christ
“This delivers on the promise of the title — this gritty novel is about a woman surviving, getting past a defining tragedy, and forming a new life, all in the shadow of a quest for justice.”Derek McCaw, author of I Was Flesh Gordon
“I love this beautiful and empowering story. A fabulous read from start to finish.”Amanda Wyss, Actress Silverado & Badland
"...the novel is truly masterful and spectacular! Huge literary achievement."Laurent Bouzereau, multi-award-winning documentarian