Monte Hale Western #41

Betsy, a young girl, gets covered in mud while playing, prompting her mother to insist she take a bath. Betsy resists, claiming she doesn’t like baths, but her mother argues that daily bathing will help her grow up beautiful—only to point out, with a wink, that ducks are always clean.

Monte Hale joins old river pilot Pappy Parsons aboard the Mary Ann, a steamboat navigating the White Water River, just as tensions rise between Parsons and rival freight operator Jeff Bailey. When a fire breaks out on the boat and a mysterious log jam threatens their journey, Monte must learn to handle the steamboat under pressure while uncovering sabotage tied to Bailey’s fierce competition.

In the divided town of Truro, where East Truro is law-abiding and West Truro is overrun by outlaws, a wounded marshal’s death draws Monte Hale into a dangerous mission. When Big Jim Mullane challenges him to a showdown across the river, Monte infiltrates West Truro disguised as a gambler to uncover the outlaw leader’s secrets. As tensions rise, Monte must outwit Mullane and his gang before the next raid — and the river bridge becomes the stage for a final, deadly reckoning.