Reviews
Extraordinary Thriller!
Cunningham creates a present-day, mind-bending, genre-breaking thriller whose setting echoes back into a different century but captures timeless human emotions. The harsh wintry mountain surroundings compound the adversity of seeking a killer. The well-developed characters battle the elements as well as their own mental and emotional trials. Story has more twists and turns than an old country road! Buy two, and give one to a friend! - Brad Catherman, Author of Open Field Running
Masterfully-Written, Riveting Plot, and Completely Original
One of the best articles I ever read, published in a beautiful magazine named Montana Quarterly, was written by a man named Terry Cunningham. Through gripping storytelling on a topic about which I knew nothing, Cunningham chronicled how he convinced the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, all native tribes in the Gallatin National Forest, and the family of a world-famous local mountain climber who plunged to his death a few years earlier to name a mountain peak (Alex Lowe Peak) in honor of that man. So when I heard Cunningham had just published a book named Red Mountain Pass, originally written years ago, I knew I needed to read it. I knew that it didn't even matter what it was about — this guy's writing is so masterful and his storytelling gift so acute.
Turns out I was in for a real treat, as the plot of Red Mountain Pass kept me wondering what was next and marveling at the intricate relationships, fully-developed characters, and surprising turns of events. His tender and truly unique handling of the relationship between a snowplow driver and a florist, as well as between the florist and her landlord (a doctor who is kidnapped) truly transcends time and feels like it was written right now, today, with a level of awareness and understanding of male/female possibilities well beyond cliche. The power of a quiet man and a strong woman, in particular, will stay with me forever. The only thing that slowed me down during this page-turner was the stunning use of language throughout, which caused me to linger over paragraphs and phrases, simply rereading them to hear their music. I truly recommend Red Mountain Pass and hope to one day be able to see it come to life as a movie. And, yes, I will read anything and everything Terry Cunningham writes next! - Pattie Baker - Author of Spokesgirl, Food for my Daughters, Travelling at the Speed of Bike
A Fine Mystery in a Remarkable Place
Fantastic tale of high altitude intrigue. Loved the descriptions of Southern Colorado. The author has done his homework and relishes in the place as much as the great characters. Highly recommend. - Nigel Waterton
A Page Turner!
I am traditionally a non-fiction reader but gave this one a whirl. Wow! I forgot what it's like to be unable to put down a book, even late into the night. The plot and setting were intriguing and unique. - Katie D.
Fast-Moving Thriler - Not to be Missed!
I loved this suspenseful thriller from author Terry Cunningham. The plot is fast-paced but not at the expense of other aspects of good fiction. I found it remarkable how the author presented detailed descriptions of the book's setting (Southwest Colorado) and the activities inherent in these mountain's regions (ie, keeping the roads open) without slowing down the action. Having lived in a mountain community similar to that in the book, I felt right at home with its well-developed characters. Their dialogue and interactions were completely natural. Nothing seemed forced or manipulated to move the plot forward. In the tradition of well-known Western authors like Doig, Stegner, and McGuane, Cunningham accurately captured the "feel" of the region, making it as much a character as the people who populate his story.
So, in short, read and enjoy. You will discover plenty of unexpected plot twists and a cast of interesting characters, all set in a fascinating region of the country. Highly recommend. - William Robinson