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It was a few months later on, when Samantha was twelve years old, and I was fourteen, and winter come on, and the wind was blowing a gale, and dark was a thing we dreaded, that the panther called on us again.' In the remote hill country of Texas, Samantha Shreve, the young daughter of a former slave, and her half-brother are terrorised by a ferocious panther. Orphaned, without protection or money, the pair must fight to survive against the odds. But this twelve year old girl has more than survival in mind: she wants revenge on the beast that killed her mother. Headstrong and relentless, she vows to stalk and kill the panther. Setting out on a quest across an untamed and lawless land, the Shreves enlist the help of a charismatic Tejano outlaw, a haunted preacher, and an ancient tracking dog. But as this unlikely posse closes in on the panther, they find themselves pursued in turn by a sadistic Confederate soldier who has a score to settle with Samantha.
About the author
Elizabeth Crook has published four novels, including The Night Journal, which received the Spur award from Western Writers of America, and Monday, Monday, winner of the Jesse H. Jones award from the Texas Institute of Letters, and named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2014. She lives in Austin, Texas with her family.
Summary
‘It was a few months later on, when Samantha was twelve years old, and I was fourteen, and winter come on, and the wind was blowing a gale, and dark was a thing we dreaded, that the panther called on us again.’
In the remote hill country of Texas, Samantha Shreve, the young daughter of a former slave, and her half-brother are terrorised by a ferocious panther. Orphaned, without protection or money, the pair must fight to survive against the odds.
But this twelve year old girl has more than survival in mind: she wants revenge on the beast that killed her mother. Headstrong and relentless, she vows to stalk and kill the panther.
Setting out on a quest across an untamed and lawless land, the Shreves enlist the help of a charismatic Tejano outlaw, a haunted preacher, and an ancient tracking dog. But as this unlikely posse closes in on the panther, they find themselves pursued in turn by a sadistic Confederate soldier who has a score to settle with Samantha.
Foreword
'It was a few months later on, when Samantha was twelve years old, and I was fourteen, and winter come on, and the wind was blowing a gale, and dark was a thing we dreaded, that the panther called on us again.'
Additional text
‘The Which Way Tree [is] the ultimate hunting tale wrapped in rich Western lore written by the multi-award-winning Elizabeth Crook. Her wry story is told in a Twain-esque, easy-flowing vernacular that is a joy to read. Even better is Ms. Crook’s amazing Samantha, who won’t let hunger, exhaustion, or a murderous Confederate renegade slow her quest for vengeance … [The] tale is fast-paced and uniquely entertaining, so I had trouble slowing down enough to savour The Which Way Tree.’
