Playing Catch-up

Playing Catch-up follows Sheriff Chick Charleston of Midbury, Montana as he investigates a series of crimes that disrupt his small town's usual tranquility. The story takes place in the 1970s, capturing the atmosphere of a western community grappling with changes to its traditional way of life. The investigation leads Charleston through a complex web of local relationships and buried secrets. He must navigate both professional and personal challenges while working to maintain order and justice in Midbury. The narrative interweaves themes of loyalty, justice, and the tension between preserving tradition and accepting progress in the American West. Through Charleston's experiences, the novel examines how communities adapt to change while holding onto their core values.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of A. B. Guthrie Jr.'s overall work: Readers praise Guthrie's historical detail and authentic portrayal of the American frontier. Many note his raw, unvarnished depiction of wilderness life contrasts with romanticized Western fiction. One reader on Goodreads writes: "His descriptions put you right there in the mountain air." Readers appreciate: - Precise, vivid descriptions of landscapes - Complex character development - Historical accuracy - Realistic portrayal of frontier hardships - Clean, straightforward writing style Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in early chapters - Period-accurate but offensive language/attitudes - Dense historical details can overshadow plot - Male-centric perspectives Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Big Sky: 4.1/5 (5,800+ ratings) - The Way West: 4.0/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: - The Big Sky: 4.5/5 (390+ reviews) - The Way West: 4.4/5 (210+ reviews) Most negative reviews focus on pacing issues rather than writing quality. As one Amazon reviewer notes: "Takes patience to get into, but worth the investment."

The Big Sky by A. B. Guthrie Jr. This novel follows mountain men and pioneers in the untamed American West of the 1830s through their encounters with Native Americans, fellow trappers, and the harsh wilderness.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The story tracks two retired Texas Rangers who embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana while facing bandits, weather, and the realities of the vanishing frontier.

The Last Valley by Ben Brooks A tale of Montana ranchers in the 1940s depicts the clash between traditional ways and modernization as families struggle to maintain their way of life.

The Way West by A.B. Guthrie Jr. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicles a wagon train's journey on the Oregon Trail and the transformation of both the land and its travelers.

Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher The book follows a solitary fur trapper in the Rocky Mountains during the 1850s as he navigates survival, Native American relations, and the declining fur trade.

🌟 A.B. Guthrie Jr. won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for his novel "The Way West," which preceded his writing of "Playing Catch-up" 📚 "Playing Catch-up" was published in 1985, making it one of Guthrie's final novels before his death in 1991 🌲 Like many of Guthrie's works, the book is set in Montana, where the author spent most of his life and which heavily influenced his writing style and themes 🔍 The novel features Sheriff Chick Charleston, a recurring character in several of Guthrie's mystery novels, including "Wild Pitch" and "The Genuine Article" 🖋️ Despite being best known for his historical Western novels, Guthrie demonstrated his versatility as a writer by crafting contemporary mystery stories like "Playing Catch-up" later in his career