Into the Unknown (Wilderness) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wilderness | Publication Date: March 2008

TRIAL BY FIRE
Robert Parker ventures into the vast unknown to study new species of plants and animals in the name of science. And he's thrilled when a young half-breed named Zach King invites him back to his family's secluded valley in the Rocky Mountains--a valley teeming with wildlife that no naturalist has ever explored. But Parker's about to find out he's not the only newcomer. Three murderous prospectors have heard there's a fortune in gold on the Kings' land, and they'll do anything to get their hands on it. They've heard how tough the Kings are, and they're well prepared for that. But they haven't counted on the grit of one determined greenhorn....

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (March 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843959312
• ISBN-13: 978-0843959314
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Robbins is an American author who has had, to date, about three hundred books published, both fiction and non-fiction. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Horror Writers of America, and Western Writers of America. Robbins has written under nine different pen names.
Under his own name he is best known for ENDWORLD, a science fiction series with a post-apocalyptic setting. The first ENDWORLD came out in 1986, the most recent in 2009. He has also written a spin-off series called BLADE.
As J.D. Cameron he wrote most of the OMEGA SUB series.
As David Thompson, he has been writing the popular WILDERNESS series for nineteen years. Published by Leisure Books, the series is still selling strong. New books come out quarterly.
Robbins has written a number of horror books under his own name, along with THE RETURN OF THE VIRGINIAN, a sequel to Owen Wister's masterpiece, and others.
As Jake McMasters, Robbins did the WHITE APACHE series.
As David Thompson again, he wrote a series on Davy Crockett.
Additionally, Robbins has had over a dozen books published under the Ralph Compton banner.
Among his non-fiction works is a history of the Druge Enforcement Agency,
entitled HEAVY TRAFFIC.
He has also contributed to both THE TRAILSMAN and THE EXECUTIONER series.
There are a number of fan sites devoted to his work. Robbins participates in one of them: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drobbins/
For more information consult his Wikipedia entry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read, April 23, 2008

By 

The Western Reader "steveml" (Nottingham, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Unknown (Wilderness) (Mass Market Paperback)

Robert Parker ventures into the vast unknown to study new species of plant and animals in the name of science. He's thrilled when a young half-breed named Zach King invites him back to his family's secluded valley in the Rocky Mountains. But Parker's about to find out he's not the only newcomer. Three murderous prospectors have heard there's a fortune in gold on the King's land, and they'll do anything to get it. They've heard how tough the King's are, and they're well prepared for that. But they haven't counted on the grit of one determined greenhorn...

This is the second book in the Wilderness series to be written in the first person and it works extremely well. The story is told through the eyes of Robert Parker, a man who almost refuses to see danger in both man and beast, therefore putting him in many perilous situations.

It was very interesting to see how Parker reacted and related to both Zach King and Blue Water Woman. In fact it was great to see the latter taking such a central role. Even though Parker and Blue Water Woman come from very different backgrounds and cultures it soon became very apparent that they shared a common trait, that of their enjoyment of the natural world and a respect for the animals that inhabit it.

Of course the story isn't all about admiration for the Wilderness it is also a story of greed and the lengths some people will go to in their quest to find gold, no matter who has to suffer in their hunt to find it. Something Parker struggles to accept and comprehend and it was fascinating to read that it wasn't Zach King who teaches Parker the reality of this aspect of life but Blue Water Woman.

Into The Unknown has everything, touching moments of gentleness, savage moments of violence, and moments of humour. All this combines in a beautifully balanced and well written story that was a joy to read.

Very highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Continually Amazed, March 24, 2008

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Into the Unknown (Wilderness) (Mass Market Paperback)

Frank Thompson is a marvel. With every novel, the Wilderness series gets better. This time, Robert Parker, in his journal mentions 3 weeks he spent in the King Valley. Based on a short snippet, Thompson has created an interesting story that reveals the strength of the Kings and Parker. Robert Parker has entered the valley to study new species of plants and animals. In addition to the marvelous paintings he left behind of animals that James Audobon appreciated, his place in history is now esconced once more.

Which treasure is real, the gold or the abundant wild-life?
You decide. I know that any Wilderness saga is a true literary treasure and Mr Thompson should be celebrated wherever fine literature is sold and discussed. He is the voice of those who say "appreciate the wilde. Preserve the wild." that needs be far stronger than it is.

Look for "Into the Wilderness". And appreciate the wonder Frank Thompson can create with his words.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to King Valley!, January 3, 2011

By 

T. Bundrick "Tboom49" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wilderness #55: Into the Unknown (Kindle Edition)

Mr. Thompson is a very gifted storyteller. I downloaded this novel after I noticed it was free in Kindle format and I am very glad I made the decision. I was unable to go to sleep until I finished reading the book in one sitting. I cannot wait to read the others in this series! The author has a great deal of respect, bordering on reverence, for those intrepid people who lived as trappers in the old west. They lived in harmony with nature and with the various Native-Americans tribes people with whom they came into contact. But peril, violence, greed and injustice are a big part of this story as well.

The novel is the journal of Robert Parker. A naturalist by trade, Parker wants to capture this teeming and undocumented wildlife using pencil, sketchbook, some watercolors and his journal. In fact, he is willing to risk his life in order to bring these documents home with him. I just downloaded several of the other books in this series and I have already started to learn about what drew the young Nate King to leave his life as an accountant in order to become a trapper. If you couldn't tell: I am hooked....