Black Mountain

A brilliant thriller of man and nature by &quot;suspense's new champion athlete.&quot; --San Francisco Chronicle<br><br>Through five Deal novels and a stand-alone thriller, <i>Spill</i>, Les Standiford has acquired a passionate readership of fans, critics, and fellow writers. Nothing in his past work, however, is comparable to the adrenaline rush that is <i>Black Mountain</i>--the story of a Wyoming wilderness trek beset by men of dark intentions, and the extraordinary battle for survival that follows. It is a novel filled with intricate plotting, razor-sharp prose, and surprising characters--but Standiford's colleagues tell it best:<br><br>&quot;<i>Black Mountain</i> is a fabulous tale set in the rugged wilderness of the American West. What begins as a simple hike in the woods for a group of city dwellers quickly turns into a perilous trek, where every step is more harrowing than the last. Just when you think it's safe to take a breath, Standiford tops himself with another pulse-rattling surprise. Complex and stylish, <i>Black Mountain</i> makes James Dickey's <i>Deliverance</i> seem like a frolic in the park with the local Cub Scout troop. Featuring the wildest bad guys who ever pulled on hiking boots, this is Standiford's richest and most compelling work yet. And that's saying something.&quot;--James W. Hall<br><br>&quot;A compelling story, beautifully told by someone who knows the peaks and valleys of Wyoming, and those too of the human soul. Simply wonderful.&quot;--Robert B. Parker