From the very first page of The Medicine Line, John Hansen's writing tightly grips the reader and doesn’t let go until the very end. The story follows James Coumerilh as he embarks on a journey in search of his uncle, Antoine, a Metis leader. To pay his way, he takes on work at a wood yard where he is soon injured by a bullet from a pillaging band of Lakotas. As he makes his way to Fort Benton on a steamboat, James becomes entangled in a series of events that turn him into a fugitive. Amidst this perilous journey, James encounters Nettie who offers a chance for love amidst the turmoil. Will he be able to clear his name, find his uncle, and build a future with Nettie?

In The Medicine Line, John Hansen skillfully builds the narrative with multiple engaging subplots. Each thread was so compelling that I found myself questioning how they would all come together in the end. In retrospect, I should have been more patient. The historical backdrop, set during a pivotal time in North American history, adds a layer of tension that highlights James’ struggle and amplifies the sense of urgency and danger within the narrative. His character is marked with resilience, a connection to his heritage, and a resolve to do the right thing in any circumstance. I enjoyed his growth throughout the story, from a determined searcher into a hero who faces both personal and historical challenges with unwavering courage and integrity. Fans of Westerns with a touch of romance and lots of action will truly enjoy this story.

John Hansen brings us gritty Western fiction in The Medicine Line. The year is 1874 and James Coumerilh has been working his way up from Louisiana to Montana to find his Metis family. After the war, he carries too many ghosts with him. He needs a new start in life. In the West, however, the world is cruel and harsh with Lakota war parties and scalping always a possibility. And when James finds himself on the run from the law for defending a friend, he also finds out just how unyielding life can be on the open plains. With countless chance encounters and misunderstandings, will James be able to find his uncle before the world swallows him whole?

Author John Hansen has created a realistic representation of a world long gone. Sensory stimulation is abundant with the descriptions of scenery. I could feel the wide open spaces, transported to a place and time I could imagine completely. This is coupled with the resounding theme of truth running through the pages. I loved how people still showed their truths and how easily it was picked up by others. Characters are relatable and even likable. Character growth is also evident in our protagonist as he matures emotionally. I enjoyed the diversity of cultures described as well. I gladly recommend The Medicine Line to anyone who loves a good Western novel. This is not your typical gun-slinging story, but more an embracing of a world where death was accepted as an eventuality.