Massacre at the Forks: Book 4 in the Neophyte Warrior Series

Richard Patton
Zumaya Publications (2004)
ISBN 1894942442
Reviewed by Ronald J. Martin for Reader Views (9/06)

If you read the third book in this series (or my review of it), then you will remember that it focused mainly on drama and character development. In Richard Patton’s fourth book of the Neophyte Warrior Series, “Massacre at the Forks,” the title makes it clear that it is time for the British and French to meet and duke it out. The book definitely doesn’t disappoint those who are looking for some action and waiting for the armies to resolve their dispute the old-fashioned way -- Musket to Musket -- Sword to Sword -- and the occasional tomahawk thrown in to keep things interesting.

The British have finally closed the distance on the French fort and survived, mostly intact, the trek through the endless forest. Edward Braddock is the chief of this operation but our main character, George Washington, is along for the trip as an aide-de-camp. He is also a very ill man, suffering from the ‘bloody flux’ and trying to will himself better so he can continue with the advance party.

The British have come prepared this time. They have more troops than the French and better guns than the French. They also have more discipline than the French, which in the eyes of the British commanders, is possibly more important than the other factors. So by all accounts it is probable that the French will simply run away and set the fort on fire, right? Wrong.

Once the whole affair kicks off, it gives Washington a strange feeling of Deja Vu as his memory goes over the similarities to the Great Meadows battle. Will the fight end the same way, with the British retreating back to Fort Necessity and eventually surrendering and heading home?

I would definitely recommend “Massacre at the Forks” to the fans of this series. Patton delivers once again. The wonderful sub-plots are not left out, and we get to see what Old Smoke is up to as he tries his best to make sure his childhood friend Striking Eagle doesn’t get himself killed while attempting to prove his courage. The reason I recommend this book for fans of the series is because it is to the reader’s benefit to check out the previous books before diving into this one.

I’m really anxious to see if the British can get their act together and finally secure the Ohio Forks -- so it’s onward to book five – “Outrageous Interlude”.

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