Outrageous Interlude, Book 5 in the Neophyte Warrior Series

Richard Patton
Zumaya Publications (2005)
ISBN 1554102219
Reviewed by Ronald J. Martin for Reader Views (10/06)

The British have been soundly defeated by the French and their Indian allies resulting in them packing up and going home. This leaves a deadly new problem for the American colonies to deal with: the French are commanding raids carried out by Indian warriors on the settlers in the West. The raids are so bloody and violent that they have been termed the “Outrages.”  The burning alive of entire families is creating such anger and disgust that a bounty for Indian scalps is now being offered, although not everyone is comfortable with that. Young George Washington, the main character of the series, is doing his best to try and curtail these attacks but is running into the same problems as before. Suffering from a short supply of capable men, weapons, food, and transportation, the patrols in the west can do little more than run from settlement to settlement after the alarm is sounded, only to arrive too late.

Washington is getting a crash course in European politics and is now realizing that decisions made behind closed doors in mansions across the pond have a profound effect on life in America. Washington is also learning how to play the political game. Getting to know the right people is top on his priorities, to secure support and funding for the defensive operations and his personal dream of becoming a British officer.

The book does a great job of advancing the story of George Washington’s life but also continues the many sub-plots from the previous books. The Shawnee, Old Smoke, is on a relentless journey to find his kidnapped wife. The madman Stump Neck took her away and is hiding in a natural fortress high in the mountains. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place and Old Smoke has a strong suspicion he knows who Stump Neck is, and where he came from.

With war looming in Europe and seemingly unstoppable violent outrages occurring in America, the common feelings among everyone involved is fear and uncertainty.

“Outrageous Interlude” keeps the reader interested with a great blend of politics, battles, personal struggle, and mystery. Anyone who has been following this series is definitely not going to want to miss this exciting continuation.

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