"Surviving The Twisted Trail" is not a typical western novel. Surprise characters and brutal encounters make this a must read for anyone that loves adventure. Sons of Confederate soldiers from the St. Joseph, Missouri region start a rustling ring for Yankee beef spreading out across the western grasslands of Missouri and the Kansas plains. Undercover agents that try to infiltrate the band of cattle rustlers disappear and are never found. Drovers bringing in herds from out west are often rewarded with shallow graves. Something has to be done before more brutal murders are committed. Enter the Texas Rangers in a desperate undercover plan to stop the gang that has taken several lives. They quickly find out they may never see Texas again or live another day. They have stepped into a buzzsaw and it's running hot. Kieser's fictional characters and places set in the real streets of 1890 St. Joseph come to life through description. The ending will shock you!