The Trackers takes the reader to Wyoming and beyond in the later years of the Depression. Val Welch has been given a commission to paint a mural on the wall of the new post office in rural Dawes. He has been invited to stay at the ranch of John and Eve Long. Long collects art and loves to spend late nights talking about art. Among his collection is a small Renoir.
Frazier paints a detailed picture of the people and times. We learn everyone’s backstory. The focus of the story is the lovely Eve, with each man wanting something different from her.
Frazier has never been known for a fast paced story and this is no exception. He takes his time setting up the premise. His writing is beautiful and descriptive. Once Eve goes missing, John asks Val to take up the search for her. John is thinking of running for political office and doesn’t need any surprises about his wife. Val’s travels take him from one side of the country to the other. Throughout, Frazier plants you right into the despair and horrors of the Depression. Frazier inserts bits and pieces about the politics of the time. Not FDR and his liberal politics but the rich conservatives of the day. I was unaware of FDR’s attempts to expand the Supreme Court. “I set in to warn him, telling him that in New York and the other wealth centers of the nation, they use those convenient dreams to mash lower classes flat and build personal fortunes on that foundation. They slap their knees laughing at the naïveté, wipe their asses on trust and ignorance.” Whenever Val’s view on politics arose, I couldn’t help but think that Frazier was drawing parallels to more recent times.
It’s not a straightforward story, the ending is purposely ambiguous. The characters are well thought out. I had a special fondness for Faro, with his own definitive moral compass.
This would make for a good book club selection as there are multiple themes to be explored.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ecco for an advance copy of this book.

A solid 4* read. I enjoyed many aspects of this book. I found Val to be very likeable - a hard-working guy caught in an interesting situation. I found Eve to be intriguing… and, without giving any spoilers, the author did a good job throughout the middle and end of this book with her storyline. Faro was exactly what I imagined a classic cowboy to be- rough around the edges but the story of a decision he made during his law-enforcement days warmed my heart a bit and showed that he was an empathetic person. John was tricky. Initially, I wanted to like him, but he tuned out to be politically motivated and a person who uses others for his own gain.

Overall, very interesting. Well-written. The ending left me feeling a little frustrated but I won’t elaborate because I don’t want to ruin anything!

A multilayered story filled with interesting characters and their even more interesting stories. Val was hired to paint a mural in a small Wyoming town as part of a WPA project. However, he soon finds himself crossing the country attempting to track down his landlords wayward wife. Fascinating!

In depression times Val, an artist from the East Coast, gets a WPA commission to paint a mural in the post office of a small Wyoming town. He is housed on the ranch of a wealthy art lover, John Long. Long's younger wife, Eve, is an exceptional character. She road the rails as a young teenager and eventually became a singer with a traveling band. Also on the ranch is an old cowboy/tracker named Faro who is a sort of personification of the old wild west. These characters seem to fall into an uneasy friendship. When Eve disappears along with a valuable painting Long asks Val to track her down. The reasons she left and the reasons the men thought she left make for an interesting story as does Val's cross country journey trailing her.
This book has many layers and great characters. I know I would love to discuss it with someone.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this title.

An enjoyable read, fast-paced and with the feel of a classic road-trip story. Prose seems a bit too earnest in attempting to address our contemporary social issues within the context of this particular main character and historical era.

The Trackers was 4.25 stars for me, but I’m rounding up because Frazier knows how to write a good story.

Val grew up on the East Coast but lands a temporary job in 1937 Montana, finding out why it’s called the “Wild West.”

This was the first novel I’ve read by Frazier, and now I’m wanting to read more of his works. I don’t think this would qualify as a “western,” but it did have a cowboy vibe that I enjoyed. There was such a strong sense of place and time, and the story felt authentic. There was so much dialogue between the characters, and I really enjoyed the banter but especially the deep philosophical conversations they had at the dinner table.

What held this back from being a true five star read for me was that it felt a bit political a couple of times. Nothing major, it just felt like Frazier was trying to make a statement about the state of our country today. Having said that, political matters affect our lives, so it’s natural for that to be reflected in books. I just like it to be a little more subtle, just a personal preference.

I became interested in The Trackers mainly because of the cover and a quick glance at the description. I enjoyed the reading experience and put the book down with a smile on my face. I felt like it ended perfectly, and not perfect in that everything was tied up with a pretty bow but rather the perfect end for this particularly story. And a well written story at that.





TW: this book discusses abortion.

I couldn’t put this book down, reading it over two days. The story brings alive the world of 1939, as the main character travels from an East Coast Tidewater town to a small Wyoming town, then to Hoovervilles and lawless Florida swamplands. The novel offers a marvelous opportunity to embrace the whole of America during the Depression. And, we learn that violence is endemic to American culture, with individuals or local authorities holding more power than the Federal government. It was a time when the people lost their trust in American ideals and institutions, while overseas, fascism was a growing threat.

Val has been hired by the Works Progress Administration to paint a mural on a newly built post office, art that reflected the history of the town. Val would show the people the importance of art and how it can inspire pride. He plans a scene of progression, showing the conquest of the West, with trackers in the center.

A local rancher offers Val a cabin, and friendship. John Long lucked out when he chose to inherit the ranchland that made him rich with oil wells and cattle. Stepping into Long’s home, Val first sees a gallery of fine art. Then he meets Long’s beautiful wife, Eve. She had been a singer with traveling band when they met. As a teenager, she was sent from home to find work, and she joined the company of hobos, traveling across the country. Long offered her comfort and wealth, but she bristled at being one more collected object, a trophy wife for Long’s political aspirations.

Val dines with the Longs, is invited to go riding and on picnics. He meets Faro, a cowboy who had once known Billy the Kid. Long trusts Val enough that when Eve disappears, he hires him to track her down. But, he is not the only one on her trail.

Like all the best historical fiction novels, the past informs our present. “For long stretches, you could believe we were still the imagined country whose overall movement was steadily and surely upward,” Val thinks. He is a socialist whose artist hero is Diego Rivera who portrayed the works on Ford’s assembly line and River Rouge factory on the walls of the Detroit Museum of Art. He believes that the Depression had revealed the fundamental flaws in the Constitution, allowing capitalism to have freewheeling control over the workers who are now organizing unions.

This historical backstory and political commentary is undergirded by the scaffold of a love story. Long’s love for his wife feels like a love of possession, but Val has also fallen for Eve. When he finally finds her, he becomes compromised. Long has hired him to do a job, bring Eve back, but Val wants Eve, too. And then, the tracker becomes tracked as well.

This is a fantastic read, and I hope, will become a fantastic movie.

I received a free galley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction + Literary Fiction

The events of the story take place in the 1930s. Valentine Welch is a graduate of an art school and the son of a wealthy man who took his own life during the Great Depression because he was having trouble meeting his financial obligations. The rich John Long and his wife Eve, both of whom have an appreciation for art, make the decision to invite the young artist to stay at their ranch. Regardless of whether Val wants to be a part of the life of this couple or not, he will find himself deeply involved in their routines. When one day Eve flees home for no apparent reason, Mr. Long will ask Val to go and search for her. When Val finds Eve, things will never be the same again.

The author of this story has done a remarkable job of creating a vivid and captivating setting for the story. I think this is one of the biggest highlights of the book. From the vivid descriptions of the sun-drenched meadows to the beautiful color of the sky, the reader is drawn into the unique and beautiful scenery. The author has an incredible talent for creating vivid imagery and descriptions that draw the reader into this world. His ability to capture the details of the environment makes the places come alive.

Unfortunately, where The Trackers falls flat is the plot itself. Although the synopsis sounds really good and captivating, I can’t say the same about the actual story. The story felt pretty average to me. I think the lack of strong character development must be the main reason I feel this way. When it comes to a narrative like this, I have a lot of hopes and expectations for the characters. It is sad to say those expectations were not met. The story didn't go very deep, and the characters didn't provide much in the way of intrigue. As a result of all of this, it is challenging for me to endorse this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this novel.

This book reminded me of a 1940’s movie. I looked up the term “film noir” and the description definitely fits: a stylized genre marked by pessimism, fatalism, and cynicism. As I read it, I pictured William Holden as the main character, Val, traveling across America to find the runaway wife of his wealthy employer. The story takes place during the Depression. There were descriptive scenes about the state of America during those dark times that I found interesting. However, it was a bit of a stretch to imagine Val traveling from Wyoming, to Seattle, to Florida, to San Francisco and back within a relatively short period of time. I’m willing to put a blind eye to reality in order to further a plot, but good grief, not that far. Thank god for Val, gas was cheap back then!

This was not a book I would typically be attracted to. It was just okay for me. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read and review.

Charles Frazier can write a beautiful, lengthy description! That's not my thing, but I could see why someone else would like this book.

The Trackers follows Val, a painter hired during the depression to paint a mural in a Wyoming post office. He's hosted by a rich art lover with political ambitions, John. John's wife, Eve, takes off, and John sends Val to track her. Because, you know, painters make good bounty hunters.

I was underwhelmed with the character development -- great character potential but no window into who they really were. The story was setting-driven, with many interesting details (like how airplanes in the 20s would need to refuel frequently), but nothing much happened. It should have been an exciting adventure with Val tracking Eve all over the country. Instead, it was boring and slow.

Thank you to Ecco Press for an ARC in exchange for my review.

Was there supposed to be a plot? Was it supposed to be a travelog? Was it supposed to be a story about life during the Depression? Was there supposed to be a love story? Was there supposed to be a tribute to FDR for his innovative ways to employ artists during the Depression?

The book hinted at the above and even gave glimpses into life of both the haves and the have-nots during the depression.

And did someone forget to add the quotation marks? It was difficult to track a story with no plot, no theme and no real purpose, but then to have to figure out who is speaking and what words are spoken and which words are thought (or someone else’s thoughts – or speech) made the whole experience impossible to enjoy.

I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several of Mr. Frazier's books and loved everyone of them. This one was a bit different and did not have the depth of Cold Mountain or Thirteen Moons but once again his descriptions are worth the read. His attention to the little details makes his stories a step above. I give this one 5 stars. This is another example of why I enjoy reading, you just sit back and enjoy the ride. There is more to this story than you first suspect... Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. I was not a fan of this book. it bored me to tears. From the start, I was not sure where it was going and when it was going to pick up and it just never did. I am not one to not finish a book, but I was really close to not finishing this one.

Outstanding! Charles Frazier creates vivid and memorable characters. The historical context captivates and informs while building around an almost mystery-like plot. The authentic prose felt natural while effectively transporting me to another era. The depression era realities and events created a dynamic story that moved around 1930s America in an intriguing and informative fashion. Truly, I enjoyed this book enormously and felt compelled to keep reading as much as possible.

I have read every book this author has written, and never had one I didn't enjoy. This book was wonderful. Wonderful writing, storyline, and characters. Just what you want in a good book.

'A muddy black-and-white newspaper photograph. I’m standing on a scaffold made from two tall stepladders with boards running between them. I’ve barely begun the mural, haven’t even started putting color on the wall of the brand-new post office. In the photo, the wall looks almost blank, though if you know what you’re looking for, you can faintly see the penciled grid I’ve been laying out, where I’ll soon sketch the underlying for of my plan–curving lines moving across the space, swelling and rising and breaking like waves, the flow of energy moving left to right like a line of tex. Up on the scaffold, my head nearly touches the ceiling. My tousle-top hair needs a trim. I’m wearing baggy khaki pants and a workingman’s T-shirt and an old pair of Converse All Stars.’

Set in the years of the Great Depression, this begins as Val / Valentine Welch, an artist, has been commissioned by the WPA to create a mural, which news is shared by the front page in the ’Dawes Journal.’ Val travels to the small town of Dawes, Wyoming to create this mural he’s already envisioned, a mural that is meant to inspire people to look back on what the country has managed in the past, and to instill hope for the future.

When he arrives there, he connects with John Long after his art professor brings his work to Long’s attention, a man who is considered to be patron of the arts. Long and his wife, Eve, live in Dawes, where the mural will be painted. While there are several other characters, the focus is primarily on these three people once Eve leaves without leaving a note - but she does take one thing with her on a last minute whim, a painting. But it isn’t an insignificant one, a painting by Renoir.

When Long realizes she’s gone, as is the painting, he sends Val to find her. A journey that takes him to both Florida and the West Coast, trying to find her or anyone else who can give him some clues as to where she might have gone. Long needs her to return, as he is running for a political office, and it would jeopardize his plans for his future.

Many years ago I read, and loved, his ’Cold Mountain’, and while I’ve read other of his books since, none have lived up to that one. This one felt different, as though there was a desperation in it, cramming in multiple themes, multiple journeys, and more to distract from the lack of connection in the story.

Many others have loved this, but for me it felt like the literary equivalent of listening to the monotone voice of Joe Friday, shared for 336 pages.


Pub Date: 11 Apr 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Ecco

Charles Frazier's book takes you from the lush western landscapes of Wyoming to the Pacific Northwest and the swamps of Florida in this depression era story. At the heart of the story are 4 characters, Val, a WPA painter that is hired to paint a mural on the side of a post office in rural Wyoming, John, a wealthy rancher with political ambitions, Eve, his young wife who is a former band singer and Faro, the hired hand that knows everything going on at the ranch. Eve runs off and John pays Val to search for her. As the book unfolds, you learn everyone's backstory.

The book is a captivating and at times, fast paced story that will give you a sense of life during the depression. The book is predominately told from Val's perspective. The author's ability to describe a place so you can easily visualize it is extraordinary. You can smell the smells. See the colors. He is a master. The book's sole weakness is in the character development. But that does not distract from the story or the sense of place. It is a wonderful road trip.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ecco for this advanced reader's copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ecco for providing me a digital copy of The Trackers in exchange for an honest review! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it; The Trackers is a thoughtful, artfully-written novel that I’m sure will stick with me.

The technical craft of this book is genuinely artisanal. Frazier’s prose is painstakingly detailed and vivid without ever crossing into overwhelming, which is perfect for this book’s various settings and historical context. The writing conveys the looming presence of the Great Depression over every event in the novel; the main character Val’s observations of great natural beauty, of which there are many, are colorful and majestic and even rustic at points but always underscored with wistful, restless longing for better times in language and syntax alike. History feels less like a distant recollection of the past and more like physical immersion into real life events in this novel, and it is sobering to read. The writing style of The Trackers paints its narrative, settings, themes, and characters-- literally, at times-- with authenticity and depth that gives the novel real weight.

Val, a painter, serves as the voice of The Trackers, and his perception of and relationships with the other characters of this book are its driving narrative force. The aforementioned outstandingly detailed writing style in this book matches Val’s painterly observant, introspective nature quite well: his narration, even when it dips into larger-scale political or philosophical pondering, never feels contrived, rather more like the genuine wandering of an insightful, perceptive mind. His jobs and drive to do them, which set up the plot of The Trackers, is interesting narratively and also historically, so following him as the lead character is interesting in turn.

The rest of the main cast of the novel is similarly authentic-feeling; each person is distinct and complex, the relationships among them complicated but utterly real. Every character is more than they seem, and all their dialogues are distinctly-voiced and as engaging as any real conversation could hope to be. Mysterious last-century cowboy Faro is my favorite, but Eve and Long stand out in their own right as well. I particularly enjoyed Eve’s massive sway over the story and her agency in her actions; often, with plots like this book has, characters like Eve fall into sexist narrative tropes more than act as their own people, but I felt that Eve’s character was a driving force of this novel all on her own. Long’s obsession with bringing her back to Dawes is not free of narrative judgment, either; I much appreciated the discerning perspective Val, Faro, Eve, and the novel itself seemed to take on the story’s events, addressing the thematic implications of the narrative with sensible moral context. The actual plot of the novel is paced such that, despite pages of extensive, fascinating dialogues and conversations to root the audience in its setting, only baseline familiarity is established with the characters before it picks up in intensity, so that their deeper intentions and histories unfold as the narrative does-- and learning more about each of them to piece together full-fledged portraits of who they are is compelling and satisfying at once.

The convergence of such intricate characters and artful writing in The Trackers is definitely the novel’s main draw; I will say that I struggled a bit to connect with the happenings of the plot as the book went on, but the characters and prose kept me interested, which in a literary work like this is standard enough but still much appreciated. In regards to the narrative, even if I couldn’t relate to its actual events-- I didn’t enjoy the faint romance aspects, for one-- I was enthralled by something else going on in each section. The richness of the settings of the book, from Dawes to Hooverville to Florida and onwards, is engaging. The mood and atmosphere the book creates, whether of tension or glory or bleakness, is always palpable. The history the book incorporates is genuinely fascinating. And the large-scale themes the book covers are all interesting facets of the human condition to consider. There is so much intricacy in The Trackers to engage with.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed The Trackers. Its authenticity in characters and historical context is compelling, and the immersive, rich craft of its writing is phenomenal. This book makes a point to follow its themes through to the end, questioning where intention and action meet to make a person and how the past should or should not define someone-- how hidden truths reveal less about someone than the lived impact of their actions, and all the different forms that impact can take, as well as what it means to really know a person. The Trackers is an exploration of Depression-era humanity, but its themes are truly evergreen.

Charles Frazier can combine hard times, questions about humanity, and complex characters to come up with a compelling story better than almost any author out there. The Trackers is a story that combines a WPA post office mural painter, a girl who was pushed out of her home to make a life riding the rails, a hardened cowboy, and a rich ranch owner longing to be a politician and mixes it with the Depression, Wyoming, San Francisco and coastal California, and the swamps of Florida. Frazier combines pathos, longing, disappointment, hard earned wisdom, hope, and beautiful descriptions of land and people to bring a novel that will keep readers satisfied to the end.

The Trackers is the first book I’ve read by Charles Frazier, but it definitely won’t be my last. Frazier tells the story of Val, a WPA artist who is sent to rural Wyoming to paint a mural in the local post office. The local millionaire rancher, John Long, and his wife, Eve, offer him accommodations for the length of his stay. There he meets Faro, a weathered ranch hand with a mysterious past. We get to know these four characters as the story unfolds into an adventure, a love story, and a depiction of the depression-era American West. I loved the quiet but evocative writing, reminiscent of John Steinbeck. A great read! I recommend.