I have read every book Rodger Carlyle has written and have had the chance to meet and interview him, so I can tell you firsthand that his passion for storytelling runs deep. You can feel it in the pages, in the care he takes with research and historical accuracy, and in the vivid sense of time and place that he brings to life. Whether he is writing about the Gritt family or another era entirely, his love for history and the people who shaped it shines through.
Set in 1865, as the United States takes possession of Alaska, this story unfolds against a backdrop of unchecked greed and corruption. The Gritt brothers stand in stark contrast to the ruthless industrialists who descend on the territory to strip it of its riches, crushing small traders and exploiting Native communities. One brother runs steamboats on the Yukon while the other trades along Alaska’s southern coast, and both refuse to yield to men who would destroy everything for profit. The attention to real locations, historical context, and even the inclusion of a tribute to a true Alaskan, Old Joe, give the book an authenticity that pulls you completely into the frontier world.
What elevates this story even more are the people who fight beside the brothers; those you root for and trust. Danielle Post, a young attorney with grit and grace, and Belle Medev, an Alaskan native whose quiet strength and faith ground the story, bring balance and hope to a brutal time. The novel captures the heart of what made America’s expansion both inspiring and devastating. It reads like Ken Follett’s sweeping historical drama laced with the rugged soul of Louis L’Amour. From Alaska to Washington and beyond, this is a journey through courage, greed, and the enduring power of integrity.
Follow Teresa on Twitter or Instagram or contact her via the site.
Purchase Robber Barons
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)
Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
