Leland Moses is a United States Marshall. That fact in itself isn't surprising. What does surprise people, Leland is black. Despite the fact few people take Leland seriously, he's good at his job. The one time slave is hunting for Juan Quanta, a half Indian, half Mexican, who thinks nothing of killing and selling people into slavery. The trail leads to the small town of McAlistair, owned and run by one man. Leland's determination to capture Quanta crosses paths with two determined women. Both will try to help him; both will pay a price.

Hope Hamill and Wynoma Webster are midwives to the women in and around McAlistair. Hope takes care of the white women, while Wynoma looks after the rest. Running the town's small cafe puts Wynoma in a position to warn off or help Leland. Will her growing concern for the black lawman get in the way of her own survival?

Tracy Dunham's journey into Oklahoma territory after the Civil War, is unusual in that her hero is a black United States Marshall. Leland Moses has his own unique problems to add to his credibility as a federal law officer, but he doesn't let it stand in his way. His respect for Hope, and growing affection for Wynoma add to the plot's action and depth. While this story hints at the classic High Noon, it has its own twists and turns to make it stand apart.

On the Terror Trail is a fairly quick read, but one which will absorb your attention from beginning to end.