As the subtitle suggests, The Bone War of McCurtain County by Russell Ferrell is a true tale of two men’s quest for treasure, truth, and justice, a non-fiction narrative that is loaded with adventure. Two determined rookie naturalists on a historic hunt, a treasure of incomparable value, and a powerful clash of interests are just a few of the plot points that make this narrative an irresistible and pulsating read, enriched by elements of history and facts around which the story evolves. Among the treasures found near the edge of the Mountain Fork River, and excavated by Cephis Hall, an Arkansas hillbilly, and Sid Love, a Choctaw Indian, was a world class dinosaur specimen, one of the discoveries that eventually sold for $3.5 million to the North Carolina Museum of Science. The reader is pulled into a world of controversy, greed and machinations involving powerful entities fighting over the ownership rights of the find. Can Cephis and Sid beat one of the most powerful landowners and the influence of their connections and lay claim to something that is rightfully theirs? Russell Ferrell takes a historical event and transforms it into an engrossing read, exploring characters and the setting with the skill of a seasoned writer. The author explores the backgrounds of his two key characters deftly, allowing readers vivid and clear glimpses into their way of life and where they come from. Descriptive elements are well integrated into the setting and the reader is transported into the heart of nature — the moonshine, hills, hogs, quartz crystals, and pot fields. The Bone War of McCurtain County is a story about human greed and corruption in high places, but it’s also a story filled with intrigue. In a fast-paced and very engaging tale, the author builds a powerful conflict, plunging readers into the hidden motives of the hearts of the characters.