Thrust to the mercy of the Mississippi river, thirteen-year-old Rowdy floats safely away as he watches the smoke rise from his burning farmhouse. His father, dead. His brother, dead. Both gunned down in front of him by a murderous gang of bandits.
Now alone in the world, his perilous journey of survival begins, challenging and shaping him into the young man his father would want him to become. Pulled from the waters, he is given a chance by a lone river Captain and his mate. Working the trade routes between St. Louis and New Orleans, he learns to navigate safe passage. Rowdy has grown strong working the river but must use his wit as well as his strength to confront a bullying crewman and survive a surprise attack by river pirates.
Facing life and death decisions, Rowdy’s only option is to run. Survival is what Rowdy has come to know all too well. His escape across the plains towards Lincoln, New Mexico, nearly claims his life. Through a stranger’s help, Rowdy recovers but is faced with questions about his rescuer’s motives.
Blood, bullets, and tears bring Rowdy’s world to a showdown. Fighting for what was right is his code, living life for others becomes his way, and staring danger in the face is what he must do if he can truly be wild and mean, sharp and keen.
Survival
Journey
Revenge
Hero
Battle
Family
Grief
Found Family
Identity
Audiobook details
GenreOther
Length6 hrs 54 mins
Narrated byAlex Boyles
FormatAudiobook
Publish dateFeb 28, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1#1
26#26
2#2
27#27
3#3
28#28
4#4
29#29
5#5
30#30
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6#6
31#31
7#7
32#32
8#8
33#33
9#9
34#34
10#10
35#35
11#11
36#36
12#12
37#37
13#13
38#38
14#14
39#39
15#15
40#40
16#16
41#41
17#17
42#42
18#18
43#43
19#19
44#44
20#20
45#45
21#21
46#46
22#22
47#47
23#23
48#48
24#24
49#49
25#25
50#50
About the author
Chris Mullen
Chris Mullen is an award-winning author, award-winning teacher, and graduate of Texas A&M University from Richmond, Texas. Before writing full-time, he was a kindergarten and pre-K teacher for twenty-three years, telling many Rowdy adventures to his students.View all by Chris Mullen
