Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen

Rowdy #1

by Chris Mullen

Thrust to the mercy of the Mississippi river, thirteen-year-old Rowdy floats away from his burning farmhouse, dead father, and gang of murderous bandits. His perilous journey of survival begins on the Mississippi where he lives and works as a crewman on the cargo ship Delilah. At age sixteen, he heads west to Dodge City, Kansas, leaving the river and a slew of dead pirates in his wake. Having ignored warnings not to get tangled up with Dodge City’s most powerful rancher, Patrick Byrne, Rowdy acquires a sickly horse from him that would change his life forever. Time and attention see this horse heal into the fastest horse around and now Byrne wants it back! Rowdy, faced with a life or death decision, is forced to flee, barely escaping westward to Lincoln, New Mexico, but he has been tracked by hired guns. Blood, bullets, and tears bring Rowdy's world to a showdown as he takes what could be a final stand. Rowdy has the mental and physical scars to prove his worth, but his actions are what define him. Fighting for what was right is his code. Living life for others becomes his way. Staring danger in the face is what he must do if he is truly Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2020

About the author

Chris Mullen is an award-winning author, educator, and graduate of Texas A&M University from Richmond, Texas. Before becoming a full-time writer, he spent 23 years as a Kindergarten and PreK teacher, captivating his students with Rowdy adventures.

In 2021, he signed with Wise Wolf Books, launching the ROWDY series, which now includes six novels and two short stories (The Hunt and The River). His short story The River was featured in Ridin’ with the Pack, an anthology released by Wolfpack Publishing on December 26, 2023.

Chris also writes the Cass Callahan contemporary Western mystery series for Wolfpack Publishing. The series debuted in 2024 with Dead Land, followed by Kill Order and Hunting El Despiadado. Also, his short story, Hard to Kill was published in Ridin’ with the Pack, Vol. 2 in December 2024. More Cass Callahan adventures are on the way in 2025, including the novels Darkness Rising and Texas Terror.

Awards & Recognitions
•ROWDY~Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen
2023 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite
2022 The Wild Bunch Film Festival - Best 1st-Time Western Manuscript Writer
2022 North Texas Book Fest Finalist - Young Adult
2021 Selah Award Finalist - Westerns
2020 Best Book Finalist - Westerns
2020 American Fiction Awards Winner - Westerns

•ROWDY~Redemption
2022 North Texas Book Fest Finalist - Young Adult

•ROWDY~Dead or Alive
2023 Will Rogers Medallion Bronze Medal
2023 Sunny Side Up Film Festival Winner - Best Action/Adventure Western

•ROWDY~Rescue
2024 Will Rogers Medallion Winner
2024 American Legacy Awards Finalist - Westerns
2023 American Fiction Awards Finalist - Westerns

•ROWDY~To Catch a Killer
2024 American Legacy Awards Finalist - Westerns
2023 American Fiction Awards Winner - Westerns

•ROWDY~Return
2024 Will Rogers Medallion Winner

Chris’s work continues to attract readers of all ages. Stay connected through his website, chrismullenwrites.com, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok (@chrismullenwrites), and X (Twitter) @cmullenwrites.

Reviews

[Nico Genes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and beautifully written western

As a young boy, Rowdy suffered from real trauma watching his brother and father being killed. He had no one left. He knew though he had to survive. He managed to escape on a boat on the Mississippi river, but the danger was following him along the way. He got a new chance for life, but not without troubles. “My life has always been about new beginnings, but I truly hoped this would be the last ‘fresh start’ for a while.”

Captain Hennessy saved Rowdy and played the role of a father figure for him for a longer time. “Pick yer battles, don’t let ‘em pick you,” the captain told him and this line would come into Rowdy’s mind multiple times. Rowdy had lots of adventures during his life, some pleasant, others not so much. He’s proved that he’s learned some important lessons in his life and he’d used them along the way. “No matter what is going on in my life, the good or the bad, a man must live his life. It was really that simple.”

He's a strong character with deeply built morals. On his journey he faced lots of dangers being attacked by Indians, wild animals, followed by some bad buys, suffering from lack of food or exhaustion. He didn’t give up. His strong character, good instincts, and some good people he met along the way helped him.

It seems that the author may want to take us further in Rowdy’s life with new books. The writing style is calm, easy to follow, and that made the whole reading experience a real pleasure.
I look forward to reading more from the series and the author

[Thomas Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowdy is a truly American tale, about a young man forced to be on his own much too soon. It spans the breadth of a young America, from Mark Twain's Missouri and the Mississippi River to the Southwest. It's a coming-of-age story that shows the harshness and cruelty of the times it chronicles, but also the innate goodness of many of the pioneers. For the most part, the progression of the plot is logical if predictable, and the action is quick and exciting. However, it does lag in the middle - sometimes the author gets so immersed in detail that he keeps his reader unnecessarily waiting for an anticipated resolution. The ending is gratifying but open-ended - again fine, as this is the first book in a series. As a kid, I cut my teeth on the westerns of Zane Grey, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Louis L'Amour, and Rowdy is as satisfying as any of them.

[Ronald Chevalier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found the protagonist, Rowdy, to become an increasingly fleshed out and interesting as the story moves forward. He is not super heroic Wild West gun fighter doing it all on his own. More realistically, Rowdy, like so many of us in our lives, benefits from the support of casual acquaintances who end up playing pivotal roles in the courses of our futures. I felt compassion and protectiveness for the adolescent Rowdy thrust out into the world. I enjoyed the time spent with the more adult Rowdy contending with life’s trials. I look forward to the next book to share in Rowdy’s journey through his story.

[Angela Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...just WOW! This is an engaging and adventurous story from the very beginning through the very end. The author’s descriptiveness really placed you in the story. Many a time, I felt my heart pounding along with Rowdy’s! From the characters, settings and vocabulary development, the ways to use this story in the classroom for young teens are endless. Rowdy’s integrity and the lessons he learns along his journey will stay with me a long time. I’m anxious and excited for the next installment. Well done Chris Mullen!!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Caught my interest from the beginning and kept me engaged the entire book. My only issue is that the book ended with one piece of unfinished business for Rowdy to take care of.
Great book for those young adult readers who would prefer a western coming of age story over a dystopian society coming of age story.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding debut for a new YA western series comparable to the tales of William and J.A. Johnstone.

While Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen starts out quietly enough: an older Rowdy is preparing for a hunting trip with his old friend, Roberson, it doesn't take long for this story to really let loose! As the two friends settle in for their first night’s sleep, memories of Rowdy's past take hold of his dreams. Those memories gripped me, too, as immediately there were boots on the ground and non-stop action and excitement from then on.

he success of this story rests on the shoulders of young Rowdy. He is a likable and sympathetic character, and after everything he’s gone through in his early life, he’s also careful, wise, and deliberate in his actions. That doesn't mean he doesn't have his moments of doubt. He's got tough decisions to make, and I agonized right along with him as he reasoned his way to what was right and just. The story has thoughtful moments with brave decisions and deeds. Rowdy is supported by some good men, but the bad guys are truly bad, with no redeeming qualities. I also liked that his horse, Delilah, and dog, appropriately named Dog, feature prominently in the tale.

The author uses quotes and song lyrics as touchstones for Rowdy as he matures. Each one is important at different points in his life and acts as guidance in the absence of an adult mentor. Though, at times, he encounters a couple of good men that serve that role for him. But most of the time, Rowdy is alone, trying to make his own way, which makes for a good and satisfying coming-of-age story as well as a pulse-pounding western adventure.

I recommend ROWDY: WILD & MEAN, SHARP & KEEN to readers of all ages who enjoy western, coming-of-age adventure stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

[Angela Panayotopulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowdy, Roberson, and Dog... that's how ROWDY starts, setting the scene with a refreshingly matter-of-factual wry tone, telling it like it is, elegantly and sparsely, making me feel like I've been riding through the night to end up at a grizzled and friendly old cowboy's campfire where he shares his meal and tells me a tale. And so the story begins...

Though I understand I'm not the target audience for ROWDY, I enjoyed going along for the ride, and this book reminded me of older classic American coming-of-age stories I'd read once upon a time, tucked in pockets of my mind -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Hatchet, Tom Sawyer (there may be more genre-specific ones, but I'm not familiar with them).

Also, Woodkid's track of "Run Boy Run" was running through my head most of the time. Just me?



The pace is brisk, the plot is adventurous, and the world-building is just enough. Pesky grammar errors sometimes jarred me out of scenes, but that's nothing a closer round of proofreading can't fix. I'm also not sure how necessary it was to write the Interludes in 3rd person and the main narrative in 1st since they revolve around the same protagonist; I think the mention of an "interlude" could be indication enough of a chronological shift in time, and they could have been in 1st person just as easily (and it might have felt more seamless).

What I enjoyed most is how credibly part of the story is told in the first person through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy (the details, the musings, the fears... all spot-on) who's lost so much and is thrust into adventure -- family-slaughtering adversaries, river pirates, a river that taunts and strengthens him, a crew that basically adopts him, and so on. The colorful cast of characters continues and diversifies. As Rowdy matures and makes his way West, we learn more about him as his story continues (with brief but poignant echoes from his past) and as his personality is molded by the choices he makes. I'm left with some unanswered questions (most pressingly, who attacked his family and will he ever avenge them?), but this is book 1 of a series, so perhaps I just need to be patient. :)



There are some really spectacular lines throughout, and my favorites are those with moral undertones -- they're usually quite straightforward but they're never heavy-handed.

Regarding the subtitle's choice of "wild and mean, sharp and keen", for example: "It’s not a description, it’s a reminder, and it’s meant for all men. You must be sharp as an arrow with the ability to outthink your adversaries. You must recognize that when someone is backed into a corner, or taken out of their element, their actions tend to be rash, wilder, and more careless, less thought provoked and meaningful. The arrow itself reminds me to be wary of others. Will they use it as a tool to hunt and provide or as a weapon to kill and take?”

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowdy: Wild, and Mean, Sharp and Keen
By Chris Mullen
Rowdy finds himself alone after the murders of his father and brother. Young and determined to survive Rowdy finds himself persisting from one venture to the next. Danger at every turn, Rowdy listens to his father’s timeless advice, “A man acts like one because he has to. A boy acts like one when he wants to. What are you?” Along the way, he gleans sage advice from the people he finds trust in as well. “Ya use yer head an’ mostly that’s the best thing to do. But there comes a time when a man will find it necessary to take a stand, either for himself or for someone else. Pick yer battles, don’t let ‘em pick you. Once ya commit, see it to the end and make sure that ya leave a mark of remembrance so that it is known that you are not to be taken lightly.” These words of wisdom see him through and protect him in perilous times as he navigates the wild west.
I found Rowdy to be a well-written book full of danger and adventure. There was never a dull minute while reading. Rowdy showed how living honor-bound and staying true to yourself attracts the right kind of people to help you succeed in life. Although he appeared to be alone his nature attracted the trust and companionship that helped him survive. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review which I’ve shared here.

[Jack Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowdy Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen by Chris Mullen compels, engrosses, and begs for follow on tales. Rowdy proves himself a survivor as a mere boy and matures into a self reliant and reliable friend and citizen.
His adventure takes him down the Mississippi and across the Great Plains from Saint Louis to Lincoln,New Mexico as an Early American among the pioneers who opened the West.
Chris Mullen’s characters are well developed and believable, situations comfortably realistic, and events move logically and uncontrived. His descriptive writing is wonderfully detailed often near poetic.
Anyone who longs for more western adventure like we used to find from Max, Louis, and Zane will be delighted to meet Rowdy and trail along with him. Chris’s work provides a great read in good taste suitable for mature and young adult readers.

[Felix Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts off as a grim Huck Finn and finishes in a moral pondering of cheap justice.
This is also a story where the main character Rowdy quite literally sees a man about a horse. And it doesn’t go well.
Rowdy’s got it petty tough. He’s a river-rat orphan, dodging fights until he’s big enough and smart enough to win them. Then he has to draw on the life-lessons thus far to choose them.
A rollicking western with plenty of heart.

[James Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb storytelling that is heavy on adventure and perfect for the young adult genre. There’s a sweeping cinematic feel to Mullen’s epic tale, but the pace never threatens to lag. Excited for the next one.

[Ruthie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A man acts like one because he has to.
A boy acts like one when he wants to. What are you?”

Rowdy: Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen by Chris Mullen is Book One in the Rowdy Series, and what a beginning it is. The story starts off with full-throttle action as Rowdy’s older brother gives him his knife and sets him adrift on a skiff on the Mississippi River during one wild night filled with thunder, lightning, fire, and death. As thirteen-year-old Rowdy watches raiders destroy his family’s farm and murder his father and brother, he remains paralyzed with fear and helpless to do anything but remain on the skiff and drift away, all alone and frightened.

What follows is the remarkable journey of a young boy who has nothing left to lose, except his life, of course. Through a significant amount of fate, luck, kindness, and opportunity, Rowdy lands on his feet and sets off on one adventure after another, learning to be an honorable man from his memories of his father's words of wisdom and from a riverboat captain who becomes his savior, mentor, boss, and surrogate father. While trouble and evil seem to dog his every step, Rowdy manages to hang on to his values and honor as he transitions all too quickly into adulthood. How does a young, impressionable boy manage to grow up and stay alive and remain a relatively good person during the raucous Wild West, when danger and temptation often come out of nowhere and from all directions? Rowdy: Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen provides all the answers to this burning question and a whole lot more on every page.

“Doin’ right for yerself is good. Doin’ right by others makes all the difference.”

While this book can be considered as a young adult/coming of age fiction, everyone can enjoy this fully entertaining and didactic moral narrative. The overarching themes in Rowdy include the importance of family, blood or otherwise; standing firm against evil; and upholding hard-earned principles. Rowdy as a main character is almost too good to be true (almost), but that is okay because who doesn’t need or want to root for a protagonist who never backs down when he believes he is in the right, knows when to swallow his pride and ask for assistance, and steps up to help people and animals when no one else will? We all need such positivity, and Chris Mullen delivers this and more through absorbing prose, dynamic characterization, and non-stop action.

You are in luck if you finish reading Rowdy: Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen and simply cannot wait for the next in the series because Books 2 and 3 are available right now. Go ahead and sit tall in the saddle, hang on tight, and let Rowdy’s adventures thrill and entertain you from start to finish!

I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey there, Western readers, here's Chris Mullen's first series 'Rowdy' the complete six-book collection.

Immerse yourself in the gritty world of 'Rowdy,' a six-book series by Chris Mullen that takes you on a harrowing journey through the Wild West. This collection is not for the faint of heart, as it follows the young protagonist, Rowdy, through a life marred by tragedy and shaped by the relentless pursuit of justice. The saga begins with 'Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen,' where we meet thirteen-year-old Rowdy in the aftermath of a brutal attack that leaves his family dead and his home in ashes. Pulled from the waters of the Mississippi River, Rowdy's tale of survival and vengeance unfolds across the rugged landscapes of America. Each book in the series escalates the stakes, with Rowdy facing down bandits, river pirates, and his own inner demons. From 'Rowdy: Redemption' to 'Rowdy: Dead or Alive,' Mullen crafts a narrative that's as much about the spirit of survival as it is about the battles that define the era. Chris Mullen's 'Rowdy' series has been praised for its authentic portrayal of a young man's coming-of-age in a time where lawlessness reigned supreme. Readers have lauded the series for its vivid descriptions, fast-paced action, and the protagonist's complex character development. It's a testament to the enduring allure of Westerns and their ability to capture the imagination with tales of courage, honor, and the fight for what's right. For those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, the entire series is available to borrow, making it an accessible adventure for all who dare to ride alongside Rowdy into the sunset. So, saddle up, Western readers, and prepare for a ride through danger, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds of loyalty that define the Rowdy series.

• ASIN: B0CHC2PP9B
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 10/24/2023
• File Size: 3261 KB
• Print Length: 1601 pages
• Genre: Teen & Young Adult Travel Fiction eBooks – Teen & Young Adult US 19h Century Historical Fiction eBooks - Teen & Young Adult Westerns Fiction eBooks

[C.J. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Taught Him How To Live, People Showed Him How To Be A Man

Rowdy’s life was never a smooth one. Losing his mother at a tender age, he then lost his brother and father during a raid on their home. His brother’s last act was to shove him onto a raft and send him down the river away from the danger. Landing on the deck of the Delilah and working with the riverboat captain and his first mate, he learned the ways of the river and how to stand up for himself. The captain was also the one to give him the name Rowdy.

One thing led to another, and Rowdy’s life went from bad to worse. While he didn’t look for trouble, it seemed to find him. Slowly, but surely, his life in the Old West continued to prove to him where his strength came from. Keeping his wits about him and his moral compass straight, he chose what path to take before it was chosen for him.

Chris Mullen does an amazing job in allowing the reader to follow along the path of this young man’s life, giving enough detail to make you feel like you’re really there, but not too much that you are overwhelmed. There are points where my heart broke for Rowdy, and others where I cheered him on as he went from a boy to a man. The way Mullen broke up the storyline into three sections allows you to get a breather and figure out who the key characters are before moving on. I can see why this book was an Amazon Best Seller!

After reading this book, I hope to get my hands on Rowdy’s Redemption, the second book in the series. I’m optimistic that Rowdy will come out on top this time!

[Rox Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Chris Mullen creates an endearing character that you’ll want to protect, hug, and beg for his trust. This young adult western novel opens the world of the struggles endured by those pioneers. When the West opened for settlers, ranchers, and farmers, they fought to make a living and overcome the hardships. Life was not easy nor glamorous.

Rowdy, at thirteen, is ill-prepared to face life on his own yet fortunate enough to gain help and guidance from men who see the honor in his soul. Rowdy loses his family with his brother’s final act to believe in his life by throwing him into the Mississippi. During his journey, he learns skills from his mentors, works hard, and finds out to believe in himself.

The action starts on page one and continues with each small, painful victory, delivering a lesson in how to live as an ethical man. The settings of Rowdy’s travels provide vivid images that put you by the side of this youth who grows with each location. Author Mullen delivers a western that fills your mind with sights, sounds, and situations that feel real. The devious plans of the greedy and the battles Rowdy endures after speaking up for himself provide a framework for readers to appreciate his tough choices. All the characters evolve realistically, but Rowdy is my favorite. This is a timeless book with important lessons for people of any era.

I recommend this book for teens and above to explore the times. The view of the Wild West from the eyes of Rowdy is captivating. I look forward to other books in this series.

[James Whelpley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I had no path except that which the river currents provided." Rowdy is a wild YA western romp that reminds me of Newberry Award books I read as a youth, like Johnny Tremaine and The Matchlock Gun. Rowdy is orphaned when a band of faceless men murder his father and brother. Rowdy escapes on a skiff with his brother's pocket knife, and not much else. He's rescued by Captain Hennessey and the paddleboat Delilah and has a ton of adventure on the river. Now a young man, Rowdy heads west to becomes a horseman. He buys a sickly horse from the evil cattleman Byrne, who he names Delilah. He nurses the horse back to health to the ire of Byrne, who wants the horse back, by any means necessary.
Besides the adventure, the book is full of positive messages, and though Mullen keeps his writing straightforward, little bits of magic are sprinkled throughout in refrains and things remembered by Rowdy from the sages he's met along his path. "Upriver men / our fortune waits around the bend / The current will fight / we'll push through the night / to your posts, Upriver men!
This is a tremendous and wholesome series to share with your young reader.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen (Rowdy, #1)
by Chris Mullen
As described by the author the book shows how a man should judge the time to stand for himself or others. The book hints at how young students reading the book should look at events in their lives. Giving them guidance on how they can turn their cheek to aggressive behavior, or to stand up for themselves or especially others. The book is a like a old western movie, with the lessons woven into the story making them more easily understood, with some humor to boot. One funny thing about the book was I was left with the question whether horses could eat beans. I enjoyed the story and look forward to see the next story.

[Ian Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I just read Rowdy-Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen, book 1. This book was fun!! I was captivated from the start with Rowdy’s journey and the non-stop action kept me clinging to the book. I couldn’t put it down.

Chris weaves a phenomenal story of the rough life of Rowdy. There is plenty of adventures throughout this book. I am here to tell you, I am now officially a Rowdy fan. I have book two Redemption and ready to get back in the saddle and read it.

This book I recommend to anyone. My hats off to Chris for a great book!

[LUAYNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A young man, surrounded by horrific memories of his family's murder, struggles to live and do the right thing. He saves a horse from being shot, picks up a stray dog, and finally settles on a friend's ranch.

[craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

entertaining

This book by Chris Mullen, my first time reading from this author kept me engaged with the characters the always changing emotions. Made me feel like I was there watching everything going on.
Recommend, Redemption book #2 in the Rowdy series is next.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful adventure tale for young and old alike. Takes you back to the wild west and what was considered a simpler time - but is anything but that. I could see this book leading to a great group read and discussion.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about as good of an introduction of a character as you could ask for. When Rowdy is 13, his entire family is taken from him and their house burned. He had no choice but to run. He has to learn how to survive and he has some good teachers along the way. Very good book.

[Lone Star Literary Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.8.

[Natalie Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is perfect for read-aloud family time. Set in frontier America, it's packed with drama, adventure, and just plain fun entertainment.

[Dakota Rain]

Lots of action! Quick read. A good western is fun to read every now and then. Are cowboys always in danger and in a shoot-out? 😏

[Drew- Pickleball Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent coming of age story geared toward young acults and those who enjoy westerns. The main character Rowdy is also an orphans and pretty much raises himself with the help of good mentors. As he makes difficult decisions, he comments about why he made those decisions.

[Carrie Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down. Ready for some more Rowdy.

[Chris Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a fun, exciting read that is hard to put down.🤠 Pick up a copy or fire up the Kindle and download Rowdy : Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen today!