When is a western not a western? When it's a sweeping Victorian drama played out against a backdrop of English countryside and American prairie by a cast of well-developed and unique characters. Englishman Simon Gaunt has gone missing in the American West and his brothers Charles and Addington have been dispatched by their father to find him. The motley search party, when it finally sets out, has swelled to several men and a woman and their individual stories blend into a saga that includes history, class, gender, religion and family. This is not just one for the men, it is a story about love, a romp, a gem and a joy to read.