A family slaughtered by Comanche. A boy left to die on the prairie. Can his determination help him survive long enough to claim his revenge? Texas, 1853. Thirteen-year-old Nigel Blackthorn is the spoiled son of a Protestant preacher. But when his family is the victim of a brutal Comanche attack, his easy childhood crumbles in an instant. While he narrowly escapes the slaughter, the rest of his loved ones aren’t so lucky. The preacher's son finds himself alone, struggling to survive on the wild frontier. When a defrocked priest stumbles upon Nigel and offers a ride in exchange for hard labor, Nigel takes the promise of food and shelter. Spurred on by his desire to avenge his murdered family, he endures grueling days and countless painful lessons. With the vision of his parents in mind, can he survive long enough to find justice or will the Wild West claim yet another victim? The Apprenticeship of Nigel Blackthorn is the first dramatic story in the Nigel Blackthorn series of gritty westerns. If you like rich descriptions, multi-dimensional characters, and tales that bring history to life, then you’ll love Frank Kelso’s coming-of-age novel!