Dingo Run

'Dingo Run' is the third novella in this series by Jack Byrne set in the Australia of the 1870s. Jim and Mark have already had a number of adventures together, but Jack left me on a bit of a cliff and I'm eager to see what's coming around the bend for my guys. I strongly recommend that you read these books in order, starting with 'The Billabong' and then 'Walkabout', as it's important to get the background on Jim and Mark.
The end of the previous story had Jim and Mark being arrested and sentenced to be hung. What? Yes, that's how I felt, too. Mark got into a fight at the bar after hearing one man boast about having tortured and killed Min Yong, Mark's friend, and Mark punched him so hard in the face that he killed him. He and Jim were arrested and sentenced to the gallows. The strange thing, and one Jim remarked upon, is that Mark stove this man's face in, and he didn't hurt his hand. Just another oddity laid at Mark's feet, from a lifetime of being taunted as a freak and a demon.
In a crazy burst of fate, or luck, Jim and Mark get broken out of jail by the young man, Dan, they rescued and took to Min Yong's camp in the previous book. That is the good part. The bad part is Jim getting shot as they make their escape. Luckily, Jim makes it through, and then they met up with Dan's older brother. Now, here's where the author threw some stuff at me that I was definitely not expecting, but wow, it's an awesome plot twist. I can't say anymore, though, because it's a huge spoiler. I can say it has to do with Mark and his ancestry.
Jack Byrne has left me desperate, again, for the continuation of this series. I am absolutely crazy over Jim and Mark, and I can't wait to see what happens. So, I know, Jack, that you've got a regular job in the outback, but could you hurry up with the writing?
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

In this book we switch to Mark's POV rather than Jim, who was the narrator of the two previous books. In the review for Walkabout I noted that Mark was acting strange and that Jim didn't know quite what to make of him. Here we begin to realize that all is not as it seems with Mark and that his story will take us down that alternate universe path that the books' subtitle has hinted at.
But those strange tales are mostly left to the novel the author has said he is currently writing. This book is about the escape from jail and the hanging scheduled for the following day. Mark realizes just how important Jim is to him and how far Jim will go to protect Mark's life as well.
There is no cliffhanger at the end of this story, rather a sense of purpose Mark has to find out more about his family. And also to somehow find a life for him and Jim where they can settle down and not have to run from the law. I enjoyed the story, and the two guys do get closer as Jim learns more about Mark's background. Mostly it seems like a short respite while we wait for the coming book, and it whetted my appetite for more.