The Call of the Mountain starts with a dream that captures the imagination of many people - the notion of leaving all of the stress of life in the city and heading for the mountains. Julien Meyers, the protagonist in this story, does just that. He lands in a small mountain town and begins to enjoy his new low-stress life. Soon enough a combination of factors -- all evil and money related -- begin to wrap themselves around his life and his new found joy is soon squeezed from him. He is forced to begin untangling the dangerous web in order to save his life.

Julian Meyer wakes up one day and decides he is done with his life. He remembers a childhood dream of a photo of the Colorado mountains he saw as a kid and says "heck with it". He quits his job as a Wall Street financial manager, just leaves his trophy wife, and heads west.

Julian heads to Colorado, and crashes at his cousin's place. He is taking hikes, soaking up the peace and quiet.
Then he meets her...and of course follows his wanker. He is brought into the nearby mountain community. Where the life is good and the living is easy.

We're supporting a community here. We're allowing people to live their lives in freedom. We're providing for many. We've created a community free of oppression.

He loves the living in the mountain part and heck with that pesky wife back home, he moves closer to the woman he is banging. She takes him to "soirees" and little get togethers that relax him. This is the life he wanted.

Then the girl's friend Vince offers Julian a job. Just driving. No questions asked. Pays good money. Julian, being the genius that he is takes him up on it.

So to top things off what does Julian do? Starts banging the boss man's girlfriend too.

This guy, for being a supposed Wall Street pro is really, awfully dumb.

So what exactly are they transporting in those driving jobs? If it had been my mountains (Appalachian) it would have been meth but alas. Once Julian gets himself in a bit deeper than he wants too (because he is stupid) he gets taken aside by Vince and made an offer.

Now for the verdict. Sam Neumann's writing is not bad. It flows and kept my attention. There was just predictability to the story that distracted me. Then the main character. You just can't be that dumb and live.
2.5 stars rounded up.

Mountains've had drug problems since the dawn of time. This place in no different. Something about the isolation, I think.

Book source: Netgalley in exchange for review.