This is the seminal western. Grey is at his best describing the beauty of the Utah landscape. He's not quite as good with dialog: "I've been thinking--too," she cried, with quivering smile and swelling breast. "I've discovered myself--too. I'm young--I'm alive--I'm so full--oh! I'm a woman!" There are other over-the-top statements.

But the story is, overall, pretty good for a western. And considering it was published in 1912. Yes, there are the stereotypes, the laconic men, the stalwart women. But it's fun to read about the "invisible hand" of the Mormon cult. (Read Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet" for a similar treatment of the brutal and nefarious Mormons.) I don't believe such a treatment of Christian religion as pure evil would be tolerated today. "Riders" is an OK oater especially so as this is really the first in the genre. But the hifalutin dialog is a bit wearying after a while. Recommended for fans of Westerns; recommended with reservations (for bouts of silly dialog) for everyone else.