Sunday, December 31, 2017

Westerns that I Read in 2017

Presented in the order that I read them starting with Harry Whittington and finishing with Mickey Spillane/Max Allan Collins this week.

Cross the Red Creek by Harry Whittington - A fast paced and tightly plotted gem from Whittington, a writer whose ability to crank out quick novels while telling a great story with fascinating characters and dialog continues to amaze me. "Cross the Red Creek" tells the tale of Jim Gilmore, a young married man looking for a new place to settle, who is first falsely accused of a bank robbery, then becomes the target of a conspiracy to cover up other criminal activity in the town. The female characters in the novel are especially well drawn, with two dissatisfied wives and a young widower bringing an interesting perspective to the narrative, which is essentially a crime story that takes place in the Old West.

The Way Of The West by L.J. Martin - Highly amusing story about a tenderfoot's initiation to driving cattle. Mr Martin is a master of the humorous simile; laughing out loud a several times.

Guild (Leo Guild, #1) by Ed Gorman - Gorman is a terrific writer and Guild does not disappoint. This short novel, the first in a four book series telling the tales of hard-boiled bounty hunter Leo Guild, is fast paced and brimming with memorable characters and dialogue. Gorman's descriptive prose resides in that sweet spot between terse and tedious, telling the reader just what you need to know without dragging down the snappy pacing.

Texas Fever by Donald Hamilton - A terrific coming of age tale that tells the story of a troubled cattle drive and the young man who has to come to terms with the hardships and injustices imposed by a gang of brutal bushwhackers, a devious and doomed femme fatale, and rampant discrimination against his crew of former confederate soldiers. Hamilton brilliantly writes character interactions in ways that grow and change the characters in unexpected ways, making this far more than a typical western action novel.

Hidden Blood by W.C. Tuttle - Hashknife and Sleepy find themselves caught up in an adventure involving border drug smuggling. I was expecting more of a lightweight and comedic work, like a Robert E. Howard "Breckenridge Elkins" story, however the story and the characters are dense and complex, and the humor was understated and not particularly goofy at all. A very solid and enjoyable mystery with plenty of action and just the right amount of humor.

Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider - A paging turning treasure masterfully paced and plotted with several memorable characters and dialog that rings true throughout. Loved the unlikely alliance between the victimized woman and the dying old man, a relationship that spoke to the times and events in life that motivate us to do what we feel are the right things, as a matter of justice, or maybe vengeance, or as a last hurrah before heading to that big corral in the sky. A highly satisfying story that grabs you early and never lets go. Highly recommended for crime and/or western readers that don't mind adult themes and violence.

Glory Dust by Robert Vaughan  - This is the first book I've read by the prolific Mr.Vaughan, who clearly knows how to plot and tell a great story. The author imbues the fast paced revenge story with a cast of interesting characters and enough surprises and twists to keep the story interesting and page-turningly propulsive.

Gun Feud by W.C. Tuttle - Bookkeeper Orville Woodruff receives a 15 year old letter indicating that he is the heir to a lost gold mine in Arizona. He quits his job and travels to the location where he meets the lovely Norma and crime-solving cowboys Micky and Spook. Tuttle weaves a complex plot with kidnappers, cattle rustlers, Mexican bandits, gold mines, and a wealth of interesting characters. A fun read with a hard-boiled mystery plot and plenty of humorous touches, sort of a cozy cowboy mystery.

End of the Gun by H.A. DeRosso - A dark novel telling the story of an ex-convict mustang wrangler, consumed by depression and anger bordering on psychotic, who battles everyone - his partners, ranchers, outlaws, in a desperate fight for redemption and to start a new life on the right side of the law. Things are complicated even more by two women that fall for him, as they somehow disregard his erratic temper and violent nature. Not a particularly good effort from a writer whose other works I have enjoyed.

Death Ground (Leo Guild, #2) by Ed Gorman - I like this second book in the Guild series as much as the first. Gorman doesn't fool around with his prose or plots, no wasted words or subplots, just a propulsive and well told story that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

The Shadow Riders by Louis L'Amour - A solid traditional Western that doesn't really stand out from some of L'Amour's best work. The story focuses mostly on the two Traven brothers, although Happy Jack and the heroic Kate Connery were probably the more interesting characters. The novel doesn't waste anytime getting into the story and then continues the fast pace to a satisfying climax and a perhaps somewhat abrupt ending.

Black Hat Jack by Joe R. Lansdale - An outstanding novella with breakneck pacing and a linear plot that brims with profane and colorful dialogue, and some thought-provoking rumination on racism. A very fun and entertaining read from start to finish.

Blood Trail by John Legg - A solid comic-of-age and revenge tale telling the story of a young farmer boy struggling to keep his family intact after their parents and older brother are killed, and then his surprising transformation into a brutal bounty hunter, out for vengeance against those who wronged him, or those who corrupted his younger brother. The novel drags a bit in the middle where the character wanders around lost and hungry for way too long, then picks up steam when he is taken in and well trained by a noble Native American bounty hunter.

Bandera Pass by L.J. Washburn - A top notch Texas Ranger tale built around the relationship of a grizzled veteran Ranger and his likable young partner on the trail of a dangerous band of criminals that are hiding out in the vicinity of Bandera. The intertwined story of the local sheriff, his outlaw brother, and his naive daughter help drive the fast moving plot. A solid and very traditional western with no offensive language or situations. A book that should appeal to a wide range of readers.

Saddle the Storm by Harry Whittington - An ambitious novel that follows three main narratives, a young couple in a rocky marriage, a bible-thumping rancher who feels that he has been spurned, and a mentally challenged boy who's actions are an enigma. All of the action takes place during one hot Independence Day celebration in a small Texas town where Whittington effectively expands and merges the narratives into a cohesive story of love, obligation, betrayal, hatred and violence. This may have been Whittington's attempt to write something more substantial than his excellent genre focused Crime and Western books, his Great American Novel perhaps, and although it looks like a traditional Western it is so very much more.

Valley of Wild Horses by Zane Grey - Great adventure, maybe a little slow moving, with terrific descriptive prose and very likable protagonist in young cowboy Panhandle Smith. Grey's descriptions of the valley with the thousands of wild horse made me feel like I was there, and sometimes made me wish that I was.

Trouble Rides Tall by Harry Whittington - Another tightly plotted Western from Whittington. Marshall Bryant Shafter was paid good money to clean up a lawless town, now that he's succeeded he has become expendable. As the town bosses conspire to get rid of him he relentlessly pursues the killer of a saloon girl, a crime that no one seems interested in solving. The novel works well as a dark study of an aging gunslinger who tires of his role of cleaning up troubled towns, and as a whodunit mystery that keeps you guessing until the explosive ending.

True Grit by Charles Portis - A lean and exciting tale, perfectly paced, with two of the most memorable fictional characters that I've become acquainted with in Marshall Rooster Cogburn and the smart and stubborn Mattie Ross. The novel is nearly flawless.

Longarm and the Deadly Lover (Longarm, #334) by Tabor Evans - Take a cozy whodunit plot, wrap it in a violent Old West setting, and throw in a couple of awkward sex scenes. Nothing wrong with that. A quick and entertaining read from author Gary McCarthy, one of the many respectable writers that make up the Tabor Evans pen name.

Killer Lion (Bonanza) by Steve Frazee - I would have really loved this book if I had read it when I was 12 years old. Author Steve Frazee was a prolific writer of Westerns, several of which have been made into films, and also many TV tie-in novels. He was an excellent choice to write the Bonanza books, giving them the authenticity of the Old West while capturing the essence of the beloved Cartwright family members. The novel tells the story of kind-hearted Hoss who takes in an orphaned Mountain Lion cub only to find it hopelessly dependent upon him. Unable to rid himself of the friendly cub, Hoss finds himself in a predicament when local ranchers organize a Mountain Lion hunt to avenge a mysterious killing. All in all an enjoyable, albeit juvenile, book that kept me entertained and feeling nostalgic.

The Last Trail Drive (The Gunsmith, #342) by J.R. Roberts - Good entry in the Gunsmith series with Clint Adams helping an old friend on a sabotaged trail drive. The Gunsmith books are consistently entertaining.

Morgan by Frank Roderus - The novel tells the story of Morgan, an old man who reminisces about his life in the post Civil War American West. The story is told chronologically starting when Morgan was orphaned at 15 years old as he begins a journey west to find gold, but finds that life gets in the way. The novel is a well told coming-of-age tale that then proceeds to tell Morgan's story as he grows old and the Old West, once wild and untamed becomes more advanced and civilized before his eyes. Morgan is not infallible and makes some egregious and unsavory mistakes during his long life. This is probably true of most of us. Frank Roderus, an old man himself, passed away in 2015 not long after this book was published making it even more poignant in my opinion.

Ambush on the Mesa by Gordon D. Shirreffs - A superb Western noir that tells the story of a crew of soldiers and a pair of women who are holed up in some ancient abandoned cliff dwellings without food and surrounded by blood thirsty Apaches. The dramas unfolding within the doomed prey run the gamut of human emotions - rage, jealousy, greed, and deception - with bullies, cowards, leaders, and lunatics squaring off in a desperate battle for survival. An exceedingly dark and violent novel that kept me riveted throughout. I'm going to be seeking out more of this largely forgotten authors work.

The Quick and the Dead by Louis L'Amour - The short novel starts at a furious pace and doesn’t let up. Tells the story of the McKaskel family’s progression from victimized Easterners into self-sufficient pioneers, aided by an experienced and fearsome wanderer, all while waged in a deadly struggle against a gang of vicious outlaws. Plenty of action and a no-frills plot make this one a real page-turner.

Cole by C.J. Petit - The self-published novel from C.J. Petit is a very traditional and largely character driven Western with lots of dialogue and limited descriptive prose. This makes for for an enjoyable and easy read, where the good guys are good, and the bad guys are bad, and there is no objectionable content to be found. Petit is a natural storyteller and keeps the novel progressing at a solid pace to a happy, albeit somewhat cliche conclusion. The chapter detailing the hostage transfer and shootout in the open field was exceptionally well-written.

Crow Bait by Robert J. Randisi - Randisi is a throwback to the pulp writers of old - having published over 500 novels with more than 400 of them in the Gunsmith Western series. He knows how to write entertaining books and this is no exception. The short novel opens with the protagonist beaten and left to die in the desert, saved only by finding a dilapidated horse that he names "Crow Bait". What follows is essentially a revenge novel, with several interesting characters and some unexpected situations. A quick and entertaining read.

The Legend of Caleb York (Caleb York #1) by Mickey Spillane, Max Allan Collins - I was half expecting Mike Hammer in the Wild West, but this is far better. Caleb York is a much different character, more like Shane than Hammer. Spillane always had the chops for storytelling and colorful dialogue, and I think that Max Allan Collins did a marvelous job tightening up the narrative and the plotting to produce a novel that is more than the sum of it's parts. The hard-boiled Westerns of the 50s and 60s are one of my favorite eras for fiction, and this novel fits in well with the best of them.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Review: The Legend of Caleb York

The Legend of Caleb York The Legend of Caleb York by Mickey Spillane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was half expecting Mike Hammer in the Wild West, but this is far better. Caleb York is a much different character, more like Shane than Hammer. Spillane always had the chops for storytelling and colorful prose, and I think that Max Allan Collins did a marvelous job tightening up the narrative and the plotting to produce a novel that is more than the sum of it's parts. The hard-boiled Westerns of the 50s and 60s are one of my favorite eras for fiction, and this novel fits in well with the best of them.

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Review: Hunter at Large

Hunter at Large Hunter at Large by Thomas B. Dewey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fine character driven noir from Dewey, this time telling the story of a cop solving the mystery of his wife's murder as he ventures across the county on the trail of the killers. The emphasis here is on the exceptionally well drawn characters and their true and vivid dialogue. The plotting holds together well, although the climax at the end seems a bit rushed. One of those books that seem like it would make a great movie. This novel is included in the The Noir Novel MEGAPACK ™: 4 Great Crime Novels for a mere $0.99 and hopefully can find a well deserved larger audience.

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Friday, December 8, 2017

Review: Needles of Death

Needles of Death Needles of Death by Paul Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Manning Lee Stokes wrote paperback pulp fiction using many pseudonyms in the adventure/espionage genres, of which this novel is a good example. John Eagle, possessing the strength and brutality of a Scotsman, and the stealth and speed of an Apache, is recruited by a secret government spy agency known as Expeditors, to destroy a deadly Chinese weapon that threatens the security of the world. Most of the novel takes place in the Gobi desert in Asia where John Eagle battles marauding bandits, Mongols, and Chinese soldiers aided only by an attractive Mongol woman and her brother, a spy who has been captured. Eagle is equipped with a large arsenal of spy gadgets, much like James Bond, and puts them to good use. Non-stop action drives the linear plot at a fast pace to an exciting conclusion. I came across the first five books in this series, three of which are written by Stokes, and am looking forward to reading them.

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Thursday, November 23, 2017

Review: Crow Bait

Crow Bait Crow Bait by Robert J. Randisi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Randisi is a throwback to the pulp writers of old - having published over 500 novels with more than 400 of them in the Gunsmith Western series. He knows how to write entertaining books and this is no exception. The short novel opens with the protagonist beaten and left to die in the desert, saved only by finding a dilapidated horse that he names "Crow Bait". What follows is essentially a revenge novel, with several interesting characters and some unexpected situations. A quick and entertaining read.

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Thursday, November 9, 2017

Review: Let Me Kill You, Sweetheart!

Let Me Kill You, Sweetheart! Let Me Kill You, Sweetheart! by Fletcher Flora
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Flora’s well written and elegant prose is marred by a unusual plot device that is based on the coincidence that one of three men may have impregnated and murdered a young woman, all be intimately involved with the town rich girl, and all hang around at the same bar with the main character in the book, an oddball train nerd named Pervy Stubbs. All three of the suspects seem somewhat interchangeable, or maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention, so after the big reveal at the end I had to page back to refresh myself on the significance of the character. Well written, but flawed, it could have been a great book - 3.5 stars.

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Saturday, October 7, 2017

Review: Kiss Me Hard: A Wildside Mystery Classic

Kiss Me Hard: A Wildside Mystery Classic Kiss Me Hard: A Wildside Mystery Classic by Thomas B. Dewey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kiss Me Hard starts with a bang as an alcoholic piano player inadvertently rescues a missing heiress from carnival sex slavery while being pursued by an extremely angry husband. Doubts about the authenticity of the attractive and damaged young heiress preclude an eventful trip across the country in an attempt to return her to family - who don't seem very enthusiastic about the return of the missing sister. The protagonist was exceptionally well portrayed with insights into his blatant alcoholism, self-doubt, and loneliness as his relationship with the helpless young heiress evolves from good samaritan, to responsibility, and then to love.

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Friday, September 29, 2017

Review: Empty Saddles

Empty Saddles Empty Saddles by Burt Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clearly marketed as a Western, the novel is instead a character study of a young lawyer named Joe who has recently returned from World War II, his difficulties getting reintegrated into his former small town life, and his quest to unseat the popular, albeit corrupt, politicians running the town. Joe has two love interests, the former flame and girl-next-door type Mavis, and a young and neurotic ingenue with the wonderful name of Avril Fawcett, whose fathers both happen to be corrupt politicians. The novel is a solid small town drama, perhaps a bit slow moving, with interesting characters and prose. It wasn't what I was expecting, however I liked it a lot.

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Monday, September 4, 2017

Review: Ambush on the Mesa

Ambush on the Mesa Ambush on the Mesa by Gordon D. Shirreffs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A superb Western noir that tells the story of a crew of soldiers and a pair of women who are holed up in some ancient abandoned cliff dwellings without food and surrounded by blood thirsty Apaches. The dramas unfolding within the doomed prey run the gamut of human emotions - rage, jealousy, greed, and deception with bullies, cowards, leaders, and lunatics squaring off in a desperate battle for survival. An exceedingly dark and violent novel that kept me riveted throughout. I'm going to be seeking out more of this largely forgotten authors work.

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Saturday, August 19, 2017

Review: Small Town Nurse

Small Town Nurse Small Town Nurse by Harriet Kathryn Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry Whittington wrote nurse romance novels using this pseudonym. The novel starts out following the conventions of the genre, but eventually goes off the romance novel rails and turns into a murder and courtroom drama. No complaints from me. Young nurse Ann Wellington, burned out from the stress of a big city hospital is encouraged to transfer to a small beach community. Once there she meets and falls in love with Bruce Grayson, a medical intern with a Batman inspired name who recruits her to care for his crippled, depressive, and beautiful cousin Emily who lives in a secluded and shuttered beach house that seems out of a Bruno Fischer novel. Emily lives with Cousin Hester, a damaged and hateful woman who says something nasty every time she speaks. Hester becomes increasing domineering and violent as she resents the young lovers and the unwelcome changes that they bring to try to make Emily happy. From there a death, murder investigation and courtroom trial with a nice twist that I didn't see coming. Small Town Nurse is a odd book that tries to be both a nurse romance and a crime novel, but succeeds better as a crime novel. Exceeded my expectations.

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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Review: Morgan

Morgan Morgan by Frank Roderus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The novel tells the story of Morgan, an old man who reminisces about his life in the post Civil War American West. The story is told chronologically starting when Morgan was orphaned at 15 years old as he begins a journey west to find gold, but finds that life gets in the way. The novel is a well told coming-of-age tale that then proceeds to tell Morgan's story as he grows old and the Old West, once wild and untamed becomes more advanced and civilized before his eyes. Morgan is not infallible and makes some egregious and unsavory mistakes during his long life. This is probably true of most of us. Frank Roderus, an old man himself, passed away in 2015 not long after this book was published making it even more poignant in my opinion. This was the Group Read of the American Westerns community this month and a fine selection.

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Friday, July 28, 2017

Review: Split Decision

Split Decision Split Decision by Jack Tunney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I've read from Eric Beetner, who has garnered much acclaim for his neo-noir stories. Split Decision takes place in 1953 and it does a great job capturing the pulpy feel of a paperback from that era. The short novella builds quickly to a furious pace and is nearly impossible to put down. I am looking forward to reading more from Mr. Beetner.

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Saturday, July 8, 2017

Review: Trouble Rides Tall

Trouble Rides Tall Trouble Rides Tall by Harry Whittington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another tightly plotted gem from Whittington. Marshall Bryant Shafter was paid good money to clean up a lawless town, now that he's succeeded he has become expendable. As the town bosses conspire to get rid of him he relentlessly pursues the killer of a saloon girl, a crime that no one seems interested in solving. The novel works well as a dark study of an aging gunslinger who tires of his role of cleaning up troubled towns, and as a whodunit mystery that keeps you guessing until the explosive ending.

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Sunday, June 11, 2017

Review: Strangers in My Bed

Strangers in My Bed Strangers in My Bed by Allen O'Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good example of rural swamp noir, and a solid coming-of-age story, as kindly brother Willie tries to pick up the pieces when bad brother Elroy comes home from college and creates a unholy mess of everything. Although the title and cover blurbs promise some sleaze the book is not nearly as salacious, consisting of horny hillbillies talking about sex in metaphorical terms with no gratuitous or graphical depictions. The books touches on the discrimination of urban Southerners against the uneducated backwater folks, and some pretty disturbing examples of racism in the Deep South. A talented writer, Mr. O'Quinn wrote three backwoods/swamp novels for Gold Medal and then disappeared.

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Friday, June 9, 2017

Review: Saddle the Storm

Saddle the Storm Saddle the Storm by Harry Whittington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An ambitious novel that follows three main narratives, a young couple in a rocky marriage, a bible-thumping rancher who feels that he has been spurned, and a mentally challenged boy who's actions are an enigma. All of the action takes place during one hot Independence Day celebration in a small Texas town where Whittington effectively expands and merges the narratives into a cohesive story of love, obligation, betrayal, hatred and violence. This may have been Whittingtons attempt to write something more substantial than his excellent genre focused Crime and Western books, his Great American Novel perhaps, and although it looks like a traditional Western it is so very much more. Highly recommended.

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Review: In His Blood

In His Blood In His Blood by Harold R. Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the earliest and best of the novels that employ the dual narratives of a serial killer and the cop trying to track him down. The novel really excels in how it portrays both of these characters, you feel that you know and understand them, a difficult objective for any writer. The author and novel have been largely forgotten over time, so this terrific novel was a very welcome surprise. Well deserving of it's 1956 Edgar Award nomination and highly recommended.

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Sunday, May 7, 2017

Review: I Died Twice

I Died Twice I Died Twice by Bobby Underwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This short novel tells the story of a vulnerable young woman, her loss of innocence, and the value of friendships, as the female protagonist finds herself in a series of mysterious circumstances that build to a surprising and satisfying conclusion. The author keeps the plot moving at a fast pace, with smart dialog and light descriptive prose that doesn't bog things down, making this a quick read. Loved the 1940s pop culture references.

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Thursday, April 20, 2017

Review: Black Hat Jack

Black Hat Jack Black Hat Jack by Joe R. Lansdale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An outstanding novella with breakneck pacing and a linear plot that brims with profane and colorful dialogue, and some thought-provoking ruminations on racism. A very fun and entertaining read from start to finish.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Review: The Polar Treasure

The Polar Treasure The Polar Treasure by Kenneth Robeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Solidly and somewhat insanely plotted classic Pulp story with Doc Savage and his team competing with two rival gangs of thugs to locate a treasure that is lost in the Arctic from a map invisibly tattooed on a blind violinists back. The novel picks up speed in the last third after Doc loses his team and is forced to fend for himself against violent criminals, drugged Eskimos, and barehanded against a polar bear. Great stuff.

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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Review: Outrage at Blanco

Outrage at Blanco Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A paging turning gem masterfully paced and plotted with several memorable characters and dialog that rings true throughout. Loved the unlikely alliance between the victimized woman and the dying old man, a relationship that spoke to the times and events in life that motivate us to do what we feel are the right things, as a matter of justice, or maybe vengeance, or as a last hurrah before heading to that big corral in the sky. A highly satisfying story that grabs you early and never lets go. Highly recommended for crime and/or western readers that don't mind adult themes and violence.

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Thursday, January 19, 2017

Review: Nightfall

Nightfall Nightfall by David Goodis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exceptional psychological thriller told from the perspectives of an innocent man accused of robbery and murder, and the sympathetic detective obsessed with finding out the truth. More than a typical crime thriller, the novel is essentially a character study of an emotionally damaged man on the run, pursued by both criminals and police, looking for redemption but without a clear path, alone and without hope. Goodis pulls off the dual narratives with great aplomb. His lean prose and colorful dialogue propel the tight plot to a very satisfying conclusion.

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Sunday, January 15, 2017

Review: Guild

Guild Guild by Ed Gorman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gorman is a terrific writer and Guild does not disappoint. This short novel, the first in a four book series telling the tales of hard-boiled bounty hunter Leo Guild, is fast paced and brimming with memorable characters and dialogue. Gorman's descriptive prose resides in that sweet spot between terse and tedious, telling the reader just what you need to know without dragging down the snappy pacing. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

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