O’Doul – Wayne Dundee

© 2011 Western Trail Blazer (Smashwords, ebooks)

Wayne Dundee is a retired manager who spends his time writing these days. He lives in the historic town of Ogallala, Nebraska, which should be a good source of inspiration for his Western short stories and novels. His fascination with reading and long-time reader relationship with writers like John D. MacDonald might explain his prolific pen in the realm of Private Eye mysteries. This is my first encounter with Dundee, but I suspect I’ll be looking into some of his award-winning writing in future.

This novella introduces readers to O’Doul, a crusty old ranch hand that you know has seen a lot in his past. In this story we encounter the title character as everything seems to be falling apart for him and all of those around him. Working for a rancher whose own life and marriage are falling apart doesn’t help matters any. And O’Doul finds himself trying to corral the whippersnapper of a co-worker who can’t rein in his own emotions.

Like any good western story, this one includes horses, cattle (complete with tragic stampede), and gunplay. It won’t take long to get through this short work (about 83 pages in length), so you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Pitchfork Creek. Owing to its brevity, O’Doul does broadcast the resolution early in the book (to the alert reader), but this doesn’t distract you from enjoying the story, and you can’t go wrong with a good “shoot ‘em up”. Four out of five reading glasses.

 

—Benjamin Potter, December 15, 2011