The Grave of Marcus Pauly – Wayne D. Dundee

© 2011 Western Trail Blazer (Smashwords, ebooks)

Since I said I wanted to read some more of Wayne D. Dundee’s work, I found another short western novel (novella), just waiting for me to download to my Nook. And I’m glad I did. For one thing the story’s dedication note is to three of my favorite writers (James and Livia Reasoner and Bill Crider). What better endorsement (at least in my opinion) to read someone’s work than that they enjoy and are acquainted with the same authors that you read.

Annabelle Heath wants nothing more than to fulfill her dying mother’s last wishes—to find her uncle’s (Marcus Pauly) bones and retrieve them for a “proper Christian burial” back at the home plot in Missouri. The big problem is that the only one who knows where the body was buried is the man who buried him—Marcus’ riding partner who was with him when the deceased uncle was shot escaping from a botched bank robbery.

Ford Ramsey had served his time after having been caught by the posse following that same bank robbery. He has found a menial job in the livery and just wants to live out his life. But when Miss Heath shows up with a story of a prison-penned, heart-felt promise, Ramsey decides that he has nothing if not his word. In deciding to help the young lady find her uncle’s body to return him home, Ramsey destines them both for more than just a rough week’s worth of camping, and discovers that old rumors die hard.

This little story reads fast and well. If you like a good western, download a copy to your eReader of choice and spend a couple of hours in the old west. Four out of five reading glasses.

 

—Benjamin Potter, December 20, 2011

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

Mister St. John – Loren D. Estleman

© 1983, Doubleday, Garden City, NY

Loren Estleman is an award-winning writer in both the mystery and the western genres. He excels when writing westerns. Mister St. John is a trail’s end novel that chronicles the very end of the era of ‘cowboys and Indians’.

Irons St. John, former tracker in the “Nations” (Oklahoma) for Judge Parker’s court, has tried career after career unsuccessfully. His last effort is a failed attempt to win a Congressional seat for the state of Missouri. Just as he’s starting to celebrate his losses, in walks a Pinkerton agent named Rawlings who has a proposition St. John just cannot refuse: gather a posse to capture and incarcerate a gang of bank robbers led by Race Buckner.

The result is a motley crew made up of an old Indian tracker who had worked with St. John in the Nations (and who brought with him a sharp-shooter who once was the prey that the lawman had hunted—and who is going blind, too boot), a reprobate Sunday school teacher on the run from a town sheriff he had left for dead, and a couple of Mexican bandidos who hired on for the money.

Estleman’s expertise at spinning a story is evident in what you read here. And the occasional mention of an automobile has its own place in this turn of the century setting. Telephones are also a new-fangled tool used by these gun-toting, horse-riding, rough and tumble hombres.

This is western writing as it should be—even in the twentieth century. It is better fare than the house-name dime novels that usually grace the “westerns” shelves in your local bookstore. Even so, the fans of those serial westerns will enjoy this book as well. (4 out of 5 reading glasses).

—Benjamin Potter, August 26, 2010

Blood Moon – Frank Castle

© 1960, Fawcett Gold Medal Books, Greenwich, CN

When I review a book by an author that is new to me, I like to find out a little about them to share with my readers. When I picked up a copy of Blood Moon at the book fair earlier this summer, I didn’t expect to worry over the author too much; it just looked like a good western read.

Concerning the book, it was a good western read—not the best I’ve read, but a nice diversion in its own right. Dain Burnett (or Burnet depending on which page/paragraph you’re reading) is hot on the trail of the man and woman who suckered, robbed and killed his brother Hal. When he catches up to the wagon train they joined to escape the law deep in the Indian country of the llano, he finds burned out wagons, dead bodies, and a frightened woman. Through the rough Comanche country, Dain guards her for the sole purpose of turning her over to authorities at Ft. Sill so that justice can be served.

The action is simple and straightforward. It reminds me of typical western novels of its era. The tension of whether to become judge, jury and executioner to the woman, whether to stick to the original plan of turning her over for justice at the end of the trail provided they get there, or to give into the growing feelings he has toward her.

The book provides a good summer read with one exceptional image of battle between the red and the white man. Tucked toward the end of the story is this paragraph:

It was like a sudden thunder-clap from a cloudless sky. Before Burnett’s eyes unfolded what he had thought he would never see again—a cavalry charge.

So, who is this Frank Castle? Google revealed at first glance that he is The Punisher. I also found reference to a writer of books related to mathematics as well as a handful of western novels such as Blood Moon all written in the late 50s/early 60s. If you can shed some light, feel free to comment. And enjoy a copy of Blood Moon if you can find one. At three out of five reading glasses, any fan of western fiction will be satisfied.

—Benjamin Potter, August 26, 2009

Friday’s Forgotten Book Club (Wild Night -- L. J. Washburn)

Occasionally, on Fridays I will be participating in Patti Abbott’s brainchild—reviewing forgotten books. The idea is that there are books that are really good, but they don’t get as much readership because people have “forgotten” about them. Today I’ll be discussing Wild Night by L. J. Washburn (© 1987 published by TOR books).

I discovered Washburn in a used bookstore offering of Epitaph, her first western novel, published by M. Evans. I found the writing easy to follow and engaging. The flyleaf listed Wild Night as her first novel, and winner of the American Mystery Award and The Private Eye Writers of America's Best Original Paperback Award. I found a used copy of the PBO and read it.

Wild Night is technically classified as a Mystery—a P.I. story in particular—but bears a great resemblance to the genre Western. The hero, Lucas Hallam, is an old used up cowboy who had to turn into a private eye as the world changed around him. His experience as a Pinkerton and Texas Ranger come in handy as he moves to Hollywood to get work as an extra in early Western movies, and finds himself hired to solve mysteries in Tinsel Town.

This is probably the best of the Hallam books although Washburn is a great writer for diversion whether reading her mysteries, westerns, or (and I’ll just have to guess on this one) her romance novels.

Four and one-half reading glasses for this novel that’s too good to forget. Pick up a copy of the pbo if you can find it, or choose the perfect-for-library-shelves re-release in hardcover from Five Star (1998).

—Benjamin Potter, April 25, 2008

True Grit – Charles Portis

With the recommendation of one of the authors responding to the Rap Sheet’s inquiry as to the most underrated book, I found a copy of True Grit and read it. The copy I found was a paperback reprint of the story that first appeared in 1968. The cover art included references to the movie that has been seen as a classic with the caption “Now a Rip-Roaring Paramount Movie” emblazoned with black and white photos of the starring cast inset. Relying on my love for the western genre and the promise of a great story that hadn’t really received its due (despite the exposure brought by the movie) I set my cap for an enjoyable few hours between the pages.

I was not disappointed. The background of the story is that Mattie Ross’ father (John) has been murdered by a hired hand while in Fort Smith on business. The hand, known to Mattie as Tom Chaney, was drunk and unruly when he killed and robbed the man who had taken him in and given him honest work. Fourteen-year-old Mattie has come to Ft. Smith ostensibly to claim the body and secretly has determined with herself that she will find her father’s killer and see him brought to justice.

In her quest for vengeance she enlists the aid of Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn, a salty, one-eyed, drinking deputy marshal operating out of the court of infamous “hanging” Judge Isaac Parker. Cogburn is described to the young girl as a man who has “grit” (a highly desirable character trait when hunting down a hardened criminal). As they prepare to set off on the journey—Mattie insists on tagging along—they are joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (pronounced “LaBeef”) who is himself trailing the murderer for crimes committed in Texas under the name Chelmsford.

While most people equate the title of the book to refer to the rustic Rooster Cogburn (even under the insistence of Mattie Ross), I believe that the epitaph “True Grit” would find a better the headstone marking Mattie’s grave. She has a head for business, a sharp tongue, and a determination that belies her fourteen years. She faces harsh weather, ridicule, and even death with the strength of an experienced rangehand.
One constant distraction in reading this classic—which carries all the marks of a classic—is the prominence of the movie as you read. It is difficult to read Rooster’s words and not hear the voice of John Wayne. While the Duke picked up the character and demeanor of the crusty marshal, the visual was one that fell slightly short of the description (the original had a prominent mustache coupled with the eyepatch). Of the cast in the movie, the one who most closely fit the character portrayed was Kim Darby who played the determined Mattie Ross. I still wonder what was going through the minds of the filmmakers causing them to cast Glen Campbell in the role of Texan LaBoeuf.

Interestingly enough, even with the distractions caused by the movie, I was pleasantly surprised by the faithfulness that the filmmakers held to the original story. The writing and directing helped bring the story to life in a way that most modern movies discount when adapting a novel for the silver screen.

Bottom line—True Grit is a real shoot ‘em up with all the action and adventure needed to make it work. It is written in such a way as to be welcome in an English teacher’s class.

—Benjamin Potter, June 19, 2007

Sons of Texas – Tom Early (Elmer Kelton)

Elmer Kelton has long been a shining light in the realm of Western genre writing. It is no mystery that Berkley contacted him and contracted him to pen a series of books dedicated to the developmental days of Texas. The result – the Sons of Texas series. Booklist touted the writing as a “series that brings to mind L'Amour's multi-generational Sackett Family saga”, this first novel in the series is one that will get you hooked.

I picked up a copy to combat homesickness the first time I moved away from my beloved Texas on a permanent basis. It was this book that actually started me down the slippery slope of reading Westerns. I’ve not regretted a moment of it. In 2005, Forge decided to re-release the novels in hardcover and attributing them to Kelton instead of his pseudonym. I'm still debating on adding the new hardcover editions bearing Kelton's real name.

Begin on the journey following the Lewis family. Mordecai and his son break ground in the vast countryside of Texas. Join them as they travel back east only to be forced by a bloody feud to return to the new land that promises dreams. The land that was “there for the taking” turns out to require more blood and fighting. Stephen Austin finds that the Lewis men are up to the challenge and discovers that they, while reluctant to follow military pathways, have a natural talent needed to defend the emerging nation.

Sons of Texas is a gripping, action-packed novel of the American west that contains the grit and gumption required by readers of Western novels. The entire series (started by Kelton using the Tom Early pseudonym) continues for six books, following the growth of the Lewis clan and the growth of the infant nation/state of Texas. The first three of the books were penned by Kelton, other writers (including historical/western novel veteran, James Reasoner) were tapped to extend and conclude the series. Fans of Texas and the Western novel will want to read all six volumes.

—Benjamin Potter, March 29, 2007

Texas Glory – Robert Vaughan

Okay, I admit it. I’m a sucker for almost anything Texas—especially if that something includes a rousing tale about the Alamo. And that’s just what you get when you pick up Texas Glory.

Vaughan is an accomplished writer of historical fiction and takes great pains to do his homework. Americans have long heard of the battle that inspired Texas’ early settlers in their fight for freedom. We have also chanted along with the Texas natives the resounding battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!” But many, not having taken courses in the state’s rich history know that the battle cry included, “Remember Goliad!” as well because of the bloody massacre that occurred there. Mr. Vaughan includes this tidbit in his epic novel.

The story itself is rather well-written. A detractor is the nearly soap-operatic story line centered on Marie Doucette. It seems that the New Orleans debutante finds herself expecting a baby before her wedding to a man who runs to Texas to avoid marrying her because of the drop of black blood coursing through her veins. She chases him there only to fall in love with the man who determines to be her escort to keep her from harm on the way.

Having said that, the novel has plenty of battle scenes, including the courageous defense and subsequent loss of the Alamo, and the vengeful routing of Santa Anna’s army at Lynch’s Ferry. Readers will enjoy the treatment of courage and honor that pervades this novel. Vaughan includes the romance of love and the romance of battle, appealing to female and male readers alike.

—Benjamin Potter, March 2007

Hannah’s Gift – Thomas Eidson

Since the 2003 release of the film Missing based on his novel The Last Ride, Thomas Eidson has enjoyed more acclaim than in previous years. He’s written several novels set in the American west. All have been well-written, but the story line works better for some than others. Eidson has been well received in both the United Kingdom and in America, winning the Western Writers of America Best First Western Novel and Best Western Novel and in the U. K. won the “Thumping” Good Fiction Award from W. H. Smith for his first novel, St. Agnes’ Stand. Some would classify his stories as “Historical Fiction” and I guess that would be accurate, but I still read them as Westerns. Even so, I had to go all the way to Amazon.co.uk (England’s version of America’s Amazon.com) to find a copy of Hannah’s Gift.

Tucker Gibbons finds himself shot, meets Hannah Morgan who convinces him it’s just a head graze. The next day he wakes to a missing Hannah and a hole that goes through and through his clothes.

Here’s a novel that reads as much like a Mystery as a Western, as much like a Supernatural Thriller as a Historical Novel. There is action, intrigue, as well as good old shoot ‘em up fun. I recommend anything by Eidson, but especially Hannah’s Gift.

—Benjamin Potter, March 2007

Outrage at Blanco – Bill Crider

Bill Crider is often seen as a mystery writer. He’s most famous for his award-winning Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. (You can see a review of the latest of these here.) But this retired English prof is well-versed in the writing of western stories. As a matter of fact, just a few years ago he joined a growing number of authors who are asking two key questions: (1) Isn’t the American Western novel closely related to the American Mystery novel? And (2) Whatever happened to the Western? (See his article here.)

At any rate, one of the better examples of his Old West genre writing was Outrage at Blanco. This paperback original (pbo) chronicles the actions of Ellie Taine who rides a trail of vengeance in the wake of the utter destruction of Blanco, Texas which included the murder of her husband and her own violation at the hands of an outlaw gang. Ellie discovers an inner strength usually reserved for men of her age, and seeks justice for herself, her family, and her town.

Crider’s follow-up, Texas Vigilante, another pbo featuring Ellie Taine, was chosen as a book club offering. This means it got to ride the coveted hardcover trail. I liked Outrage better as a read, but if you’re looking for good westerns, let Bill take you down memory lane. His westerns are all great for an evening of relaxing by the campfire.

—Benjamin Potter, March 2007