Book Review- Ralph Cotton- Showdown at Rio Sagrado

Ralph Cotton- Showdown at Rio Sagrado (Signet 2004) 3.5 Stars

A tough crowd has come into Redemption and taken control, with the full support of the corrupt town council. When the sheriff is murdered an innocent man is taken into custody. The town council has now appointed an inexperienced blacksmith to be town sheriff and he is supposed to be in the council’s pocket, but that won’t happen if Ranger Sam Burrack has anything to say in the matter. Coming into Redemption he intends to find out who the killer is and teach Sheriff Delbert Watts how to be an honest, upstanding sheriff. Together they intend to free Redemption of its corruption and send the gang that controls it packing.

Showdown at Rio Sagrado contains action packed scenes mixed with brilliant actions by Ranger Sam Burrack and less than intelligent reactions by a gang of ruthless thugs. It wasn’t always realistic, but it was definitely amusing. I enjoyed how he always seemed to know their next move and was able stop them in their early stages of planning. I do wish that Ralph Cotton had made the situations a little more realistic. The characters were nicely done. It was interesting to see Sheriff Delbert Watts change as he was influenced by Burrack into becoming an honest man. The villains were also well done, although they were not very bright, which may not have been very accurate of villains of the time. The book was pretty predictable, but westerns usually are. As for the plot it wasn’t overly deep, but it was still good enough to keep me wanting to read the book. I did enjoy this western and recommend it to those who like westerns.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Ralph Cotton- Jackpot Ridge

Ralph Cotton- Jackpot Ridge (Signet 2003) 3.5 Stars

When Jack Bell won seven hundred dollars in a poker game he had no idea the events it would set in motion. The owner who lost the money wanted it back and so he sent his men after him to collect it. He did not count on his men dying and one returning back with a lie that will haunt Jack Bell and any of his friends who try to protect him. Delbert Hanks, the survivor, has been embarrassed and he wants revenge at any cost. He’s hunting Jack Bell and only one will be returning home.

I loved the introduction to this novel. It started off with action, but not quite on you would expect. This beginning scene comes with a mix of just enough background knowledge to help the reader know what is going on, and the rest we find out later. The characters in Jackpot Ridge were wonderfully created, easy for the reader to feel that they know them and it is easy to decide who you like or dislike. I did find that I was not always interested, but I did keep reading to find out what would be the end result. I also found that at times I was extremely frustrated with how spineless some of the citizens were that they would just cower in fear and let the events transpire. I would like to think that with how tough western pioneers had to be that they would have a little more backbone. I did enjoy the ending as it wasn’t quite what you would expect and it made me smile. That being said I am not sure how I feel about this western, so I encourage you to read it for yourself to make your own decision.

For more of my book reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Ralph W. Cotton- Justice

Ralph W. Cotton- Justice (Signet 1999) 3.75 Stars

Ranger Sam Burrack is hunting down Doss Edding and his Half Moon Gang, a group of young and drunken bandits. They have been getting away with bending the law to get free and Sam Burrack plans to put an end to that, even if it has to be done with his guns. Doss Edding’s father has power though and he sends a man after Burrack, now Burrack must watch his back while hunting down this group of thugs.

Ralph Cotton writes a fast-paced western that keeps the reader entertained throughout. The plot could have used a little strengthening I though, but the storyline was amazing. I loved how Burrack was not just facing the criminals, he also had a man hunting him, and he had to deal with the corruption within the law itself. It was a very good western. The characters were amusing, even if a little weak at points. I love this time in history though, and I thought that Cotton did a wonderful job of recreating the period in our history.

I recommend Justice, to western lovers and fans of Ralph Cotton.

For more of my reviews, check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html