Book Review- Gary McCarthy- Gunsmoke

Gary McCarthy- Gunsmoke (Boulevard 1998) 2.75 Stars

I always remeber watching Gunsmoke on TV Land at my grandparents house. So reading this book brought back memories. Anyone else just love this great classic series?

Doc has just had a heart attack and a new doctor has come into town to help out. The only problem is that this man loves the ladies, and the women being married matters very little. His services may be needed more than ever as cattlemen are coming into town, including a nasty group of rustlers. It will take much skill for Matt Dillon and Festus to keep the peace.

I found that this book lacked any particular focus; it kind of jumped from one thing to another. It had some really great action scenes that catch your interest, which is something most westerns do not lack. It also had the advantage of having well known characters from the hit TV show. This meant that the author did not have to focus on character development, although he did a good job of it anyway. The ending was good, albeit a little cheesy, but the whole book was on the cheesy side so what else would you expect.

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
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- L.J. Martin- McKeag’s Mountain

L.J. Martin- McKeag’s Mountain (Pinnacle Books 2004) 3.75 Stars

Prager wants the Lucky Seven ranch to add to his own Bar X, but McKeag does not intend to let him take it. Things are heating up and when Prager hires seven killers to take out the Lucky Seven men, McKeag is shot down and his wife killed. Now McKeag must heal, and when he does, he intends to take out every single person responsible for the murder of his wife and several of his hands.

The introduction for this western is slower, but sets things up in a way that you know it is going to pick up. It does pick up and get quite interesting, although it is predictable in what is going to happen at each point. Although it is predictable, it was still action packed. It also is not all that realistic in many of the scenes. It was still a very interesting read and the characters were good. It was nice to see it taking place in Montana, which is close to home for me (just a few hours away). Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good western.

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
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

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- A Ralph Compton novel by Joseph A. West- Vengeance Rider

A Ralph Compton novel by Joseph A. West- Vengeance Rider (Signet 2004) 4 Stars

Buck Fletcher’s daughter is ill and in need of treatment. The cost of the treatment is $10,000 and he knows just how he is going to get this money. He plans to race his horse for a purse of $10,000, but suddenly his horse is stolen and one of his hand sis murdered. Now he must race against the clock as he tries to catch the killers/thieves before the race begins and his daughter’s last hope fades away. The thieves are deadly with their guns and Buck will rely on the help of some friends in order to succeed in his mission of vengeance, one dear friend includes Doc Holliday.

I enjoyed the introduction as it kind of throws the reader into the start of Buck Fletcher’s problem, but after the theft has been committed. I found it easy to get into this novel and loved the characters that we meet along the way (always love to hear about Doc Holliday). Joseph A. West did a great job of creating the characters and making them as real as possible. The plot was very well created and I loved the fact that Buck wasn’t doing any of it for himself, but for his daughter, although this is a little overused at times, but what isn’t nowadays? There was enough action to keep the reader into the novel, although at times it did feel like west was trying a little too hard to find reasons for action. I loved this book right up until the ending, and then I read the ending and I am still not sure how I feel about it. I will try to explain without ruining the book. It is a sad ending, certainly not what any reader really expected, which is a good thing to shoot for, but I also like to have a good feeling at the end of a book, and this shocking ending did not do that for me. You should read the book in order to make your judgement call on this one.

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- William W. Johnstone- Trek of the Mountain Man

William W. Johnstone- Trek of the Mountain Man (Pinnacle Books 2002) 3.5 Stars

When Bill Pike discovered the wanted poster for Smoke Jensen, offering ten thousand dollars, he thought that he had struck it rich. Getting together a gang of ruthless men he came for Smoke Jensen, only he wasn’t home. Instead they stole his wife and killed two of his hands. When word of this reaches Jensen he goes after this gang. This takes him back into the mountains that he knows well, and he aims to not let even one of them survive his wrath.

The introductory pages in this western did not grab me like Johnstone’s have in the past, but it did make me wonder what was going to happen as a result, so I kept reading. It did improve true to Johnstone’s style. I was not disappointed in reading this as I got the action I love from westerns. The great thing about Johnstone is that his books have great characters that you get to know and love throughout this series. The reader cannot possibly help but laugh at some of things they say to each other. The plot is not overly deep, but not too bad for something so short.

I recommend Trek of the Mountain Man to western readers and Johnstone fans.

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- Max Brand- The Smiling Desperado

Max Brand- The Smiling Desperado (Warner 1974) 3.5 Stars

Bill Lancaster was a dangerous man that no one dared mess with. He was fast with a gun, deadly with his fists, and a bully who never let you forget who was tougher. Young Dan Cadigan however refused to be pushed. Mistaken for a quiet weakling, no one expected him to stand up to Bill Lancaster. Fighting him with his fists he made Lancaster realize that someone was tougher than he was. Desperate he used his gun on Cadigan while they were fighting. Now Cadigan wants to teach Lancaster a lesson and he intended to use what he had just discovered, that he did not know fear. Danger made a smile touch his lips.

I used to read Max Brand’s novels years ago and found that I could still enjoy his writing. For such a short book I was surprised at the depth of the characters, as I was kind of expecting them to be weak. The plot was not overly deep, but it was enough to make the story interesting and keep me reading. Max Brand started this one off in an interesting way. He started with a scene from Cadigan’s childhood, which was a different way of beginning a book, and kind of drew me in. The ending of The Smiling Desperado was alright, not great, but not terrible, just average. I of course loved the setting as it still gets my imagination going to think of the old western era, but I will not bore you with carrying on with that line of thought.

I recommend The Smiling Desperado to western readers of all ages.

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- Mike Blakely- The Snowy Range Gang

Mike Blakely- The Snowy Range Gang (Forge 1996) 3.25 Stars

Although retired Claude Duval is being dragged back into hunting rustlers and murderers. When people start dying and cattle start disappearing, it has the appearance of something he remembers too well. A man named Lone Wolf Wolverton who killed Duval’s partner by mistake years before, is now out of prison and it looks just like his killings used to. When Lone Wolf approaches Duval, he swears that he has found the Lord and will not kill anymore unless it is to defend himself, or his friends. He wishes to prove to Duval that he is being set up and although Duval hates to be partnered with his partner’s murderer he finds himself partnering with a man he only wishes to kill.

I found the introduction to be rather slow and it did not catch my attention. However the book did start picking up shortly through, although I never did find myself loving this novel. The characters were interesting and that was the best part of the book. The idea behind this novel was great; I just did not feel that it was executed well. I also felt that at times it was very difficult to picture the scene being described, there was just not very much for detail. I also thought that the ending was kind of predictable and not all that good. I loved one of Blakely other books growing up, so it really was disappointing to find myself bored with this western. I am sorry to say that I do not recommend this novel.

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- Louis L’Amour- Riding for the Brand

Louis L’Amour- Riding for the Brand (Bantam Books 1993) 3.25 Stars

Riding for the Brand is a collection of short story western tales. They paint a beautiful picture of the old Wild West. From fighting to keep what’s yours or fighting to find a place to call your own, to fighting just because it is the right thing to do, Louis L’Amour does what he does best, story telling.

I gave this a low rating mainly because I do not enjoy short stories. I find that just when you are getting into the story, it ends. There is no real detail about anything, you don’t get to know your characters, and there is just a shallow plot. Any of the stories in this book could have been expanded to make a book and I would have enjoyed each one much more; that being said, if you enjoy short stories then this is a great book for you. The actual quality of writing is excellent, as is to be expected from a writer of this calibre. I did notice a fair amount of punctuation errors and unintentional spelling mistakes, which I thought was odd as I do not normally notice this in Louis L’Amour novels.

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

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- William W. Johnstone- Warpath of the Mountain Man

William W. Johnstone- Warpath of the Mountain Man (Pinnacle Books 2002) 3.75 Stars

Bank Robbers murder a man, injuring another and Smoke Jensen captures them for the law, but the outlaws are well-connected and bust out of prison. In revenge they kill the family of the man who was in charge of the jury, who just happens to be an old friend of Smoke’s, except that they made it look like it was a native uprising. Now Smoke must get to bottom of it and find the killer’s bringing them to justice, before and all out war begins. Smoke wants justice and the best justice he knows comes from the end of a gun…followed by a trail of smoke.

I thought that this was the first of Johnstone’s books I was reading, but the character of Smoke Jensen brought back memories of when I was much younger, I read one of this series at that time. I remember enjoying Jensen’s character then and was not surprised to find that the same was the case now. He is a tough as nails, no nonsense kind of man and it makes for the perfect western character. The villains were the kind of people you despise and do not mind getting shot to bits for their treachery. His characters seem to fit in perfectly with the time period and the plot was plausible (although unlikely). I loved the flow of the story and the places it took the reader. Johnstone does an excellent job of bringing the reader back to the western frontier. One thing that did bother me was the naivety of Covington, and the stupidity of some of the men following him. Although I guess he was blinded by political greed and a desire for power, which may have clouded his judgement.

I recommend Warpath of the Mountain Man to western readers.

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

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Ralph Compton- The Chisholm Trail

Ralph Compton- The Chisholm Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1993) 3.5 Stars

Ten Chisholm, son of the famous trader Jesse Chisholm, wants make money and make a name for himself. After a visit to New Orleans he gets involved in a messy situation with a smuggler and his band of criminals. One man has promised his daughter the head of the smuggling ring to pay off his debts, but he was not counting on his daughter becoming smitten by Ten Chisholm. Now Ten must free her and risk his life to make her his bride, after which he plans to round up a bunch of Texas Longhorns to form a new trail through Kansas. His trip will be dangerous, requiring enough grit to fight outlaws, Comanche warriors, flooding rivers.

At first I was very impressed by this novel as it had broken form the mould the other two in this series had set. Different characters with different problems made it more interesting and refreshing, but then in the last half of the book it started to become just like the others again. The situations were not always believable or likely and the results were also questionable. I am not sure that fighting some of the old Indian warriors would have been so easy, nor am I sure that they could have fought through so much with so little casualties compared to the opposing forces casualties. When reading I like to see realism and plausibility, something I felt was missing at times. That being said I did enjoy most of the book and thought that the characters were very well-done and seem to come to life off of every page and into whatever room I was reading in. The plot was an intriguing one, I just think that a little of the execution could use work. Overall a very good read for anyone who loves 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

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- John S. Daniels- The Crossing

John S. Daniels- The Crossing (Signet Books 1969) 3.75 Stars

When Mark Kelton’s parents decided to sell what they had and move across the country to buy a ranch, they had no idea just what would happen. With his parents now murdered and the money stolen, Mark finds himself all alone with not a clue how he will survive. Along comes Bronc to save the boy and help him survive in the west. Bronc taught him how to be a cowboy who could survive on his own. Mark had to learn fast if he was going to find his parents’ killer and find make a fresh start in life. He would back down for no man and would have to learn that some of life’s lessons come at a high price.

The Crossing is a classic western. The introduction throws the reader into the midst of the murder of Mark Kelton’s parents. It drew me in and I was curious to see just how he was not only going to survive, but how his friendship with Bronc was going to develop. Moving right along we see Mark turn from a weak, blubbering boy, into a tough, hard-nosed man. I was a little disappointed in his naivety though, as everyone around him could see the truth and yet he would not believe it, although this happens to all of us. I loved the characters in this book as they seemed to be well-though out and were quite interesting. The women were all tough in this book, although I was a little disappointed in their characters. The plot was again not overly deep, but was deeper than I would have thought when looking at its short length. It had enough action to keep the reader interested and yet it wasn’t the main focus. Overall I was impressed by Daniels’ style of writing.

I recommend The Crossing to anyone who loves a good western.

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

eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Louis L’Amour- Radigan

Louis L’Amour- Radigan (Bantam Books 1969) 3.75 Stars

After working through harsh conditions to build his ranch, Tom Radigan now finds himself in danger of losing what he has fought so hard to build. Angelina Foley comes from seemingly nowhere claiming to have a deed to the ranch land that he has settled on. Fighting the claim will take grit and determination. She intends to force him off of the land using the gunmen she has hired, but Tom Radigan and his friend John Child do not intend to be run off. The fight is on and knowing the lay of the land may be just the advantage he needs, what with winter approaching fast. He is digging in and the only way he will lose the ranch is if he is no longer breathing.

Radigan is a top-notch western by one of the greatest western writers of all time. Louis L’Amour packs a punch as the plot unwinds with a beautiful woman threatening to take away this tough rancher’s land. You know that the fight is on after the introduction starts off with a man trying to gun down Radigan and failing miserably. After the introduction the author does not fail to produce as we see action mixed with thickening plot. I may have liked to see a little bit more length to the book, which would have helped in developing the plot/storyline a bit more, but a lot of westerns lack in this department so I won’t hold it against him. It also would have been nice for the falling in love bit to be left out as this seems to be a bit of a redundant theme in westerns, leaving it out would have set it apart from other westerns, but again I won’t hold it against Louis L’Amour. The characters were not deep, but were interesting enough to keep the reader intrigued. As many of my main readers know I love the western setting and that time period so as you can guess I loved this part of the book.

I recommend Radigan to western readers and Louis L’Amour fans.

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 Compton- The Western Trail

Ralph Compton- The Western Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1992) 3.5 Stars

After driving a large herd of cattle into the Sweetwater Valley in Wyoming they decide to set up a ranch. First they must fight a railroad owner who does not want them to stay. The reasons behind this man’s animosity are unknown and when they find out the reason it will blow the top off of the Sweetwater Valley. The railroad baron does not intend for them to find out why he wants them gone and he is willing to have his hired guns kill to keep his secret. McCaleb and his bunch do not intend to leave and with the assistance of a tribe of Shoshoni and Buffalo Bill Cody they are going to stay and fight. IN the end it will be the last group standing takes the land.

It took me a little longer to get into The Western Trail than it did for The Goodnight Trail, when I did get into it though it did not fail to excite. It was a great all around western with many action scenes and tough men and women fighting to survive harsh conditions. The characters were wonderfully crafted by Compton and jumped off of every page. I also liked how once again Compton managed to throw in some well-known names from the era, like Buffalo Bill Cody and Grant. At times some of the scenes got to be a little repetitive through the course of the book, and were almost identical to the previous books scenes, only with some different characters and a change in venue. I get the feeling that after a while this series may get to be the same and may have the risk of becoming mundane. I hope that this is not the case, but that is my suspicion.

I recommend The Western Trail to western enthusiasts and Compton fans.

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- Ray Hogan- The Peace Keeper

Ray Hogan- The Peace Keeper (Doubleday 1978) 3.5 Stars

Luke Brazil, ex-bounty hunter, ex-lawman, has been asked by the town of Moriah for his help. Shocked by the sudden change of feelings towards him, considering that they had hated him right up until that moment, he accepts the job. What he really wants is to settle down on his ranch and marry Jenny Lockwood, but now he must face a group of cow hands that are tearing Moriah apart. One side wants the cow hands to be expelled from town; the other wants them to be allowed. The battle will be determined by a vote, but to make sure the vote is fair and that the town will survive the vote, Luke Brazil must take up his gun and use his marshal’s star wisely.

The Peace Keeper grabbed me early on and would not let up until the very last chapter. I was impressed by the fast-moving storyline. It was scene after scene of action. The plot was not overly deep, but it worked well with this western. The setting was very well-created on Hogan’s part. He did a good job of putting the reader into the western era. The characters could have been a little deeper as I only felt that we really got to know Luke Brazil, the main character. I also found that the women seemed fairly weak and flaky in this novel, just like in the last one I read by him. Although in The Peace Keeper the reader only sees any women in a couple of chapters, so it did not really take away from the book too much. I did feel that this book was a good solid western, something I would expect when I picked up a western, no big surprises, but an enjoyable read.

I recommend The Peace Keeper to western readers.

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

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Ray Hogan- Solitude’s Lawman

Ray Hogan- Solitude’s Lawman (Doubleday 1988) 2.75 Stars

Cole Dagget thought that he had finally caught a break in his life. With his eight hundred dollars he was going to start the life he had always dreamed of, which included a horse trading business and finally marrying his fiancé. A stop at a small-town bank puts an end to all of that. The bank is robbed and he loses his money, but he does not intend to let it go at that. Chasing after the robbers ahead of the posse he wants to catch the robbers and get his money back. The posse assumes that he is part of the robbery and wants to catch him along with the others. Now he not only must catch the robbers, and save a kidnapped girl, but he must face a town who wants him dead.

The introduction was a good one; it grabbed the reader’s attention and made them want to read more. Sadly that feeling only lasted until the halfway mark. Instead I began to feel frustrated with the stupidity of everyone involved. Nobody seemed able to think for themselves except Cole Dagget and one other man. If humanity was as dumb/ naïve as the characters in this novel we never would have gotten past the Stone Age. The plot was not overly great, but it wasn’t terrible either, it was about average. I do love to read of this time period (the old west) and so I was kind of hoping for a little bit more from this author. I also did not like how the girl just kind of shut up when if she had spoke up it all would have been over, especially since she wasn’t even in immediate danger at the time, it made her seem pathetic, weak, and flaky, when many of those western women would had to of been tough as nails to survive. As you can tell, overall I did not really enjoy this western as a result I do not recommend it.

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- Louis L’Amour- Callaghen

Louis L’Amour- Callaghen (Bantam Books 1972) 3.5 Stars

Callaghen is an Irish veteran of twenty years. He has seen it all, but now he must face a gold-hungry enemy. A group of men who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a tunnel filled with gold. Legend has it that the gold is located near where they are posted and they intend to find out if it is true. Callaghen just happens to be in the way and he does not intend to go down without a fight.

Only a true writer could make the desert sound so beautiful. Louis L’Amour definitely does that. He makes the endless sand sound wonderful. I did find that the characters were lacking depth in this book, even with Callaghen, the main character, the reader does not find out a lot about him. The plot was quite well done though, as well as the actual storyline. Although I felt that some parts were a little bit pointless, these scenes did manage to keep the book flowing. The ending was good, although predictable, I would have liked to see a little bit more from such a talented western writer.

I recommend Callaghen to western readers and Louis L’Amour fans.

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- Dusty Richards- Servant of the Law

Dusty Richards- Servant of the Law (St. Martin’s Press 2000) 3 Stars

Bobby Budd fled Colorado after murdering a man who was beating his mother. Now he is a killer for hire, taking payments from ranchers to rid them of rustlers. Now he is known as the Coyote Kid. Things take a turn for the worse when he kills an innocent boy and Territorial Marshal John Michaels is sent to hunt him down, joined by the deceased child’s mother. Michaels wants to bring the Coyote Kid in to meet justice, and she wants to deliver justice at the end of a gun.

I found Servant of the Law to be a fast-paced, action-packed novel. Guns were blasting away at every turn. I did not find though that I could connect with any of the characters in this book, none of them were given a lot of depth. I had been confused most of the book about this book’s timeline, only to discover three-quarters of the way through that most of the book had been flashback that was building up to the present. When the author switched to these flashbacks there was no indication that it was happening, I would have liked to have known that much earlier so that I could follow what was going on. The plot was not bad though, if it had been written differently it would have made a great novel rather than an average novel. The ending was decent, not exactly unpredictable, but not bad.

I would not slap my personal recommendation on this one.

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 Compton- The Goodnight Trail

Ralph Compton- The Goodnight Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1992) 4 Stars

Three former Texas Rangers band together with a good friend to round up thousands of cattle for a drive to Colorado. The trip will be a tough one involving run-ins with flooding rivers, Comanche, desert sands, and men who wish to take advantage of the group. The trip could either make them rich or dead.

The Goodnight Trail was a great western with very colourful characters that jump off the page. I love the tough skin of McCaleb, who seems like the most unlikely one to find a woman he can love, and yet he is the one who has a woman chasing after him. I of course love the time frame as it is a western. For the most part the action scenes were believable, although there are usually little bits that are not. I did enjoy the fact that it wasn’t the same villains all the way through; they changed with the parts of the country they were in, which is more realistic considering the amount of land they were covering in the cattle drive. The plot was well-put together and I enjoyed the execution.

I recommend The Goodnight Trail to anyone looking for a good western to read.

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

Book Review- Louis L’Amour- Silver Canyon

Louis L’Amour- Silver Canyon (Bantam Books 1972) 4 Stars

Matt Brennan is a gun fighter whose gun is not for sale. When he discovers a man who lives alone on his ranch land and has two big operations wanting his land he decides to help the man out the only way that he knows how, with a gun. It all seemed so perfect except for the fact that the woman he loves is the daughter of an opposing ranch.

Silver Canyon is a great western with loads of action. I loved the main character, Matt Brennan, as he was the tough guy with a sense of right or wrong, and those who oppose him had better watch out. I did not feel that the rest of the characters were particularly strong. The storyline was fast-paced and action-filled, I enjoyed reading it. The plot could have been a little bit more filled out, but was pretty good for a western. I always love the old setting as it is my favourite time period.

I recommend Silver Canyon to anyone who loves a good western, or is a fan of Louis L’ Amour.

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