What Seems True by James Garrison

 

When I started this book, I thought it would be a modern western. It had a murder, a Texas Ranger

but it soon morphed into a union problem at a Texas refinery. Soon, the murder and the Ranger 

fell into the background and the story became an arbitration hearing with union employees. 

The story had a good lead in and the descriptions were good but the author had trouble finding 

names for his characters, falling back on celebrities' like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and others.

The arbitration went in circles, no one was charged with the murder, a black man by the name of

Billy Graham, by the way. Being a black man might have had something to do with it.

Hamer's Quest - Jack Walker

Hamer's Quest is a book of fiction, a total fabrication bordering on the absurd. I wanted a western, something different from my usual reads but was disappointed by my choice. The pages are filled with name dropping of famous people, products and books, all to fill in pages. In a western one expects the usual fare of gunplay but this has been replaced by explanations of faith from old time religion, running on for pages and pages. Silly conversations make up another large part of the book. I am giving it three stars because it might be suitable as a screenplay.

West to Bravo: A Western Novel - Eric H. Heisner

 

I was looking for a change from my usual reading
but found this was not my style of writing. It would
make a decent movie.

Poker or Faro

 

Every western movie has gotten it wrong. Cowboys did not play poker in the 1800s but a game called Faro. Faro was invented outside the United States and after being imported, gained popularity.

"Streets of Laredo" by Larry Murtry

When I started this book, I didn't know if this was a serious story or a comedy and whether I should continue reading it. Then the excessive treatment of the Mexican woman made up my mind. I just skimmed thru the rest of the book just to see who would meet their demise. 

"Breakheart Pass" by Alistair MacLean

After I started this book I was surprised to find out it was a western. I did not expect it from this author. It was a very slow start and the plot was predictable. It was not a bad story but not what you call exciting. Not too many surprises. 

"Last Stand at Saber River" by Elmore Leonard

I'm not much of a western reader but I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and well written with action all the way. It does end abruptly and the hero does not ride off into the sunset.

"Back Of Beyond' (Highway Quartet #1) by C.J. Box

This is the first story of this series. It is a modern western with an alcoholic detective with the DT's stumbling through his case. When I finished the first chapter, I knew I was in for a good story. I was not disappointed. It's a real page turner, with a good amount of suspense and mayhem. A great replacement for the Pickett series.

"Escape From Five Shadows" by Elmore Leonard

As a western you would expect a story of cowboys and Indians. It is, but with a twist.
"Escape From Five Shadows" is a story that recalls movies from the 50's. Instead of a town and a rancher's daughter, it's a prison and a stage depot manager's daughter. You would expect the hero to be rugged and good looking and he is. To escape prison and run away with the manager's daughter may be  the gist of the story, but it is also a story of justice and injustice, western style.