Tuesday, September 28, 2010

VENGEANCE RIDER by Joseph A. West


I’ve never read a Ralph Compton novel, and that record remains intact after finishing this one.  The fine print, you’ll notice, says this was actually written by Joseph A. West.

I have to assume Mr. Compton (who departed this earthly plane in 1998) was a decent writer, based on the continuing selling-power of his name. But I can't imagine him being better - or even as good as - Mr. Joe West.

Vengeance Rider is an epic quest - a journey involving not only vengeance, but the sole chance of saving the life of a little girl. Thankfully, we never meet this pitiful waif, but her plight weighs heavily on our hero, an outlaw-turned-rancher named Buck Fletcher. Buck, who once rode with the likes of John Wesley Hardin, had hoped he’d hung up his guns for good. But he's forced into action when his ranch hand is killed and his racehorse stolen by a ruthless gang of next-generation bad guys.

Buck needs that horse, you see, to compete in a race sponsored by the renowned Texas John Slaughter, for a prize of $10,000. That prize would be his only means of sending his wife and daughter to Switzerland, where doctors could tackle the kid’s tuberculosis.

Lucky for Buck, he meets an old acquaintance, a dying dentist known as Doc Holliday, who joins him in his quest. Buck doesn’t always approve of Doc’s methods, but they make an engaging duo, and shoot their way out of many tight scrapes en route to Slaughter’s ranch.

West’s prose is fine throughout. Blazing action, sharp dialogue, lush scenery. The guy has no weak spots. I’m looking forward to some of many books where his name appears in BIG TYPE on the cover. Next on my Joe West reading list: First in his GUNSMOKE series - Blood, Bullets and Buckskin.

8 comments:

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

It kinda bugs me all this using dead author's names to sell books - I'd much rather see the real writer's name up in lights. This all feels kind of James Patterson production line writing to me. Saying that however I've enjoyed several of the non-Compton Compton novels. And I will try this one after your review - and Kudos to you for putting the real author's name at the top of the post.

Richard Prosch said...

What Gary said. I understand the marketing decision to use the dead guys' names. But I don't agree with it. Thanks for the post!

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm glad to hear this one is good since I have it but have not yet read it.

Cap'n Bob said...

I recently three Joe west books--two Gunsmokes and one called STRYKER'S REVENGE (another Compton job). They were all very good and his work will be in my TBR pile from now on.

Ron Scheer said...

Nice cover art. Thanks.

Cap'n Bob said...

My first sentence should have started: "I recently read three Joe West books--" Gotta learn to edit before I post. I'll never learn to type.

ram said...

Nice cover, Sir!

ram said...

Nice cover, Sir!