Review: Stake Y'r Claim!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 6, 2012
A lot of folks have already read this one, so there are some terrific blog posts covering it. Rather than give you another synopsis, I thought I'd offer a couple specific reasons I like the Rancho Diablo series.First off, it's easily accessible, meaning that if you're a new reader, or someone like me who tends to miss new titles when they're  released, you can stake y'r claim anywhere on the ranch. I didn't get the last book, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this one. Mel Odom wears the Colby Jackson hat this time out, and the narrative voice he and his cohorts (Bill Crider and James Reasoner) have developed is seamless. (I imagine the three of them in front of a roaring fire in some exotic foreign chalet, brainstorming the new year's offerings with abundant stores of rich coffee, heavy ale and roast beast.)I also like the books' ensemble cast. On the screen of my imagination, these stories play like classic TV westerns with familiar characters and surprise guest stars. In THE HOLD UP, I was happy to see Randy Post take the stage, glad to revisit Sam Blaylock and Marshal Tolliver, but happy to meet new faces too. (One of the best being Randy's Bible-thumping cousin, Ruth Ann Deaver.)There's also a lot more action than you'd ever see in those old shows and a lot more depth: two more excuses to add this series to your regular queue.