Review: Another Winning Entry
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 18, 2012
The RANCHO DIABLO series has become one of my favorites. The three writers behind the books are Bill Cruder, James Reasoner, and the author of this tile, Mel Odom.The trio has established a set of evolving characters as the steady Sam Blylock exerts his influence over the mostly young hands and when they get into trouble, he's always there to get to the bottom of it.Here, nineteen year old Randy Post thinks the young saloon girl, Jessie, is just as in love with him as he is to her. We young men an be foolish. He comes into town with a head of steam looking for her and when sh ends up dead in the alley behind he bar, the bar owner gives him a shotgun butt to the back of the head. Marshal Tolliver finds testimonies and evidence at odds almost immediately. Several people reported hearing two shots, but Randy's gun had only been fired once and Jessie only had one bullet in her. Was there another shooter? Had to be, but no one had seen anybody.Of course he has to arrest the boy and word is sent to Sam Blaylock.Together they start looking into what's really going on.Nicely paced tale as they uncover the real story and a nice action filled climax.Recommended for all western lovers.