Review: An unqualified success
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 13, 2011
I was intrigued from the beginning at how this experiment would turn out. Edward A. Grainger (David Cranmer) has created two wonderful characters in Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles. They're personalities have evolved over several stories and have become a couple of my favorites.Now, he has turned the reins over to Heath Lowrance. I adore Heath's work, both his short stories and longer novel, The Bastard Hand. However, you certainly would not peg him as the next writer of westerns.However, the collaboration was an unqualified success. Miles jumps off the page here. He's a mix of nobility, anger, an understandable chip on his shoulder and a savvy and capable lawman and fighter. Each of those traits makes its way to the reader through the interactions with the various characters that populate Little Ridge.A bigoted sheriff, framed outlaws, foolish criminals with a relationship that hides its true nature. All these meet and confront Miles, allowing his character to shine through.In the end, Miles if first and foremost the officer behind the badge. Capable and duty bound. Not without sympathy, but not willing to shed responsibility, or shy away from conflict. He is a US Marshall, and don't make the mistake of forgetting that.