Review: The good, the bad and the ugly.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 7, 2012
First let me state that unlike other reviewers of this book, this is not the first western I have ever read but it is my first time with this writer and these characters.  Unfortunately, I am not as taken by this book as everyone else seems to be, so here are my thoughts on it--and true to the title, I'm going to give you the good, the bad and the ugly.The good:  I really liked the character Gideon Miles, the stalwart black  U.S. Marshal.  His character is portrayed as honest, trustworthy, compassionate, diligent and dedicated; all wonderful traits to find in a U.S. Marshal.  In addition, the book was so short  it didn't waste too much of my time.  That's Good!The bad: The bad encompasses  most of the other characters in this book, and by this I mean they are so stereotyped that they are laughable.  The two "outlaws" are, in some reviewers' minds, "gay" but I did not see that aspect; and a dying man's profession of love for his friend doesn't convince me of it either, especially since it catches his companion off guard.  The Sheriff is a no-account do-nothing who takes the side of the outlaws and tries to help them kill Marshal Miles.  Most of the other characters are so transparent that they are forgettable, including the man who is wanted by Miles.  The dialogue is amateurish and just didn't capture my fancy at all.The ugly:  It is not only the dialogue that is amateurish, the descriptive prose falls into that category also.  Axes aren't swung like pistons, they swing in arcs.  It is not likely that "at mid-morning the sleepy mountain town was just waking up".  Most pioneers didn't have banking hours.  Then there are editing errors like "one of the farmers or GOATHERDS outside of town would rumble by in a rickety horse-drawn cart, hard-faced fellas who would make the trip...for supplies or a quick whiskey at Mr. Bly's place...".  I was never fond of those hard-faced "goatherds" and their drinking and driving.  I am amazed that the author would describe this Podunk town as having a restaurant named "The Garden of Eden Fine Eats" and describe it as having tablecloths and a maitre d`.  Perhaps in San Francisco or St. Louis, but not very likely in Little Ridge, Montana.  I guess it is possible but in my book not very believable.I didn't hate the book but for the reasons stated above (and others left untouched), I found it to be a predictable, relatively boring short story which didn't compel me to read others written by this stand-in author.  I might, however, go and read some of the original author's works to see if they fare any better.