Review: The legend grows
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 7, 2012
The world of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles continues to expand. A few weeks ago, Heath Lowrance took the handles on Gideon to craft the novella, Miles to Little Ridge.Now, he let's accomplished western writer, Wayne Dundee take Cash for a spin in Manhunter's Mountain.Cash arrives in a worn out mining town looking for an escapee. In true Cash style, he takes little gruff off the locals in his drive to execute his duty. Of course, things don't always go as planned, and a burned out saloon later he has the town whores in tow as well.A gang of miners out to get the women back, a pair of men looking to take the women elsewhere for an easier life away from the derelict town, and a ruthless bounty hunter out for the escapee set on their trail.Mr. Dundee stays true to Cash, and adds his touch to the story, setting and other characters rather than altering the Marshall. The established character, created by David Cranmer as Edward A Grainger, remains true to form and holds the story together with his decisive action and dogged tenacity. However, it is the support characters that shape and mold the tale.Faye and Little Red, whores who see a way out, are intriguing characters. Full of strength and doubt. Rough lives have led them to a trapped existence, but they come across and determined and capable despite initial images. Dundee also creates a compelling and worthy opponent in the form of bounty hunter, Cole Bouchet. Capable and ruthless, he challenges the Marshall.Reading a second story in a longer form made me want more tales of this length. In Manhunter's Mountain the character of Cash remains true, but his world and his legend grow with a tale full of allies and adversaries worthy of his best.