Devil's Manhunt

by L. Ron Hubbard

In the Arizona territory, every mountain hides a fortune—and every man fends for himself.

Tim Beckdolt is as American as the frontier itself, as rangy and self-reliant as a young Jimmy Stewart. But after spending eight treacherous months digging $175,000 in gold out of Desperation Peak—all he has left is desperation. Two sadistic strangers have taken his gold, and now they want to take his life. He’s on the run—the target of a Devil’s Manhunt.

In a time and a place where the only law is the law of survival, Beckdolt will have to live by his wits…or die by the bullet.

Also includes two additional Western tales: “Johnny, the Town Tamer,” the story of a local swindler who meets his match, and “Stranger in Town,” in which a drifter confronts a corrupt sheriff … and his own dark past.

“A thrilling novel of greed, violence, survival and perseverance, Devil's Manhunt perfectly embodies the unbridled excitement of pulp fiction.” —Midwest Book Review

Genres: Fiction, Westerns

136 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1950

About the author

L. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small collection contains several short stories of the type that would be printed in the old pulp magazines of the fifties and sixties. I remember that my teenage self used to be drawn in by the studly titles and the cover art which almost invariably featured some hapless buxom lady in tattered clothing either being restrained in some fashion or rescued by an impossibly manly hero (me, in my imagination). Since magazine space was limited, the story had to be told with a certain economy of words with the requirement that the writer tell a complete and engaging story. This book would be fine to kill some time on lunch breaks, no challenge involved. Sadly, no buxom ladies.

[Jeff J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulp story from the prolific L Ron Hubbard. Every once in awhile I need to add a Western to the mix.

[Tom Donaghey · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEVIL’S MANHUNT is one of the latest offerings from Galaxy Press in their ongoing reissuing of L. Ron Hubbard’s classic pulp fiction stories. Hubbard, a master of many genres, wasn’t afraid to write on any thing from outer space to fantasy and crime busters, but this time it is the wild west and you can feel every wind devil blow and almost hear the crack of a “peacemaker” as the bullets whiz by you ear.
The title story finds a lone miner out on a verdant island deep into the alkaline desert, striking it rich, only to have two desperados show up to not only steal his gold but enslave him until all of it is dug out. He has to find a way to outsmart these two and not only survive but keep his gold.
Next up is JOHNNY, THE TOWN TAMER. Last year one of his men solfd the herd to a cheating thief who ran the town at the trail head, and now Johnny is out to get his money and pat a well earned lesson to a sneak and a hustler.
Rounding out the book is STRANGER IN TOWN that tells the story of an innocent man, framed for murder and theft, being tracked down by a dirty law man. If he goes with the law, he knows he will be gunned down. If he shots the lawman, the town will lynch him. But he has to do something and soon.
I enjoyed all three thrillers and can’t pick a favorite from among them. I’m giving this book four stars though it should be four and a half, but not five. Five stars are being reserved for the very best of Hubbard. I know I haven’t read it for my review but I hope to soon.
Thank you to both the good people at Galaxy press for this fine edition.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say right off the bat, I LOVED the fact that the stories were even shorter than usual!

There are three stories included in the audio version: Devil's Manhunt, Johnny the Town Tamer, and Stranger in Town.

I was able to sit down and listen to a full story, almost completely without interruption because of the length. It was PERFECT for a busy mom like myself! The pace of each is very quick, and as a listener I was drawn into the action immediately. The characters are defined so well, not only through the author's description, but also through their portrayals through the cast. I felt an intense liking for the "good guys" and an immense dislike for the "bad guys" fast, and that's just how I liked it! This audio book, more than others that I've listened to, was just the thing for some quick, relaxing entertainment. I really, really loved each story, and I'm giving this audio book 5 stars!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galaxy Audio Books has struck it rich again with L. Ron Hubbard's Devil's Manhunt Experience the thrill of the hunt and the teror of the prey. Again, Hubbard delights the listener with an unexpected conclusion.

L. Ron Hubbard has been quoted as saying. "A person is either the effect of his environment or is able to have an effect upon his envirnment." Tim Beckdolt, the main character in the story, brings to life the essence of this quote.

I've yet to hear the other two stories on the CDS. Our friend broke a shoulder the night before last and I'm taking him my Galaxy/Hubbard CDS today to listen to while he's recuperating. He loves reading and watching westerns, so The Devil's Manhunt along with the stories on Hubbard's The Magic Quirt will be sure to please.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devil's Manhunt is a collection of three Western stories from the latter days of Hubbard's pulp career. They all appeared in Famous Western Magazine: the title story in February, 1950, Johnny, The Town Tamer in August, 1949, and Stranger in Town in the December, 1949 issue. They're all good examples of standard Western fare from that era. Johnny, The Town Tamer is an amusing caper-ish piece, Stranger in Town is a curiously moody short story that shows that crime does sometimes pay in some circumstances, and Devil's Manhunt, the longest and best of the three, is a nice suspenseful thriller that would work well in any genre. The Galaxy Press uniform editions of Hubbard's pulp stories are handsome volumes with the original illustrations, folded end-papers on the covers, and a glossary. I enjoyed reading this one, as I have most of the others I've picked up thus far.

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are great audio books. There are more than 175,000 sounds that are available to use. They are unabridged and the voices are from Hollywood actors. I could close my eyes and feel like I was in a movie theater. The story itself is rich with history and I thought that the author did a great job. One example is The Gold Rocker Box that was in the story that was really used. I really liked the action and this is one of the best westerns I have read/ heard in a long time. My favorite part of the book was the glossary at the end. Being in the west with no food and no weapon is not a good thing. The other two stories included Johnny, the Town Tamer and Stranger in Town were also great reads. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

[Bruce Deming · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the most suspenseful stories I ever read.

The bad guys are just definitely callous and mean. There are a lot of outdoor survival skills involved such as tracking, and knowledge of life on the desert and mining knowledge that makes this quite real.

International Book Awards Winner and AudioFile Best Voices Audiobook of the Year

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very action filled and perfectly written. This is a great book for all older ages. I was thrilled to grab a beverage and finish this book in one sitting. The ending is worth the read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kaj Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best pulp westerns I have read.

[Emily Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enjoyable batch of stories!