Hallam

Hallam Mysteries #0.5

by L.J. Washburn

"Hallam", is the first appearance of Lucas Hallam, a cowboy who has outlived the days of the old west to become a gun-toting private eye and stuntman in the early days of motion pictures in California. Originally published in The Eye's Have It, 1984. In "The Blue Burro", Hallam's search for a kidnapping victim leads him to a shady bordertown nightclub and plunges him into a deadly tangle of international intrigue with high stakes. Originally published in LONE STAR LAW in 2005. "Ladysmith", an adventure from Hallam's days as a Pinkerton agent that was originally published in GUNS OF THE WEST in 2002, finds him delivering a legacy for an old friend who has passed away, a chore that has him riding right into unexpected danger. "Hollywood Flesh", published in The Book of all Flesh 2001. It's a good thing Lucas Hallam is a hard-headed old cowboy and doesn't believe in such nonsense as Zombies, or this case might give him nightmares.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2011

About the author

A pseudonym of Livia J. Washburn.

Reviews

[Patrick Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western lawman in silent film era Hollywood

A tough as leather but aging former Ranger and Pinkerton man works as a stuntman on silent film Oaters, making part time money as a private detective, mostly in Hollywoodland. The cases are varied from benign to horrific, but our hero rises to the occasion each time, dispensing frontier justice with his fists, Colt, Bowie knife, or dropping a nickel to call in the cops. Stock characters from the period and straightforward investigations make for entertaining stories.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

LJ Washburn – Lucas Hallam Mystery – Lucas Hallam Short Fiction Collection – Reviewed 3/11/22 – Read 3/6-7/22

Collection of short stories from the Lucas Hallam Mysteries, Old cowboy in the new West!

This book is a collection of stories about Lucas Hallam, the Old West cowboy that had lived and survived many a shootout, worked as a Texas Ranger, and leaned against many a bar, hefting the drink of choice for the day. Now he has moved into the next century and obtained his Private Investigator license, but he works as an extra on movies to supplement his income. They never have to supply him with clothes as he has all of those in his closet and prefers to use his own. Using the same gun that had taken down many of an owlhoot and numerous times had saved his life.

Join Lucas as he takes on PI cases and continues his movie extra jobs…

What did I like? This book is like looking at two different worlds, the past and the future. Many cases are made just for Lucas, requiring him to use his frontier knowledge to get the job done.

What will you like? Exciting, glamourous, mysterious, and dangerous. The exciting cases with some heart-stopping moments will get your imagination in gear for the Lucas Hallam way of getting things done. Don’t miss this fantastic collection of short stories in LJ Washburn’s “Hallam: A Lucas Hallam Short Fiction Collection,” which is available NOW!!!

• ASIN: B09P8XCLNK
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 3/9/2022
• File Size: 2023 KB
• Print Length: 185 pages
• Genre: Private Investigator Mysteries, Historical Mysteries

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection containing two longish short stories by L. J. Washburn featuring the Cowboy detective, Lucas Hallam. The first one, marking the first appearance of the character, is just called "Hallam." The second story is called "Hollywood Flesh."

Hallam is an ex gunfighter and ex lawman who now works as a private eye and a part time actor in westerns in the early days of Hollywood. He deals mostly with crimes involving the movie industry. In "Hallam," Lucas must sort out a war between two rival gambling moguls. It reminds me a bit of "Last Man Standing." In "Hollywood Flesh," Hallam runs up against the uncanny in the form of a script writer who has apparently been cursed and is pursued by zombies. Despite the apparent existence of the zombies, it's far more of a mystery than a horror story.

I enjoyed both these stories a lot. Straightforward storytelling with an interesting private eye, interesting settings, and considerable action. This is the first of Hallam I've read, but there are at least three novels available about the character that I know of so I will be reading more.

[Heath Lowrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four very fun stories featuring former gunslinger turned P.I./movie extra in the early 20th century, Hallam. Washburn gives us a protagonist steeped in the classic principles of the Old West hero, but transplanted to the world of early Hollywood, with great results. To see old cowboy Hallam adjusting to the new century while trying to bring down bad men and evil-doers is fascinating, and it's his character that really make these stories work.

[Russ Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read.

Different time and location that makes the background unique and opens up many storylines. An almost anachronistic cowboy uses the skills honed on the range and as a law enforcement officer to solve more modern problems. Realistic characters are a strong suit as well.

[David Cranmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flawless detail to time and place reverberates throughout Washburn’s body of work, and her action scenes excite—like Hallam’s escape onto a boat while under a hail of fire. Livia J. Washburn has penned many other superb Westerns besides the Hallam series, including Wind River: Ransom Valley with James Reasoner, in addition to writing mysteries. Hallam is a must for fans of the genre.