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Gunman's Chance
Hired killer Jim Garry accepts a job in Massacre Basin that includes blackmail, robbing women, and dry gulching
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
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169 people want to read
About the author
Luke Short
127 books36 followersLuke Short (real name Frederick Dilley Glidden) was a popular Western writer.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 15, 2014
I recently saw the wonderful Bob Mitchum in the classic noir adaptation of Luke Short's novel and was so impressed by the fact that every character was morally grey in some way that I had to know if it was the work of Short or the Hollywood machine. Turns out the movie is a damned fine adaptation of a really very well written and enjoyable story of greed, double crossing, tough men, tough dames, and shifting allegiances. It was such a good adaptation that having seen the movie there's almost no need to check out Luke Short's novel. Although it does serve as a fine introduction to the skill he brought to the western novel in the 1940s.
November 21, 2010
Does anybody read Westerns anymore? The last regular reader I knew was my grandfather who died 30 years ago. Why? I've been told Westerns are considered silly. Oh. Vampires, anybody? Anyway. Once in a while I like to mix in a Western for variety. If I've ever read a Luke Short (1908-75) oater before, I don't have a clear memory of it. Blood on the Moon, reissued by Dorchester/Leisure this spring before the financial bottom fell out there, offers up sturdy prose, twisty plot, complex romance, and a reluctant/ambivalent hero. Not great literature, sure. But for an evening of quiet entertainment, Luke Short delivers the goods well enough to divert me from the NBA game playing on the idiot box. So, my vote goes thumbs up. Enjoy.
April 18, 2024
They say this is one of the first noir westerns, but I'm not so sure. I've read dime novels about Frank and Jesse James that were much darker than this.
A hired gunman finds his way into a range war that might be too dirty even for him.
Personally, I like Marvin Albert and Donald Hamilton's better, but this was different than most westerns of its era.
The movie, with Robert Mitchum, is really goo. A minor classic.
A hired gunman finds his way into a range war that might be too dirty even for him.
Personally, I like Marvin Albert and Donald Hamilton's better, but this was different than most westerns of its era.
The movie, with Robert Mitchum, is really goo. A minor classic.
July 18, 2012
A classic noir Western that was made into an equally classic movie with Robert Mitchem. Luke Short was a prolific and creative writer whose books still read well.
November 28, 2011
As a long time reader of westerns (yes, I am a grandfather), this is one of the best. Drifter gets involved in range war and must decide which side he supports. This was filmed in 1948 with Robert Mitchum as the good guy. Highly recommended to fans of westerns!
June 8, 2015
I always enjoy a good western. Though Luke Short has a habit of head hopping without any sort of warning, it doesn't take away from his strong & self sufficient protagonists, a must for any western. Enjoyed it.
June 20, 2021
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Once again, nicely done by author Luke Short. My love for old time westerns was once again quenched. And for me, I still have a number of them waiting in my library for other days. What a privilege and a pleasure.
Once again, nicely done by author Luke Short. My love for old time westerns was once again quenched. And for me, I still have a number of them waiting in my library for other days. What a privilege and a pleasure.
November 13, 2024
REREAD: October 2024
July 21, 2017
Prenez un shaker et mettez-y une bonne dose de western avec un zeste de policier et deux doigts de roman noir et secouez bien.
Servez-le sans glace, sec, et dégustez sans modération.
Voilà comment je pourrais résumer ce western policier noir ou ce policier western noir.
D’ailleurs, en lisant ce western, vous aurez un bon plan pour gagner du fric facilement avec une magouille bien ficelée.
Certes, il vous faudra un troupeau de vaches, une réserve indienne, un représentant local du Bureau des affaires indiennes véreux, un exploiteur, un gros éleveur de vaches, des cow-boys et des colons qui ne veulent pas de vaches pâturant sur les terres qu’ils ont squatté à l’éleveur puisque celui-ci n’a pas mis de barbelés sur la prairie.
Un vieux thème récurent dans le western car reflet de l’Histoire des États-Unis que ces guerres entre ranchers et squatters, entre les éleveurs et les colons et entre ceux qui veulent introduire des moutons et ceux qui ne voyait que par les vaches.
Si vous êtes sensible à la poésie d’une description de paysage ou de climat bienveillant, il va falloir vous munir d’une épaisse peau de mouton, d’un long manteau étanche car l’auteur va vous balancer dans ses pages un climat aride par le froid, la pluie, la neige, le tout au service d’une atmosphère des plus oppressante, d’une nature hostile et d’un sol guère accueillant.
Dès le départ, vous êtes dans le bain et déjà votre campement est piétiné par un troupeau de bovins en fuite. Puis on sera menacé d’une arme, questionné subtilement et enfin on pourra reprendre sa route vers son destin.
Ne cherchez pas le personnage central, le héros, celui que l’on voit surgir dès le départ car ici, c’est assez obscur, on ne sait même pas si Jim Garry, le cavalier solitaire, est dans le camp des gentils ou des méchants car dans ce roman, point de dichotomie, tout le monde ayant un bon côté et un sombre, même si certains possèdent en eux plus de sombritude que les autres.
Comme dans tous les bons romans westerns qui volent plus haut que ceux de la sous-gare de Trifouillis-Les-Oies, en plus d’un scénario béton, les personnages sont travaillés avec peu de mots, ni tout blanc, ni tout à fait noir et la rédemption se taille une belle part dans les pages de ce western noir.
Si les femmes sont assez fortes et n’ont pas froid aux yeux, les hommes auront tous l’occasion de se racheter, libre à eux de changer de cap et de faire en sorte de se faire pardonner leur péchés (pour certains), ou leurs erreurs pour d’autres.
Rien n’est figé et c’est ce qui ajoute une touche de réalisme à ce western noir et serré comme un café et aussi sec qu’un whisky sans glace.
Un western qui nous parle de la possession du sol, de la propriété des terres dans ce pays où certains voulaient le libre accès au territoire dans son ensemble et sans la moindre restriction, de l’importance de l’eau, de l’obligation de protéger son bien contre les intempéries, les exactions des hors-la-loi.
Un western que la Série Noire n’aurait pas renié car il était sombre comme elle aimait, un western qui vole plus haut que ceux écrits pour un public de masse, un western sur fond de magouille, de mépris pour les indiens parqués dans des réserves, de rédemption, de traitrise et d’amour, sans que cela vire à l’eau de rose.
Un vrai café noir additionné d’un bon whisky. Des comme lui, j’en redemande jusqu’à l’ivresse.
Servez-le sans glace, sec, et dégustez sans modération.
Voilà comment je pourrais résumer ce western policier noir ou ce policier western noir.
D’ailleurs, en lisant ce western, vous aurez un bon plan pour gagner du fric facilement avec une magouille bien ficelée.
Certes, il vous faudra un troupeau de vaches, une réserve indienne, un représentant local du Bureau des affaires indiennes véreux, un exploiteur, un gros éleveur de vaches, des cow-boys et des colons qui ne veulent pas de vaches pâturant sur les terres qu’ils ont squatté à l’éleveur puisque celui-ci n’a pas mis de barbelés sur la prairie.
Un vieux thème récurent dans le western car reflet de l’Histoire des États-Unis que ces guerres entre ranchers et squatters, entre les éleveurs et les colons et entre ceux qui veulent introduire des moutons et ceux qui ne voyait que par les vaches.
Si vous êtes sensible à la poésie d’une description de paysage ou de climat bienveillant, il va falloir vous munir d’une épaisse peau de mouton, d’un long manteau étanche car l’auteur va vous balancer dans ses pages un climat aride par le froid, la pluie, la neige, le tout au service d’une atmosphère des plus oppressante, d’une nature hostile et d’un sol guère accueillant.
Dès le départ, vous êtes dans le bain et déjà votre campement est piétiné par un troupeau de bovins en fuite. Puis on sera menacé d’une arme, questionné subtilement et enfin on pourra reprendre sa route vers son destin.
Ne cherchez pas le personnage central, le héros, celui que l’on voit surgir dès le départ car ici, c’est assez obscur, on ne sait même pas si Jim Garry, le cavalier solitaire, est dans le camp des gentils ou des méchants car dans ce roman, point de dichotomie, tout le monde ayant un bon côté et un sombre, même si certains possèdent en eux plus de sombritude que les autres.
Comme dans tous les bons romans westerns qui volent plus haut que ceux de la sous-gare de Trifouillis-Les-Oies, en plus d’un scénario béton, les personnages sont travaillés avec peu de mots, ni tout blanc, ni tout à fait noir et la rédemption se taille une belle part dans les pages de ce western noir.
Si les femmes sont assez fortes et n’ont pas froid aux yeux, les hommes auront tous l’occasion de se racheter, libre à eux de changer de cap et de faire en sorte de se faire pardonner leur péchés (pour certains), ou leurs erreurs pour d’autres.
Rien n’est figé et c’est ce qui ajoute une touche de réalisme à ce western noir et serré comme un café et aussi sec qu’un whisky sans glace.
Un western qui nous parle de la possession du sol, de la propriété des terres dans ce pays où certains voulaient le libre accès au territoire dans son ensemble et sans la moindre restriction, de l’importance de l’eau, de l’obligation de protéger son bien contre les intempéries, les exactions des hors-la-loi.
Un western que la Série Noire n’aurait pas renié car il était sombre comme elle aimait, un western qui vole plus haut que ceux écrits pour un public de masse, un western sur fond de magouille, de mépris pour les indiens parqués dans des réserves, de rédemption, de traitrise et d’amour, sans que cela vire à l’eau de rose.
Un vrai café noir additionné d’un bon whisky. Des comme lui, j’en redemande jusqu’à l’ivresse.
June 18, 2020
somehow i'm always pikachu face surprised when i seek out source material for film adaptations and find them to be the same story as in the film. i guess i'm surprised at how the same this one was to the film because it was very the same, right down to the amount i understood it, which is very little. i noted in my review of the film on letter boxed that i didn't understand the plot because i'm not a cowboy property lawyer and that sentiment holds firm with the book! i think the book tried to do a more rigorous job of explaining what went on but i'm not smart or motivated enough to understand things that confuse me, so even though i think luke short tried harder than robert wise i came out of both media experiences with the same kind of lady doing math gif confusion about, hm, cattle, and reservations, and possibly guns. one of the other editions of this book uses the term "dry gulching" in the summary and i still don't know what that is! it sounds like a frightening disorder of the oesophageal variety and i'm simply glad i do not suffer from it. i know this seems like a lot against the book but i did genuinely enjoy my experience reading it, it's very atmospheric, i deeply support jim garry's right to look like robert mitchum, it's got that sparse 40s writing style which i love, carol slaps tate across the face with a quirt which was an excellent moment both in book and film, and the concept of having a shootout where neither party wants to hit the other but merely to land shots near enough to scare is extremely funny to me. if you are, like myself, a high class trash brain golden age of hollywood gremlin, this and the film are an excellent pairing and i recommend that both be introduced to your bloodstream via intravenous cannulation as soon as possible. if you're simply a fan of westerns or of books more generally this is not the review for you, i have no idea whether any of you would enjoy this particular book and none of you should take my opinion seriously
November 6, 2020
I bought this after seeing the derivative movie "Blood on the Moon." As film noir as a western is going to get, the film featured Robert Mitchum as Jim Garry, Robert Preston as Tate Riling, and Barbara Bel Geddes as Amy - and it was fascinating.
The book is equally so. You have Jim Garry - a man who once had a chance, but lost it years ago and has since competently turned to whatever came his way - responding to word from his friend Tate Riling that there's something worth good money available. But en route to meet Tate, Jim runs into the opposing side - the Lufton family - including daughter Amy - and sees himself though their eyes. When he starts comparing himself to the other hired killers working for Tate, Garry doesn't like what he sees, and starts to think.
You also have Tate Riling, a big, bluff, violent man who is out for himself alone, but has corralled a group of homesteaders ("nesters") to take his side - a long shot to get what they believe the Lufton family owes them for years of hardscrabble living - along with gunfighters like Jim Garry to help. And Amy's sister Carol Lufton, torn between her father and charismatic Tate Riling. A craven Indian agent/beef buyer brings the whole plan together.
It's a complex plan, and perhaps the average gunfighter would have just ridden along and done what's asked for the money. But Jim Garry is feeling thoughtful, and could bring the whole plan crashing down.
I have to admit I didn't see this as a story of a man seeking redemption or a story filled with classic themes - other than that of good triumphing over evil. Unlike many western authors (or authors in other genre), Short is able to competently describe action without an overflow of verbiage or omitting critical details, and he conveys a complex plot clearly. This is one of his best.
The book is equally so. You have Jim Garry - a man who once had a chance, but lost it years ago and has since competently turned to whatever came his way - responding to word from his friend Tate Riling that there's something worth good money available. But en route to meet Tate, Jim runs into the opposing side - the Lufton family - including daughter Amy - and sees himself though their eyes. When he starts comparing himself to the other hired killers working for Tate, Garry doesn't like what he sees, and starts to think.
You also have Tate Riling, a big, bluff, violent man who is out for himself alone, but has corralled a group of homesteaders ("nesters") to take his side - a long shot to get what they believe the Lufton family owes them for years of hardscrabble living - along with gunfighters like Jim Garry to help. And Amy's sister Carol Lufton, torn between her father and charismatic Tate Riling. A craven Indian agent/beef buyer brings the whole plan together.
It's a complex plan, and perhaps the average gunfighter would have just ridden along and done what's asked for the money. But Jim Garry is feeling thoughtful, and could bring the whole plan crashing down.
I have to admit I didn't see this as a story of a man seeking redemption or a story filled with classic themes - other than that of good triumphing over evil. Unlike many western authors (or authors in other genre), Short is able to competently describe action without an overflow of verbiage or omitting critical details, and he conveys a complex plot clearly. This is one of his best.
November 13, 2023
I am going to say that this was for me a good Western story. I have seen the movie based on this book and can say that a good book was made into a good movie. This story was a feel good kind of story about a man, who has not always done the right thing, deciding to help some people by doing the right thing. The main character, Jim Garry, is a man of honor but he just doesn't know it until he meets Any Lufton and her family. The story is pretty standard one man wanting to profit from the troubles of another man. Only this time the troubles are being brought by the bad guy, Tate Riling.
Riling is a user of people and that makes him all the more deplorable. He will use anybody to get what he wants man of woman in this story.
So saddle up and be ready to ride with Blood on the Moon.
Riling is a user of people and that makes him all the more deplorable. He will use anybody to get what he wants man of woman in this story.
So saddle up and be ready to ride with Blood on the Moon.
April 4, 2019
This is a good western novel with an intriguing plot, realistic setting, and realistic action.
September 22, 2023
Loved this book! Will definitely read more from this author!
January 4, 2024
3.5⭐️
January 27, 2025
Great novel 👍👍
A wonderfully satisfying Western - Luke Short has to be the best writer of the genre. If you like Westerns, you’ll love this.
A wonderfully satisfying Western - Luke Short has to be the best writer of the genre. If you like Westerns, you’ll love this.
September 25, 2012
Jim Garry was responding to a two month old letter from his old partner when he had to take to the trees when a herd of cattle came barreling through his camp. His whole outfit was destroyed, his two horses scattered. Then a puncher came along an unfriendly manner evident, until they spoke. They rode double down to his camp where Garry met John Lufton, a rancher gathering his herd. He replaces Garry's outfit and offers him a job. When Garry declines, he tells him to keep riding on through then. In a friendly manner of course, but there was steel there.
Garry agrees to deliver a message to his two daughters at the ranch as it's on his way.
That's where Garry runs into his second problem.
As he starts to cross the river, someone takes a shot at him, more of a warning really. Every time he moves, another comes close. Circling, he comes up behind the shooter, surprised to see a slip of a blond girl was the shooter. He returns the favor in an amused manner before riding to the ranch.
While delivering the message, he finds out the blond giel is one of them and she's furious at him.
When he finds his old partner, Tate Riling, he learns he's already met the problem. John Lufton.
Ostensibly Riling is leading a group of settlers worried Lufton is going to reclaim his range land they'd settled on because the new Indian agent has turned down his herd to feed the Utes and ordered it off the reservation. By November 1st, any beef left on the land will be confiscated by the army.
It's all a scheme between the agent and Riling. Riling intends to use the settlers to keep Lufton from crossing the river in time. The plan is to offer him 10 cents on the dollar for the herd so he can salvage something rather than lose it all. Then he'd sell the herd at the original contact price to the agent, the two would split the money.
Riling needed an unknown face to be the buyer. Garry had been his choice for a twenty thousand dollar fee, but Lufton knows him now. A different plan is needed.
Garry's not happy. He'd hired his gun out in the past, but he has a conscious and doesn't like it. He ends up changing sides, a bloody gun battle starts up at the end, and the showdown between the two men ends it.
This was the basis for the 1948 film BLOOD ON THE MOON starring Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Montgomery.
Garry agrees to deliver a message to his two daughters at the ranch as it's on his way.
That's where Garry runs into his second problem.
As he starts to cross the river, someone takes a shot at him, more of a warning really. Every time he moves, another comes close. Circling, he comes up behind the shooter, surprised to see a slip of a blond girl was the shooter. He returns the favor in an amused manner before riding to the ranch.
While delivering the message, he finds out the blond giel is one of them and she's furious at him.
When he finds his old partner, Tate Riling, he learns he's already met the problem. John Lufton.
Ostensibly Riling is leading a group of settlers worried Lufton is going to reclaim his range land they'd settled on because the new Indian agent has turned down his herd to feed the Utes and ordered it off the reservation. By November 1st, any beef left on the land will be confiscated by the army.
It's all a scheme between the agent and Riling. Riling intends to use the settlers to keep Lufton from crossing the river in time. The plan is to offer him 10 cents on the dollar for the herd so he can salvage something rather than lose it all. Then he'd sell the herd at the original contact price to the agent, the two would split the money.
Riling needed an unknown face to be the buyer. Garry had been his choice for a twenty thousand dollar fee, but Lufton knows him now. A different plan is needed.
Garry's not happy. He'd hired his gun out in the past, but he has a conscious and doesn't like it. He ends up changing sides, a bloody gun battle starts up at the end, and the showdown between the two men ends it.
This was the basis for the 1948 film BLOOD ON THE MOON starring Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Montgomery.
September 8, 2023
Pretty solid stuff from a master. It was adapted for a 1947 Western film noir "Blood on the Moon." Unusual for his time, Short created strong female characters who drove the story as much as the men. This one felt a little soap opera-ish at times. Still, his vivid eye for detail and hardships in the Old West remain solid.
I've written a review of Alan K. Rode's new book Blood on the Moon, along with a more detailed look at this novel Shirt's other work at https://thomburchfield.medium.com/the...
Thanks!
I've written a review of Alan K. Rode's new book Blood on the Moon, along with a more detailed look at this novel Shirt's other work at https://thomburchfield.medium.com/the...
Thanks!
October 5, 2018
A Luke Short Western/Crooked Indian Agent/Ranchers Against Nesters
LS has penned a western about a young man who purchased cattle in the Panhandle and then drives them to the different Indian Reservations. The Indian Agents have a monopoly on the cost for cattle and tried to dwindle the herd drivers. This ends in a shooting war between outlaws, ranchers and nesters. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
LS has penned a western about a young man who purchased cattle in the Panhandle and then drives them to the different Indian Reservations. The Indian Agents have a monopoly on the cost for cattle and tried to dwindle the herd drivers. This ends in a shooting war between outlaws, ranchers and nesters. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
October 9, 2018
A Luke Short western about a gunman who hired out his services to the highest bidder. However, when he realizes that he has hired out to the wrong side he returns his money and switched to the other side. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
September 6, 2021
1941 W. US. Politics of nesters vs free-range ranchers. Corrupt govt Indian beef agent Pindalest. Jim Garry answers letter from crooked pal Tate Riling for gunhand backup to scam rancher Lufton whose daughters vain Carol and straightforward Amy change his mind. Typo: 9.11 tre IS the
November 18, 2024
Read the book. See the movie. They are both definitely worth your time.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews