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Track of the Hunter
Western. In good condition, clean and unmarked vintage collector's item. Number # W8296. Originally $1.50.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1971
11 people want to read
About the author
Lewis B. Patten
172 books22 followersaka Lewis Ford, Len Leighton, Joseph Wayne (with Wayne D. Overholser)
Lewis Byford Patten was a prolific author of American Western Novels, born in Denver, Colorado. Often published under the names Lewis Ford, Len Leighto and, Joseph Wayne.
Lewis Byford Patten was a prolific author of American Western Novels, born in Denver, Colorado. Often published under the names Lewis Ford, Len Leighto and, Joseph Wayne.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 8, 2023
This 1971 western offers a unique premise: A woman's husband mysteriously disappears from their ranch. Sometime later, his body is shipped to her in a casket with no explanation as to how he died. She examines his body and sees that he was shot in the back. So she packs up some gear and her two children (boys 8 and 12) and sets out to find his killer. The rest of the book is the story of their journey, the clues she finds, dangers they face, and the final solution to the mystery.
I loved this book. Bess is a great protagonist, all woman and a devoted mom, but tough as nails. Patten is good at throwing in unexpected wrinkles as his stories reach reach their conclusion. There is one here as well.
Patten was also a terrific wordsmith who knew what to include and what to leave out. This book was only 128 pages, but his storytelling chops are so strong that you feel like you've read a much larger book.
I loved this book. Bess is a great protagonist, all woman and a devoted mom, but tough as nails. Patten is good at throwing in unexpected wrinkles as his stories reach reach their conclusion. There is one here as well.
Patten was also a terrific wordsmith who knew what to include and what to leave out. This book was only 128 pages, but his storytelling chops are so strong that you feel like you've read a much larger book.
April 5, 2025
A solid western that had me from page one.
Bess Latham was wondering when her husband would come back from a short trip when a man arrives at her home with a coffin. Inside it is her husband, dead, shot in the back. Bess, with her two stepsons, journeys to the town where her husband was shot to find out what happened. What follows is a great little western adventure with a dash of hardboiled investigating.
Bess is tough but loving, a great Salt-of-the-Earth character to follow on her investigation. In fact, when the POV occasionally switched to that of the local sheriff or the murderer, I was anxious to get back to Bess. The mystery and its resolution was extremely satisfying, too.
Highly recommended.
Bess Latham was wondering when her husband would come back from a short trip when a man arrives at her home with a coffin. Inside it is her husband, dead, shot in the back. Bess, with her two stepsons, journeys to the town where her husband was shot to find out what happened. What follows is a great little western adventure with a dash of hardboiled investigating.
Bess is tough but loving, a great Salt-of-the-Earth character to follow on her investigation. In fact, when the POV occasionally switched to that of the local sheriff or the murderer, I was anxious to get back to Bess. The mystery and its resolution was extremely satisfying, too.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews