Sundown

by Ernest Haycox

Book by Haycox, E.

Genres: Westerns

Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1972

Reviews

[John Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deputy Jim Majors (Sundown Jim) is a man alone in a rawhide town, hated by both sides in a 15-year long range war. He rides into the town of Reservation on the trail of outlaw Ed Dale. Ring-leader Ben Maffitt protects and hides Dale from the star-packer. The Barr family sides with Maffitt and colludes with his gang to take over the valley, killing off anyone who stands in their way, including Jim Majors, if necessary. The town and the East Valley ranchers band together against Padee Barr and Maffitt, but don't want help from the law or an outsider. Majors wants his man and he wants to tame this range war, but must craft a plan to take down the antagonists from both sides without getting himself killed in the process. Complicating his plans are two women: Katherine Barr, the fiery and beautiful daughter of Padee, who stirs emotions in Majors that he never knew he had. And Tony, a soft, sad and sensitive innocent whose parents were murdered by the Barr's, igniting the range war. The plot constantly twists and turns as Majors tries to bring peace to the valley. An exciting read that keeps you guessing "what will happen next?"

[Bradthad Codgeroger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic western story and hero with some nice description of setting. Haycox might be the best at this sort of thing, though he's not the best at describing his heroines.