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Shawn Starbuck Westerns #23
Bounty Hunter's Moon
A five thousand-dollar bounty was a lot of money in the New Mexico Territory of 1881. Yet that was the amount that was placed on the head of a celebrated bandit the sheriff of T________? had captured for delivery to distant Clayton City. But when the sheriff himself was mysteriously murdered, it seemed that more than a few were hanging about, waiting to free the outlaw or seize him and grab the reward themselves. Shawn Starbuck, called in to help by the sheriffs widow, finds himself drawn into a maze of treachery and death ...
- GenresWesterns
201 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1977
17 people want to read
About the author
Ray Hogan
284 books25 followersRay Hogan (1908-1998) was born in Missouri but spent his life in New Mexico.
His father was a Western marshal and lawman.
He has written over 100 books. His work has been translated into 16 languages and filmed.
His father was a Western marshal and lawman.
He has written over 100 books. His work has been translated into 16 languages and filmed.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 21, 2023
New Mexico Territory, 1881. The hero, Starbuck, learns that his brother is dead. And a law man named Bishop would like to talk to him. Arlie Bishop had moved to Tannekaw, Arizona from the east where he had been a policeman. Starbuck helped him get on his feet. He also fell in love with Carla, Arlie’s wife.
Starbuck has been looking for his brother for several years. His father wanted to see him before he died.
Starbuck approaches the town. He hears a gunshot in the night. Bishop has been killed. Some of the townspeople are already talking about his death. They want to know why and by whom. Some think it was an attempt at breaking Case Medford out of jail. But he is still in his cell and the cell keys are hanging on the hook in the office. Bishop had plans to move Medford to Clayton City and collect the $5000 reward. Other arrangements for transport now have to be made.
Abe Ladner and his partners, Red Rockmond and Dow Breedon, are talking about events at the jail house in a nearby saloon. Medford has plans to rob a bank and they need their gang leader free.
Starbuck learns that Bishop had changed in the last four years. He had become callous and single-minded in the pursuit of reward money. His deputy, Griff Mulky, hates him and his wife had found a kind friend, Dave Kelly.
Carla begs Starbuck to be the one who delivers Medford to Culver City. Strangely, the sheriff’s deputy doesn’t fight him on it. And then he’s off.
It is a good story, but the book has a long set up. It is half over before Starbucks gets on his way with Medford. And the author didn’t spend his time wisely. The descriptive passages, contemplative passages and idle conversations are too long. At times the writing is very good. A hunter’s moon refers to the October full moon, which is unusually big and bright.
In the end, Starbuck gets a little hopeful news about his brother.
Starbuck has been looking for his brother for several years. His father wanted to see him before he died.
Starbuck approaches the town. He hears a gunshot in the night. Bishop has been killed. Some of the townspeople are already talking about his death. They want to know why and by whom. Some think it was an attempt at breaking Case Medford out of jail. But he is still in his cell and the cell keys are hanging on the hook in the office. Bishop had plans to move Medford to Clayton City and collect the $5000 reward. Other arrangements for transport now have to be made.
Abe Ladner and his partners, Red Rockmond and Dow Breedon, are talking about events at the jail house in a nearby saloon. Medford has plans to rob a bank and they need their gang leader free.
Starbuck learns that Bishop had changed in the last four years. He had become callous and single-minded in the pursuit of reward money. His deputy, Griff Mulky, hates him and his wife had found a kind friend, Dave Kelly.
Carla begs Starbuck to be the one who delivers Medford to Culver City. Strangely, the sheriff’s deputy doesn’t fight him on it. And then he’s off.
It is a good story, but the book has a long set up. It is half over before Starbucks gets on his way with Medford. And the author didn’t spend his time wisely. The descriptive passages, contemplative passages and idle conversations are too long. At times the writing is very good. A hunter’s moon refers to the October full moon, which is unusually big and bright.
In the end, Starbuck gets a little hopeful news about his brother.
Displaying 1 of 1 review