Outlaws Three

Powder Valley #1

by Peter Field

The body of a man hung from the raftersThe eerie silence bristled the hair on Pat Stevens’ neck. He took an involuntary step backward. It was Dan Stout!But things didn’t add up. The chair upon which Dan had presumably stood did not reach his feet. And Dan’s brother, Red John Stout, only became excited when Pat told him, “You know of course that Dan left everything to his wife.”“Damn it man, you’re lying!” Red John shouted.But Pat knew what he was talking about. And he and his two friends also knew the unconvincing suicide blazed a sinister trail to a six-gun showdown.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

AKA Brett Halliday, David Dresser

Reviews

[Gordie LaChance · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This book was written in 1933, which makes it a bit older than my elderly mother. One of the first things I noticed was a lot of casual racism, with the main characters two horses named "Darky" and "Nigger". There is also a Chinese 'houseboy' type character referred to as "Chink". I am not sure if this is just reflective of the time the book was written or the author's attempt at depicting hardscrabble characters and language from the time the book was set. Regardless, some people might take issue with the language.

I wasn't aware until coming here to write this that the author was more famously known as Brett Halliday, author of the Mike Shayne detective novels.

Overall this was a good read, fast paced and fun. If there is any flaw in the storytelling, it's that it ends on a dime--while the story is technically wrapped up, I am not sure I've ever read a book that ends this abruptly--going from 60 to 0 in an instant.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

AKA Brett Halliday, AKA David Dresser did a great job on this classic western. Stevens is a schemer and is very capable, two of his fathers' former riders who knew him since he was a baby, are his constant companions. His big plan for some big money was to ride into Powder Valley and find the gang that seems to be responsible for several hijackings and rustling raids. Then turn them in for all the reward money. He starts off in sort of in an unusual way but whatever works.

Highly recommended, just an overall fun western with a nicely paced story.

[Carlos West · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st, and one of the best in the Powder Valley Western series that was originally published in 1934 and lasted through the 1960's. New paperback editions were being published in the late 1970's. The characters were very likable and humor was always on hand. In Outlaws Three a suicide needs to be cleared up as Pat Stevens is sure it was murder!