Sliphammer

by Brian Garfield

An Arizona sheriff takes an impossible job: arresting Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp rides the train to Tucson alongside his brother Morgan, who makes the trip in the comfort of a wooden casket. Earp comes from Tombstone, along with his two surviving brothers and Doc Holliday, on a mission of vengeance for his murdered kin. They suspect Frank Stillwell of being the shooter, and are not interested in the bandit’s denials. Earp is hardly off the train before he kills Stillwell, and he’s on his way north before the body is cold.

Unfortunately for the Earp gang, Stillwell had friends in high places. The governor issues warrants for their arrest, and sends a pair of lawmen north to Colorado to apprehend them. Jeremiah Tree, a sheriff nicknamed “Sliphammer” for his choice of pistol, is given the unenviable task of arresting Wyatt and his brother Warren. It’s a suicide mission, but Sliphammer is too cool to fear any gunman, legendary or not.

Genres: Westerns

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Brian Francis Wynne Garfield was a novelist and screenwriter. He wrote his first published book at the age of eighteen, and gained prominence with 1975 his book Hopscotch, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. He is best known for his 1972 novel Death Wish, which was adapted for the 1974 film of the same title, followed by four sequels, and a remake starring Bruce Willis.

His follow-up 1975 sequel to Death Wish, Death Sentence, was very loosely adapted into a film of the same name which was released to theaters in late 2007, though an entirely different storyline, but with the novel's same look on vigilantism. Garfield is also the author of The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Garfield's latest book, published in 2007, is Meinertzhagen, the biography of controversial British intelligence officer Richard Meinertzhagen.

Brian Garfield was the author of more than 70 books that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and 19 of his works were made into films or TV shows. He also served as president of the Western Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.

Pseudonyms:
• Bennett Garland
• John Ives
• Drew Mallory
• Frank O'Brian
• Brian Wynne
• Frank Wynne

Reviews

[Chuck Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story..

[Regan MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, Hollywood forgot to adapt this one into film. I can't think why. It's got a hell of a hook: the story of a lawman sent out to arrest Wyatt Earp for murder. The tension of the plot keeps ratcheting upwards and so does the moral complexity. Brian Garfield wrote many western novels during his time on earth and I think this one is his absolute best.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BG Western Action Adventure (S)

BG has penned a western adventure story that may seem to be fiction, but parallels Wyatt Earps life and times in Tombstone to a T. The city of Tombstone is a dangerous one. He local marshal Wyatt Earp has attempted to keep the kettle from tilting over, but yo no avail. The lead in to the Gunfight at the OK corral is not far away. Wyatt and his men are preparing to meet the Redlegs at their front door. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

[Buck Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western. A little slow in the beginning but the action picks up toward the end. Garfield is great on details.

[A.J. Riccio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow moving story

Unfortunately this work is not interesting. An early work by the author, I wanted to read it because I enjoyed Wild Times and wanted to read another work. This Wyatt Earp story left much to regret.