Gunlock

by Wayne D. Overholser

When the biggest cattle boss in Colorado's Easter Valley is shot dead, Will Beeson must keep the homesteaders from stealing the land of the remaining cattlemen. Original.

Genres: Westerns

191 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Wayne D. Overholser (born September 4, 1906 in Pomeroy, Washington; died August 27, 1996 in Boulder, Colorado) was an American Western writer.

Overholser won the 1953 First Spur Award for best novel for Lawman using the pseudonym Lee Leighton. In 1955 he won the 1954 (second) Spur Award for The Violent Land. He also used the pseudonyms John S. Daniels, Dan J. Stevens and Joseph Wayne.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

just ok, nothing special

[David Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solidly done western, blended with a coming-of-age story. The tale revolves around a ranch run by a strongman who dies early on, leaving his wife and young cow-puncher (the main character) to try and hold things together. Things get complicated quickly, with quasi-utopian homesteaders moving in, another ranch hand becoming increasingly dangerous and deadly, and secrets of the ranch bubbling to the surface. A lot of character drama, decent amounts of action. A fun read all around.

[Larry Holshu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Good to the end. If you like a good western then this one is for you.