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Kilrone
When Major Frank Paddock and Barnes Kilrone were dashing young officers in Paris, they both fell in love with the same woman. But now they are men in exile in one of the harshest territories of the American West. It is against this inhospitable backdrop, where survival itself is a day-to-day struggle, that Paddock makes a fateful decision that will plunge both men into a headlong battle for their lives and the lives they're sworn to protect. As Paddock leads his company of soldiers in pursuit of a Bannock war party, Kilrone is left behind to guard the post's women and children. And before the day is over, one of them, outnumbered and outgunned, will be trapped in a fight to the finish.
Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1966
163 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
997 books3,495 followersLouis Dearborn L'Amour was an American novelist and short story writer. His books consisted primarily of Western novels, though he called his work "frontier stories". His most widely known Western fiction works include Last of the Breed, Hondo, Shalako, and the Sackett series. L'Amour also wrote historical fiction (The Walking Drum), science fiction (The Haunted Mesa), non-fiction (Frontier), and poetry and short-story collections. Many of his stories were made into films. His books remain popular and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death, almost all of his 105 existing works (89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two full-length works of nonfiction) were still in print, and he was "one of the world's most popular writers".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 25, 2024
"[Barnes Kilrone] simply felt tired -- tired from the fighting, tired from the riding, tired from the sheer strain of thinking, planning, and wondering if each decision was the best one." -- on page 189
The title character of Kilrone was (see quote above) probably also feeling winded from being stuck in such a tired plot. Now, I really don't like to bash author L'Amour - he's quite the dependable scribe of numerous sagebrush soap operas set on the U.S. western frontier of the late 1800's - but this effort from the mid-1960's was a strictly middle-of-the-road, generic-seeming story. A former U.S. Army cavalry officer-turned-wandering free spirit gallops into a distant and sparsely-populated military outpost deep in the Nevada territory at the exact moment when 1.) it's due to be ambushed by the local native tribe (led by a fearsome warrior called 'Medicine Dog' . . . which also would've been one great sobriquet for a 70's country-rock outfit) and 2.) a bitter enemy with still-smoldering murderous intentions from earlier days just happens to be a civilian wheeler-dealer attached to the fort. It's not that this is a badly-written novel, it's just that it offered very little in the way of any surprises.
The title character of Kilrone was (see quote above) probably also feeling winded from being stuck in such a tired plot. Now, I really don't like to bash author L'Amour - he's quite the dependable scribe of numerous sagebrush soap operas set on the U.S. western frontier of the late 1800's - but this effort from the mid-1960's was a strictly middle-of-the-road, generic-seeming story. A former U.S. Army cavalry officer-turned-wandering free spirit gallops into a distant and sparsely-populated military outpost deep in the Nevada territory at the exact moment when 1.) it's due to be ambushed by the local native tribe (led by a fearsome warrior called 'Medicine Dog' . . . which also would've been one great sobriquet for a 70's country-rock outfit) and 2.) a bitter enemy with still-smoldering murderous intentions from earlier days just happens to be a civilian wheeler-dealer attached to the fort. It's not that this is a badly-written novel, it's just that it offered very little in the way of any surprises.
November 26, 2015
This was an excellent western novel comparing the stratagies of the Amercan soldiers to the stratagies and mindsets of the American Indian in a battle set in Montana. The author does a beautiful job describing cenery as well as campaign strategy. I recommend this book to all who like westerns. Enjoy and Be Blessed. Diamond
July 26, 2020
A nice easy read. Lots of action. The premise is good with Kilrone arriving at a remote fort to warn of a patrol being massacred. He finds Frank Paddock a disgraced officer who has a past with Kilrone. Lots of action. However, it felt like the author had lost interest and failed to develop some of the characters.
August 23, 2024
Plenty of action in this one. L’Amour is somehow able to conjure a large cast of distinct characters in only 154 pages.
The story revolves around a military fort and the small settlement attached to it as they prepare for an inevitable attack from natives and maybe worse. Kilrone, the lead, is an ex-military man who gets swept up in the locals problems.
The story moves at a breakneck pace throughout. There’s an excellent hand-to-hand fight scene too, the best I’ve read in years.
The romantic subplot is godawful.
The story revolves around a military fort and the small settlement attached to it as they prepare for an inevitable attack from natives and maybe worse. Kilrone, the lead, is an ex-military man who gets swept up in the locals problems.
The story moves at a breakneck pace throughout. There’s an excellent hand-to-hand fight scene too, the best I’ve read in years.
The romantic subplot is godawful.
February 22, 2025
Embarrassing! I meant to review this and accidentally reviewed pilgrims progress. I think this book was not great, I really like pilgrims progress. It’s about to be a long day for my Goodreads PR team
November 4, 2020
Kilrone is a former army officer roaming the West. After finding a massacred troop of cavalry, he sets out to warn the nearest military post. There an alcoholic major assumes command and decides to ride on a rescue mission to advance his stalled career leaving Kilrone and a handful of men to defend the post with its dependents and supplies. This is an engrossing tale by the master of Western fiction.
May 17, 2021
Promising, but...
CAST - 2: On the back cover, this appears: "When Major Frank Paddock and Barnes Kilrone were dashing young officers in Paris, they both fell in love with the same woman." Sounds great! But that's not the story. Betty Considine watches the stranger Kilrone ride into town on the first page, and that IS the story, but we learn so little about Betty (she isn't the Parisian woman, btw). Medicine Dog is half-Sioux. Iron Dave Spoul knows five Indian dialects and wears a 'massive chain of gold nuggets ... draped across the front of his vest.'. We get just a taste of seemingly huge characters. Perhaps these characters are more developed in other L'Amour novels? I'm not sure, but here they are a bit flat. It's as if the author was told, "You get 50,000 words, that's it." (Actual word count is just under 50K, rather short for any novel.)
ATMOSPHERE - 4: Lots of little things here, like the barrels of water that should be at each of the barracks, but aren't. Hog Town, where a man can find anything. A great discussion about how Genghis Khan united all of the Mongol tribes, but apparently Native Americans didn't develop/fight that way, and what if they had? An epic scope is touched upon: how do these ex-Parisians wind up in the middle of the Santa Rosa Mountains. A great, detailed map prefaces the story. L'Amour knows his stuff.
PLOT - 2: You know this standard story, it does need to be fleshed out.
THRILLS - 2: A climax with 'Native Americans in the attic' is...rather silly.
RESOLUTION - 2: Just okay.
SUMMARY - 2.4. I like this author but "Kilrone" felt like a throw-away, meet-a-deadline work. That's too bad because it starts with an epic, globe-trotting feel. And therein lies the rub. Read "Flint" instead.
CAST - 2: On the back cover, this appears: "When Major Frank Paddock and Barnes Kilrone were dashing young officers in Paris, they both fell in love with the same woman." Sounds great! But that's not the story. Betty Considine watches the stranger Kilrone ride into town on the first page, and that IS the story, but we learn so little about Betty (she isn't the Parisian woman, btw). Medicine Dog is half-Sioux. Iron Dave Spoul knows five Indian dialects and wears a 'massive chain of gold nuggets ... draped across the front of his vest.'. We get just a taste of seemingly huge characters. Perhaps these characters are more developed in other L'Amour novels? I'm not sure, but here they are a bit flat. It's as if the author was told, "You get 50,000 words, that's it." (Actual word count is just under 50K, rather short for any novel.)
ATMOSPHERE - 4: Lots of little things here, like the barrels of water that should be at each of the barracks, but aren't. Hog Town, where a man can find anything. A great discussion about how Genghis Khan united all of the Mongol tribes, but apparently Native Americans didn't develop/fight that way, and what if they had? An epic scope is touched upon: how do these ex-Parisians wind up in the middle of the Santa Rosa Mountains. A great, detailed map prefaces the story. L'Amour knows his stuff.
PLOT - 2: You know this standard story, it does need to be fleshed out.
THRILLS - 2: A climax with 'Native Americans in the attic' is...rather silly.
RESOLUTION - 2: Just okay.
SUMMARY - 2.4. I like this author but "Kilrone" felt like a throw-away, meet-a-deadline work. That's too bad because it starts with an epic, globe-trotting feel. And therein lies the rub. Read "Flint" instead.
January 21, 2025
Well-above average "Western" novel with a surprisingly compelling story (although the ending was rather predictable). One of the better novels in this genre that I have read. I'm rather surprised that no one has made a movie based on this novel since it would seem a winner with the right cast. Cowboys, Indians, Cavalry and strong frontier women...what more could you ask for?
November 1, 2016
In 2004, after my divorce, I needed easy reads to keep my mind working but not something that required a ton of concentration. I chose L'Amour. It was a good choice most of his books, including this one, provide fast stories that are easy to follow with lots of action.
September 26, 2021
Action-packed!
July 12, 2024
A good read. I enjoyed the setting of the fort, and the barricade fight was suspensful.
January 4, 2025
This was a thrilling tale of action and adventure. The only reason this didn't get a full 5 stars was the fact that this was one of L'Amour's recycled plots.
March 25, 2020
From the outset.
This has the makings of a classic, cavalry and Indian epics.
Some of the theme, similar to the movie Fort Apache, with John Wayne and Henry Fonda.
A partially disgraced senior officer. Sent to a distant outpost.
With one last possible chance at glory. To redeem himself, and better his place in the military.
Paddock, may choose the wrong path and decisions. With furthering his career in mind.
Marauding Indians, a scheming, white man. Looking to pit them against each other, for his own gains.
Kilrone, is a former member of the military as well.
Battle tested, yet due to politics, resigned from duty.
Now finding himself, thrown in the middle of it all.
The white trader, and traitor. The man he gave up his career, to try and bring to justice in the past.
Now they are all brought together again.
I really liked how this set up, with the opener.
A troop of cavalry at risk. Do they dare send men, to try and rescue them or make secure the fort?
Reason it only got 3 stars. Again I feel the story may have been limited by publisher for space.
Think L"amour could have made it more epic.
Sadly with two troops of cavalry in the field. Possibly in harms way.
One hearing sounds of gunfire, in the distance.
The threads for both groups, just vanish. Left to readers imagination.
As there is not really a final follow up. Those two groups. One way or the other.
Kilrone at least gets a final finish to his efforts, to bring an end.
Breaking the power of his main enemy.
This has the makings of a classic, cavalry and Indian epics.
Some of the theme, similar to the movie Fort Apache, with John Wayne and Henry Fonda.
A partially disgraced senior officer. Sent to a distant outpost.
With one last possible chance at glory. To redeem himself, and better his place in the military.
Paddock, may choose the wrong path and decisions. With furthering his career in mind.
Marauding Indians, a scheming, white man. Looking to pit them against each other, for his own gains.
Kilrone, is a former member of the military as well.
Battle tested, yet due to politics, resigned from duty.
Now finding himself, thrown in the middle of it all.
The white trader, and traitor. The man he gave up his career, to try and bring to justice in the past.
Now they are all brought together again.
I really liked how this set up, with the opener.
A troop of cavalry at risk. Do they dare send men, to try and rescue them or make secure the fort?
Reason it only got 3 stars. Again I feel the story may have been limited by publisher for space.
Think L"amour could have made it more epic.
Sadly with two troops of cavalry in the field. Possibly in harms way.
One hearing sounds of gunfire, in the distance.
The threads for both groups, just vanish. Left to readers imagination.
As there is not really a final follow up. Those two groups. One way or the other.
Kilrone at least gets a final finish to his efforts, to bring an end.
Breaking the power of his main enemy.
September 22, 2012
This was the first western novel I've read. The early pages were slow but the main battle scene was pretty good. I found myself reading as fast as I could once it started. The Indians were the most interesting part. They were patient and clever, but also courageous and lethal. They would jump in and do some damage, then vanish for hours, leaving the looming question of what they were planning and when they would strike next.
I didn't care much for the main characters who seemed to float above everything, remaining miraculously untouched despite their daring and sometimes stupid acts of heroism. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen to them, but nothing ever did. This was a little disappointing, but talking to other people, it sounds like this isn't always the case in L'Amour's stories.
Overall, I liked Kilrone, but nothing happened that was particularly unexpected. There were no reversals or upsets and L'Amour neatly tied up all the loose ends by the last page. I'd read something by L'amour again, probably something from his later years. I'm curious to try his science fiction. Maybe I'll start there.
I didn't care much for the main characters who seemed to float above everything, remaining miraculously untouched despite their daring and sometimes stupid acts of heroism. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen to them, but nothing ever did. This was a little disappointing, but talking to other people, it sounds like this isn't always the case in L'Amour's stories.
Overall, I liked Kilrone, but nothing happened that was particularly unexpected. There were no reversals or upsets and L'Amour neatly tied up all the loose ends by the last page. I'd read something by L'amour again, probably something from his later years. I'm curious to try his science fiction. Maybe I'll start there.
August 24, 2022
I received this book as a request to read from my grandfather. I liked this book as far as the mystery and excitement goes. I would recommend this book to read to all of those fans of Louis L'Amour or Western fans.
October 31, 2020
Major Frank Paddock, an alcoholic spiraling down through the army system, inherits control of a poorly-defended territorial army post when his commanding officer dies in an Indian raid. He learns about his commanding officer’s death from Barnes Kilrone, a romantic rival he hasn’t seen in nearly two decades—and it’s his jealousy of Kilrone that is at least partly the cause of his turning to drink.
The story is mostly, however, about Kilrone, now a grizzled loner who is at least as jealous of Paddock’s family life as Paddock is of Kilrone’s rough charm.
There is no time to sort out these interpersonal issues, however, because the raid that put Paddock in charge is the beginning of a scheme concocted between an ambitious Bannock warrior and the amoral political upstart supplying him and his braves. This scheme threatens the lives of everyone at the post, soldier and civilian, and could spark a territory-wide war.
There are a lot more complications—a shipment of gold coming in with the payroll for the army post, and a troop of soldiers unaware that their rendezvous with the lost commander is, one way or another, a deadly trap—that cannot possibly all be dealt with, and which make this a quick, exciting read.
The story is mostly, however, about Kilrone, now a grizzled loner who is at least as jealous of Paddock’s family life as Paddock is of Kilrone’s rough charm.
There is no time to sort out these interpersonal issues, however, because the raid that put Paddock in charge is the beginning of a scheme concocted between an ambitious Bannock warrior and the amoral political upstart supplying him and his braves. This scheme threatens the lives of everyone at the post, soldier and civilian, and could spark a territory-wide war.
There are a lot more complications—a shipment of gold coming in with the payroll for the army post, and a troop of soldiers unaware that their rendezvous with the lost commander is, one way or another, a deadly trap—that cannot possibly all be dealt with, and which make this a quick, exciting read.
October 24, 2024
Barnes Kilrone rides into the Army fort and asks to see the commander. He reports to his old friend Major Paddock that I Troop has been massacred by Indians. Paddock decides that he must ride out to aid M Troop which is also on patrol. He takes K Troop and leaves Kilrone in charge of the severely undermanned fort.
Kilrone decides that this would be a perfect time for an Indian attack and sets about preparing for it with the limited resources in the camp.
The attack comes in waves. They hold off the Bannock Indians for two days. Kilrone realizes that another target might be the payroll which is being delivered to the fort. Kilrone leaves the fort and chases after the army detail moving the gold. In the meantime, the attack on the fort continues.
This seems to be patterned on the Alamo, Rorke’s Drift, the Adobe Walls fight and other such fights.
I do not like the fact that both Paddock and Kilrone abandoned the women and the children to go warn soldiers.
Kilrone decides that this would be a perfect time for an Indian attack and sets about preparing for it with the limited resources in the camp.
The attack comes in waves. They hold off the Bannock Indians for two days. Kilrone realizes that another target might be the payroll which is being delivered to the fort. Kilrone leaves the fort and chases after the army detail moving the gold. In the meantime, the attack on the fort continues.
This seems to be patterned on the Alamo, Rorke’s Drift, the Adobe Walls fight and other such fights.
I do not like the fact that both Paddock and Kilrone abandoned the women and the children to go warn soldiers.
July 14, 2017
Major Frank Paddock and Barnes Kilrone, officers in Paris, fall in love with the same woman.
Both find themselves in the American West.
Paddock leads a company of soldiers in pursuit of an Indian war party leaving the post of women and children unprotected, except for Kilrone.
The first part of the book was preparation for the second. Tension filled the air as Kilrone prepared for an attack.
The build up slow, the action easy. Until the war party descended upon the post. When the bullets started flying the pace quickened.
I love how L'Amour puts you right in the middle of the action, whether it's waiting for the attack or in the midst of it.
And.
I enjoy the main characters. The good guys are tough and loyal. It's the reason I enjoy these books so much, Kilrone being no different.
Both find themselves in the American West.
Paddock leads a company of soldiers in pursuit of an Indian war party leaving the post of women and children unprotected, except for Kilrone.
The first part of the book was preparation for the second. Tension filled the air as Kilrone prepared for an attack.
The build up slow, the action easy. Until the war party descended upon the post. When the bullets started flying the pace quickened.
I love how L'Amour puts you right in the middle of the action, whether it's waiting for the attack or in the midst of it.
And.
I enjoy the main characters. The good guys are tough and loyal. It's the reason I enjoy these books so much, Kilrone being no different.
December 31, 2018
I had one more L'Amour book to read, but after finishing this one, I think that it would be better to just move on to other authors for a while.
The main characters in this book were a former army officer who spent most of his time trying to think of ways to abandon women and children to a Bannock assault while he moaned and a fort commander who abandoned his post to go attack an empty field because he was a drunkard who didn't believe that his wife was loyal and honest.
I understand that there had to be some story, but the set up for this one had so many bad plot points that it was hard to read. The last part of the book literally is just the start of a chapter where everything fixes itself without either of these ninnies being there to do anything.
The main characters in this book were a former army officer who spent most of his time trying to think of ways to abandon women and children to a Bannock assault while he moaned and a fort commander who abandoned his post to go attack an empty field because he was a drunkard who didn't believe that his wife was loyal and honest.
I understand that there had to be some story, but the set up for this one had so many bad plot points that it was hard to read. The last part of the book literally is just the start of a chapter where everything fixes itself without either of these ninnies being there to do anything.
December 30, 2023
One of the best about a frontier post fight - plus retribution for a crooked arms dealer to boot. The Medicine Dog backstory (native Napoleon) added a lot of color, since the fight is between seasoned soldiers protecting stores of guns and ammo but burdened with women and children, and a group of strategists who can always drift away to fight another day. The side story of marital unease added some spice, with the added fillip of good resolution. The drunken disappointed commander gets to command again, but the marriage stays intact because the wife knows who she married and is not hankering to stray.
Kudos for complex storytelling and a kick of karma at the end!
Kudos for complex storytelling and a kick of karma at the end!
May 31, 2017
I've read better books by L'Amour, but it still was pretty good. It just wasn't as compelling as some of his other stories, there weren't too many surprises in the story line, except possibly the concluding act. One thing I found a little interesting is that the story emphasized the military's defense of renegade Indians and I had recently finished "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee", which was strongly opposed to much of the Military activities against Indians of that time period. By "BMHAWN" standards the majority of Indians were taken out by the military in less then honorable ways. I am sure Louis L'Amour was a good student of the history of this time period and treated the Indian race fairly. In this story the Indians were the renegade type.
August 24, 2017
Maybe I shouldn't read these all in a row. It does provide a study in formulaic writing, but that wasn't my intention.
I liked this one. It was fast, not too head-hoppy, and not too "pages of repeated back-story because either the author didn't remember he already told this or the audience isn't smart enough to remember so he should repeat." Four pages of the final boxing scene were a bit much.
I wonder if some of these books were written so fast they didn't go through edits. The later ones tend to read that way. Perhaps that's a perk of being famous.
I liked this one. It was fast, not too head-hoppy, and not too "pages of repeated back-story because either the author didn't remember he already told this or the audience isn't smart enough to remember so he should repeat." Four pages of the final boxing scene were a bit much.
I wonder if some of these books were written so fast they didn't go through edits. The later ones tend to read that way. Perhaps that's a perk of being famous.
September 25, 2021
A solid tale not in the Conagher series. Kilrone at first appears to be a disgraced Army officer and a saddle bum. After a few paragraphs, it becomes clear that this is no drifter and the man he's looking for should run as quickly as possible. Fortunately, he does not, and Kilrone gets the satisfaction of handing out one of the best described beat-downs in L'Amour's books.
The ending is a bit rushed in my opinion, and rather bleak even for a bad guy. Not saying he didn't deserve it, but still.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
The ending is a bit rushed in my opinion, and rather bleak even for a bad guy. Not saying he didn't deserve it, but still.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
April 29, 2021
Standard Louis L'Amour, it's good for what it is. A short, fun story of the west. Main character, as usual, has strong broad shoulders, has a decorated military background, and knows the ways of the Indians. Standard love interest is a good woman who is not helpless and can hold her own in a fight. Build up, battle, victory. The usual formula that gives you an entertaining story to read on a rainy day.
August 17, 2021
I don't mind Louis L'Amour. I haven't gotten along with some of his books, but a couple others have been pretty good. This was sadly the former. The premise for the book wasn't bad, but I soon lost interest in the book. I don't know exactly why, but it didn't work for me. It's hard to put my finger on it, I just wasn't interested... I'm not usually a mood reader, but the two days I read this in were awkward days, so maybe the environment had something to do with it. I suppose your guess it as good as mine.
October 8, 2023
Typical Louis L’Amour cowboy western. You have to be in the mood to read these or they get old, predictable, and difficult to get through. Used to go through these things in a day or two but I guess my tastes are changing; this wasn’t “bad” by any stretch… just kind of ordinary and (again) very predictable. I’ll read more (Louis L’Amour novels) but this may be the last for awhile. I’m into my biographies and non-fiction right now. 😄
December 30, 2019
I love Louis L’amour and I have read many of his books. Like most of them, this was an excellent tale, but if you’re looking for something more memorable, I’d suggest the Sackett novels by him. Maybe my problem is that I binge read his books and leave no room to properly enjoy his stories. In any case, it’s a great read and I enjoyed it as much as I would his other westerns.
July 28, 2020
Kilrone happens upon a massacre of a Cavalry troop and makes it back to the Fort. An old friend has fallen upon drunken days and believes that his wife loves Kilrone and not him. He is out to prove himself to the Army, his wife and himself. Kilrone believes the Indians want the supplies in the fort and are waiting for the bulk of the soldiers to be lured from the Fort. Kilrone is correct.
March 1, 2022
1966 standalone Western by author Louis L'Amour. Kilrone is an ex-army man. When the new commander of an army post takes a troop to reinforce a patrol searching for Indians, Kilrone believes he's wrong in leaving the fort undefended. Kilrone decides to stay and defend the fort with women, cooks and prisoners.
May 27, 2025
In a N NV fort just after the Civil War, a former Army officer, Kilrone, rides in. The Indians have wiped out a troop and the commanding officer elects to lead out another troop, hoping to get himself promoted. But Kilrone urges him to stay and defend the fort as he feels the attack will occur there. It falls to him to protect the fort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews