Desert Death-Song: A Collection of Western Stories

by Louis L'Amour

Desert Death-Song compiles some of Louis L’Amour’s greatest stories, many of which have been hard to find in book form. Whether he was writing under his early pen name, Jim Mayo, or his own, L’Amour’s stories are unforgettable, touching on rough and rugged American ideals and set in the untamable frontier of the Western United States.

Nearly a dozen stories are presented here that represent the best of L’Amour’s yarn-spinning writing, a choice collection handpicked from the variety of pulp Western magazines in which the author first became known. The most popular author of Westerns the world has ever known, L’Amour writes stories full of mavericks, outlaws, romantics, and heroes. His characters follow the unspoken laws and morals of the Wild West, and the pictures he paints are unrivaled in their authenticity. From gold prospectors to sheriffs, characters of L’Amour tales will never be forgotten.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, The Americas, Adventure

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Louis 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".

Reviews

[Chad James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookish Books Reading Challenge

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A posse is hunting Nat Bodine, identified by a rival as a stagecoach robber.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of some of L’Amour’s early short stories. Dutchman’s Flat was my favorite one so far- loved that one.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible Audiobook: first listening October 2019, second listening August 2020;

[Nathan Kaczmarek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Desert Death-Song, by Louis L'Amour, is a collection of a few western books. One of the books in this book is titled; McQueen Of The Tumbling K. This book is about a man named Ward McQueen, Bud Fox, Kim Sartain, Ruth Kermitt, Yount, Red Lund, and a few others. The story starts where Ruth owns the Tumbling K Ranch, and Ward is the foreman with Fox, Kim and a few others under him. One day Yount comes riding in an pleases over Ruth by becoming a gentleman. He sees a great opportunity to have the ability to run the land; including, the Tumbling K, and all the other ranches around it. Yount is the brains and Red is the muscle, a real slick with the six shooter. They know that Ward is going to be a problem, so one night when he is riding in from town, the bushwhack him and they think he is dead. He would have been if it wasn't for a mountain man named Charlie Quayle, who nursed Ward back to health. Ward then "comes back to life" and goes after Yount who is forcing Ruth to marry him and kick all her hands off the ranch. They go into town and Ward follows them. Ward and a ranger have a shoot out with Yount and his men, who will live? Read to find out.
I really like this book, and especially this story of McQueen. One thing I liked was just the fact that it was an old western setting book. I really like the idea of being in the old west. Another thing that I liked was the authors writing style. I could picture every gun fight in the book. One thing I didn't like however was that some of the stories in the book were kind of short. Other than that I enjoyed this book.
I would suggest this book to anyone that likes to read about gun fights, Indians, and the old west. I would also suggest this book to anyone that ever wanted to be a cowboy, through this story, you can.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of these eleven stories, my favorites were:

+ "His Brother's Debt" -- a man is accused of being yellow so often, he convinces himself he must be even though he subconsciously has a very good reason for avoiding fights.

+ "Dutchman's Flat" -- a posse trails a man accused of murder and gradually comes to respect him and question whether he's guilty after all.

+ "Desert Death Song" -- a posse chases a man accused of robbery until he hides in the desert.

+ "Riding for the Brand" -- a stranger assumes the identity of a dead man in order to help honest folks keep a ranch out of the hands of bad guys.

+ "McQueen of the Tumbling K" -- bad guys do take over a ranch, but good guys get it back eventually.

[Donald Cubic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most entertaining books I've ever read. The stories take you places that are easily pictured in your mind. Places you want to see and people you want to know, good or bad.

I've been reading all my long life. I think I have read all of Mr. L'Amour's books. I read solely for pleasure and any knowledge I gain is just a bonus. Other writers of "westerns" just don't seem to make the settings alive. I'm ex Army and retired cop. I read mostly mystery, cop and thrillers, until I see a Louis L' Amour offer on Kindle. I will read it, weather I've read it before it not. Thank you Kindle for so much pleasure in my waning years.

[Richard H Moodybuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of Mr L'Amore's early magazine published stories. I have read lots of westerns by many different writers. His protagonist always keeps you pulling for his success whether trapped in a cave or a burning house. His twists and turns, different in each tale, encourages you to chase after the next short story or his books.
His descriptions of the environment or surroundings are not up to Zane Grey's but not to be criticized.
These collections also are convenient when waiting in the car for my lovely shopper to return without running down the car battery…

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis L'Amour never disappoints! That may be because I know what to expect. This collection of short stories was a a perfect way to pass a few hours. I especially enjoyed the last two stories (I think), the ones about Jim Gary and Ward McQueen. There is nothing in the stories that doesn't fit the typical L'Amour standard, and I think that is what makes them so enjoyable. If you like esterns, or you enjoy Louis L'Amour, you would like these.

[Kelvin Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Desert Death-Song: A Collection of Western Stories" (2013) features a host of stories by the popular and prolific writer Louis L'Amour. Every story is entertaining, but they’re dated by the exclusive White male protagonist plot, with women as damsels in distress and no people of color except passing references to “Indians.” John McLain’s gravel-voice narration is perfect for these kinds of stories. Recommended.

[Karen S Sayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one does the old-west better than Louis L'Amour! I enter the scenes and experience like I am right nears breathing in the dusty trails, the pine forests. It is like a history and survival story I will take with me throughout my life. I will miss this author but I'll always have is books to read!

Thanks Louis for what you left us.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Traveling Rider – (Prior review posted)
His Brother’s Debt – Rock Cassidy was yellow as saffron.
Dutchman’s Flat – You will know him by his trail (Prior review posted).
Trap of Gold – (Prior review posted)
Desert Death Song – The red-spotted toad (Prior review posted).
Riding for the Brand – Jed Asbury, aka Michael Latch, riding for the brand.
Big Medicine – Billy Dunbar was no stranger to Indian fighting (Prior review posted).
Man Riding West – Jim Geary, a man with an earned reputation, got involved in some trouble.
The Queen of the Tumbling K – The Queen is Ward Queen, foreman of the Tumbling K.
The Turkey Feather Riders – Jim Sandiford was in trouble and Lee Martin wanted him dead.

[Steven Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories from Louis L’Amour’s early work. The plot and characters are as defined as his later novels and short stories, but they were still enjoyable and a great way to be quiet and forget the pandemic for a a while.

[William Hubbartt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Louis L'Amour's short story collections. Each is a different (good guy) character in the old west encountering an issue - usually a villain - and overcoming that issue. The stories are reminiscent of the old 30 minute westerns on TV that I watched as a kid.

[James BELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

L'Amour Western Stories are always winners

I thought I had read all of the Louis L'Amour Western stories but there are a couple in this book that I hadn't. All of the stories in this book kept me totally engrossed and entertained throughout the whole book.

[Travis Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always loved the idea of Western trade paperbacks, and this was a perfect collection to get my fix. Gunfights, land disputes, cattle theft, this collection has it all. Louis l’amour is the master for a reason. Not for everyone, but it was a fun read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a great read

[Joseph R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading all of labours books I have read most of them it is rare for me to find one I have not read I would recommend them to any one

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories. Fun time.

[Jesse Deleon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan recommend!

If you're a fan of Louis L'Amour then you need to get this book for your collection. I did !

[murray diederich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short stories fun to read.

Top notch writing as usual. His books are well thought out. Easy reading. Western at it's best.

Really explains how it was in the oldwest.

[Graeme Sayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good old wild West!

L'Amour. A lovely collection of short stories bringing back the warm and honest principles and life of the wild West.

[Terrence McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these classic western short stories!

[Doug Mccluskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio Book

[Dick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blatant repeats

I've seen all these on other short stories pushed my way. Some I've seen in 3 or 4 other books.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first picked up a Louis L'Amour collection of short stories in the 7th grade. Decades later I just completed this one an intriguing and rich collection of L'Amour action stories at their best.

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book a collection of short stories that Louis L'Amour that had written in his earlier years of writing at the beginning of his career as a dime store artist.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This makes me want to live in 1870s Texas

[Gunnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, enjoyable fiction.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just more of a good story

This book like a lot of Louis L'amour books has stories that have appeared in other collections but that doesn't mean a thing. If you have read one or all of these stories before you won't feel bad reading them again at least I don't. There is just something about a L'amour story that makes you want to read again to get acquainted with it again. Now some might say if you. have read one L'amour story you have read them all because they all follow a formula. That may be true, but formula or not it is nice to see the good guys win. So if you haven't already read L'amour then give it a try or if you have then check it out might be a story or two you haven't read.