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The Last Chance
PLAYING FOR HIGH STAKES
That's what Jim McNellis was doing when he turned up in the town of Bent Fork. He was tired of a gambler's life, always moving on to the next saloon, calling no place home, up against two-timing dealers and forced to even the odds with a gun in his hand.
Now it was time to settle down, and Bent Fork seemed just the place to do it. But Jim hadn't reckoned on a beauty like Della Schmidt, a little too eager to make a stranger welcome in town; or Rex Dermott, who'd marked Della for his own and would fight any way he could to keep her. And he hadn't figured on how hard it could be to leave your past behind--especially when it could be waiting right up the next dark alley to ambush you in a vengeful hail of bullets...
That's what Jim McNellis was doing when he turned up in the town of Bent Fork. He was tired of a gambler's life, always moving on to the next saloon, calling no place home, up against two-timing dealers and forced to even the odds with a gun in his hand.
Now it was time to settle down, and Bent Fork seemed just the place to do it. But Jim hadn't reckoned on a beauty like Della Schmidt, a little too eager to make a stranger welcome in town; or Rex Dermott, who'd marked Della for his own and would fight any way he could to keep her. And he hadn't figured on how hard it could be to leave your past behind--especially when it could be waiting right up the next dark alley to ambush you in a vengeful hail of bullets...
156 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
About the author
Frank O'Rourke
145 books12 followersFrank O'Rourke was an American writer known for western and mystery novels and sports fiction. O'Rourke wrote more than 60 novels and numerous magazine articles.
Born in Denver, Colorado he attended Kemper Military School. A talented amateur baseball player, he considered trying out for a professional team, but was called up for service in World War II. At the end of the war he decided to become a writer.
Several of O'Rourke's novels were filmed, The Bravados (1958) was the first, and his novel A Mule for the Marquesa was made into a popular movie called The Professionals (1966).
Later in life, O'Rourke turned to writing children's literature. He committed suicide on April 27, 1989.
In addition to his actual name O'Rourke also wrote under the following names: Kevin Connor; Frank O'Malley and Patrick O'Malley
Born in Denver, Colorado he attended Kemper Military School. A talented amateur baseball player, he considered trying out for a professional team, but was called up for service in World War II. At the end of the war he decided to become a writer.
Several of O'Rourke's novels were filmed, The Bravados (1958) was the first, and his novel A Mule for the Marquesa was made into a popular movie called The Professionals (1966).
Later in life, O'Rourke turned to writing children's literature. He committed suicide on April 27, 1989.
In addition to his actual name O'Rourke also wrote under the following names: Kevin Connor; Frank O'Malley and Patrick O'Malley
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 2, 2025
Basically, this is a western soap opera. It's written fine, and the characters are believable and well drawn. However, nothing really happens. It's 190 pages of buying cows and love triangle on top of a love triangle, while some ex gambler who is a capable man builds a farm. There are a few scrapes here and there, but basically, 5 or fewer pages of action with 185 pages of relationships and farm building.
Can't recommend, have not had much luck with O'Rourke, three out of five I've read have been so so at best.
Can't recommend, have not had much luck with O'Rourke, three out of five I've read have been so so at best.
Displaying 1 of 1 review