Brothers of the Gun

by Cotton Smith

When Star McCallister and his gang break out of the Dodge City jail, there's hell to pay. And it looks like McCallister's half-brother, former Texas Ranger John Checker, will be the one paying. McCallister and his gang murder two of Checker's friends, burn the homestead of his sister, kill her husband, and take her two small children into the wild Indian Territory. Checker knows it's up to him to set things right—and he knows his half-brother will be waiting for him in the wilderness. He's counting on a final confrontation with the ruthless McCallister. But there's something he hasn't counted on, a dark secret he never expected—a secret that could very well kill him.

Genres: Westerns

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Cotton Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri; some would say a century later than he should have. He grew up enjoying both adjoining states, Kansas and Missouri, living mostly in Kansas. His ancestors fought in the Civil War, mostly for the South, as regulars and guerillas. As a young man, he learned to ride horses from a grizzled wrangler he remembers fondly. He also learned how to roll a cigarette then, too! "Looking back on it, he taught me the right ways around a horse -- and he taught me some other things too. Like swinging into the saddle with the horse loping. And springing up from the rear, like the movie stars did. Never occurred to me then that I could get hurt. Guess no young person ever does."

Early in life, he was also exposed to the ways of the Plains Indian, to their sacred ceremonies, customs and traditions. His appreciation for their spiritual connection to the land and all that occupied it was heightened by involvement with Indian friends and backed by extensive research. Both touched him deeply and can be readily seen in his caring -- and accurate--portrayal of Indians in his novels. Throughout his stories, one finds intriguing glimpses of this insight, giving readers a sense of what really was and why.

Reviews

[Steve Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brothers of the Gun

Once again, I love this 4th of the Smith books I have read. The story and characters are compelling and the pacing, and writing are excellent. I can hardly wait to read the next.

[Carol and Gary Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a good while to read this book. It didn't move very quickly for me. The author did a good job of making nearly everyone unlikeable.