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Gunfighter's Reputation #5
Fast Guns Out Of Texas
When his saddle partner fakes his own death to escape the life of an outlaw, Cray Dawson, riding solo, arrives in Black's Cut to become a gold prospector, but finds his new line of business threatened by the town's vicious founder. Original.
- GenresWesterns
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 6, 2007
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40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 7, 2016
A cool wee read, where times are simpler and arguments are settled with a quick draw. The bad guys are bad and the good guys always win.
November 3, 2019
ON THE TRAIL WITH SAM BURRACK
Great stories of our Texas Ranger Sam Burrack capturing those bad boys, whose name appears on his infamous paper list. He doesn't carry wanted posters, just writes their names down, one would say that he has great memory retention..whee
Then there's "Fast Larry Shaw," love their nick names, whose well known as a fast shootist. Almost unbeatable, but they all love going up against him. They all want to be known as the man who took the life of "Fast Larry Shaw".
So Mr. Shaw plans his death, which works, but the cost may be more emotional for Fast Larry, than the fact he wants to start a new life without having to check his back trail constantly. Such is life on the frontier, not easy at all, in fact it's downright dangerous for anyone's health.
So enjoy and keep it moving and make sure your sombrero is on tight. Never know when you got to ride hard..giddy up partners!!
Great stories of our Texas Ranger Sam Burrack capturing those bad boys, whose name appears on his infamous paper list. He doesn't carry wanted posters, just writes their names down, one would say that he has great memory retention..whee
Then there's "Fast Larry Shaw," love their nick names, whose well known as a fast shootist. Almost unbeatable, but they all love going up against him. They all want to be known as the man who took the life of "Fast Larry Shaw".
So Mr. Shaw plans his death, which works, but the cost may be more emotional for Fast Larry, than the fact he wants to start a new life without having to check his back trail constantly. Such is life on the frontier, not easy at all, in fact it's downright dangerous for anyone's health.
So enjoy and keep it moving and make sure your sombrero is on tight. Never know when you got to ride hard..giddy up partners!!
November 2, 2021
Interesting, even admirable and likeable, characters involved in a somewhat complex plot make this book one to read.
Of course there have to be bad guys too, and there are several, some crazier than others, and some who start to re-think their position in life, to add more twists to the plot.
Three of the characters, who have worked together previously, seem headed for a sequel, or at least an entry in a series.
In fact, though there is no notation in the book I just read, they seem to have been in a previous book, perhaps an entry in a series. As much as I usually dislike series, I will look for more from author Cotton about these characters.
Of course there have to be bad guys too, and there are several, some crazier than others, and some who start to re-think their position in life, to add more twists to the plot.
Three of the characters, who have worked together previously, seem headed for a sequel, or at least an entry in a series.
In fact, though there is no notation in the book I just read, they seem to have been in a previous book, perhaps an entry in a series. As much as I usually dislike series, I will look for more from author Cotton about these characters.
September 14, 2017
you can never go wrong with Ralph Cotton. I throw a western into the mix every 8 or 10 books I read just to relax and enjoy myself. Ralph cotton has become a go to for me. if I look my bookshelf over and nothing seems right I grab one of his books and it seems to reset me.
this was a particularly good one. Several characters from other books get back together for what I truly hope wasn't a last stand. Lots of action in here and a little humor and a few pretty good twists and turns.
If movies were made out of Ralph Cottons books then westerns would be alive and kicking again.
this was a particularly good one. Several characters from other books get back together for what I truly hope wasn't a last stand. Lots of action in here and a little humor and a few pretty good twists and turns.
If movies were made out of Ralph Cottons books then westerns would be alive and kicking again.
June 3, 2016
This is the fifth novel in the "Gunman's Reputation" series, and I have to say that so far, out of the five I've read, it's my second favorite, after the first book, "A Gunman's Song." The previous three novels have alternated between stories involving Clay Dawson, in "The Law in Somos Santos," for example, and "Fast" Larry Shaw in "A Bad Day at Willow Creek." Here, the two are finally reunited, and I cannot express how much I enjoy when these two are together, fighting for what's right.
Between the two, Shaw is the quintessential gunman. Dawson is a gunman with a stellar reputation who would much rather NOT have to deal with the notoriety. While neither man wants his reputation, Dawson is the most reluctant, though in this novel, Shaw is so tired of his life that he actually fakes his own death to escape the life of a gunman. The two don't meet up until about 3/4 of the novel is completed, but once they do, it's such an enjoyable journey.
For the most part, the plot of this novel is simple and straight forward. Dawson has left Somos Santos and travels to Montana to work a claim he has recently acquired. As is usually the case, despite all their attempts to find a life of peace, neither man can do so. Wherever they go, they are forced to deal with the dregs of humanity, in this case, two outlaws who bully and run a small mining town filled with gamblers, whores, and all manner of earthly scum. Unfortunately for Dawson, he cannot mine his claim without purchasing goods at the store of one of these outlaws, AND giving them a portion of his mining proceeds. Dawson, of course, isn't going to agree to this, and thus begins his animosity with the leaders of the town--Giddis and Landry--and their offspring.
The story also focuses on the murder of two prostitutes who apparently know too much about Giddis Black and Landry's operation, so they are taken out to the forest to be murdered. Fortunately one of them survives, and of course, Dawson comes to her rescue, and this "side story" becomes quite entertaining until the woman, Charity, becomes completely unhinged and goes on a murdering rampage. Finally, Shaw and Dawson connect in the town, clean up the scum, and race toward their final showdown, and anyone associated with a western knows how this will play out.
What I most enjoyed about this novel is the writer. I absolutely respect and enjoy Ralph Cotton as a writer. Some may say that westerns are easy to write, but I disagree. It takes a skilled author to create realistic dialogue and characters that are interesting and that we take an interest in. I feel that in these first five novels, I have become a part of the lives of these two men, Dawson and Shaw. I care about them personally, and admire them for always fighting for what's right. In situations they could easily take advantage of someone, whether it be a vulnerable woman they could ravage for cheap thrills, or someone they could easily steal from or manipulate, these two men always take the high road to protect the innocent. Now, neither man is perfect. They are littered with personal weaknesses, yet they continue to grow as individuals, and I cannot wait to continue this journey with them. I've read many westerns, but never have I cared as much about two characters as I do about these men. In the end, the "bad guys," get what they deserve, and so much more. I was more satisfied by the justice in this novel than in any other western I've read to date. Landry, but especially Giddis Black, endure seriously painful experiences for what they do to others, and I savored every single word that detailed their misery and earthly demise. This is what westerns should be, and are all about. The good guys win. The bad guys die. If only life could be this simple again.
Between the two, Shaw is the quintessential gunman. Dawson is a gunman with a stellar reputation who would much rather NOT have to deal with the notoriety. While neither man wants his reputation, Dawson is the most reluctant, though in this novel, Shaw is so tired of his life that he actually fakes his own death to escape the life of a gunman. The two don't meet up until about 3/4 of the novel is completed, but once they do, it's such an enjoyable journey.
For the most part, the plot of this novel is simple and straight forward. Dawson has left Somos Santos and travels to Montana to work a claim he has recently acquired. As is usually the case, despite all their attempts to find a life of peace, neither man can do so. Wherever they go, they are forced to deal with the dregs of humanity, in this case, two outlaws who bully and run a small mining town filled with gamblers, whores, and all manner of earthly scum. Unfortunately for Dawson, he cannot mine his claim without purchasing goods at the store of one of these outlaws, AND giving them a portion of his mining proceeds. Dawson, of course, isn't going to agree to this, and thus begins his animosity with the leaders of the town--Giddis and Landry--and their offspring.
The story also focuses on the murder of two prostitutes who apparently know too much about Giddis Black and Landry's operation, so they are taken out to the forest to be murdered. Fortunately one of them survives, and of course, Dawson comes to her rescue, and this "side story" becomes quite entertaining until the woman, Charity, becomes completely unhinged and goes on a murdering rampage. Finally, Shaw and Dawson connect in the town, clean up the scum, and race toward their final showdown, and anyone associated with a western knows how this will play out.
What I most enjoyed about this novel is the writer. I absolutely respect and enjoy Ralph Cotton as a writer. Some may say that westerns are easy to write, but I disagree. It takes a skilled author to create realistic dialogue and characters that are interesting and that we take an interest in. I feel that in these first five novels, I have become a part of the lives of these two men, Dawson and Shaw. I care about them personally, and admire them for always fighting for what's right. In situations they could easily take advantage of someone, whether it be a vulnerable woman they could ravage for cheap thrills, or someone they could easily steal from or manipulate, these two men always take the high road to protect the innocent. Now, neither man is perfect. They are littered with personal weaknesses, yet they continue to grow as individuals, and I cannot wait to continue this journey with them. I've read many westerns, but never have I cared as much about two characters as I do about these men. In the end, the "bad guys," get what they deserve, and so much more. I was more satisfied by the justice in this novel than in any other western I've read to date. Landry, but especially Giddis Black, endure seriously painful experiences for what they do to others, and I savored every single word that detailed their misery and earthly demise. This is what westerns should be, and are all about. The good guys win. The bad guys die. If only life could be this simple again.
May 8, 2016
Time to take a break with a good ol' fashion western. Ralph Cotton is one of my favorites, W.R. Benton is another. Perhaps not as well known as some others; Max Brand, Zane Grey, and Louis L'Amour, but excellent story tellers all the same. Great tale about reputation, character, and respect.
October 27, 2012
This is a so-so novel.
November 21, 2012
Quick easy read. Story moves quickly but really was nothing to write home about. Some gruesome plot lines. Don't regret reading it but I don't recommend it either.
March 6, 2015
Good little western shoot em up. Loosely plotted, but a lot of those fast guns weren't career oriented. Enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews