Dead Reckoning

by Mike Blakely

After a botched confidence scam, swindler Dee Hassard begins a killing spree that covers half of the Colorado Territory. His first victim is the brother of rustler-turned-preacher Carrol Moncrief. Now Carrol must fall back on his former outlaw savvy to track the murderer down.

As the manhunt drifts mysteriously toward a legendary wilderness landmark known as the Mount of Snowy Cross, it embroils a number of men and women whose lives it will change forever. In the final reckoning, either the preacher or the killer must go to his dusty death.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 15, 1997

Reviews

[Vitalia Strait · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I think would have been more interesting if it was longer. As it is, I didn't really get to know any of the characters or motivations.

[J. Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this book was fantastic. It was a bit of a slow start but it picked up pace quickly and really hooked me. I hope there's a sequel with some of these characters, especially Clarence. I thought he would be an annoying character but he became my favorite and I hope someday we'll get to see the story continued.

[rancidesticide · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a short-read, plot kind of reminds me of red dead 2 lol.

slow start of setting up the world;
there's a lot of overexplaining, characters only have a few moments that make you know who they really are.

its still a good read, but thats my love for westerns.

[Michael Medlen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical Western...

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

If there's one thing I learned it's that there are a lot of books called Dead Reckoning.

Found this in an antique shop. Knew nothing of it, but was in the mood for a western. It's a fun pulpy story. The plot is engaging, but that's about all you'll really get from it. Not a fan of Blakely's style at all. A lot of eye-rolling lines and prose that makes the audience feel like an idiot, constantly explaining things that did not need explaining, that could have easily been inferred from the character's actions.

[W Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. A lot deeper than your average shoot 'em up Western. Very interesting how Blakely ties together such a diverse set of characters in an interesting yet believable way, and the ending is appropriately satisfying. I've never read any of Blakely's books I didn't enjoy greatly. A prequel and/or sequel would seem easy to justify, and I'd definitely read them.

[Gordon Allbritton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool book.