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Caleb York #1
The Legend of Caleb York
In the heyday of American Western cinema, bestselling author Mickey Spillane wrote a film script for his good friend and Hollywood legend, John Wayne, star of western classics like 'Stagecoach', 'The Searchers', and 'True Grit'. Though the film was never made, Max Allan Collins, Mickey Spillane's literary partner and executor, has adapted the original screenplay into a hard-hitting, action-packed novel that evokes the classic Westerns of the Duke. Trading his trench coat for a duster and Stetson, Spillane turns out to be every bit as compelling in the western genre as in his immortal detective stories.
In this first novel in a bold new Western series, crooked Sheriff Harry Gauge rules the town of Trinidad, New Mexico, with an iron fist. His latest scheme is to force rancher George Cullen into selling his spread and to take Cullen's beautiful daughter Willa for his bride - whether she's willing or not.
The old man isn't about to go down without a fight. He sends out a telegram to hire the west's toughest gunslinger to kill the sheriff. But when a stranger rides into Trinidad, no one's sure who he is. Wherever he came from, wherever he's going, it's deadly clear he's a man who won't be pushed - and that he's a damn good shot . . .
With stirring authenticity and heart-racing drama, Spillane and Collins add Caleb York to the roster of unforgettable western heroes.
In this first novel in a bold new Western series, crooked Sheriff Harry Gauge rules the town of Trinidad, New Mexico, with an iron fist. His latest scheme is to force rancher George Cullen into selling his spread and to take Cullen's beautiful daughter Willa for his bride - whether she's willing or not.
The old man isn't about to go down without a fight. He sends out a telegram to hire the west's toughest gunslinger to kill the sheriff. But when a stranger rides into Trinidad, no one's sure who he is. Wherever he came from, wherever he's going, it's deadly clear he's a man who won't be pushed - and that he's a damn good shot . . .
With stirring authenticity and heart-racing drama, Spillane and Collins add Caleb York to the roster of unforgettable western heroes.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
267 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Mickey Spillane
314 books445 followersMickey Spillane was one of the world's most popular mystery writers. His specialty was tight-fisted, sadistic revenge stories, often featuring his alcoholic gumshoe Mike Hammer and a cast of evildoers who launder money or spout the Communist Party line.
His writing style was characterized by short words, lightning transitions, gruff sex and violent endings. It was once tallied that he offed 58 people in six novels.
Starting with "I, the Jury," in 1947, Mr. Spillane sold hundreds of millions of books during his lifetime and garnered consistently scathing reviews. Even his father, a Brooklyn bartender, called them "crud."
Mr. Spillane was a struggling comic book publisher when he wrote "I, the Jury." He initially envisioned it as a comic book called "Mike Danger," and when that did not go over, he took a week to reconfigure it as a novel.
Even the editor in chief of E.P. Dutton and Co., Mr. Spillane's publisher, was skeptical of the book's literary merit but conceded it would probably be a smash with postwar readers looking for ready action. He was right. The book, in which Hammer pursues a murderous narcotics ring led by a curvaceous female psychiatrist, went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
Mr. Spillane spun out six novels in the next five years, among them "My Gun Is Quick," "The Big Kill," "One Lonely Night" and "Kiss Me, Deadly." Most concerned Hammer, his faithful sidekick, Velda, and the police homicide captain Pat Chambers, who acknowledges that Hammer's style of vigilante justice is often better suited than the law to dispatching criminals.
Mr. Spillane's success rankled other critics, who sometimes became very personal in their reviews. Malcolm Cowley called Mr. Spillane "a homicidal paranoiac," going on to note what he called his misogyny and vigilante tendencies.
His books were translated into many languages, and he proved so popular as a writer that he was able to transfer his thick-necked, barrel-chested personality across many media. With the charisma of a redwood, he played Hammer in "The Girl Hunters," a 1963 film adaptation of his novel.
Spillane also scripted several television shows and films and played a detective in the 1954 suspense film "Ring of Fear," set at a Clyde Beatty circus. He rewrote much of the film, too, refusing payment. In gratitude, the producer, John Wayne, surprised him one morning with a white Jaguar sportster wrapped in a red ribbon. The card read, "Thanks, Duke."
Done initially on a dare from his publisher, Mr. Spillane wrote a children's book, "The Day the Sea Rolled Back" (1979), about two boys who find a shipwreck loaded with treasure. This won a Junior Literary Guild award.
He also wrote another children's novel, "The Ship That Never Was," and then wrote his first Mike Hammer mystery in 20 years with "The Killing Man" (1989). "Black Alley" followed in 1996. In the last, a rapidly aging Hammer comes out of a gunshot-induced coma, then tracks down a friend's murderer and billions in mob loot. For the first time, he also confesses his love for Velda but, because of doctor's orders, cannot consummate the relationship.
Late in life, he received a career achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America and was named a grand master by the Mystery Writers of America.
In his private life, he neither smoked nor drank and was a house-to-house missionary for the Jehovah's Witnesses. He expressed at times great disdain for what he saw as corrosive forces in American life, from antiwar protesters to the United Nations.
His marriages to Mary Ann Pearce and Sherri Malinou ended in divorce. His second wife, a model, posed nude for the dust jacket of his 1972 novel "The Erection Set."
Survivors include his third wife, Jane Rodgers Johnson, a former beauty queen 30 years his junior; and four children from the first marriage.
He also carried on a long epistolary flirtation with Ayn Rand, an admirer of his writing.
His writing style was characterized by short words, lightning transitions, gruff sex and violent endings. It was once tallied that he offed 58 people in six novels.
Starting with "I, the Jury," in 1947, Mr. Spillane sold hundreds of millions of books during his lifetime and garnered consistently scathing reviews. Even his father, a Brooklyn bartender, called them "crud."
Mr. Spillane was a struggling comic book publisher when he wrote "I, the Jury." He initially envisioned it as a comic book called "Mike Danger," and when that did not go over, he took a week to reconfigure it as a novel.
Even the editor in chief of E.P. Dutton and Co., Mr. Spillane's publisher, was skeptical of the book's literary merit but conceded it would probably be a smash with postwar readers looking for ready action. He was right. The book, in which Hammer pursues a murderous narcotics ring led by a curvaceous female psychiatrist, went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
Mr. Spillane spun out six novels in the next five years, among them "My Gun Is Quick," "The Big Kill," "One Lonely Night" and "Kiss Me, Deadly." Most concerned Hammer, his faithful sidekick, Velda, and the police homicide captain Pat Chambers, who acknowledges that Hammer's style of vigilante justice is often better suited than the law to dispatching criminals.
Mr. Spillane's success rankled other critics, who sometimes became very personal in their reviews. Malcolm Cowley called Mr. Spillane "a homicidal paranoiac," going on to note what he called his misogyny and vigilante tendencies.
His books were translated into many languages, and he proved so popular as a writer that he was able to transfer his thick-necked, barrel-chested personality across many media. With the charisma of a redwood, he played Hammer in "The Girl Hunters," a 1963 film adaptation of his novel.
Spillane also scripted several television shows and films and played a detective in the 1954 suspense film "Ring of Fear," set at a Clyde Beatty circus. He rewrote much of the film, too, refusing payment. In gratitude, the producer, John Wayne, surprised him one morning with a white Jaguar sportster wrapped in a red ribbon. The card read, "Thanks, Duke."
Done initially on a dare from his publisher, Mr. Spillane wrote a children's book, "The Day the Sea Rolled Back" (1979), about two boys who find a shipwreck loaded with treasure. This won a Junior Literary Guild award.
He also wrote another children's novel, "The Ship That Never Was," and then wrote his first Mike Hammer mystery in 20 years with "The Killing Man" (1989). "Black Alley" followed in 1996. In the last, a rapidly aging Hammer comes out of a gunshot-induced coma, then tracks down a friend's murderer and billions in mob loot. For the first time, he also confesses his love for Velda but, because of doctor's orders, cannot consummate the relationship.
Late in life, he received a career achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America and was named a grand master by the Mystery Writers of America.
In his private life, he neither smoked nor drank and was a house-to-house missionary for the Jehovah's Witnesses. He expressed at times great disdain for what he saw as corrosive forces in American life, from antiwar protesters to the United Nations.
His marriages to Mary Ann Pearce and Sherri Malinou ended in divorce. His second wife, a model, posed nude for the dust jacket of his 1972 novel "The Erection Set."
Survivors include his third wife, Jane Rodgers Johnson, a former beauty queen 30 years his junior; and four children from the first marriage.
He also carried on a long epistolary flirtation with Ayn Rand, an admirer of his writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 6, 2022
Max Allan Collins says that he enthusiastically took on the challenge "to complete a number of suspense novels begun by Mickey Spillane, the most famous and popular American mystery novelist of the twentieth century." Then he came across this western. Spillane intended that it been a screenplay for his friend, John Wayne. “The Duke” was enthusiastic about it but the financing for it fell through.
Wayne would have played the role of “the stranger” who comes into town to find it run by a crooked Sheriff Gauge who has been doing everything from twisting arms to murder to become the region’s “cattle barron.”
It is pretty easy to tell what parts were written by Spillane: "Gauge is an animal, but he’s a smart one. So if he’s going to operate outside the law, even while he poses at representing it, we’ll play this game his dirty way.” She was shaking her head, rolling her eyes. “Papa, that makes us no better than him.” “We’re better than that buzzard on our worst day.” She spread her hands, her words for her father but her eyes on Whit. “Go down to his level, and what will happen to us? Look what happened to Peterson, Reese, and the rest of the ranchers!” Papa said, “They just rolled over for Gauge. Not one stood up to him. And if we don’t stand up, it’ll happen to us.” Straightening, Whit said, “Every one of the boys will right there with you, Mr. Cullen. With you all the way. But . . . we only number fifteen, and we ain’t gunhands.” Papa swung his gaze toward the foreman. “And that is why I sent for one.”"
and
"Short, burly Lars Manning was blue-eyed and blond, like the sheriff; they might have been brothers but weren’t. Manning wore a dark blue twill army shirt and knee- and seat-patched denims with a .45 fairly high on his hip. Manning was responsible for at least four killings, plus the occasional Mexican." (yes, I am very aware of the casual racism)
and
"“Time to die,” Riley said, “you lousy, slicked-up—” The stranger drew and fired, and neither man, despite the guns already in their hands, could do a damn thing about it except look down at the red blossoming over their hearts before dropping onto their backs to sprawl in the dusty street. So close had the shots been together, they might have been one big blast. Tulley had never seen anything like it—drawing on two men whose guns were at the ready, taking them down like target-practice tin cans."
As contrasted with the “Collins touch.”
“The sheriff pushed through the batwing doors into the impressive saloon with its ornately decorated tin ceiling and gas lamp chandeliers, its long, well-polished carved oak bar at left with mirrors and bottles of rye and bourbon behind, towels hanging down for brushing beer out of mustaches, and gleaming brass foot rail with an array of spittoons. The contrast was sharp between the high-class bar’s bow-tied, white-shirt-sporting bartenders and the dusty cowboys in frayed bandanas, faded work shirts, and seat-patched Levi’s who leaned there. Though there were tables for drinking men at right as you came in, most of the big space was a casino, filled to capacity tonight with already liquored-up cowhands freely losing their money at dice, faro, red dog, twenty-one, and poker.”
and
"She went into her room, which was no bigger or nicer than any other in the hotel, down to the same drab wallpaper. But she had dressed the space up with a few nice pieces of Victorian furniture brought here from Denver—hand-carved mirrored maple dresser with a floral-pattern toilet set, baroque walnut plush-upholstered armchair, a carved rosewood bed, and a few other things. She lived here, after all, and had a right to be comfortable."
It still reads very much like a screenplay. This is not a put-down, because Max Allan Collins knows how to write for the movies. (He won an Oscar for one of his efforts.)
"“Comes down to this—we don’t get paid for what we don’t deliver.” “That’s a fact,” the stranger said with a nod. Her father’s sigh seemed to start down at his toes. “Except for the loyal handful I’ve got left, Gauge has run our men off. If we take any real losses in cattle, the Bar-O is finished. That leaves our ambitious sheriff a wide-open market. Then he’ll buy up our banknotes on the cheap, and force us out.” The stranger was frowning. “You have no money in reserve?” Not bothering to mask her bitterness, Willa said, “We did have. Now it’s being paid to you—ten thousand dollars.” He lifted an eyebrow. Sipped more coffee. Said, “That could have paid off a pile of banknotes.” Cullen shook his head morosely. “Not when you’re dead, my friend. Harry Gauge is responsible for the killings of seven of my people. Do I have to tell you that there’s nothing he won’t stop at?”"
It's not great literature or even at the top of the genre, but it’s good enough.
Wayne would have played the role of “the stranger” who comes into town to find it run by a crooked Sheriff Gauge who has been doing everything from twisting arms to murder to become the region’s “cattle barron.”
It is pretty easy to tell what parts were written by Spillane: "Gauge is an animal, but he’s a smart one. So if he’s going to operate outside the law, even while he poses at representing it, we’ll play this game his dirty way.” She was shaking her head, rolling her eyes. “Papa, that makes us no better than him.” “We’re better than that buzzard on our worst day.” She spread her hands, her words for her father but her eyes on Whit. “Go down to his level, and what will happen to us? Look what happened to Peterson, Reese, and the rest of the ranchers!” Papa said, “They just rolled over for Gauge. Not one stood up to him. And if we don’t stand up, it’ll happen to us.” Straightening, Whit said, “Every one of the boys will right there with you, Mr. Cullen. With you all the way. But . . . we only number fifteen, and we ain’t gunhands.” Papa swung his gaze toward the foreman. “And that is why I sent for one.”"
and
"Short, burly Lars Manning was blue-eyed and blond, like the sheriff; they might have been brothers but weren’t. Manning wore a dark blue twill army shirt and knee- and seat-patched denims with a .45 fairly high on his hip. Manning was responsible for at least four killings, plus the occasional Mexican." (yes, I am very aware of the casual racism)
and
"“Time to die,” Riley said, “you lousy, slicked-up—” The stranger drew and fired, and neither man, despite the guns already in their hands, could do a damn thing about it except look down at the red blossoming over their hearts before dropping onto their backs to sprawl in the dusty street. So close had the shots been together, they might have been one big blast. Tulley had never seen anything like it—drawing on two men whose guns were at the ready, taking them down like target-practice tin cans."
As contrasted with the “Collins touch.”
“The sheriff pushed through the batwing doors into the impressive saloon with its ornately decorated tin ceiling and gas lamp chandeliers, its long, well-polished carved oak bar at left with mirrors and bottles of rye and bourbon behind, towels hanging down for brushing beer out of mustaches, and gleaming brass foot rail with an array of spittoons. The contrast was sharp between the high-class bar’s bow-tied, white-shirt-sporting bartenders and the dusty cowboys in frayed bandanas, faded work shirts, and seat-patched Levi’s who leaned there. Though there were tables for drinking men at right as you came in, most of the big space was a casino, filled to capacity tonight with already liquored-up cowhands freely losing their money at dice, faro, red dog, twenty-one, and poker.”
and
"She went into her room, which was no bigger or nicer than any other in the hotel, down to the same drab wallpaper. But she had dressed the space up with a few nice pieces of Victorian furniture brought here from Denver—hand-carved mirrored maple dresser with a floral-pattern toilet set, baroque walnut plush-upholstered armchair, a carved rosewood bed, and a few other things. She lived here, after all, and had a right to be comfortable."
It still reads very much like a screenplay. This is not a put-down, because Max Allan Collins knows how to write for the movies. (He won an Oscar for one of his efforts.)
"“Comes down to this—we don’t get paid for what we don’t deliver.” “That’s a fact,” the stranger said with a nod. Her father’s sigh seemed to start down at his toes. “Except for the loyal handful I’ve got left, Gauge has run our men off. If we take any real losses in cattle, the Bar-O is finished. That leaves our ambitious sheriff a wide-open market. Then he’ll buy up our banknotes on the cheap, and force us out.” The stranger was frowning. “You have no money in reserve?” Not bothering to mask her bitterness, Willa said, “We did have. Now it’s being paid to you—ten thousand dollars.” He lifted an eyebrow. Sipped more coffee. Said, “That could have paid off a pile of banknotes.” Cullen shook his head morosely. “Not when you’re dead, my friend. Harry Gauge is responsible for the killings of seven of my people. Do I have to tell you that there’s nothing he won’t stop at?”"
It's not great literature or even at the top of the genre, but it’s good enough.
June 2, 2025
A guilty pleasure. The villain is a lowdown scoundrel; the hero is kind to women & quick on the draw. A range war and cowpox complicate matters only slightly. My dream of the Old West.
February 15, 2016
Here's a book with an interesting history.
In 1954, John Wayne's Batjac company was filming a movie called 'Ring of Fear'. As Wayne and Spillane were friends the former cast Spillane as a detective in the movie. During the filming, Wayne was not happy about the script and asked Spillane to take a look at it. He did and rewrote quite a bit of it but refused payment or any acknowledgement in the credits. Wayne was very thankful and dropped off a brand new Jaguar car in front of Mickey's house. Spillane then went on to write a western script specifically for Wayne. Unfortunately, the Batjac company ran into financial difficulties when Wayne's pet project 'The Alamo' did not do as well as expected at the box office. As a result 'The Legend of Caleb York' was never filmed.
Max Allen Collins has taken Spillane's script and novelized it.
It's a pretty standard 'stranger comes to town and cleans up the corruption' story. Reading this it's interesting to note that this type of story is very typical of the Western movies we have now come to associate with Clint Eastwood. But this was written many years before. You have to wonder, if this movie had been made, would the whole anti-hero western genre have started 20 years earlier?
In 1954, John Wayne's Batjac company was filming a movie called 'Ring of Fear'. As Wayne and Spillane were friends the former cast Spillane as a detective in the movie. During the filming, Wayne was not happy about the script and asked Spillane to take a look at it. He did and rewrote quite a bit of it but refused payment or any acknowledgement in the credits. Wayne was very thankful and dropped off a brand new Jaguar car in front of Mickey's house. Spillane then went on to write a western script specifically for Wayne. Unfortunately, the Batjac company ran into financial difficulties when Wayne's pet project 'The Alamo' did not do as well as expected at the box office. As a result 'The Legend of Caleb York' was never filmed.
Max Allen Collins has taken Spillane's script and novelized it.
It's a pretty standard 'stranger comes to town and cleans up the corruption' story. Reading this it's interesting to note that this type of story is very typical of the Western movies we have now come to associate with Clint Eastwood. But this was written many years before. You have to wonder, if this movie had been made, would the whole anti-hero western genre have started 20 years earlier?
July 21, 2017
It's cattle country and a dark haired vixen of a madam invited a gunslinger into town to help her hang on. Now he's got a half interest in just about every business and most of the ranchers have been forced to sell out. He's made himself into the Sheriff and hired every outlaw and thug for miles around as his deputies. He runs this town with an iron fist, but blind Old Mr. Cullen and his doting daughter are holding out. He's hoping for help, but it may never come.
What happens when a Stranger passes through town and doesn't stand for the band of crooks running things? There's never been a gunslinger like him, but he acts like no one ever sent for him and he's just looking for a place to rest up in his way to California. Who is he and whose side is he on if anyone's?
There is not a dull page in this book. Cover to cover its filled with an exciting story, perfectly paced. It's one you'll want to read cover to cover and then read it again to catch what you missed. Just like Mike Hammer stories, there are the good guys and the bad guys. No moral confusion here. The story is told so well that it doesn't feel cliched at all.
This book was originally a screenplay and it feels just like an old movie as you are reading it.
The only question is are other Westerns like this or is this book simply a unique thing?
What happens when a Stranger passes through town and doesn't stand for the band of crooks running things? There's never been a gunslinger like him, but he acts like no one ever sent for him and he's just looking for a place to rest up in his way to California. Who is he and whose side is he on if anyone's?
There is not a dull page in this book. Cover to cover its filled with an exciting story, perfectly paced. It's one you'll want to read cover to cover and then read it again to catch what you missed. Just like Mike Hammer stories, there are the good guys and the bad guys. No moral confusion here. The story is told so well that it doesn't feel cliched at all.
This book was originally a screenplay and it feels just like an old movie as you are reading it.
The only question is are other Westerns like this or is this book simply a unique thing?
December 28, 2017
I was half expecting Mike Hammer in the Wild West, but this is far better. Caleb York is a much different character, more like Shane than Hammer. Spillane always had the chops for storytelling and colorful dialogue, and I think that Max Allan Collins did a marvelous job tightening up the narrative and the plotting to produce a novel that is more than the sum of it's parts. The hard-boiled Westerns of the 50s and 60s are one of my favorite eras for fiction, and this novel fits in well with the best of them.
December 9, 2017
THE LEGEND OF CALEB YORK is a western novel based on an unfinished draft of a story written by Mickey Spillane, and entrusted by Spillane’s widow to be developed into a completed novel by author Collins, something he has done successfully with several partially completed novels by the late author.
George Cullen is a rancher that is still a formidable force, even at an advanced age, and seems to be the only one in the territory who has the sand to stand up to “sheriff” Harry Gauge, a man who seems to be more a leader of a gang that intimidates the locals than a lawman, as are his “deputies”, who seem more like thugs and outlaws than keepers of the peace.
Gage appears to be attempting to force Cullen and his daughter from their ranch by threatening and killing his ranch hands, and has pulled similar tactics to acquire other large tracts of land in select locations.
Cullen is successful in getting a telegram sent before it can be stopped to enlist the aid of a gunslinger to go up against Gauge and his gang, and while his first choice would have been a legendary gunfighter by the name of Caleb York, he has reportedly been killed, and another will hopefully take the job.
Soon the arrival of a mysterious gunfighter in town creates interest as he immediately is braced by two of Gauge’s “deputies”, much to their regret, and serves notice to the sheriff that he’s not the least bit afraid to take on any or all of them.
Classic and well written western novel that could very easily be made into a movie is presented here, and thanks to both Spillane’s estate and author Max Allen Collins for seeing it through to completion so that western novel fans such as myself are able to enjoy having the chance to read this fine story.
5 stars.
George Cullen is a rancher that is still a formidable force, even at an advanced age, and seems to be the only one in the territory who has the sand to stand up to “sheriff” Harry Gauge, a man who seems to be more a leader of a gang that intimidates the locals than a lawman, as are his “deputies”, who seem more like thugs and outlaws than keepers of the peace.
Gage appears to be attempting to force Cullen and his daughter from their ranch by threatening and killing his ranch hands, and has pulled similar tactics to acquire other large tracts of land in select locations.
Cullen is successful in getting a telegram sent before it can be stopped to enlist the aid of a gunslinger to go up against Gauge and his gang, and while his first choice would have been a legendary gunfighter by the name of Caleb York, he has reportedly been killed, and another will hopefully take the job.
Soon the arrival of a mysterious gunfighter in town creates interest as he immediately is braced by two of Gauge’s “deputies”, much to their regret, and serves notice to the sheriff that he’s not the least bit afraid to take on any or all of them.
Classic and well written western novel that could very easily be made into a movie is presented here, and thanks to both Spillane’s estate and author Max Allen Collins for seeing it through to completion so that western novel fans such as myself are able to enjoy having the chance to read this fine story.
5 stars.
November 18, 2021
Harry Gauge is the sheriff of Trinidad, New Mexico. He is also an outlaw, bank robber and all-around scoundrel. His plan to become a wealthy land baron has almost reached its zenith with only the Cullen family standing in his way. George Cullen is desperate to keep his land so wires for a gunfighter to come to town and kill the brutal sheriff. Seems like a good plan, especially when a stranger rides in, seemingly answering the call. But is he really a hired gun or is he simply “passing through” as he claims?
This novel has an interesting history. It actually began as a screenplay written by Mickey Spillane with John Wayne in the leading role. But as Spillane neared the end of his life, he asked Max Allan Collins to complete a number of unfinished Mike Hammer novels as well as take a look at the screenplays. Thus, this novel was born.
Those readers who avoid this novel or turn up their nose at imagining Mickey Spillane writing a western, are really missing a treat. This is a fairly traditional western filled with interesting characters, a pretty cool setting, fast-moving plot and plenty of heroic gunplay. It follows the “stranger comes to town” trope but works it wonderfully, resulting in a very readable novel.
While this could easily stand alone, I’m happy there are several more to come in the series.
This novel has an interesting history. It actually began as a screenplay written by Mickey Spillane with John Wayne in the leading role. But as Spillane neared the end of his life, he asked Max Allan Collins to complete a number of unfinished Mike Hammer novels as well as take a look at the screenplays. Thus, this novel was born.
Those readers who avoid this novel or turn up their nose at imagining Mickey Spillane writing a western, are really missing a treat. This is a fairly traditional western filled with interesting characters, a pretty cool setting, fast-moving plot and plenty of heroic gunplay. It follows the “stranger comes to town” trope but works it wonderfully, resulting in a very readable novel.
While this could easily stand alone, I’m happy there are several more to come in the series.
May 12, 2016
A novelization of a screenplay Mickey Spillane wrote for his friend, John Wayne.
A heckuva western, that reminds me of the work of Donald Hamilton and Marvin Albert during the same time period.
A corrupt sheriff is trying to take over the range, when the last of his opponents, a blind rancher, sends a telegram offering to hire legendary gunman Caleb York to kill the sheriff.
Then a mysterious man in black rides into town...
Very well done.
Collins's introduction asks the readers to cast the mysterious man in black. Truthfully, I see Randolph Scott more than John Wayne here. However, considering he doesn't make his entrance until well into the novel, I think a B-lister like Jock Mahoney, George Montgomery, or Audie Murphy would play the part.
A heckuva western, that reminds me of the work of Donald Hamilton and Marvin Albert during the same time period.
A corrupt sheriff is trying to take over the range, when the last of his opponents, a blind rancher, sends a telegram offering to hire legendary gunman Caleb York to kill the sheriff.
Then a mysterious man in black rides into town...
Very well done.
Collins's introduction asks the readers to cast the mysterious man in black. Truthfully, I see Randolph Scott more than John Wayne here. However, considering he doesn't make his entrance until well into the novel, I think a B-lister like Jock Mahoney, George Montgomery, or Audie Murphy would play the part.
May 5, 2015
THE LEGEND OF CALEB YORK is a bit different from the other Spillane works Mr. Collins has been completing, mostly Mike Hammer stuff. Significant chunks of prose with notes has been the norm. Here, we have an unfilmed movie script that Mr. Spillane wrote for his friend John Wayne.
So, a complete story by Mickey Spillane with Max Allan Collins putting his considerable skills into turning it into a novel. Never been fond of the term novelization.
A mysterious stranger rides into Trinidad, New Mexico and into a situation. A crooked sheriff, a gentle rancher, aged and blind, and his daughter. The town pretty much cowed by the sheriff and his deputies.
It would have made a good movie, exactly the sort of thing from that period. With Mickey Spillane's touch of rough action in the mix. I can see Wayne in the role. Mr. Collins even invites the reader to picture the Duke, or any other western star, as you speed through the pages. I did, reading it in just a few hours.
I under stand it's the first of several Caleb York novels. Not sure whether Spillane left some ideas in his notes or that Collins will be the idea man. Either way will be fine with me.
Recommended for western lovers
So, a complete story by Mickey Spillane with Max Allan Collins putting his considerable skills into turning it into a novel. Never been fond of the term novelization.
A mysterious stranger rides into Trinidad, New Mexico and into a situation. A crooked sheriff, a gentle rancher, aged and blind, and his daughter. The town pretty much cowed by the sheriff and his deputies.
It would have made a good movie, exactly the sort of thing from that period. With Mickey Spillane's touch of rough action in the mix. I can see Wayne in the role. Mr. Collins even invites the reader to picture the Duke, or any other western star, as you speed through the pages. I did, reading it in just a few hours.
I under stand it's the first of several Caleb York novels. Not sure whether Spillane left some ideas in his notes or that Collins will be the idea man. Either way will be fine with me.
Recommended for western lovers
January 19, 2018
I love westerns and this was one of the good one's. This was a manuscript written by Mickey Spillane to be given to John Wayne for a movie. It was never given. Spillane gave it to Max Allan Collins to do as a book, and the outcome was a well written western.
I look forward to more books from Collins.
I look forward to more books from Collins.
May 24, 2023
Decent entry into the western genre from two of the best. Not much new ground covered here, but the ride is so good I didn't mind.
December 22, 2017
The Legend of Caleb York was a uncompleted movie manuscript started by Mickey Spillane, meant for actor John Wayne and completed by Max Allan Collins.
This was a great read, my favorite Western read of the year for me. Seriously hope that Collins continues writing more Caleb York books and glad to see #3 in the series will be out Jan. 30th 2018. Liked everything about it, classic good verse evil, had twist and turns, even everything Sheriff Harry Gauge was believable and you can't tell two authors wrote this, if you didn't know it.
My favorite characters, were George Cullem, his daughter Willa, his foreman Whitt and of course Caleb York the conquering hero. In the introductory notes, Max mentions about thinking about your favorite Cowboy actor. For me this would have been the perfect movie, for Sam Elliott, most definitely Caleb York would have been the perfect role for him and Katherine Ross back in the day could have been Willa.
Definitely a must read, hope Max Allan Collins continues writing Westerns and cool that it's dedicated to Bill Crider.
This was a great read, my favorite Western read of the year for me. Seriously hope that Collins continues writing more Caleb York books and glad to see #3 in the series will be out Jan. 30th 2018. Liked everything about it, classic good verse evil, had twist and turns, even everything Sheriff Harry Gauge was believable and you can't tell two authors wrote this, if you didn't know it.
My favorite characters, were George Cullem, his daughter Willa, his foreman Whitt and of course Caleb York the conquering hero. In the introductory notes, Max mentions about thinking about your favorite Cowboy actor. For me this would have been the perfect movie, for Sam Elliott, most definitely Caleb York would have been the perfect role for him and Katherine Ross back in the day could have been Willa.
Definitely a must read, hope Max Allan Collins continues writing Westerns and cool that it's dedicated to Bill Crider.
March 14, 2017
Westerns are my favorites. You and I would have loved the movie staring John Wayne had it ever been made, this being the screen play. But I doubt the movie would have been as good as the book. The movie would have a PG rating (there are some shootings after-all but the language is G). I have to rate the book 5 Stars, good ole cowboys, cowgirls, ranch baron, a town drunk, a lady of the night, and plenty of black hats. After reading/listening, I plan to read the sequel "The Big Showdown" and hope that Max Allan Collins doesn't disappoint. I love Spillane, although it has been many years since I have read any of his books. I am also impressed with Max Allan Collins and have have several of his books on my Want To Read list.
June 20, 2021
I’m going to give this four stars, which is usually reserved for truly amazing literature, but in this case, I have to say I have great respect for the late Mickey Spillane, and for Max Collins, who finished this project Spillane began before his death. I enjoyed this western more than anything since True Grit. I enjoy most westerns, truth be told, but few of them are written by true literary geniuses like L’Amour. They lack the descriptive nuances of language, dialogue and the creation of the visuals necessary to fully immerse the reader into the setting and the experience. All this is present in this novel. I felt like I knew these characters intimately. They are human and speak the way normal humans in similar situations would speak…no bravado, no hubris, no hyperbole. Caleb York is the quintessential western hero, but he’s complicated and dynamic. I am thrilled to see that this was the first in a series of novels featuring York, and I’m looking forward to reading more of these, and hope they are indeed as good as this first one.
I think for this review, I’ll skip the plot summary, but I will say it’s more sophisticated that we normally observe in westerns. The bad guy is as bad as it gets. York is as good as it gets. The story doesn’t always go where it seems, and though, like the typical western, the ending is satisfying, the journey is more bumpy than I’m used to, and I suppose that’s the quality that merits the four stars. I highly recommend this one to those, like me, who love the western genre.
I think for this review, I’ll skip the plot summary, but I will say it’s more sophisticated that we normally observe in westerns. The bad guy is as bad as it gets. York is as good as it gets. The story doesn’t always go where it seems, and though, like the typical western, the ending is satisfying, the journey is more bumpy than I’m used to, and I suppose that’s the quality that merits the four stars. I highly recommend this one to those, like me, who love the western genre.
November 4, 2024
The Cullens own a ranch outside of Trinidad, New Mexico, for now. The sheriff of Trinidad is an outlaw and murderer named Harry Guage. He has swindled and bullied all of the local business owners and most of the nearby ranchers into partnerships or outright sales of the businesses to him.
Old Man Cullen sends a telegram to Denver to hire a gunman for their protection.
The following day a nameless stranger arrives in town. He kills two of Guage’s men when they draw on him. The action begins.
The story was ok. Every once in a while, you can hear Mickey Spillane in some of the dialog. My complaints are that Collins is wordy and that the vicious beating of Lola did not forward the plot. Ewe have seen plenty of viciousness from Guage and his men at that point.
Old Man Cullen sends a telegram to Denver to hire a gunman for their protection.
The following day a nameless stranger arrives in town. He kills two of Guage’s men when they draw on him. The action begins.
The story was ok. Every once in a while, you can hear Mickey Spillane in some of the dialog. My complaints are that Collins is wordy and that the vicious beating of Lola did not forward the plot. Ewe have seen plenty of viciousness from Guage and his men at that point.
May 11, 2019
Collins has taken a screenplay written by the late, Spillane for John Wayne, but never produced. He has turned into a complete novel, more Zane Grey than Louis L'Amour in style. This is the first in a series of books that the author will be writing based on the same character.
The town of Trinidad, NM is under the control of outlaw turned sheriff Harry Gauge, who rules the area with his former gang now deputized. Seeking to expand his holdings to the ranches of the surrounding area, Gauge has bought our or forced out many of the smaller landowners. One major obstacle is George Cullen, a now blind ranch owner, and his beautiful daughter, Willa. Gauge will stop at nothing to get both the ranch and Willa.
Into this situation comes a sharply dressed stranger who quickly becomes the focus of Gauge's hate and Willa's infatuation. In typical Western fashion we're soon involved in gun play and high drama.
This is an old fashion western and Collins easily takes up in the tradition of the better Western writers. You can easily envision Wayne or a number of other classic Western heroes filling the role of the hero in this book. A quick read of under 200 pages.
The town of Trinidad, NM is under the control of outlaw turned sheriff Harry Gauge, who rules the area with his former gang now deputized. Seeking to expand his holdings to the ranches of the surrounding area, Gauge has bought our or forced out many of the smaller landowners. One major obstacle is George Cullen, a now blind ranch owner, and his beautiful daughter, Willa. Gauge will stop at nothing to get both the ranch and Willa.
Into this situation comes a sharply dressed stranger who quickly becomes the focus of Gauge's hate and Willa's infatuation. In typical Western fashion we're soon involved in gun play and high drama.
This is an old fashion western and Collins easily takes up in the tradition of the better Western writers. You can easily envision Wayne or a number of other classic Western heroes filling the role of the hero in this book. A quick read of under 200 pages.
November 13, 2017
Max Collins completes a western originally started as a screen play by Mickey Spillane for John Wayne. A corrupt sheriff has his eyes set on getting all the land in the area and a beautiful ranch girl for himself. As some ranchers fight for survival, a dudish stranger rides into town and soon there is more gunfire.
March 30, 2020
Wow, what a great read. It reads like a great screenplay and a darn shame it didn't end up on film.
January 27, 2021
A Western by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins?!? Oh, yeah! And, it’s a great one. In fact, it’s the first in what has become a great series. There are many excellent Spillane and Collins crime novels, written separately and via a still growing list of their Mike Hammer “collaborations” – novels Collins finished based on manuscripts and notes Mickey bequeathed to him. Collins has also written new Hammer novels that allow the character to age, extending Spillane’s legacy. The Caleb York Western series is less well known than the Spillane/Collins Mike Hammer novels or Collins’ own popular solo crime series, like the QUARRY, NATHAN HELLER and NOLAN novels. But it has the Spillane and Collins DNA and is just as gritty and well-written. Indeed, in the realm of recent Westerns, the Caleb York series has become one of my favorites. I highly recommend it. I also strongly recommend starting with the first book in the series, THE LEGEND OF CALEB YORK. As Collins recounts in his fascinating introduction, it’s based on an unfinished screenplay Spillane wrote for his friend John Wayne’s movie production company. For reasons explained in the intro, Wayne ended up being unable to make the film. Later in Spillane’s life, Collins became his close friend and eventually the executor of his literary estate. The Caleb York script was one of a number of unfinished works Mickey asked Max to complete and publish after he died. Collins turned the York script concept into a classic Western novel. The eponymous central character is, like Spillane’s Mike Hammer, legendary for being tough, quick with a gun, and dedicated to seeing justice done, one way or the other – though in York’s case he’s a lawman rather than a private detective. This first novel in the series was published in 2016. There are now five. The sixth, SHOOT-OUT AT SUGAR CREEK, is being published in April 2021 and so far I’ve enjoyed all of them. I started the series by listening to the Audible edition of THE LEGEND OF CALEB YORK, nicely narrated by Phil Gigante, and was quickly hooked. It sets the stage and tone for the following novels. The characters are three-dimensional, the writing has a cinematic flair that reflects both the concept’s origin as a movie script and Collins’ vivid, action-oriented writing style – and, there are some bloody and satisfying showdowns between Caleb York and the “bad guys.” I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up and five sheriff stars!
November 2, 2024
I believe the author Mickey Spillane is best known for his mysteries (I'll admit, I haven't read any of his) but he was also good friends with John Wayne and wrote a script for a movie called "The Legend of Caleb York" that was never put to film. When Spillane passed away he left his unfinished works in the hands of Max Allen Collins (I've read one Collins novel and I hated it) who took up Spillane's unfinished ideas and flushed out full-length novels from some of them. Knowing that, it makes sense that this "Legend of Caleb York" has feet in both a classic John Wayne style and more modern western with regard to pacing, content, and language.
Think of "The Legend of Caleb York" as a modern R-rated summer action flick rather than an immersive old-school western adventure. The antagonist is a former outlaw named Harry Gauge who has bullied himself into the Sheriff position in Trinidad, New Mexico and has used his position to buy up interest in most of the town's businesses and surrounding ranch lands. His group of hired hands are also former outlaws he has deputized and the Sheriff starts this story by killing a young man working for the Bar-O outfit, which is owned by a blind, old, stubborn rancher and his daughter who refuse to sell. The rancher puts the word out that he'd pay cash for a gunman to come and settle things with Gauge and then this stranger (the John Wayne role) strolls into town and finds himself amusedly battling with Gauge's thugs.
Verdict: An easy western, big on action and frontier karma, a great setup but, in my opinion, poor execution, low on nuance or moral conflict, stereotypical characters with unsurprising paths, and several lengthy forays into cartoonishly gratuitous situations that are just silly.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
Think of "The Legend of Caleb York" as a modern R-rated summer action flick rather than an immersive old-school western adventure. The antagonist is a former outlaw named Harry Gauge who has bullied himself into the Sheriff position in Trinidad, New Mexico and has used his position to buy up interest in most of the town's businesses and surrounding ranch lands. His group of hired hands are also former outlaws he has deputized and the Sheriff starts this story by killing a young man working for the Bar-O outfit, which is owned by a blind, old, stubborn rancher and his daughter who refuse to sell. The rancher puts the word out that he'd pay cash for a gunman to come and settle things with Gauge and then this stranger (the John Wayne role) strolls into town and finds himself amusedly battling with Gauge's thugs.
Verdict: An easy western, big on action and frontier karma, a great setup but, in my opinion, poor execution, low on nuance or moral conflict, stereotypical characters with unsurprising paths, and several lengthy forays into cartoonishly gratuitous situations that are just silly.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
January 19, 2025
I liked the pacing, descriptions, the word choices, the geographic setting. My second Caleb York read.
The characters were one dimensional: the good guys were so good, the bad guys had no virtues. The only wild card was the stock character, the female saloon owner.
Looking through 2025 glasses made this story a little far fetched. It was a man's world. Men ruled the wild west and they ruled it badly. Sure, there had to be the requisite wholesome, sweet young female. Life was cheap; dead bodies littered the landscape like discarded cigarette butts. The only successful businesspeople were the saloon owner and the undertaker.
The characters were one dimensional: the good guys were so good, the bad guys had no virtues. The only wild card was the stock character, the female saloon owner.
Looking through 2025 glasses made this story a little far fetched. It was a man's world. Men ruled the wild west and they ruled it badly. Sure, there had to be the requisite wholesome, sweet young female. Life was cheap; dead bodies littered the landscape like discarded cigarette butts. The only successful businesspeople were the saloon owner and the undertaker.
August 9, 2021
Book one of a six book series. Outlaw becomes sheriff, but he and his “deputies” have treed the town, have everyone scared, The “sheriff” is working on owning everything, including all the cattle ranches and wants one of the rancher’s daughters for himself.
Then a stranger comes to town. He is just passing through. But two of the so called deputies think otherwise do something stupid.
This is a fast paced story. Just the way I like them. Enjoyed this story and looking forward to read the next one in line.
Then a stranger comes to town. He is just passing through. But two of the so called deputies think otherwise do something stupid.
This is a fast paced story. Just the way I like them. Enjoyed this story and looking forward to read the next one in line.
November 13, 2018
I've read some good westerns before
but this one was exceptional,to me its a little sad that this book was originally a screenplay for a potential John Wayne movie.
The powers that were at the studio then missed an opportunity here
but at the author's suggestion
I casted the characters represented in the book from actors in old western movies & tv shows
it was fun indeed
the kid and adult in me loved it.
An Exceptional Read.
but this one was exceptional,to me its a little sad that this book was originally a screenplay for a potential John Wayne movie.
The powers that were at the studio then missed an opportunity here
but at the author's suggestion
I casted the characters represented in the book from actors in old western movies & tv shows
it was fun indeed
the kid and adult in me loved it.
An Exceptional Read.
September 5, 2018
I'm hooked on the thrills from this author pairing and eager to read more. Mystery newcomer "Caleb" surprises town ruled by gun gang leader sheriff Gauge. I was sorry to learn spoilers and would have liked better to read this #1 in order, before #2 "The Big Showdown", because dove Lola and ranch-girl Willa both have major influences.
September 21, 2019
I enjoyed this book set in the 1860 era of cowboys and western towns... it had sex in it....drama.... emotion and several far fetched story lines going on within each other... the ending was predictable but it was OK.... the authors didn't drag it out. I would read Spillane's cowboy books again cowritten by ... I actually liked them better than his detective novels starring Mickey Spillane...
January 18, 2022
Solid old school western. Like really old school. Randolph Scott, John Wayne old school. Which is to be expected based on the introduction included in the book. No spoiler so read it your self). It does seem dated at times … no surprise since it was started in the 1950s by Spillane. Overall an easy, dusty and bloody journey back to the old west.
December 13, 2022
Familiar Western Story
Max Collins does a great job of making this novel read like a John Wayne book, lifting a couple of phrases from the movie "Big Jake" and writing it in a classic style. There's no significant character growth--except for the town drunk--so don't expect that. But if you like Louis L'Amour westerns, you'll likely enjoy this.
Max Collins does a great job of making this novel read like a John Wayne book, lifting a couple of phrases from the movie "Big Jake" and writing it in a classic style. There's no significant character growth--except for the town drunk--so don't expect that. But if you like Louis L'Amour westerns, you'll likely enjoy this.
June 7, 2021
NOPE!
Been a long time since I've read a cowboy book and I forgot how simplistic they can be. However I expected better from MAC than this. Anyway, won't be reading anymore of these. Too bad
Been a long time since I've read a cowboy book and I forgot how simplistic they can be. However I expected better from MAC than this. Anyway, won't be reading anymore of these. Too bad
November 28, 2022
Spillane & Collins = One Outstanding Western!
First Western I'd read by this great combo of excellent writers. Great story - a rash of great characters and a satisfying conclusion! I can see why it would have made a great John Wayne movie! Great book - I sped through it!
First Western I'd read by this great combo of excellent writers. Great story - a rash of great characters and a satisfying conclusion! I can see why it would have made a great John Wayne movie! Great book - I sped through it!
June 13, 2023
Fun, action-packed read
This was a fun, action-packed read. A great traditional gun-slinging western filled with a corrupt sheriff, cattle rustling, and a stranger passing through town who just happens to be handy with a gun.
This was a fun, action-packed read. A great traditional gun-slinging western filled with a corrupt sheriff, cattle rustling, and a stranger passing through town who just happens to be handy with a gun.
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