The Gunfighter's Apprentice

Tom Patterson #1

by Jerry S. Drake

During an attempted robbery in a Nebraska frontier town, a young storekeeper, Matt McKay kills the brother of a murderous gang leader, Jack Moss. Fearing the outlaw's revenge, Matt's father takes him to Colorado and hires and once-feared gunfighter, Tom Patterson, to teach him the gun skills needed for self-defense and survival. For a sizable sum of money, Patterson accepts the task even though he views the young man too gentle and innocent to survive a gun battle with an accomplished killer. On his rundown ranch high in the Rocky Mountains, the gruff, older gunslinger imposes days of gun-handling practices, hoping to instill a killer instinct in the easygoing Matt. In the nearby rowdy mining town of Gold Stream, Matt has the opportunity to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of his mentor. In eventful situations, Patterson's friends and enemies make Gold Stream a site of entertainment and danger. With the threat of the Moss gang's retribution ever present, Matt and Tom Patterson form a bond of mutual respect and resolve as they await a fatal showdown.

Genres: Fiction

214 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jim Hirbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the Tom Patterson series. It’s an easy read. Took me two days. I love a good western. The story is full of action. Guns, horses, salons, gold rushes and mining towns. I really like this series.

[Sandybear76]

Nebraska. 1870.

[Danyelle Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, great western with tons of actions.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set about 1877 in the American West, it centers on the young Matt McKay. Defending his store and his life, Matt guns down a would-be robber who happens to be the kid brother of a notorious outlaw. Matt's father brings him over to Gold Stream, Colorado, to gunslinger Tom Patterson and pays him to teach his son to defend himself in a gunfight. This was a fast paced, enjoyable story with a decent, even if not distinguished, style and likable characters. This isn't the sort of story that would sell people on Westerns, but if you like the genre this one is solid--a good read and Drake is certainly a cut above writers such as Zane Grey, Max Brand and Louis L'Amour.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid Western. Just misses being a genre-buster. Great characters, good storyline, great setting. I'll read more in this series.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school Western with interesting characters and a happy ending. Enjoyable quick read.

[Gary E Hess]

Excellent

Best western I,ve read in years. Very down to earth and believable. I will be looking for more by the author.

[Judy A. Ptacek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gunfighter

I wanted to read a good western but I did not like the story and did not finish the book.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente dentro de su género. Muy entretenido, bien llevado y con personajes agradables y creíbles. Me encantó y me dejó con ganas de leer más del autor :D