Gunlock

by Wayne D. Overholser

WILL BEESON HAD TWO CHOICES, HE COULD LOSE HIS LAND… OR HIS LIFE. IN A DEAD MAN’S FOOTSTEPS Joe Pardee was hardheaded, trigger-quick, and the closest thing to a father Will Beeson ever had. When Joe was gunned down defending the Box P Ranch against land-hungry settlers, Will stepped in and tried to fill Joe's shoes. But Will hadn't bargained on the women in Joe's life. And he hadn't reckoned on the greenhorns who rode into his valley looking to set up fences and put down roots. Pardee had given his life fighting for the open range. Now Will had to use his head to make peace, or follow in Joe's footsteps, pick up his guns, and risk going down in a deadly hail of lead. Three-time Winner of the Spur Award Wayne D. Overholser Author of "Law Man" and "The Violent Land." With millions of his books sold, he is acclaimed coast-to-coast and around the world as one of the greatest Western writers.

Genres: Westerns

Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Wayne D. Overholser (born September 4, 1906 in Pomeroy, Washington; died August 27, 1996 in Boulder, Colorado) was an American Western writer.

Overholser won the 1953 First Spur Award for best novel for Lawman using the pseudonym Lee Leighton. In 1955 he won the 1954 (second) Spur Award for The Violent Land. He also used the pseudonyms John S. Daniels, Dan J. Stevens and Joseph Wayne.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

just ok, nothing special

[David Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solidly done western, blended with a coming-of-age story. The tale revolves around a ranch run by a strongman who dies early on, leaving his wife and young cow-puncher (the main character) to try and hold things together. Things get complicated quickly, with quasi-utopian homesteaders moving in, another ranch hand becoming increasingly dangerous and deadly, and secrets of the ranch bubbling to the surface. A lot of character drama, decent amounts of action. A fun read all around.

[Larry Holshu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Good to the end. If you like a good western then this one is for you.