Shadow of a Star and Pecos Crossing: Two Complete Novels of the American West

by Elmer Kelton

Two classic wild westerns in one volume from seven-time Spur Award-winning author Elmer Kelton.Shadow of a StarDeputy Sheriff Jim-Bob McClain isn't sure he's ready to follow in his father's footsteps as the law in Coolridge County. In fact, he has a hard enough time keeping the peace between the drunks in the local saloon. But with tough Sheriff Mont Naylor to back him up he figures he can handle whatever comes his way.Jim-Bob's first real assignment is no piece of cake. He must escort a ruthless outlaw into the hands of justice. All seems well with the lawless killer firmly in Jim-Bob's custody. But nothing prepares him for an angry mob, determined to take the law into their own hands and provide their own brand a hangman's noose.Pecos CrossingJohnny Fristo and Speck Quitman, young, hard-working cowboys from Fort Concho, Texas, have worked six months--at $20 a month--on the Devil's River. Their boss, a hawk-faced cow trader named Larramore, reneges on the money he owes the boys and sneaks out of the cow camp and heads for San Angelo.Fristo is tall and thin, his mind a hundred miles away; Quitman is short, bandy-legged, and "bedazzled by the flash of cards and the slosh of whiskey." The two are as different as sun and moon but are inseparable—and now they have a find Larramore and extract the money he owes them.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2019

About the author

Elmer Kelton (1926-2009) was award-winning author of more than forty novels, including The Time It Never Rained, Other Men’s Horses, Texas Standoff and Hard Trail to Follow. He grew up on a ranch near Crane, Texas, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. His first novel, Hot Iron, was published in 1956. Among his awards have been seven Spurs from Western Writers of America and four Western Heritage awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. His novel The Good Old Boys was made into a television film starring Tommy Lee Jones. In addition to his novels, Kelton worked as an agricultural journalist for 42 years. He served in the infantry in World War II. He died in 2009.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/elmerk...

Reviews

[CindySR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love me a good western yarn! Nobody does it better than Kelton, except maybe L'Amour. Kelton was more of a real cowboy so there is a bit more authenticity to his books.

The first novella is about a young deputy trying to prove himself by bringing in a murderer. The second is about two young cowhands who set in motion a series of events that causes them to go on the run.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating stories of justice in the old west

These two books carry an outstanding cast of characters, intriguing story lines, and desperate situations. Beautifully written as only Elmer Kelton can craft a western setting. Well worth the time