Wolf Lawman

by Ray Hogan

Genesis was a peaceful place that was prospering. John Fontana, a capable marshal, had no trouble preventing lawlessness until a strange, unkempt group of men rode into town - and one of them was in fact Fontana's own brother. After the killing, raping, and plundering, Genesis was peaceful no more. The men rode out of town, but there was no doubt that revenge had to be taken for all the men who had died and all the women who had suffered.

Paperback

First published April 2, 1974

About the author

Ray Hogan (1908-1998) was born in Missouri but spent his life in New Mexico.
His father was a Western marshal and lawman.
He has written over 100 books. His work has been translated into 16 languages and filmed.

Reviews

[Josh Hitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok western tale, every western author has a book like this. A gang of outlaws ride into town get the drop on the sheriff and take out the town. However the sheriff survives and vows to go after the gang, knowing the trail is cold and that they will be spread out. This was Hogan's version and since I always consider him a second tier writer, it makes sense that this was a second tier book. The lawman character was fine and the writing though plain was good enough and kept the story moving. There was a forced thrown in attempt at a romance that made no sense toward the ending that really came from nowhere, guess he just needed the word count. Nothing different or great just a workman like tale that was good enough to waste some time with.

Can't recommend, again just an ok book not bad, just not anything note worthy.

[Michael Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather dark and introspective story of a marshal of a quiet town that suddenly is not so quiet.
Marshall John Fontana feels guilty and impelled to go after a vicious, murderous gang, a gang that includes his brother.
First he has to recover from multiple gunshot wounds.
His anger and guilt drive him to try to recover quicker than the doctor believes is sensible; but he gets on the trail after the gang quickly.
On the trail, he begins to question his life and lifestyle.
There is a lot of action but also a lot of wondering as well as wandering, with three states seeing the action.
Not every reader is going to accept the results.
Author Ray Hogan was a very prolific writer and this is not necessarily one of his strongest stories. But it's worth reading.