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The Dakota Series #3
Rattler!
Book by Iversen, Cap
222 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2018
Reading Challenge 2018 - Pinterest: book by an author you love. Sad to see the end of this series. Nothing on the author or any other books he has written. Western is normally not my favorite genre, but I did thoroughly enjoy the adventures of Dakota Taylor and Bennie Colsen. The story started with a rattlesnake and ended with a rattlesnake. The West seems like a dream with cheap whiskey, gunfighters, and a mystery to solve. I would like to believe that Dakota finally put down his guns and lived the rest of his life with Bennie on their cattle ranch.
November 16, 2015
4.0 of 5 stars – Wonderful Way to Ride Gayly Into This Series’ Sunset.
I hadn't read a good gay western set in the old wild west in quite a while, and I got totally into this trilogy. The author has a great name for a writer of westerns, yet I have no idea who he is (I assume it's a pen name; but I couldn't find any author bios on the books or internet). So I don't know if he'd mind me saying that he reminded me of a gay Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, or Larry McMurtry, some of my favorite western authors. Iverson's books are similar, and this third one was just as good as the first two to end what has become a favorite western series of mine.
In this third book, unlike the mysteries in the first two, I witnessed the murder in the prologue; and Iverson did a pretty good job of keeping my interest as I watched to see how folks would figure it out. That went on for a bit too long, so I was relieved when they started making by then some obvious connections. But I did enjoy how this came full circle in the end, back to the private oasis, Colts, and "Rattler!" that started the story. As a bonus, I was pleased that the MC (Dakota) was still with Junior and appreciated that Iverson took this opportunity to further develop their maturing relationship in a way that reflected the realities of such things, especially in those times. There was even a nice coming out scene, if you will, in an old west style that made me smile.
I also liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series. First off, for those interested, it worked well as a standalone, with its own self-contained story, smoothly providing any explanations needed to bring a first-time reader up on previous happenings, while also further developing the character and life of the MC, his lover and other supporting characters in a way that continued an arc across the trilogy.
Second, it was a nice, short, easy read, with a good, well-paced plot and character development. I enjoyed the walk back in time to the old west, and Iverson's down home style described it vividly - the mid-1870's West Texas setting, the town and people, their culture and clothes, the land and climate. Although there were some stereotypical elements, like being the fastest draw in the West, I liked the mix and clash of different cultures, including some gypsy culture, as well as the culture at the time regarding gay men. Even the men's attraction to each other (both physical and emotional) and lovemaking (mostly off camera) sounded like the old west.
Third, Iverson also developed nicely the whole set of characters. Of course there was more on the MC; but even with the supporting cast I got a good feel for who they were. With Dakota, Iverson really got into the life and mindset of a trail-hardened, now somewhat tamed gunslinger. This was effectively facilitated by the first-person POV, allowing for things to be said and described in the voice and thoughts of the gunslinger in a way that put me in that time and place. Dakota was an old west version of a street smart, people-savvy tough guy who was good with a gun, and I grew to like him for all his skills, heart and humanness. His common sense form of justice was appealing, and his way of sizing things up reminded me of a saying from an old TV show: "no brag, just fact."
The level of quality that Iverson maintained in this series was impressive; and as others have mentioned, I lament that there were only three books and will certainly miss Cap/Dakota. Who Iverson is may be a mystery, but rest assured his legacy lives on with this enjoyable trilogy.
I hadn't read a good gay western set in the old wild west in quite a while, and I got totally into this trilogy. The author has a great name for a writer of westerns, yet I have no idea who he is (I assume it's a pen name; but I couldn't find any author bios on the books or internet). So I don't know if he'd mind me saying that he reminded me of a gay Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, or Larry McMurtry, some of my favorite western authors. Iverson's books are similar, and this third one was just as good as the first two to end what has become a favorite western series of mine.
In this third book, unlike the mysteries in the first two, I witnessed the murder in the prologue; and Iverson did a pretty good job of keeping my interest as I watched to see how folks would figure it out. That went on for a bit too long, so I was relieved when they started making by then some obvious connections. But I did enjoy how this came full circle in the end, back to the private oasis, Colts, and "Rattler!" that started the story. As a bonus, I was pleased that the MC (Dakota) was still with Junior and appreciated that Iverson took this opportunity to further develop their maturing relationship in a way that reflected the realities of such things, especially in those times. There was even a nice coming out scene, if you will, in an old west style that made me smile.
I also liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series. First off, for those interested, it worked well as a standalone, with its own self-contained story, smoothly providing any explanations needed to bring a first-time reader up on previous happenings, while also further developing the character and life of the MC, his lover and other supporting characters in a way that continued an arc across the trilogy.
Second, it was a nice, short, easy read, with a good, well-paced plot and character development. I enjoyed the walk back in time to the old west, and Iverson's down home style described it vividly - the mid-1870's West Texas setting, the town and people, their culture and clothes, the land and climate. Although there were some stereotypical elements, like being the fastest draw in the West, I liked the mix and clash of different cultures, including some gypsy culture, as well as the culture at the time regarding gay men. Even the men's attraction to each other (both physical and emotional) and lovemaking (mostly off camera) sounded like the old west.
Third, Iverson also developed nicely the whole set of characters. Of course there was more on the MC; but even with the supporting cast I got a good feel for who they were. With Dakota, Iverson really got into the life and mindset of a trail-hardened, now somewhat tamed gunslinger. This was effectively facilitated by the first-person POV, allowing for things to be said and described in the voice and thoughts of the gunslinger in a way that put me in that time and place. Dakota was an old west version of a street smart, people-savvy tough guy who was good with a gun, and I grew to like him for all his skills, heart and humanness. His common sense form of justice was appealing, and his way of sizing things up reminded me of a saying from an old TV show: "no brag, just fact."
The level of quality that Iverson maintained in this series was impressive; and as others have mentioned, I lament that there were only three books and will certainly miss Cap/Dakota. Who Iverson is may be a mystery, but rest assured his legacy lives on with this enjoyable trilogy.
April 28, 2015
Must reads.
May 7, 2023
If you’ve read #2 Silver Saddles- and if not, why not?- you’ll be wondering what happened after its precipitate ending. Dakota returned to his lover after long absence and seemed a mite surprised when Junior didn’t exactly fall into his arms. Well, it’s 3 years on, and the two men remain firmly coupled, so we must draw our own conclusions. Two Rivers where Bennie and Dakota have their ranch attracts increased numbers of settlers, and their little log cabin has grown into a proper house, where they have a real fireplace around which they sit for intellectual discussions (says Dakota dryly) with friends from the community.
Dakota and Bennie are travelling on a stagecoach bound for New Jersey, where they’re to take tea with Walt Whitman. Bennie’s got a letter he’s only too happy to read aloud, to Dakota’s chagrin, jealous of anyone paying attention to Junior, even aged poets. Rather a sore point with our ex gunfighter just how impressed his boy is by poetry, especially since he’s been forced into a suit and tie for the occasion.
Accompanying them across Texas is Marshall Cameron Brooks and prisoner, Judd Brooks, whom Dakota recognises as cohort of Mexican bandit Juan Caballe. Brooks is to hang for the murder of young Clay James, a hustler from Washington, DC, with friends in high places. Clay was lying low in Broken Wagon Wheel when he caught the eye of local banker, Richard Mecum. Mecum isn’t your average Texan male. He has a zealously guarded pond and grows orchids in the middle of a desert. He also has a reputation to keep and greedy Clay is a threat.
Inevitably Caballe’s men attack the stage and make off with the prisoner. Marshall Cameron wants Dakota for his deputy. Now Dakota says he’s afraid of Bennie’s wrath if he misses tea with Walt, but Judd Brooks has got his precious Colt .44s, so it doesn’t take much arm twisting to persuade him. Yet again our boys must part, Dakota’s two halves at war, settled married man and footloose gunfighter. He’s exhilarated to ride the trail again, though his thoughts are ever with Bennie. Cameron sees fire in Dakota’s belly as he faces death.
The focus of the story is male love, tolerance and self-acceptance. Dakota gets straight away that Judd, a gunfighter like himself, would never strangle anyone, and the letters lead to suspicions about Clay blackmailing a local man. Marshall Cameron remains charmingly oblivious of all this male desire surging around him, insisting there’s none of that sort of thing in Texas. Bennie’s fear of Dakota exposing them is at odds with his proud use of the term ‘homosexual’. Dakota has less truck with fancy words than the courage to admit what you are. Dakota asks no one’s permission to love his man. Richard Mecum was driven to kill by his fear of exposure, yet Judd cheerfully admits using men at a pinch.
The plot has the usual twists and turns, and more than enough excitement to please. Toward the end I could scarcely breathe for fear of what was to come. Later, Dakota admits he was afraid of losing everything. For he has changed. He stays with Cameron though he has no personal quarrel with Caballe and his gang. He meets a feared Apache warrior with bravery undaunted but domesticity has tamed his wilder urges. It’s what Dakota and Bennie have that’s the true face of civilisation, freedom to live and love and make something together. Men like them made the West for the rest.
Dakota and Bennie are travelling on a stagecoach bound for New Jersey, where they’re to take tea with Walt Whitman. Bennie’s got a letter he’s only too happy to read aloud, to Dakota’s chagrin, jealous of anyone paying attention to Junior, even aged poets. Rather a sore point with our ex gunfighter just how impressed his boy is by poetry, especially since he’s been forced into a suit and tie for the occasion.
Accompanying them across Texas is Marshall Cameron Brooks and prisoner, Judd Brooks, whom Dakota recognises as cohort of Mexican bandit Juan Caballe. Brooks is to hang for the murder of young Clay James, a hustler from Washington, DC, with friends in high places. Clay was lying low in Broken Wagon Wheel when he caught the eye of local banker, Richard Mecum. Mecum isn’t your average Texan male. He has a zealously guarded pond and grows orchids in the middle of a desert. He also has a reputation to keep and greedy Clay is a threat.
Inevitably Caballe’s men attack the stage and make off with the prisoner. Marshall Cameron wants Dakota for his deputy. Now Dakota says he’s afraid of Bennie’s wrath if he misses tea with Walt, but Judd Brooks has got his precious Colt .44s, so it doesn’t take much arm twisting to persuade him. Yet again our boys must part, Dakota’s two halves at war, settled married man and footloose gunfighter. He’s exhilarated to ride the trail again, though his thoughts are ever with Bennie. Cameron sees fire in Dakota’s belly as he faces death.
The focus of the story is male love, tolerance and self-acceptance. Dakota gets straight away that Judd, a gunfighter like himself, would never strangle anyone, and the letters lead to suspicions about Clay blackmailing a local man. Marshall Cameron remains charmingly oblivious of all this male desire surging around him, insisting there’s none of that sort of thing in Texas. Bennie’s fear of Dakota exposing them is at odds with his proud use of the term ‘homosexual’. Dakota has less truck with fancy words than the courage to admit what you are. Dakota asks no one’s permission to love his man. Richard Mecum was driven to kill by his fear of exposure, yet Judd cheerfully admits using men at a pinch.
The plot has the usual twists and turns, and more than enough excitement to please. Toward the end I could scarcely breathe for fear of what was to come. Later, Dakota admits he was afraid of losing everything. For he has changed. He stays with Cameron though he has no personal quarrel with Caballe and his gang. He meets a feared Apache warrior with bravery undaunted but domesticity has tamed his wilder urges. It’s what Dakota and Bennie have that’s the true face of civilisation, freedom to live and love and make something together. Men like them made the West for the rest.
March 7, 2013
So good, solid writing. Competent with style.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews