What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gunfighter #12
Ralph Compton Hell Snake
In the latest thrilling installment in Ralph Compton's Gunfighter series, a cult leader embarks on a murderous mission. A Native American woman has been abducted and Indian Police Officer Edwin Folsom is determined to find her. Although despised by his people for working for the U.S. government, he is descended from a long line of proud native warriors, and he vows that the kidnapper will pay dearly. Witnesses say the victim was taken by a group of white men in thrall to a holy man, but John Deacon is anything but holy. He has led The Cult of Penitence to this valley in Oklahoma looking to avenge himself on the man who gave him the scar disfiguring his face. Enraged to learn Ash Sinclair is dead, he concocts a deranged new one that requires the blood of Sinclair’s young grandson, Connor. With local law enforcement arrayed against him, Folsom has only Sinclair’s family to help him stop Deacon before his insane ritual is completed...
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
11 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Schaffer
87 books282 followersBernard Schaffer is an author from the Philadelphia area.
His acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series features Carrie Santero and her mentor, the troubled Jacob Rein. The Thief of All Light, An Unsettled Grave, and Blood Angel, are available from Kensington Books.
His western trilogy debuted in 2021 as part of the Ralph Compton imprint with Berkley Books. All three titles, Face of a Snake, Snake's Fury, and Hell Snake, were selected as Walmart paperback exclusives.
His acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series features Carrie Santero and her mentor, the troubled Jacob Rein. The Thief of All Light, An Unsettled Grave, and Blood Angel, are available from Kensington Books.
His western trilogy debuted in 2021 as part of the Ralph Compton imprint with Berkley Books. All three titles, Face of a Snake, Snake's Fury, and Hell Snake, were selected as Walmart paperback exclusives.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Read
October 12, 2025The last in a trilogy.
In this story a detective makes a first appearance. The 2nd book introduces a group of people that become the main antagonists in this book. Schaffer cleverly builds up the previous story lines for an action packed finale.
Schaffer's "Snake" trilogy is the most raw of the Ralph Compton westerns I've read. A combination of western action, elements of fantasy, and the dark places the human mind. Still, Schaffer has time for the redeeming qualities of family loyalty, integrity of word and action, and human bonding.
I really enjoyed the trilogy. I'm glad the people at Berkley gave Schaffer the opportunity to write these westerns. When Berkley feels like starting up the Ralph Compton westerns once more Schaffer should be on the short list of those enlisted for authorship.
In this story a detective makes a first appearance. The 2nd book introduces a group of people that become the main antagonists in this book. Schaffer cleverly builds up the previous story lines for an action packed finale.
Schaffer's "Snake" trilogy is the most raw of the Ralph Compton westerns I've read. A combination of western action, elements of fantasy, and the dark places the human mind. Still, Schaffer has time for the redeeming qualities of family loyalty, integrity of word and action, and human bonding.
I really enjoyed the trilogy. I'm glad the people at Berkley gave Schaffer the opportunity to write these westerns. When Berkley feels like starting up the Ralph Compton westerns once more Schaffer should be on the short list of those enlisted for authorship.
July 4, 2021
A different kind of western than what I am used to reading, but, it kept me going until the end.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews