High Fury

by Harry Whittington

Vintage paperback original. Western novel.

Genres: Westerns

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

He also wrote under the names Ashley Carter, Harriet Kathryn Myers, and Blaine Stevens, Curt Colman, John Dexter, Tabor Evans, Whit Harrison, Kel Holland, Suzanne Stephens, Clay Stuart, Hondo Wells, Harry White, Hallam Whitney, Henri Whittier, J.X. Williams.

Harry Whittington (February 4, 1915–June 11, 1989) was an American mystery novelist and one of the original founders of the paperback novel. Born in Ocala, Florida, he worked in government jobs before becoming a writer.

His reputation as a prolific writer of pulp fiction novels is supported by his writing of 85 novels in a span of twelve years (as many as seven in a single month) mostly in the crime, suspense, and noir fiction genres. In total, he published over 200 novels. Seven of his writings were produced for the screen, including the television series Lawman. His reputation for being known as 'The King of the Pulps' is shared with author H. Bedford-Jones. Only a handful of Whittington's novels are in print today.
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Reviews

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific Western from Harry Whittington, a prolific writer with remarkable consistency. No surprise, High Fury is a crime novel that takes place in the old West. It tells the story of a youth man on the run after being falsely accused of murder who, while tracking the one man that can prove his innocence, rescues a women who was savagely abused and left for dead by perhaps the same man. Things get more complicated when the son of the Cattle Baron who owns the town is suspected of being an accomplice. He soon must confront a town that has been turned against him, aided only by a sympathetic sheriff named Ox Slaughter and a kindly old doctor. The characters all jump off the page. This would make a fine movie.

[Kurt Reichenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardboiled western crime novel from the mid 60s. Brent Landers is pursuing three outlaws, one of whom, a man named Clawson, can testify on his behalf against a theft and murder charge that's been hanging over his head. In the badlands of Wyoming (?) he finds a young woman named Rosemary, beaten and raped and left for dead. He wonders if she's a victim of the three hombres he's chasing. He cares for her the best he can, bringing her to the nearest town so that she can get proper medical care. As Rosemary slowly heals from her physical wounds she develops a psychological attachment to Brent. One night in town she sees the men who attacked her and points them out to Brent Landers. One of them is Clawson, the other is a drifter gunslick, and the third is the errant son of the most powerful rancher in town. None of whom are happy to see Rosemary alive. A violent and action packed novel about characters pushed to their limits.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Fury is the first Western by Harry Whittington that I have read. It was published in 1955 and is a standout, just like his crime novels. While the plot and ending are typical of traditional Westerns, the hardboiled prose style is worth the journey. The action scenes are crisp and satisfying even 70 years later. The intrepid protagonist is likable, warts and all. The villains are repulsive dirtbags. Whittington uses just enough description in his Western settings to make them come alive for me. The pacing is excellent and dialogue credible. So, I will read his next Western on my Kindle in the near future.

[Chris Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual plot for a vintage western,
Rape and misunderstandings,
A great hero imo,
And like anything Whittington writes a really good read.

[Larry Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific page-turner. Peckinpah would have loved it.