Customer Reviews

The Guns of Morgette

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first in a series of a new type of traditional Western. The land is accurately portrayed, the author obviously knows horses and cattle, as well as Western history, and the people are believable, and there is a lack of sensationalism such as Louis L'Amour specialized in by using contrived situations (a shooting on every 7th page) which, of course depended upon unsoud motivation. None of that is here. We find charachters who are believable, based on historical precedents, who remain in character so that it doesn't take An Act of God to get them ojut of pickles they get in by acting basically stupid.

Dolf Morgette is a former lawman who was railroaded to prison for being honest and opposing the politcal "ins". He is recently paroled and returning home when he is re-embroiled in the same politcal web of "baddies" who really don't want him around. The first attempt to kill him occurs on the way to the depot to head home on his release from prison.

He is supported throughout by his friend Doc Hennessey, a former supporter in the Cattle War that sent him to prison, Chief Henry (a Chief Joseph look alike) Hal Green, a crusading editor, and his son, now maturing, Dolf Jr., his brother Matt and his grandmother, Mum, a sterling character, who comes West to manage her grandsons.

Dolf survives a lot of trouble engineered by people trying to get rid of him before he evens old scores, which included the murder of his father and two older brothers in the Pine Bluff War, named for the mining district in which all of this took place.

Sounds like the same old plot for a Western Grade B Movie, but it really isn't and the reason is the characters for the first time are Grade A., including Chief Henry's daughter, Margaret, educated in "White Man" school, with whom Dolf is romantically involved. After exonorating himself, and evening scores, he leaves the district with her and they are married later.

When I started reading this book, I was expecting something different. Dolf Morgette is this larger than life gunfighter and the cover art is full of guys shooting at each other, but by the time I reached the end I was disappointed. I expected a dramatic ending with lots of shooting and excitement, but the author went for a calmer approach, that was lacking for me. This novel is well written and clever, with some good humor and suspense. The characters are well developed and funny at times. I suppose I was expecting too much. Still a worthy read for the unique style it offers.