3.0 out of 5 stars
Painful Western and a personal journey, March 17, 2010
In this fast-paced Western Ryan returns to town after being presumed dead to witness the hanging of the man who killed his sister. Discovering that perhaps the man in prison is not guilty of the murder, Ryan reflects on the journey that brought him back to town after nearly being killed by the prisoner's brother three years earlier. The betrayal of a woman and subsequent beating preceded an odd friendship with an old Indian who nursed him back to health. Questioning his own motives for returning and wanting to know who actually had murdered his sister, Ryan helps the prisoner escape and finds himself at odds with his original enemies. In spite of his own physical limitations, Ryan is able to put an end to the evil corruption of the town and come to terms with his own doubts, insecurities, and lack of purpose.
Bill Crider, known for his Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries, has written several energetic Westerns. Crider's long successful career as a teacher, department chair, and writer finds a voice in the Western genre. Terse, direct dialog, accurate action, and concise descriptions demonstrate an excellent writer mastering his field. One common thread in many of Crider's books is the slow but obvious transformation that occurs in humans after trials. The masked lessons of perseverance and examination of personal values seep through the pages in spite of or because of the events of the story.
In Ryan Rides Back, the hero is damaged yet prevails, enduring great hardships and personal anguish. We know and understand Ryan, hurting with him and cheering for his success. Yet many of the other characters are never clearly defined. Some show up and are not seen again while others just seem plain evil without any kind of complexity. The violence is evident and causes great pain, but often the action seems to replace a deeper examination of the motives behind the events. This causes the reader to lose interest in the human element and simply read to see what happens.
A good story for sure and certainly well-written but also fairly one-dimensional. Recommended for Western enthusiasts and fans of Bill Crider.
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