Customer Reviews

Tenbow (Signet)

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Matt Braun's protagonist in this novel will remind devotees of this writer of other figures he has created ,notably Luke Starbuck ,the hero of an earlier series of books .There is also a hint of Ash Tallman who appeared in a brief series of so-called "adult Westerns( a euphemism for soft porn) in the early 90's .

He is Jack Stillman ,a private investigator with a gift for disguise and skill at working undercover .He is hired by a rancher named Richter to investigate a series of killings in the Tenbow Valley area.Richter suspects a land scam is behind the killings and provides two leads -local ranchers with a tendency to sharp practice .Disguised as a sharply dressed gambler and also as a bronc buster Stillman uncovers the motive of the killer and it is more personal than simply greed .He sets out in pursuit of the killer and the tale builds to a slick and gripping climax

This is slick and well plotted by a solid genre veteran who has often straddled the two worlds of crime writing and the Western and ,in my view ,the book will be enjoyed by both sets of readers .Its a professionally told tale and a good time is guaranteed for all its readers

I first read this in the old Signet mass market paperback issued in February, 1991. Still have that copy matter of fact.

I am truly surprised that mine is the only review so far of this western which was released by St. Martins in January, 2006. I have hundreds of westerns on my shelves being a life long reader of them, and also read non-fiction on the west.

I rate this book as one of the best I have ever read. This is not only a western with a western setting, but it is a very interesting mystery. The frosted glass panel on Jack Stillman's office door reads: Jack Stillman - Investigations. So whether you want to tag him as an investigator or detective is up to each reader. Carl Richter of the Tenbow Valley Cattleman's Association hires Jack to come to the Wind River range to determine 'who' is killing people from long range. Carl thinks he may also be on the list, so he has a vested interest in the killings. Jack agrees to take the "case" at $20.00 per day plus expenses, but makes it clear Richter is hiring him, not his gun. Richter agrees, giving Jack a $100.00 retainer, and things take off like a bullet shot from there. Jack has 2 suspects, and four men already murdered.

The next 250 or so pages are one great western read. I had never paid much attention to Matt Braun until I read this one in Signet westerns half dozen years back, but now have a good dozen or more of his works on my shelf.

If you are a western lover you will never find a better read than this one. One I am sure you will want to read again and again. I only wish Matt would write additional books with Jack Stillman as his main character. This would make a cracker jack of a continuing series.

Highly recommended.

Semper Fi.