Murdock's Law (Page Murdock, US Deputy Marshall, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Loren D. Estleman (Author) "The hearse was drawn by a pair of arrogant-looking matched blacks with coats that shone like stretched satin, plumed bridles, and the general appearance of..." (more)
Key Phrases: former marshal, small ranchers, night riders, Six Bar Six, Major Brody, Chris Shedwell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Mr. Estleman plays in the majors...and his nervy characters can talk their way home on a double. A good clean game." --The New York Times Book Review

"Quicksilver dialogue, incisive characterizations, and canny interweaving of observations and events. Estleman's eye, ear, and hand are in perfect sync--you will want to call up your closest friends to read them your favorite paragraphs." --Washington Post Book World

"Estleman's prose and ability to set a mood are always first-rate." --Chicago Sun-Times

"With a pro's practiced skill, Estleman keeps all the plates spinning through the air with no apparent effort and a hundred different voices." --Boston Sunday Globe
-- Review

Review

"Mr. Estleman plays in the majors...and his nervy characters can talk their way home on a double. A good clean game." --The New York Times Book Review

"Quicksilver dialogue, incisive characterizations, and canny interweaving of observations and events. Estleman's eye, ear, and hand are in perfect sync--you will want to call up your closest friends to read them your favorite paragraphs." --Washington Post Book World

"Estleman's prose and ability to set a mood are always first-rate." --Chicago Sun-Times

"With a pro's practiced skill, Estleman keeps all the plates spinning through the air with no apparent effort and a hundred different voices." --Boston Sunday Globe

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (October 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812535391
• ISBN-13: 978-0812535396
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,151,217 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Western fans, don't miss Page Murdock!, February 2, 2004

By	Mykal Banta (Boynton Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Another great Western by Loren Estleman. For my money, Estleman is the best Western writer in the world. His reoccurring character, U.S. Marshall, Page Murdock, is always a sure winner. The writing is very good, as is the characterization. In this book, Eslteman brings to life a classic old west gunslinger named Chris Shedwell. As is always the case with Estleman, his description of Shedwell's life is as authentic and sharp as a spur. Shedwell is a haunted man, his condition nearly terminal because of the reputation that follows him like the finger of death. Estleman's knowledge of firearms of the late 19th Century is second to none as well. There are never any exaggerated fireworks in any of his work. The great thing about Estelman's Western books is they are both myth destroying and myth making at the same time. An example of this is the way Estleman handles the character, Shedwell. You will never find the hero, Murdock, squaring off with Shedwell in a traditional middle of the street quick draw contest, which rarely if ever happened in the old west. Men then, like now, usually killed each other at very close quarters in furious bursts of violence.

What makes Estleman's work jump off the page, though, is the dialogue. Rather than trying to describe it, let me give you a taste. When asked if he is afraid of the gunfighter (Shedwell), Murdock responds:

"Not afraid. I know he'll kill me. He's dropped nine men that I know of, most of them looking at him. He's better than I am. Besides, whether you've noticed it or not, I'm not the most popular figure in this town after last night. I've heard of three men holding off a roomful of angry citizens, but the reason I've heard of it is it doesn't happen very often. The next time I see Shedwell, I want him alone with his back to me and a shotgun in my hands."

Do yourself a favor and get this book, as well as all the Estleman Western titles.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, July 21, 2007

By	Tom (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

Wow, how is there only one other review for this book? This is an amazing peice of writing. It has some of the best lines you'll ever read, spoken by some of the best characters ever imagined(Murdock stands out the most) and is perfectly paced.

Its a true western, reminding me of Howard Hawks films like Rio Bravo and El Dorado.

Not much need to be said besides, read it!