I received a free electronic copy of this western historical novel from Netgalley, Philip Harbottle, and Pioneering Press in exchange for an honest review. This novel is based on a story by John Russell Fearn. Philip Harbottle has asserted his rights under the copyright, design and patents act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. First published in 2000 by Robert Hale Limited, this edition was published in 2017 by Endeavour Press, Pioneering Press. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.

This was a fast read, and an interesting approach to the cowboy hero. Len Corbett became an outlaw after the murder of his wife and child, during the rustling of his cattle. His only clue to the perpetrator of this foul act was the intricate sailor’s knots used on the ropes his family were hung with. Classic western noir, right?

But Len is not a classic crook, nor the average good guy. With a smile from pretty Lucy Lee he returns the treasure chest to the stage driver, much to the chagrin of his fellow bad guys. And despite the fact that his heart is in the right place, every time he goes up against Lucy’s fiancée he manages to get knocked out or out-drawn or perhaps hung – which brings him to solve the puzzle of the murderer of his family. Revenge may – or may not follow.

This is a novel I can comfortably refer to those who enjoy the old classic dime novels.