BANNISTER
Book 2 of 11
THE SAVAGE HILLS
By D.B. Newton
Cover art probably by Jerome Podwil
Berkley Medallion Books, February 1964
Jim Bannister was still on the dodge, still worth $12,000 to the man with guts enough to try to take him in to his death.
Bannister knew he had to stay out of trouble, but he didn’t think befriending a 17-year-old kid would lead him into a trap from which the only way out was a sixgun . . .
But the kid had a nervous trigger finger and then Bannister found himself accused of murder, only this time it was for a killing he hadn’t done . . .
Dwight Bennett Newton presents his readers with a tough, traditional western in The Savage Hills. Jim Bannister is a capable, yet flawed hero. He’s a man who makes mistakes that could cost him his life. Perhaps a little too trusting such as with the kid he befriends who will later double-cross him . . . or does he?
The story races along and as more and more characters are introduced so the chances of Bannister being arrested increase. Each new set of characters have their own problems that Bannister finds himself sucked into. Then there’s the suspicious lawman and the gang of rustlers who don’t want anyone else settling into the hills they call their own. As each plot element blends into another it soon becomes apparent that the author is setting everything up for one savage showdown that should resolve everything . . . although as the pages began to run out, I did have to wonder how this would happen and I also questioned how all the ‘good guys’ could live happily ever after. I needn’t have worried as Newton finished everything off neatly, if a little too perfectly for some of the characters.
I found this book to be as equally enjoyable as the first one in the series and hope to read the next book soon.