Six Ways of Dying

By Cody Wells

Hale, January 2012

In his wildest dreams, Angelo never imagined he would forge such an unusual partnership with an old man, two tough brothers, their hired gunmen…and a treasure map. Though it had started well, in less time than it takes to cock a Colt the whole deal was going bad.

Determined to get even, Angelo sets out to track down the men who double-crossed him. Only this time, he is saddled with an arrogant cavalry officer, some raw recruits and a beautiful girl – with whom he has fallen helplessly in love.

Upon meeting Ulzana, the Apache renegade, they find themselves outnumbered and exhausted. But Angelo doesn’t give a damn about the odds. If he has to go down, he’ll go down fighting.

This is Cody Wells first Black Horse Western, but not the first tale to star Angelo as he has already appeared in the short-story Angelo and the Strongbox, which explains how he met his sidekick Mr. Jinx, a dog that features prominently in this book too.

When Angelo and co discover just where the treasure is put a big grin on my face as it reminded me of the kind of problems the stars of one of my favourite western TV series, Alias Smith and Jones, often found themselves tackling. It was great seeing how Angelo set about recovering the hidden fortune, which, of course, doesn’t go according to plan and Angelo’s troubles really begin.

Unusually for a Black Horse Western these days, this one has plenty of battles between cavalry and Indians. There are lots of other fights too as the race to get hold of the treasure heats up and Angelo sets out to get justice for the wrongs done to him.

Cody Wells has written an easy to read story that flows effortlessly through its plot of twists and turns, that makes for an entertaining way to pass a couple of hours.

Six Ways of Dying is officially published on January 31st, but is available now from the usual Internet bookstores.

Angelo and the Strongbox

By Cody Wells

Lobo ebook, August 2011

Heading for Tombstone, Arizona Territory to begin a new life, Angelo finds himself slap bang in the middle of a stagecoach hold-up. When fate forces him to take a long overdue rest in the town of Gatlin, he becomes a key player in trying to solve the mystery of the stolen strongbox. 

This short story first appeared in the terrific anthology A Fistful of Legends, published in 2009. Cody Wells recently made it available as a stand-alone ebook that offers great value for money. ($0.99 / £0.77 at the time of writing this)

One of the main reasons for publishing it as an ebook is so that readers who are looking forward to reading Cody Wells’ first full length Black Horse Western, Six Ways of Dying, that will be published at the end of January, and also stars Angelo and partner Mr. Jinx, can catch up on just how these two teamed up.

Angelo is a memorable hero who finds himself up against some well-crafted villains. There’s plenty of action and more than one twist to the fast moving plot. And, of course, there’s Mr. Jinx, who will remain in any readers’ mind for a long time, and who adds moments of humour and terror (if you’re a man reading this) to the story. 

Definitely a very entertaining read, that has me looking forward to Six Ways of Dying.

Cody Wells is a pseudonym used by Englishman Malcolm Elliot-Davy who now lives in America and works as a leathersmith.