THREE CROSS and DEPUTY OF VIOLENCE

SHAWN STARBUCK 2 & 3

By Ray Hogan

Piccadilly Publishing, March 2018

THREE CROSS - Shawn Starbuck had covered thousands of rugged miles through the wild Southwest, in search of his lost brother Ben. Now at last, he had a real clue. The end seemed almost in sight... Then Starbuck met up with Jim Kelso, a man who desperately needed his help. Kelso’s ranch, Three Cross, was besieged by ruthless marauders who would stop at nothing until the ranch was theirs. What were they after? What was the priceless secret of Three Cross? Starbuck swore to find out, though it might mean losing the trail to Ben—and his own neck.

DEPUTY OF VIOLENCE - For years Starbuck had searched the gruelling trails and blistering deserts for his brother Ben. Just when it seemed that the long search had ended, Starbuck stumbled through the gates of a hidden valley. Its inhabitants were being held captive in the clutches of a gang of ruthless renegades. And they weren't about to let a man like Starbuck go about his business - the only way they'd let him leave the valley was in a pine box …

Having enjoyed the first two books in the Shawn Starbuck series so much, I just had to read these as soon as Piccadilly Publishing made them available as ebooks. Three Cross was originally published in 1970 and Deputy of Violence in 1971. I didn’t intend to read them one after the other but just couldn’t help myself as Ray Hogan once again captured my imagination with his superb storytelling.

Both tales move forward at a rapid pace, contain lots of action, including fist fights which one would expect when you find out Starbuck is a trained boxer. They are both filled with excellent characterization and include plenty of twists and turns, many of which I didn’t see coming.  

Three Cross pulled me into the story with its mystery elements of why someone is out to kill Jim Kelso and what they hoped to gain from doing so. Then there is the question of how Starbuck will win over Kelso's daughter who has taken an instant dislike to him. My need to find out the answers to these questions and more kept me turning the pages and I read this story in one sitting.

Deputy of Violence starts exceptionally well with an extremely gripping sequence telling of Starbuck’s ride into a seemingly deserted town. This scene filled with atmosphere that takes on a creepy tone when Starbuck meets the man running the hotel. As well as battling a gang of outlaws single-handedly Starbuck will also have to deal with his feelings towards a young woman who wants him to take her away from the hidden valley where the town is located. Of the four Shawn Starbuck books I’ve read so far, this one is my favourite.

Roll-on May, when Piccadilly Publishing will release the next two books in the series.