Utah Hit

as by Charles Langley Hayes

A Black Horse Western from Hale, 1995

Butch Cassidy had become the most wanted outlaw in the whole West. The governors of four states wanted his hide. But he and his Wild Bunch are holed up in a remote part of Utah: Robbers Roost, a natural fortress with armed guards overlooking the few limited entry passes, unapproachable, unassailable. So the marshal, sent by the governors, figured there was only one way to handle Cassidy - hire a long-shooting hit-man - then find some bait to lure the outlaw out of his sanctuary...

Charles Langley Hayes (really author B.J. Holmes) provides his readers with a book that begins with a train robbery then builds gently, and grippingly, to its exciting conclusion. Amoungst the action there are plenty of humourous moments too and the characters - both fictional and real - are presented well.

I found Cassidy’s fascination with an archaeological dig - and Sundance’s dismissal of it - made for some of the most entertaining reading of the story.

And does the book offer us another take on what happened to Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Well that’s something you’ll have to find out for yourselves. All I can say is the book comes to a satisfying ending.

B.J. Holmes writing as Charles Langley Hayes - or indeed under any of his other pseudonyms - is fast becoming one of my favourite western authors, and I’d suggest going to the trouble to find his books will be well worth your time.

Montana Hit

as by Charles Langley Hayes

A Black Horse Western from Hale, 1993

Unknown to each other two hardcases are heading into Judgement Creek. One on the run and in need of money, the other after vengeance. Here their trails will cross in a twisting drama of love, hate, double-cross, cowardice and murder. At the centre of it all is the long-standing, respected sheriff - a lawman who is as yet untested.

A story that begins almost gently as we are introduced to the main players of this tale. The author takes care with his characterizations, their backgrounds, giving the reader enough to believe they are the people they’re painted to be, yet also gives a few little hints that some, or all, may not be quite who they seem.

The story builds well through a couple of killings, and the ensuing manhunt which leads to the so far separate incidents becoming entwined in a tangle that doesn’t have a clear and easy outcome that’s obvious to the reader.

The story has a tough and brutal conclusion that’s not without surprises that left me feeling well satisfied of having read a good book.

Charles Langley Hayes (really B.J. Holmes) knows how to tell a great story, and is an author I shall be looking for more from.

Get a copy here.