BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

MORGAN KANE

Book 15 of 41 published in the U.K.

BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

By Louis Masterson

Corgi Books, 1972

Originally published in Norway by Bladkompaniet A/S 1968

Book 15 of 83

In Kane’s early days as a Texas Ranger, he was given a tough assignment. He had to break a smuggling gang operating between Texas and Mexico. The traffic was in guns, and the gang leader was known as El Halcon – the hawk. Five rangers investigating the gun-running had lost their lives at Sierra Blanca, a little village south of El Paso, a day’s ride along the Rio Grande. Kane set out for Sierra Blanca wondering if he would be the sixth man to die…

At the end of the previous book, No Tears for Morgan Kane, U.S. Marshal Kane had been on the wrong end of a number of bullets during a showdown. This story picks up shortly after that and opens with a dying Kane making it to the home of Linda, a girl he was in love with, and she with he. They had originally met in the first Kane book, Without Mercy. Linda fights to keep Kane alive and as he hovers between life and death his fevered mind takes him back in time to when he rode with the Texas Rangers.

The majority of this book is a flashback tale. Occasionally we return to Kane’s present, but quickly go back to the past. It’s the past that makes this essential reading for Morgan Kane fans as we discover how he became a Texas Ranger, along with a lot more about his life, from the massacre of his parents when he was very young, to becoming a desperado. 

This book tells of Kane’s first job as a Texas Ranger. Going undercover seems to be a good plan but that soon falls apart and Kane is captured and has to endure torture. Escape seems impossible but with the help of a hidden knife, Kane gets free and now just wants to kill, rather than arrest those responsible for the gun-running. Like in most of the Morgan Kane books, he will suffer mentally and physically before completing his assignment. 

What of Kane’s present? That’s left somewhat up in the air. How will his near-death experience have changed him? What of his relationship with Linda? These kinds of questions ensure the reader will be seeking out the next book, Return to Action, as soon as possible.

This book isn’t as hard-hitting emotionally as the previous one, but does contain a lot of brutal action. Between Life and Death is an entertaining book and a must-read if you’ve read No Tears for Morgan Kane. 

Louis Masterson is a pseudonym for Kjell Hallbing. 

NO TEARS FOR MORGAN KANE

MORGAN KANE 14

By Louis Masterson

Corgi Books, 1972

Cover artwork Michael Codd

Cover photography by Peter Kibbles

Originally published by Bladkompaniet A/S, 1967

David Kominsky was a Missouri farmer, trying to eke out a living on land made barren by drought. ‘Swinging’ Johnson and his murderous band from Cross Bow ranch decided to lay claim to David’s land – and crucified him to ensure he wouldn’t dispute the matter. The Cross Bow gang had terrorised the countryside so thoroughly that Kominsky’s widow despaired of seeing them brought to justice. The neighbouring farmers went in fear of their lives, and the town marshal was a cowardly, useless creature. But by a lucky stroke of fate, Morgan Kane was not far away – waiting to pick up a bank robber…

This is a hard, brutal tale that is a superb read. One of the strengths of this series is the authors ability to portray emotion in a way that the reader shares the anguish, hate and joy of his characters, especially that of Morgan Kane. In this story, Kane experiences them all, and more.

Fans of this series will not want to miss this book as Kane finds himself back in the area that he was thrown off a train with a gunshot hand in the first book of the series, Without Mercy. In that story Kane met Linda Swift, a young girl that fell in love with him, and he with her. Kane rode away though in the need of revenge. Kane’s relationship with Linda is rekindled in this tale, so much so that he’s ready to hand in his badge and settle down with her. Before that can happen, Kane has to deal with ‘Swinging’ Johnson.

This is basically a land-grab tale. Black gold is the prize. The bank robber, Redek, Kane is chasing is hired by Johnson. There’s plenty of savage killings before Kane finds himself facing the Johnson gang alone in the dusty streets of Ash Grove. Kane against four in a classic showdown, and if you think you know how that will turn out you’ll be surprised by its shockingly hard-hitting outcome.

Louis Masterson doesn’t hold back in the gritty realism stakes. He certainly hammers Kane with pain, both emotionally and physically throughout the series. In this book he really makes Kane suffer. Gives him more scars to torment his soul. Kane has to control his fear too, as Redek could well be a faster gun than he. On top of this is the turmoil of meeting Linda again, can he find happiness with her this time? 

This is one of the best Morgan Kane books I’ve read. It’s powerful, gripping and dark in tone. It features many of the writing strengths of Louis Masterson that keep me returning to the series time and again and I know for certain that it won’t be long before I read the next book.

Louis Masterson was a pseudonym used by Norwegian author Kjell Hallbing. 

Norwegian cover.

THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE

MORGAN KANE 13

By Louis Masterson

Corgi, 1972

Original published in 1967

Morgan Kane was on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. He’d been ordered to sail to Yucatan and bring back a team of geologists who’d become involved in a spot of bother. A piece of cake, thought Kane, who was enjoying the voyage. But when Bahama Jack Delaney, a buccaneering adventurer, came on board with his story of massacre, arson, and terrorism on the peninsula, Kane began to think again. The geologists, said Delaney, were in a highly dangerous position, eighty miles inland, surrounded by bloodthirsty Indians. Kane knew there was nothing for it but to go in and get them out…

With a messy ending to his last assignment, Kane is sent far away whilst his superiors try to save his job as a U.S. Marshal. Kane might enjoy life at sea but the jungle is something else, something he is not comfortable with. It’s not just geologists he has to save, he also finds himself escorting nuns and a padre. Finding them is fairly easy but getting out again with them is another story as the Uxmals want to kill them all. 

The jungle scenes are extremely well described. You can feel the heat, hear the insects and screams of vicious animals. Kane is out of his depth and his fear is palpable. These kinds of emotions I’ve always thought are one of the strengths of Louis Masterson’s writing. Also, the feelings of nausea Kane experiences every time he has to kill come over strongly.

Even though this book is part of a western series it’s easy to forget this and imagine you’re reading a jungle adventure, a gripping tale packed with many exciting, tense, action scenes. As Kane’s party gets whittled down one by one, you’ll soon be wondering how many will make it to safety.

When the survivors make it make to the ship, Masterson has a surprising twist waiting in store. An ending that ties the book up neatly and brutally.

Perhaps not one of the best Kane books for me as I prefer those set in the more traditional landscapes of the American West, but it still provided a couple of hours of great entertainment.

Louis Masterson is a pseudonym for Norwegian author Kjell Hallbing.

Storm over Sonora

MORGAN KANE #12

By Louis Masterson

Corgi, 1971

Originally published in Norway, 1967

‘General Garranza has stated officially that the revolt will be crushed if every tree in Sonora has to bear a bandit’….

In Sonora, Mexico, a revolution was taking place. It started in a small way – and then it gathered speed. Villages were plundered and troop trains ambushed. The rebels, it was rumoured, were being supplied with arms smuggled across the border. And this is where Morgan Kane was called in. In a dusty one-horse-town in Arizona, he discovered one of the main sources of the contraband ammunition – in the charge of a wicked, greedy old man….

When we first meet Kane he is suffering, trying to drown the pain that tears at his soul in alcohol. Hurt and anguish that have battered his being during his last two assignments in particular. Louis Masterson seems to enjoy tormenting his hero, but in this story he doesn’t add to Kane’s mental distress – although he does take some physical blows from both friend and foe. This tale is much more of a straight-forward western that is packed with bloody action and sees Kane struggle with where his loyalties lie.

One of Masterson’s strengths is describing landscapes, he paints such vivid imagery with his choice of words and these place the reader right there with his characters, sharing the beauty, heat and harshness of Sonora.

The story contains a couple of neat twists too that will see Kane riding towards certain death without a weapon to defend himself against hopeless odds. Something that will have you wondering how he can possibly emerge from this deadly situation in one piece. Kane’s fear and near panic is written so well you can almost see his sweat oozing from the pages.

The book concludes with a terrific battle as the rebel army launch an attack on a fort, which brings this tale to a violent end. The final lines of the story will definitely have readers wanting to find a copy of the next book in the series to discover just what horrors Kane will have to face next.

Morgan Kane: Revenge!

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, June 2012

Morgan Kane’s friend, Peter Grossmann, had been gunned down by convicts on the run from the penitentiary at El Paso.

Kane dealt with two of the gunmen but the ringleader, Johnny Vulture, was still at large. Kane was determined to hunt him down and avenge Grossmann’s death. Johnny Vulture, for his part, had marked Kane down as the marshal who’d killed his companions. And there was the woman – Allison MacKay.

She had known Kane long ago. She, too, had old scores to settle…

This is an essential read for those following the adventures of Morgan Kane for the book brings to an end a story thread that has been running throughout the series so far, and also sees a doctor giving Kane some grave warnings about his current life-style (and when you consider this book originally came out in 1967, those warnings are not unlike those doctors dish out today). Kane’s attempt to follow the doctor’s advice put a massive grin on my face.

Kane doesn’t really feature that much in the book, particularly at the beginning after he’s killed some of the men who gunned down his friend Grossmann (another character whom readers will have met a number of times in previous books). Louis Masterson turns the book over to Johnny Vulture and his chance meeting with Allison MacKay and the plans they put into motion to rid the world of Kane…

Louis Masterson really does create an excellent emotional atmosphere once Kane and Allison come face to face. Can Kane forget the violent past between them? Can she? Is it possible Kane is falling in love? To reveal the answers to those questions here would really dilute the strength of the horrific ending to the book, these final scenes painting a very visual, dramatically haunting conclusion to this chapter in Kane’s life. 

Interesting cover too, for not only does it illustrate the passions of the book extremely well, the inclusion of the gun and dog (Allison’s savage pet) tell of the violence that is waiting to destroy without warning. The shadows concealing the figures faces also indicate the dark tone to this story – indeed the whole series – perfectly.

Morgan Kane: Gunman's Inheritance

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, June 2012

To die alone is a gunman’s inheritance…

Pierre Bayard, alias Johnny Largo, alias Whip Lash, was wanted for murder in five states. After he’d shot a marshal in Laramie and fled south, Kane was put on his trail. He didn’t know much about the killer, beyond the fact that he was a superstitious woman-chaser, but he learned a little more from some of the strange assortment of people who’d had dealings with him during his flight. And appropriately enough, when Kane caught up with Bayard, in Las Vegas, it was a shooting competition…

This entry into the Morgan Kane series has one of the more straightforward storylines, it’s essentially a tale of a lawman tracking down a killer. Much of the first part of the book follows Kane’s search during which he meets a variety of people who help him track down the whereabouts of Bayard.

Of course Louis Masterson adds depth to his lead character during this chase by having Kane question his future after meeting up with Pete Grossmann again (see previous books) and finding out that the Texas Ranger was afraid he’d lost his grip, had taken two bullets fired by a young bank robber. What is a gunman’s inheritance? No friends? No family? Just a gun and loneliness? Does Kane come up with an answer? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Kane also has to deal with his own fear of dying after visiting a fortune-teller.

Once Kane meets Bayard at the shooting match the story really picks up pace and Kane finds himself battling his conscience as to why he can’t just gun the man down without warning? The shooting contest itself provides some tense reading too. The final fight between Kane and Bayard is dramatic and brings the hunt to an exciting conclusion.

Kane doesn’t come out of this book unscathed, in fact not many of the characters in this tale do, if any, some may find a brief moment of happiness but….

Gunman’s Inheritance is a must read for those following Kane’s story as his meetings with, and thoughts of, people from his past pave the way for the next book in the series, Revenge!

The Devil's Marshal

MORGAN KANE #11:

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, May 2012

Morgan Kane gunned down a bandit in New York, generating a lot of headlines. Kane didn’t like New York. He was wondering how much longer he could stand city life when a telegram arrived from his boss, suggesting he take some leave in Florida. It seemed that Henry Ziegler, the rich and eccentric oil king and railroad builder, needed help.

As Kane left the train at St. Augustine, he narrowly escaped being killed by a knife-thrower. And as he rode out to Ziegler’s plantation, the same assassin shot at him from behind a tree. When Kane heard Ziegler’s story, he began to realize the danger of his mission…

Louis Masterson takes Kane out of his normal hunting grounds in The Devil’s Marshal and has him experiencing new fears deep in the swamps of Florida where death can strike swiftly from the wildlife as easily as from humans. The strain of this new environment sees Kane lose his fragile grip on keeping his temper in check and he lets the homicidal psychopath that dwells deep within him emerge in a violent killing spree so he can complete this assignment at get back to the places he’s more comfortable.

Masterson has also created a superb adversary for Kane, a facially deformed killer named Indigo who has the appearance of the living dead, a man who matches Kane’s ability to draw a gun and may be faster…

The latter part of the book takes place at sea, aboard a ship as it attempts to deliver an illegal cargo. I’ve always thought Louis Masterson (real name Kjell Hallbing) had an excellent way with words when describing the beauty and threat of the sea, and he excels here, Kane’s attempt to stop the ship and the consequences make for some suspenseful and memorable reading. These dramatic closing scenes also include the final face-off between Kane and Indigo and as the dark waves washing over him, will Kane at last find the peace he craves in death?

Morgan Kane: The Monster from Yuma

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, May 2012

“Five thousand dollars for Roy Zarco – dead or alive!”

In El Paso, Roy Zarco – a get-rich-quick speculator with an eye for the women – had been sentenced to twenty years’ hard labor for theft and murder. At the time he swore vengeance. Now, eight years later, he’d escaped from the chain gang at Yuma State Prison. These years had brutalized Zarco – had made him more an animal than a man. He was making his way east, and already four people he’d encountered lay dead.

Kane’s brief was simple. He was to go to El Paso and await the arrival of the Monster from Yuma…

This story begins shortly after the previous book, Pistolero, ended. Kane, still saddened by the loss of the girl, has turned to the bottle for comfort. He’s also beginning to doubt his ability, fearing he’s losing his nerve. These are themes Louis Masterson will return to time and again throughout the series as the strains of the job begin to take their toll on Morgan Kane. Something that for me is a large part of the appeal of this series, hell, Kane even sheds some tears in this story – how many other westerns heroes do you witness suffering in this way?

Kane may be the lead character but this time the story follows the trail of The Monster from Yuma more or less equally. Masterson tells of how Roy Zarco became this monster. Kane’s investigation into the background has him wondering whether Zarco ever was guilty of murder.

Masterson again peoples his book with memorable characters and in this story the female leads stick in the mind the most. One, although talked about, we don’t meet until near the end, but it’s she that will have the most impact on Kane, and provides the powerful, bitter, sting-in-tail. A strong ending indeed.

This book is essential reading for those following the Kane series, due to the cracks beginning to appear in Kane’s soul.

The Morgan Kane books are now available at www.kobobooks.com as well as the usual places such as iTunes and Amazon.

Morgan Kane: Pistolero

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, March 2012

“The only way to cut these Kiowa down to size is to hunt ‘em down to the last man!”

On the Kiowa reservation at Bald Peak, someone was smuggling liquor to the Indians – but lips were tightly closed to all enquiries. A Kiowa raiding party had broken out of the reservation and made a murderous attack on Troop 3 from Fort Bowie, and the entire troop had been wiped out. Marshal Kane was not exactly new to such cases – but several things puzzled him about this one. What Kiowa would use a revolver and wear high-heeled boots? And why should two harmless Mexicans have been tortured to death?

Perhaps the most action-packed Morgan Kane story so far, including two soldier verses Indian battles, and Kane alone wiping out an entire community. There’s also the aftermath of rape to deal with and torture. Kane will also experience, once again, the heartache of losing someone he’s grown fond of.

Louis Masterson gives us an exciting story of Kane going it alone – although he does ask if it’s ok with his new boss – as he believes it’s a U.S. Marshals’ job to stop the liquor smugglers. But there are more mysteries than where the liquor is coming from, there is the question of the stolen medallion and gold coin, then there is the identity of the ‘faceless’ man – the story behind this man being particularly gruesome. All these challenges combine to make this a very fast moving, and at time brutal, read.

This book also continues Louis Masterson’s obsession of including characters whose name begins with a Z, in this case Zita, a beautiful girl who Kane struggles to resist, a girl who, perhaps, belongs to another world than his own. Is he successful? Does he discover all the answers to the other puzzles mentioned in the previous paragraph? I guess you’ll just have to read the book yourself to find out and I say those of you who like westerns with a darker tone will find this an enjoyable read.

Just a quick note about the cover image, above Kane’s name it says ‘Texas Ranger’, this has been corrected to read ‘U.S. Marshal’ on the books you’ll buy.

Morgan Kane: A Ranger's Honor

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, March 2012

Feelings were running high in Fort Worth…

Charlie Katz, a Ranger with the 4th Mounted, Texas, had run amok. He supposedly had beaten up and attempted to rape Stella Nash, the daughter of the local bank manager. Van Buren, the girl’s fiancée, had rushed in to rescue her – and Charlie went to his death in a spray of bullets.

Charlie Katz was Kane’s best friend. Sickened and disbelieving, Kane set out to clear the Ranger’s name. After being beaten by Sheriff Hewitt and his cronies, he was ridden out of town, and Kane went after the Hondo Mining Corporation with a vengeance. Charlie had been investigating this shady outfit before his death. The name of its chief was Van Buren.

Louis Masterson superbly describes the emotional turmoil that plagues Morgan Kane in this life-changing episode in this overall excellent series. In this story Kane contemplates leaving the Rangers, struggles with throwing his badge and gun away, and fights to control his desire to kill and become a murderer like those he usually tracks down. On top of this he has to wrestle with the facts that paint Katz as a killer, something he cannot believe and to prove otherwise is what drives Kane throughout this book.

There’s plenty of brutal action as Kane fights to prove his friend isn’t the killer everyone, including his boss, Major Monroe, believe. In trying to discover the truth behind this Masterson also adds more mystery in the form of the unidentified stranger, who seems to be following Kane. Just what are his motives?

This book is essential reading for those following Kane’s life as it is a pivotal story in shaping his character and defining the man he will become in later books.

Morgan Kane: Backed by the Law

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, February 2012

“One more drunken brawl or nonsense from you and you’re outta the 4th Texas head first!”

Morgan Kane, Texas Ranger and hell raiser, knew that Major Monroe, boss of the ranger post at Alvarado, was a man of his word. Kane didn’t want to lose his job – so when he was challenged to eliminate the dangerous leaders of the White League, one of the anti-Negro groups currently terrorizing Texas, he agreed.

Clay Bainbridge, a rich, sleek and greedy rancher, was to prove tough opposition. But it was not until Kane met Leonie, the sultry Negress and saw the part played by voodoo ritual in the struggle between black men and white, that he understood what was involved.

By then, it was too late to turn back…

Louis Masterson, a pseudonym used by Kjell Hallbing, packs a lot into this fast moving tale that sees Morgan Kane teaming up with Pete Grossmann again. Masterson also includes a fascinating amount of background information regarding the history of the Ku Klux Klan and its spin-off groups.

Kane, struggling with the rules and regulations of being a Texas Ranger also has to battle with something previously unknown to him: voodoo. Masterson’s writing paints some vivid imagery of the ritual Kane witnesses and this proves to be one of the books' tensest scenes.

Kane also has to deal with his emotions as he contemplates his real mission, to assassinate the leaders of the White League, not arrest them, just stop them dead. Can he kill without feeling? Can he kill someone who isn’t attempting to kill him?

The book is filled with memorable characters and brutal action, and as the story unfolds in an ever increasing pace, it isn’t long before the reader will realise Kane isn’t going to come out of this in one piece, be that physically or mentally, perhaps both.

Overall this is a very entertaining read that sees Masterson developing Kane’s character and leaving the reading wondering just where Kane’s trail will take him next.

Morgan Kane: The Star and the Gun

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, January 2012

It started with the mobile brothel…

In New Orleans, Texas Ranger Morgan Kane carried out orders to go after a crook named Tilder. Kane learned about trouble up at Fort Henderson - Tilder ran a bar and brothel on wheels fleecing soldiers. An officer was killed and a corporal blinded. Tilder had been discharged from Fort Henderson for swindling … he wanted revenge.

Kane would take care of Tilder, but who else had a piece of the brothel? How were the girls recruited? A sadistic dandy and his fat, crazy sidekick were somehow involved – and when one of the girls tried to help Kane she was found hacked to death with a barber’s knife. Kane was never squeamish – but this case turned even his stomach.

Louis Masterson really does come up with the goods here, in both developing Kane’s character and in superb storytelling. The reader will find out more about Kane’s weaknesses – women and alcohol – and how determined he can be when fuelled by revenge.

Masterson also creates two of the most memorable villains in the series, Lonnie Kidd and Claus Winter. Deadly, sadistic, with hinted at perversions that Kane finds repulsive, these two men are nearly Kane’s undoing. It’s after a brutal beating by them that Kane’s lust for vengeance rises to drive his being and in turn reveals just how deadly the lawman can be.

Towards the end of the story Masterson really does excel himself with some top class writing that sees Kane racing against time, the sense of urgency, the feeling that for all Kane’s efforts his frantic ride may be all for nothing, really comes across strongly, leaving the reader as breathless as Kane.

Does Kane manage to save the day and kill the badguys or is he destined to fail and wallow in more heartache? They are questions I’m not going to answer here, you’ll just have to read the book and find out for yourselves and in doing so I’m sure you’ll find yourself enjoying this story as much as I did.

The Morgan Kane books can also be bought from itunes, and other Internet bookstores.

Morgan Kane: The Claw of the Dragon

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, December 2011

Plunder from the ancient shrines of Mexico!

Major Monroe of the 4^th Mounted, Texas, wasn’t smiling. Someone had found a new and profitable source of income – stealing holy Mexican treasures and shipping them across the Rio Grande. The Mexican authorities were angry. Monroe had to act quickly. So Morgan Kane, the ranger with eyes of slate and nerves of steel, was sent to investigate. His search was to end in Cuervo del Drache – the Dragon’s Lair….

The first part of this book introduces the reader to Racewick Dragolech, who will soon become known as Race Drago. We follow his trail to a life of crime and his education in how to become a fast gun – the final lessons being to lure other quick draw artists to a secluded spot and face off to them. We also discover how the Dragon’s Lair was found.

As Morgan Kane’s investigation unfolds Louis Masterson fills the reader in on a lot of Aztec history including information on spotting Aztec treasures. The story also delves into the politics of keeping peace between Mexico and America. All this provides some fascinating reading.

When the action sequences come they are fast and brutal. The final showdown between Kane and Drago is extremely well written and very visual.

This book also introduces Zarco Palacio, a beautiful woman who will leave Kane with a lasting memory, a woman not to be forgotten, who will return later in the series to again throw Kane’s emotions into turmoil, therefore making this book one not to miss for those who are following the series.

The Morgan Kane ebooks are also available from itunes.

Morgan Kane: Without Mercy

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, November 2011

Kane was a born gambler. When he was taken to the cleaners in a rigged game of cards in St. Louis, he didn’t realize it was part of a private vendetta. Three men and a woman were after Kane. The woman was the bait…

And when they thought they had finished Kane off in the dark, he was left for dead. The buzzards saved him. But, to match the Ranger’s star he carried, Kane had gained a star-shaped scar on his right hand – the hand that meant the difference between life and death to a ranger who lived by the speed of his draw.

Kane wanted revenge – and got it.

This book tells how Kane came by the scar on the back of his hand and why he has two fingers bound together. It is also a study in fear – fear that Kane won’t be able to use his gun-hand again, this fear keeping him from returning to his job as a Texas Ranger. It’s emotions like this that I feel is one of Louis Masterson’s strong points, something he writes so well, puts over in words that strike a lasting chord within the reader. 

Fear isn’t the only emotional theme Masterson puts Kane through. The events that trigger this lead to a strong need for revenge. Masterson also vividly describes animal magnetism, strong desires between Kane and a number of different women – desires that Kane struggles to keep in check. 

The book also introduces us to Charlie Katz, another Texas Ranger who often partners Kane, and through memories of his, and Kane’s, we discover little snippets about previous cases they worked on, assignments that helped shape Kane into the man he is in the opening scenes of this very fast moving story. 

The final, desperate gunfight closes the book extremely well, and leaves this reader hungry for more.

Morgan Kane: El Gringo and El Gringo's Revenge

1966 saw the launch in Norway of what was to become one of the most well known western series to come from Europe: Morgan Kane by Louis Masterson. The series ran for 83 books. There were also two spin-off mini-series, a Norwegian film, songs, and comic books. Other countries published some of the books, including the UK which saw the first 41 books appear in English. I’ve always been amazed that this excellent series never saw publication in America. Now that is about to change as Morgan Kane rides the ebook trail. The WR Films Entertainment Group has just launched the first two ebooks and is aiming to publish the whole series, and the mini-series, this way.

Those of us already acquainted with the Morgan Kane series will be quick to realize that the first two ebooks aren’t the first two in the original series. Why? As the Morgan Kane series progressed Kjell Hallbing, the writer behind the pseudonym of Louis Masterson, wrote a number of books that filled in some of Kane’s past, of times before the original first book, Without Mercy. El Gringo and El Gringo’s Revenge first appeared as books 38 and 39 and deal with a period in Kane’s life that would make him the man he was first seen to be in Without Mercy (this book will come out as the third ebook very shortly). El Gringo and El Gringo’s Revenge are to be made into a feature film by WF Films, and more of these are planned too.

MORGAN KANE: EL GRINGO

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, October 2011

Marshal Kane entered a bar in Kansas City and stepped into the past - where the old Mexican who drew a knife on him, had been his best friend, teacher and destroyer... Fifteen years ago...

When Morgan Kane had been in trouble, he'd been found carrying gold by the Policia in Casas Grandes and there was no way he could prove it wasn't stolen money! But the police chief had a proposition - freedom for Kane if he found and killed a certain bandit named Coyote...

I’ve often felt that one of the great strengths of Louis Masterson writing was his ability to create atmosphere and emotion. This book really does that superbly. We see many of the characters hiding behind a variety of masks, hiding feelings, concealing secrets. Masterson really is a master at character studies and this book demonstrates that ability many times over.

Fear is often the main emotion that Kane struggles to control and this is revealed early on when Kane finds he isn’t the quick gun he thought he was as Coyote proves. For some reason he decides to let Kane live and takes him under his wing, teaching him about guns, how to draw them much faster than he was able. Even as Kane and Coyote become friends there is always a sense of tension – does Coyote really know why Kane was being chased by the Policia? And what of the other main characters in the story? What are their relationships with each other? Masterson on supplies hints as to the truths as the story races to its savage ending brought about by treachery. An ending that leaves many questions purposefully, ensuring the reader will have to read the next book in the series…. 

MORGAN KANE: EL GRINGO’S REVENGE

By Louis Masterson

WR Films Entertainment Group, Inc.

eBook, October 2011

Three bandidos rode together towards Sonora and the “Fiesta of Death” – each with his own secret – to wipe out the hated white ranch owner who dishonored and exploited the Mexicans.

Morgan Kane, alias EL GRINGO, rode with Coyote, the man who called him “son” and had made him the deadliest killer in Mexico. But Kane found he was a pawn in a lethal game where honor was the stake and revenge the prize. And his reward from the man he trusted was to scar his life…

Louis Masterson really does apply pressure to Morgan Kane’s feelings in this story that begins were the previous book left off. Kane will experience love, anger, near uncontrollable hatred, and the burning desire for revenge. Double cross and treachery reveal the truths about many of the characters motives.

We finally find out who Coyote really is. What he really has planned for Kane. There are many shocking discoveries that will come as a surprise to the reader, and all the leftover questions from the previous book, and others introduced in this one, are finally answered.

Masterson’s ability to write very visual prose is perfectly illustrated in this book, in the tense scenes set during the masked party to celebrate the Day of the Dead – the Fiesta of Death.

And, once the past is returned to memories Masterson closes the book with a powerful scene that will add to the emotional scars Kane carries.

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WESTERN BOOK READERS

A new Facebook group has been launched called Western Book Readers. It's only been going for a few days and already has over one hundred members, who are a mix of readers and authors. If anyone would like to join here's a link:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/westernbookreaders/ If that doesn't work then email me and I can invite you. (My email can be found under the 'about me' section of this blog)

The latest issue of Black Horse Extra is now available and contains the usual mix of info and articles which include a few authors discussing The Rights and Wrongs of eBooks. Greg Mitchell also compares Real Cowboys with Reel Cowboys. Black Horse Extra is essential reading for all western fans.

Long time favourite fictional hero Morgan Kane looks set to appear in not one, but three English speaking movies and many of the books are to be released as ebooks, again in English. I really hope they get Kane's character right in the movies as his flawed character is one of the main appealing aspects of this series. For those who don't know Morgan Kane was written by Kjell Halbing under the pseudonym of Louis Masterson. Find out more about the films here.

Western Fictioneers have realeased a massive collection of all new western short stories in an anthology called The Traditional West. This is available now as an eBook but a paper version will follow shortly. Look out for a review soon.

Morgan Kane #37

DEAD MAN’S SHADOW

By Louis Masterson

Corgi, 1978

Originally published in Norway, 1970

Morgan Kane had been given the strangest assignment of his life, from a medic – three months in a sanatorium, or risk getting TB in his damaged lung. Kane had never been one for the quiet life, especially when the rules were ‘no tobacco, no liquor, no excitement’ – and when the room was the one Doc Holliday had died in…

But then he met up again with Gwen Arling, just as lovely as she’d been a year ago in Nicaragua and real pleased to see Kane again. And after that he came up against a marauding wolf, and a quarter-million dollar kidnapping. Kane may have had a bad lung, but he sure proved there was nothing wrong with his shooting arm…

I think anyone who has been on medication will be able to relate to Kane’s frustrations and self-pity as he’s told to keep away from all the things he enjoys about life. His relish when managing to eat forbidden food is beautifully described as is his anger at having his smuggled in whiskey discovered and confiscated. Gwen Arling’s mixed emotions at seeing Kane again are equally as well handled. (Kane first met Gwen in book 34: The Demon of Nicaragua)

It isn’t long before the always vigilant Kane begins to suspect there’s more than just a wolf prowling around outside the sanatorium. Persuading those in charge to allow him to hunt the wolf lets him investigate other suspicious activities too.

Like the previous novels in the series this is a short book, coming in at 102 pages, so it proves to be a quick read, not just due to its length but also because Louis Masterson (Kjell Hallbing) writes in a very readable style and his stories draw the reader into the plot effortlessly. The books do contain lots of action but I’d say their real strength lies in character study, particularly that of Kane where we see him emotionally scarred time and time again, and in later books see how they affect him. This book is one of the few times where Kane doesn’t add to his torments.

If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining, read then this book is worth considering. For those who follow Kane’s adventures then this is one not to miss as it continues, and develops, his relationship with Gwen Arling.

Morgan Kane #35

REVENGING ANGELS

as by Louis Masterson

Corgi, 1977

Originally published in Norway, 1970

There’d been some mighty strange goings on up in Utah; women had been hunted, like animals, through the desert, homesteads burned to the ground, and entire families massacred in their own homes…

Rumour had it that the responsibility for these terrible deeds lay with a merciless gang, known as the Revenging Angels, who claimed to be the watchdogs for a religious sect based in Salt Lake City. But religious or not, the Angels could not be allowed to take the law into their own hands. So U.S. Marshal Kane was given the job of trying to stop them – and Morgan Kane didn’t aim to lose his life in the process, as so many others had done before him…

This book starts with a woman in a jail cell, a woman who won’t talk, a near crazy woman. Kane appears in the doorway, he recognizes her, she him. Gunfire erupts. Chapter ends. Most of the rest of the story goes back in time to explain events leading up to the opening scene.

Overall Louis Masterson has written a fairly straightforward, almost traditional western here, dealing with the Revenging Angels hunting down women who try to escape from Mormon marriages. Kane also works with a partner on this case, although Ed Zachary isn’t in the story that much.

Masterson (real name Kjell Hallbing) fills the book with tough, and often merciless, characters and soon has Kane fighting for his life, and if it wasn’t for that opening chapter, you’d expect the book to conclude how you’d imagine. Yet this is a Morgan Kane book and they, more often than not, have a savage ending that will leave Kane with emotional scars and this one does that it style, giving the book a powerful, and sad, ending.

Perhaps not the best Morgan Kane story, but definitely one not to miss if you follow the series due to that ending and how it’s going to impact on Kane in following books.

Morgan Kane #25

HELL BELOW ZERO

as by Louis Masterson

Corgi 1974

originally published in Norway in 1969

Life in Dakota territory was tough. The only people who wanted to live there were the fur trappers and the Indians. For ten years there had been peace – no Indians had been shot and no white men had been scalped. Then somebody decided they didn’t like it that way. Strange ‘accidents’ began to happen to the Indians – like the body of Three Crew (or what the wolves had left of it) being found several miles from his burnt out hut.

U.S. Marshal Morgan Kane was sent to investigate. He hired himself the best guide in the area, an old timer name of ‘Skinny’ MacSween, and started out on the bloody trail of the killers who didn’t shoot their victims, but left them to die in the cruel Dakota snow…

This book finds Kane taken out of his usual stamping grounds of deserts and heat and sent to a state gripped in winter, having to face the risk of freezing to death. Kane discovers that near the frozen solid bodies of each dead Indian are tracks of a sledge and two men, and then, after the horror of a massacred Indian camp, the hunt is on.

Somehow I didn’t feel that Masterson (Kjell Hallbing) was as confident writing this book of a land of cold and snow as he was writing about heat and desert landscapes. Kane was his usual self, tough, brutal and relentless in his pursuit of the killers and in finding out the reasons for these strange deaths.

Masterson also didn’t put Kane through any of the cruel heartache that he usually does either. The story almost having a happy ending for Kane this time around.

I found Hell Below Zero entertaining enough but would place it with the weaker entries in the series. Maybe it’s the translation that failed to convey the true atmosphere of this book.

Morgan Kane #26

COYOTEROS!

as by Louis Masterson

Corgi 1974

originally published in Norway in 1969

They murdered. They raped. They terrorized. ‘They’ were the Coyoteros – an outlaw gang of blood-crazy whites, half-breeds and trigger-happy Mexicans who ran rampage on both sides of the border. No lawman had ever attempted to stop them – and they figured no lawman was ever gonna try. But they hadn’t counted on Morgan Kane getting interested in their business…

The ‘business’ concerned was a mighty profitable slave-traffic of Apache children – children who were snatched from the reservation and then dragged over the border to be sold. Everything was going real fine until a wagonload of children arrived accompanied by a black-haired woman, an Apache brave and U.S. Marshal Morgan Kane, aiming to kill…

Here author Louis Masterson (Kjell Hallbing) has Kane hunting down some slave traders, a typical western plot, but this is a Morgan Kane story and as to be expected from this series there’s more to this job than just hunting down the Coyoteros.

This is another tough entry into this often brutal series. A book I read in one sitting as Kane struggles to piece together the clues as to just who is behind the selling of the children and who is buying.

In this story Kane’s usually ice-cold exterior cracks with the involvement of the children and he allows his stunning female companion a brief glimpse of his feelings, but only for a moment, adding yet another layer to his complexed character, leading to more emotional scars for Morgan Kane.

Overlooking the occasional bad translations (by Jeffrey M. Wallmann), that make you wonder as to the meaning of the odd sentence, this is a good entry into the series.