SIX GRAVES TO SUNRISE

 

SIX GRAVES TO SUNRISE

By Brett McKinley

A Cleveland Western (No. 1149) from Cleveland Publishing – year unknown.

As you can see from the cover image the author is announced as being Brett McKinley, inside it states that it is by Emerson Dodge. Before anyone wastes anytime trying to work out just which of them actually wrote Six Graves to Sunrise I’ll tell you that McKinley and Dodge are both pseudonyms for the same person; author Paul Wheelahan. 

Six Graves to Sunrise is a well-written traditional western the moves forward at a gallop. The plot turns up often in westerns; that of a man, Shannon, accused of a murder he didn’t commit and his hunting down of the real killer to clear his name. There’s a touch of love interest too, although that only takes up a very small part of the story. Wheelahan regularly switches between Shannon and his lawman friend, Gault, as they both hunt down their prey, eventually teaming up to do so. Wheelahan also tells of what Cherneck, the real killer, is doing. Cherneck joins forces with another cold killer, Lucky Kelso, and a couple of other outlaws. Each time we read about them the bodies pile up – which made me question the title as there are a lot more than six people who die as the trail leads to the town of Sunrise. There’s a sub-plot too in that Gault has history with Kelso.

Character studies are good and the action scenes are described vividly, especially the attack on an iron payroll wagon. There is one little mistake, and if you blink, you’ll probably miss it. A mule becomes a horse momentarily before becoming a mule again. 

Like other books I’ve read by Paul Wheelahan Six Graves to Sunrise proved to be an entertaining read. 

Paul Wheelahan has had over eight hundred westerns published under a variety of pseudonyms. 

Renegades Rule This Land

By Dempsey Clay

A Black Horse Western from Hale, December 2010

When four pretty brides-to-be are in need of an escort to guide them across the dusty desert where they are to wed a group of miners, everyone tells them that Jackson Blake is the only man for the job.

He has proven he can handle rustlers, bad men and border-jumpers. But can he master four pretty women, a band of deadly gunmen and a sun-blasted desert, all at once? Blake thinks so…but the Badlands figure otherwise.

This book really grabbed my interest from the opening paragraph that introduces the reader to Jackson Blake. Has him ready to ambush some unaware riders. Dempsey Clay soon explains the circumstances behind this and reveals there’s a posse somewhere in the area too.

Blake then finds himself reluctantly agreeing to escort the brides-to-be, their methods of persuading him to help making for some humorous reading. Along with a couple of friends, the small party head out into the desert. Dempsey Clay then adds more intriguing threads to the plot in the way of outlaws known as the Raiders, and a band of Apaches out for blood. Most of these characters are named and a number have their back-stories outlined. The four brides-to-be tell of their pasts too, of why they decided to answer the miners’ call for wives. Carissa’s tale leading to suspicion as to her real reasons for being a part of this group.

So plenty of plot threads that hooked my attention quickly and, along with Dempsey Clay’s easy to read writing style, ensured I’d find this book hard to put down. Once the group is out in the desert the action comes thick and fast, and at times is quite violent and graphic.

As the pages began to run out I started to wonder how all these story threads would tie-up, and that’s when I became disappointed in the book. After promising so much in the first two-thirds of the tale it then seemed like the author had forgotten some of the characters, some of those he took time to introduce where never mentioned again, and the mystery behind Carissa’s motives was never revealed, seemed forgotten. Her sudden change from a man hater to falling for Blake being a somewhat unbelievable surprise – seemingly done to provide a happy ending for Blake.

Having read a number of Paul Wheelahan’s books, written under his Dempsey Clay pseudonym, and others, I did feel a little let down by this one, not enough to not want to read anymore of his work though as I do generally enjoy his work and I’m sure I’ll definitely read another somewhere in the near future.

Renegades Rule This Land is available to buy now through the usual Internet bookstores.

By the Gun They Died

as by Matt James

A Black Horse Western from Hale, April 2010

With seven killers camped on his trail, big Blaze Morgan rode south into Weeping Woman Valley. With his superior gun skills and horsemanship, Morgan expected to shake his pursuers quickly, but soon realizes he will be lucky to survive the next-four hours…

How can he possibly overcome such obstacles?

Matt James hooks the reader quickly by throwing in many questions that just have to be answered before the book can be put down. Questions such as who are the twins that live in the large house in Weeping Woman Valley? Why won’t they answer any of Morgan’s questions? Will they kill Morgan? Will the seven killers hell-bent on revenge be successful in their quest? Whose body does Morgan discover hastily buried, who killed him and why?

Of course Matt James is a pseudonym and it’s one of those used by long-time western author Paul Wheelahan. A writer, who knows his craft extremely well, knows how to keep his readers turning the pages. His characters are believable, his descriptions paint vivid images within the minds eye, his dialogue is convincing. All these things combine to make this book a gripping and action filled yarn that will definitely appeal to most western fans.

By the Gun They Died is officially published today but has been available for a while and if you want a copy I suggest you put your order in as soon as possible as BHW tend to sell out very quickly.

Always the Guns

as by Matt James

A Black Horse Western from Hale, November 2009

A murder charge followed by a desperate flight and pursuit halfway across the West for two innocent young ranchers – could fate be more brutal?

Darien Pell and Slim Carroway are soon to find out during an odyssey which takes them from the once-peaceful East to the wilds of old Texas … with a vengeful posse in pursuit.

Is it simple bad luck that they fall in with flamboyant old Mack and his gang of wild desperadoes? Or might it prove to be their one hope of dodging the hangman’s noose?

Matt James is one of the pseudonyms used by the prolific Paul Wheelahan and like all the books I’ve read by him this one is a fast flowing and entertaining read. There’s not as much action as I expected, most of the action is described in the narrative after it has happened. Having said that there is plenty to hold the readers attention; the superbly drawn characters, particularly Mack Dunn. The fact that the outlaws are being hunted by Rangers, as well as the posse out to bring back Darien Pell – the latter being resolved in an unexpected, and almost understated, way. About two thirds of the way through the book Dunn announces he has a plan and a destination in mind, but doesn’t reveal what either are, so Paul Wheelahan introduces a touch of mystery to the story which insures the reader will keep turning the pages.

Always the Guns has an official release date of November 30th, although it should be available through Internet booksellers now.

Fans of Paul Wheelahan’s work will also be pleased to now that Always the Guns is one of two BHW released by him this month; the other being Take me to Texas as by Ryan Bodie.

Sweep of Fury

As by Dempsey Clay
A Black Horse Western from Hale, October 2009

Killer Jimmy Tucker wanted to die.

‘Do it now, Gant,’ he begged the stone-faced lawman. ‘Don’t let ‘em swing me off their gallows. Just shoot me now!’

He was pleading with the wrong man. The Marshals’ Manual was Gant’s bible.

‘The law says you’re to hang, Tucker,’ he pronounced, ‘and I’ll see that you do it.’

‘You ain’t human, Gant!’

Gant nodded. Maybe Tucker was half-right but he’d still swing. The next badman to receive mercy from Marshal Gant would be the first.

Marshal Gant makes for an excellent hero, a proud man who backs down from no one, a man who lives to the letter of the law. A man who is aiming to retire after seeing Tucker hang. But there’s history there too, ghosts from the past that need setting to rest. And then there’s the possibility that Gant’s law could be wrong…

Paul Wheelahan, writing as Dempsey Clay, has produced a terrific study in human character in Gant. The Marshal isn’t an easy man to like yet you’ll soon be swept up in the story, wanting to know how Gant will face the challenges to his beliefs – not all of them can be tackled with brute force.

The book moves forward at a cracking pace, filled with action and tough dialogue. Although the end offers no surprises it’s an exciting read getting there.

Sweep of Fury was officially released on October 30th, and I’d suggest grabbing a copy before it sells out – something Black Horse Westerns do more often that not these days.

The .45 Goodbye

as by Dempsey Clay
A Black Horse Western from Hale, June 2009

Outlaw Sonny Boy Clanton had it all: style, courage and a band of pards, loyal to the death. The whole county saw him as a hero – until he kidnapped the Governor’s daughter.

Following the uproar, the law, cavalry and citizens scoured the valley for outlaw and hostage, but all in vain.

Then came the quiet rancher who loved the Governor’s daughter and would find and save her or die.

Dempsey Clay starts his book with a number of different incidents that introduce the reader to a variety of characters that later will all become linked – some we find are linked by their pasts too.

The lure of amnesty, a chance to start anew, is one of the major story threads, the other being of love – that shared between two people and love that is one-sided. In fact the second of these is what leads to some dangerous situations fuelled by jealousy and the need to be wanted, the latter turning a somewhat already deranged outlaw into a dangerous psychopath who will risk all to tell the governor’s daughter how much he loves her, regardless of the consequences. This new trait of the outlaw leader giving birth to arguments among the outlaws, and their eventual falling-out that leads to a tense, three sided, final gunfight.

Like other Dempsey Clay (real name Paul Wheelahan) books I’ve read this moves forwards at tremendous pace, is filled with great characters, and a gripping plot. Clay’s descriptive passages paint vivid imagery within the minds eye too. What I also like about his writing is that you are never quite sure as to the outcome of the story and of who will be alive at the end.

This book has a release date of today (June 30th) but has been available for a couple of weeks already from internet book sellers. If you want a copy I’d suggest ordering it sooner rather than later as BHW has a tendency to sell-out fast!

Die This Day

as by Dempsey Clay
A Black Horse Western from Hale, March 2009

When their troubled town found itself yet again without a peace officer to enforce the law, the citizens finally agreed on what must be done: forget the cost and risks involved and hire a town-tamer.

The famed marshal seemed to meet all their requirements – until the day gun hell erupted again.

The town looked confidently to their hero to deal with the trouble – while only the marshal himself realized that this town – and this adversary – might prove the one to put him in his grave.

Like the previous Dempsey Clay western I read this is a fast moving and action filled book as marshal Cord Ashton attempts to bring peace to Sugar Creek. Although he faces the usual problems of drunks, rowdy cowboys, and the local gamblers and wannabe gunfighters, Ashton has to face his own demons. Ashton was the law in Sugar Creek once before and left when he ran from his growing feelings for Barbara Kincaid. Barbara’s brother does not want this relationship to be renewed and will do anything to see it isn’t.

Dempsey Clay – author Paul Wheelahan – builds the mounting tension between Ashton and Stirling Kincaid superbly and writes some terrific exchanges of dialogue between the two. This is the plot thread that kept me hooked, eager to find out how all would be resolved, as Ashton doesn't want to have to kill Barbara's brother and face the consequences this could have on his relationship with Barbara.

Die This Day is published on March 31st – although it is possible to buy now through various internet booksellers – and if fast moving traditional westerns are your preferred reading choice then I suggest you get your order in now.

Just Breathin' Hate

as by Dempsey Clay

A Black Horse Western from Hale, December 2008

When the Law went loco and charged him with killing his wife, innocent Jack Fallon has two choices only – run or hang.

So he ran – to a strange lost valley shut off from the world and ruled by a cult of holy men who would prove more lethal than any posse could ever be.

Paul Wheelahan, the man behind the Dempsey Clay pseudonym, has been writing westerns since the 1960’s and must have had around 1000 stories published. This experience shows in the superb pacing of Just Breathin’ Hate, a book that hooks the reader right from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the end.

The book opens with Fallon being hunted by a posse, you don’t know why at this point and as the plot is revealed more questions are added, such as who really killed Fallon’s wife and who sawed through the branch that snapped thus saving Fallon from hanging.

Although the regular western reader will have met all the characters before in various guises they do interact well and hold your attention. The growing bond between Fallon and Rebecca being particularly strong and a friendship that will have you wondering at the outcome as one of the Brethren cannot get involved with an Outsider can she? Especially as she is lined up to be the third wife of the Deacon.

There are plenty of battles of wills between members of their own sides and these add to the almost maniacal obsession of lawman St George to hunt down and kill Fallon.

Nearly all of the violent confrontations in the first two thirds of the book are settled with fists, but for those who prefer their westerns to be filled with gun action then the final part of the story should provide more than enough of this as it is packed with a lengthy gunfight as the lawmen attempt to wipe out the Brethren stronghold.

Just Breathin Hate will be published on December 31st so if you’re interested in getting hold of a copy of this book then I suggest you get your order in as soon as possible due to the tendency for Hale's BHW to sell out fast.Those of you who may wish to read more about Paul Wheelahan can find an extensive interview here