From Publishers Weekly
In this fifth book of the western-mystery adventures of New Mexico Sheriff Al Murphy, the lean and leathery lawman finds himself on the trail of renegade Apache, murder and conspiracy. The authors (Murphy's Stand) serve up a fast-paced tale of frontier excitement and action, leavened with cowboy cliches and saddleworn characters. Al Murphy, former saddlebum and drunk, is now dried out and sheriff of a small town. Aided by a crabby old muleskinner, a gentle giant and a young, pretty shopkeeper, Murphy investigates the brutal murders of a rancher and his family. Despite the prairie dust and clouds of gunsmoke, the mystery plot is thin and transparent; the reader will too quickly guess the real owlhoots and their murderous motives. The action, however, is crisply written, suspenseful and realistic, especially Murphy's tireless pursuit of, and blazing gunfight with, the Apache raiders. Even after ingesting a heavy intake of hot lead and sharp arrows, Murphy bravely staggers on as the bigger-than-life Western lawman who loves his horse more than the girl, a Tom Mix for the '90s. Rights: Flannery Literary Agency.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Paulsen (The Haymeadow, Audio Reviews, LJ 9/15/92) and Burks try to re-create the Old West with a combination Western and mystery, throwing in a comic character and a romance for good measure. Apache renegades in search of whiskey have apparently killed Mrs. Price and two young children. When sheriff Murphy investigates he finds too many loose ends, however. Unfortunately, the problem with this Western is that the authors employ stereotyped characters who seem derived more from other Western novels than their imaginations. Norman Dietz's narration suffers unsuccessfully through the women's roles. Ultimately, most libraries can pass on this one.?James Dudley, Copiague, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
