Mr. Leonard's first novel, originally published in 1953, is a solid story with many twists and turns as the two protagonists, Bowers and Dave Flynn, set out on their assignment to catch an old Apache leader named Soldado Viejo. The experienced cowboy, Flynn, agrees to take on this odd, freelance job with the young, greenhorn Bowers, because of his hatred of Colonel Deneen who offers him the assignment.
The book isn't an indepth study of the different characters, but more a series of challenges they face against the Apache, the bounty hunters, Colonel Deneen and a Mexican Lieutinent named Lama Duro. The assorted heroes and villians are one-dimensional and about as introspective as dirt. I never warmed up to any of the characters or cared if they bit the dust. However, the pleasure in reading Mr. Leonard's book is wondering how or if the people will survive different confrontations. Everyone in the story, with the exception of the Apache, seem to be flying by the seat of their pants as they stumble into different episodes.
This tightly written little story is nowhere near in the same league as Larry McMurtry's epic Lonesome Dove, but still a very entertaining way to kill some time. The ending was a little too neat and tidy for my tastes. If you like western novels, then you'll likely be pleased with Mr. Leonard's story.
(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing book reviews under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review. #283)
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