Sunday, August 24, 2014

Ray's Reviews: The Shorthorn Kid and other Tales of the Old West by Hugh Pendexter


  “The Shorthorn Kid and Other Tales of the Old West” by award-winning
author Hugh Pendexter (Black Dog Books, $14.95) is a highly entertaining
anthology.
        Although these tales originally appeared in the 1920’s and 1930’s, they
are still quite enjoyable today, even to those who don’t read western
tales regularly.
        Pendexter is not a household name in the western field like Louis L’Amour
or Zane Grey, but he is an excellent story-teller with a nice sense of
humor.
        The author’s grandson, Hugh Pendexter III provides a brief foreward with
family observations about his relative while Wayne Dundee offers more
insights about Pendexter and his writing career.
        The first three short stories in this collection are actually novellas,
each featuring the Shorthorn Kid, initially introduced as Hiram Polk. He
gets his nickname on the first page, after he buys a horse and saddle
from a pair of waddies (cowboys) in Kansas.
        A crack shot, the Kid knows little about cattle; but he joins up with
Tall Tim and another cowboy heading down to the Slater Ranch in Texas.
The Kid is a quick learner and gets along well with most of the other
cowboys; he has a special ability when it comes to a particular type of
gambling. Problems arise when part of the herd goes missing and rustlers
are suspected.
The other two Kid stories are also set in the years following the Civil
War, dealing with devious cowboys and clever killers. Pendexter further
develops his main character; it’s fun to watch the growth of the Kid.
“One Town Comes Back” showcases a group of outlaws who take refuge in a
town that’s mostly deserted since frustrated silver miners and others
left.   A somewhat demented old man, his granddaughter and her boyfriend
are the only ones left in town; trouble erupts as tempers flare.
        “Little Man – Big Guns” originally appeared in the pulp magazine “Western
Novelets” in 1936, but still is a fresh tale full of surprises.  It’s set
in Montana, dealing with a pretty woman, her hulking husband and a cowboy
with bad intentions.
        Black Dog Books has published many other fine trade paperback reprints of
old pulp stories, including works by Lester Dent, Frederick Nebel and H.
Bedford Jones. For more information, go to www.blackdogbooks.net.

Find this book and other great titles
at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on August 24, 2014.

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Saturday, August 23, 2014

Ray's Reviews: Shots Fired by C.J. Box


"Shots Fired" by C.J. Box (Putnam, $26.95) is an excellent anthology of
atmospheric short stories by the author of the popular Joe Pickett series
and other crime novels.

The award-winning, best-selling author doesn’t disappoint his legion of
fans; he showcases his talent with a sparkling collection of ten stories
mostly set in Wyoming.

Four of the tales feature his major characters, Pickett and/or Nate
Romanowski; the opening story, "One-Car Bridge" and the title story
appear here for the first time.

Box provides a brief introduction delving into the background of these
stories, answering the ever present question that readers always have
regarding the origin of plot ideas.

He also offers a tough-to-obey spoiler alert about not looking early at
the last pages of "Pronghorns of the Third Reich", which was based on an
actual situation.

Strong characterization abounds, including those of business partners in
"The End of Jim and Ezra," set in a bleak and foreboding 1835.

"The Noble Savage (Le Sauvage Noble)" takes place mostly in France; it
offers an unusual and sometimes humorous view of American Indians and
their intriguing relationships with French women. It first appeared in a
small, signed limited edition, as did "The Master Falconer", a story about
Romanowski, his beloved birds and much more.

"The Blood Knot" is the shortest story in the collection, running only a
thousand words. It’s a previously unpublished, powerful, emotional piece
with an unexpected ending.

"Dull Knife" deals with the fate of a former high school basketball star
who had come back to take care of an aging relative.

"Pirates of Yellowstone" focuses on a pair of Eastern Europeans who hope
to get hired at the National Park but are put on a waiting list. They get
into trouble, but see a way out; things definitely don’t go as they
planned in their new country.

"Shots Fired" is the last story in this collection; initially Pickett
tries to figure out who’s been shooting at a vehicle. He’s involved in a
deadly confrontation with nasty burnt-out characters, getting into a
challenging struggle for survival.

Box’s latest release is too good to miss; it’ll serve as a great
introduction to the talented writing of one of America’s best crime
novelists.
 Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles
at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on August 17, 2014.


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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Ray's Reviews: Mackinac Island: Inside, Up Close and Personal by Dennis O. Cawthorne


“Mackinac Island: Inside, Up Close and Personal” (Arbutus Press, $40) by
Dennis O. Cawthorne  is an exceptionally entertaining new book that
focuses on a wide variety of subjects relating to one of Michigan’s most
popular tourist attractions.

Cawthorne, an attorney who lives in East Lansing, offers a unique
perspective on the resort area, where he has worked for over 50 years.
His employment at the island began in 1960, as an Albion College student,
when he initially became a carriage driver, transporting tourists to
assorted destinations.

Over the years, he became the chairman of the Mackinac Island State Parks
Commission, Chamber of Commerce manager and a saloonkeeper-restaurateur.
A Harvard Law School graduate, Cawthorne was also a businessman, lawyer,
legislator and world-traveler.

In a smooth, sometimes folksy manner, he covers a lot of territory,
detailing numerous events, including the development of Fort Mackinac.

He analyzes unusual occurrences, such as the 1960 unsolved murder case of
Frances Lacey, a Dearborn widow whose body was found under a pile of
brush.

Cawthorne deals with much more pleasant situations, including visits to
the island by Presidents, politicians and important dignitaries.

But this isn't a boring book filled with just facts and numbers – it’s
jam-packed with many full color and black and white photographs. There
are lots of images of landmarks, visitors, businessmen and many vital
people of the island.

He offers a unique viewpoint unlike any book published on Mackinac
Island; it’s overflowing with personal, candid, humorous and informative
insights.

The author doesn't shy away when dealing with controversial issues; he
provides intriguing facts regarding the constantly changing policies of
governors, local politicians and legislators.

Cawthorne’s association with many of these prominent people over the last
50 years is highly detailed, exploring the challenges of keeping
landowners, business people and tourists happy.

Taxation, funding and business rivalries are also covered, with an
emphasis on the island’s carriage ride system, bars, restaurants, fudge
shops and hotels. He was personally involved with many of the issues
relating to the island’s ferry services, including numerous still
unresolved lawsuits.

This is an ideal book for travelers, historians and libraries. It’s a
great gift idea for anyone interested in learning about or enjoying the
rich heritage of Michigan’s picturesque Mackinac Island.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed
Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on August 10, 2014.

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