Buchanan's Gun

This western novel in the long running Buchanan series was published in 1968 by Fawcett Publications. The Tom Buchanan books were written by a master of the western pulps and later mass market books, Mr. William R. Cox. As one reviewer noted the "novels are noted for their 'pageturner' pace, realistic dialogue, and freqent Colt-and-Winchester gun play." Tom Buchanan's father had been a rancher in West Texas so Tom grew up on a ranch, later becoming the ramrod of a little border ranch. Eventually Tom Buchanan was "hiring out his fists and his guns...Thomas MacGrail Buchanan was a long, long way from Alpine, West Texas". This book has its setting in the area near Fort Lowell in the heart of Apache country, with the focus of the story on the capture and transport of 4 Apaches to prison. But due to the Warrenrode ranch intervention an army corporal and a couple Apaches are killed, which triggers an eventual reprisal kidnap by the Apaches and deadly chase into the mountains for Tom Buchanan. One of the more interesting features of this story is the time spent within the Apache encampment, at a time of the ceremony of the White Painted Woman or puberty rite for a girl. Tom Buchanan cannot allow this ceremony to go forth to fruition as the girl to be passed through the ceremony is Warrerode's white daughter, Marinda. The Apache chief then plans that Marinda be married to warrior. Though Buchanan and the chief have been friends the village is against Tom, and the chief agrees it would best that he leave. What the chief doesn't realize with Tom's departure, Marinda will go too. And the ensuing chase by angry Apaches over the desert sands back to Warrenrode ranch is something of a shoot out to read. Again, Colt and Winchester westerns by the master western writer, William R. Cox. This well written western reads very well taking the reader back in time to the frontier days of Arizona Territory during the upheaval of the Apache Wars. It is as stated of Mr. Cox's writing: a page turner. And though this reviewer has read many of the Tom Buchanan books this one is right at the top of the list for reader involvement and enjoyment. If you enjoy a good western read or the Tom Buchanan character do not miss this one. Semper Fi.