Dark Canyon: A Novel

When Gaylord Riley met Jim Coburn, Riley was just a rawboned kid who had helped Coburn out of a tough spot. That introduced him to the outlaw trail, as Coburn was the head of a group who not only rustled cattle but robbed banks and stagecoaches. This book is about Riley's growing to manhood and his escape from that kind of life. This is a typical L'Amour product--full of action, good and bad characters you either immediately love or hate, and enough tension to make you want to slug some of the characters yourself. Written during his most productive and creative period.

There are some better L'amour westerns, but this is a good easy and fun read - and introduces Tell Sackett as a bit of a side character to the action. In fact this was part of the problem, this novel is short, but boy are there are lot of characters in it to take note of. Gaylord Riley is the young man at the middle of it all. He has taken up with a gang of bank robbers- but there are n'er do wells with hearts of gold and set him with the cash to start a ranch. He goes where he knows he can ranch, but where he also knows that the gang can hide out with him if they ever need his help later. Unfortunately there are things afoot in town and he falls for Marie whose father has the only white-faced cattle in town - added to that there is a man in town used to getting his own way and he wants Marie Shuttock no matter what her uncle thinks of him. The local Sheriff has a fair idea who Riley is but judges a man on his actions - as does the local newspaper man. Too many characters, too little time. There is a nice piece at the end which ties it all up nicely for the future. It is a good little read for something simple to knock off in an hour or so. Great reading for that purpose!

Just finished reading this one for the 3rd time in a decade. I place this book along side the best Louis L'Amour wrote. That includes HONDO, SHALAKO, and among others, HIGH LONESOME. This one can be read in just a few hours, at one sitting. But that doesn't detract one iota from the excellence of this western. This 1963 western has the canyonlands of Southeastern Utah as it locale. Situated in the Robbers Roost area of the Colorado River. A very rough and isolated area reaching 3,000 feet, in some places. An area I'm sure Mr. L'Amour from experience knew only too well. I seldom like dealing with plots, because I don't want someone spoiling the beginning, middle, or ending for me. The plot is very plausible, however, for in the west many men who started against the law, eventually rode for the law, becoming good citizens. One of the interesting facts of this book which I had forgotten, is the appearance of Tell Sackett. And I recall from another L'Amour book, Emily Sackett stating the Sacketts were always to ride with the law, never against it. So, if Tell Sackett sides 'Lord' Riley, the main character, you know, as Louis would say, Riley is one to ride the river with. If you have never read much Louis L'Amour this one is an excellent one to launch your reading. If you are a seasoned reader you will still find several hours enjoyment with this classic western. It reaffirms just how much a master with the western Louis at times could be. Semper Fi.

This book was fun to read. Not long, not too deep, characters easily described. The plot was simple and easily explained. A good story and written in the L'amour style, clean, no sex just a story you could tell your young grandson.

Hey folks, here's another classic L'Amour. It's great. Keeps you wanting to turn the pages. We have a strong character here with good morals, and that's what I like to see in a Western. Why give us some sleeze ball as a hero? This is fiction, right? Dark Canyon compares very favorably with the best writing of Elmer Kelton, Kirby Jonas and Elmore Leonard!--James Drury

Like the majority of Louis L'Amour fans, my favorites are his old standby westerns, and this is one. This is a classic L'Amour style western with good strong characters and very little bad language, a good message and minimum violence. Anyone who likes realism but not in the extreme, this book is for you. If you like it, also read Kirby Jonas's Legend of the Tumbleweed. They call Jonas the New Louis L'Amour, and these compliment each other really well.