Hawke: The Law of a Fast Gun

THE LAW OF A FAST GUN is the fifth book in a series that Robert Vaughan has been issuing for the last few years. His main character is Mason Hawke a refugee from the war between the states for the South, who though not a drifter in the normal sense, does drift around quite a bit. Mason has landed in Braggadocio, Nebraska, and works as the piano player at the Hog Lot saloon, a gambling and prostitution establishment. Mason receives attention and acceptance as the novel moves along, though he has killed a cowboy in the Hog Lot he is seen throughout the book as one who is upholding the values of this new and growing town. He is a good man to have on your side, and the worst of enemies. As he says, his enemies don't last long as he generally kills them. Braggadocio, Nebraska, is one of the towns that now serve as railhead for cattle shipments, with a Major Jessup's herd being the first of three that are approaching the town. Jessup's main concern is getting top dollar for his cattle, for when the other two herds arrive he knows their shipping will only cause the price he receives to drop. Being both greedy and a man of the moment, thinking only of himself, Jessup will do anything to hurt both the town and the other two ranchers bringing their herds in to ship. As the paths of all these people cross and re-cross violence is only a hair-trigger draw away. Adding to the situation Major Jessup is a bogus name covering up a man who was both a raider and town burner during the Civil War, and Jessup is even now planning a raid on the town of Braggadocio. Robert Vaughan has written another interesting, page turning novel set in the post civil war west. You come to know many of the characters in the book and also come to admire and like some of them. With Mason Hawke not only being lightning quick on the piano but also with a six gun as well. And you know it is only a matter of time until Hawke and Jessup collide. Semper Fi.