Heller With a Gun, The Louis L'Amour Collection

The movie version of this book, Heller in Pink Tights, with Anthony Quinn and Sophia Loren is watchable. The book is better, but not much better. King Mabry trails a traveling theatrical troupe across Wyoming, and in the wagons was $15,000 dollars someone wanted to steal.

Haven't read many books by L'Amour, but what I have read, I've enjoyed. This was fast-paced, with all the usual elements - gunfights, Indians, intrigue, romance, survival - all tied together in a good story. Nice twist at the end. Not really sure where the name Heller comes from though??

This novel takes you from a warm fire to the icy wastes and carries you on a wild flight to survive the elements and overcome the threat to innocent travellers. A excellent adventure with a unexpected ending.

Easily in my top ten L'amours! The story may sound familiar - innocents led astray by sweettalking baddies and hero to the rescue. Thinking about it it seems to fuse "Westward the tide" and "The empty land"! But still the way L'amour develops the story - his dark portrayal of the hero - the way he builds the relationships between the characters - the action scenes - the not-so unpredictable twist in the end (quite like "The Empty Land"), give the work its individuality that will remain in your memory for a while. It still is in mine after years!