Matagorda: A Novel

Major Tappan Duvarney had come to Matagorda, Texas to buy a herd, then move it on to Kansas. But nothing turns out the way he expects it to be. His partner, Tom Kittery, was supposed to be buying the herd for him but Tap finds out that the Kittery family has been involved in a raging blood feud with the Munsons which was never settled. Tap doesn't want to get involved and tries to make sure that Tom and his friends, Johnny Lubec and the Cajun, from getting into trouble. But the Munsons, led by the gun-slick Jackson Huddy, catch on to what they're doing and try to steal the herd. It's up to Tap, along with Tom and some trust worthy friends from the war, to keep the herd safe.Louis L'Amour is such a good writer that it is so hard to say which are his best books because all of his books are superbly written. "Matagorda" is no exception. The characters are all great, with the main character, Major Tappan Duvarney who is handsome, brave, fast with a gun, yet smart enough to know when not to use it. I also like the character, Jessica Trescott, his fiance. Though she is rich and beautiful, because of her love for Tap, she is willing to go anywhere with him, even to the West. The end of the book is surprising (...)

I wouldn't say this book is L'Amour's best, but it is certainly up there. The setting is the highlight of this book. The thunderstorm made the entire second half of Matagorda exciting. The characters are also good, especially Jessica Trescott. I can see why L'Amour always included her when he talked about his own favorite characters. The hero, Tap Duvarney, was also easy to identify with, and made the story enjoyable all the way through

This was an awsome book, I think this is some of his best work

I really enjoyed this book. Tap Duvarney is a good protagonist and the showdown in the thunderstorm storm at the climax is particularly exciting. This is a good starter book for those new to L'Amour!