The Graves at Seven Devils

I've read Peter Brandvold before, and I knew what was coming with Seven Devils (great title)--bullets by the bucket, bad guys (and gals) that are the worstest of the worst, and enough blood to paint the side of a barn--but it was still a jolt. If you grew up on the old-time writers of the 30s, 40s, 50s and so on, it might be a bit much. On the other hand, if your Western time frame begins with The Wild Bunch and everything that followed, you should feel right at home. My one nit-pick is that you don't get a real sense of Western history in Brandvold's books--they exist in the time of the Old West rather than the place; but if a history lesson is what you're looking for, try the non-fiction aisle. For pure violent western action, Brandvold can't be beat. As a side note, The Graves at Seven Devils was the first book I read on my iPhone, via Kindle. Not as easy on the eyes as a book, but worked fine. Guess I just added a nail into the coffin of the printed page...oh well.

This is the latest ,or 9th (Jan.09) novel in what what the author calls "The Bounty Hunter Lou Prophet Series". And what a great series is is turning out to be. Once again,Lou Prophet meets up with Louisa Bonaventure and what a character she is turning out to be.Readers of Old West Westerns have their favorite heros and Brandvold,through Prophet, provides us with some of the best stories and action that you can find. However,most Western heros have been males;but wait till you get to meet and know Louisa,you're in for a surprise. Prophet is a bounty hunter ,as tough and smart as they come.He is in it for no other reason than the rewards and good times they give him.With Louisa ,she is as driven as any lawman,gunslinger or bounty hunter;but not for the rewards...she is driven by an even stronger force and that is pure revenge,for what owlhoots did to her family. This story brings us to the mountains and deserts of Arizona,where the terrain is unforgiving,and the characters are so tough and mean,that even the Devil,or Ole Scratch,gives them a wide berth. The story is filled with lots of fast action,shootouts,fight to the finish encounters,and situations that look completely hopeless. This is the kind of thing both Lou and Louisa,would just as soon do without;but when they confront it,they are as we say,"in for a penny,in for a pound". The novel has excellent character developments,some are even priceless,the storyline is simple and well developed,keeps the reader anxious to turn the page to see what's coming next. Brandvold,is a great story teller and his descriptive writing is as good as it gets. How's this for great Old West writing? "Prophet reined Mean and Ugly down and stared over the horse's bobbing,snorting head at the three men-or what remained of them-staked out on the ground before him. A couple of buzzards that had not fled into the cedars and cottonwoods as he'd ridden up,following the stench and the raucous quarreling of the feeding carrion eaters,lingered proprietarily atop the bloody,eviscerated corpses. They continued to peck and prod as they regarded Prophet angrily,strings of bloody sinew dangling from their colorless beaks,the little eyes in their bald heads flashing in the brassy,late-morning light like minature ball bearings." I am a big fan of the artwork on the covers of Westerns.This one has a great view of Prophet,looking over his shoulder ,sitting on his best friend Mean and Ugly;looking at the burning remains of the town of Seven Devils,Arizona Territory.The author conjours up one scene after another throughout the story that makes the reader feel he is in the midst of all the action. A great story,and if you haven't read one of Brandwold's novels;try one--you won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the next novel in this series!!!

Lou Prophet is Peter Brandvold's rowdy Bounty Hunter and offers an entertaining break from the hum-drum novels flooding the book shelves today. Brandvold's westerns are enjoyable escapes back to another time and era complete with squeaking saddles, truly despicable bad guys (and gals), avenging Indians, a hero who's as flawed as the rest of us, and enough storyline to make you wonder just how much you really did or didn't know about 'The Old West.' Westerns are a classic American genre and those like Loren Estlemen, Bill Brooks and Brandvold are keeping it alive, gritty, and shoot-howdy interesting. So when you're bored with the latest whodunnit, a lawyer as hero, or a super secret secret Agent novel pick up a western, kick your feet up, and enjoy the ride. Good to have you back, Lou. Now, where's the dang spitoon?