Trail Hand

I've been disappointed by a lot of the westerns I've been reading lately. Not enough action, too much revisionist history... but then I read Trail Hand. It's one of the first westerns in a long time that actually kept me engaged in story. They action was great. the history felt authentic. If you are looking for a true western tale, this book is definitely worth a read.

R.W. Stone has produced a first person western adventure that reminded me a lot of Louis L'Amour and E. Leonard. It's sort of a throw back to the older style westerns. It is refereshing to read a classic style western rather than some of the newer revisionist books that are more about unnecessary violence and negativity. Trail Hand is about honor, loyalty and determination. It also seemed historically accurate and had the occasional sense of humor often seen in John Ford westerns. The hero of Trail Hand is a loner who hires on to guide a herd of horses to California for a Mexican rancher. When the herd is rustled across the border by other "gringos" the Mexicans falsely blame him. In order to clear his name he must go after these murderous rustlers without getting caught by the posse of angry vaqueros bent on lynching him. A truly great read.

A fast paced, gritty western novel in the tradition of the greatest western writers like Max Brand, Zane Grey, and Louis L'Amour. Historically factual depiction of the old west with accurate details of the weapons, dress, and characters of the time.

Book was just what I expected. Son loved it for Christms. Seller was reliable and shipped quickly.

The Trail Hand is a highly suspensful western in the classic style of the thirties and forties. His first person writing reminds one of Louis L'Amour, Max Brand and Luke Short. The hero is a down-on-his-luck loner who has traveled far and is now on the Tex Mex border. He hires on to guide a herd of horses to California for a Mexican rancher. After falling in love with the rancher's daughter he incurs the anger of her protector, the outfit's ramrod. When the herd is rustled by other "gringos" the Mexicans falsely blame the hero, Owen Burke. To clear his name and win back his girl he must play a dangerous game of cat and mouse with murderous outlaws one side and angry vaqueros behind him. Trail Hand is action packed yet it is a clean enjoyable read.