Gun Tamer

by Max Brand

When Don Felipe Consalvo showed up at the McCay ranch, none could suspect that beneath his grace and charm there lurked a deadly gunman - but Sheriff Rankin knew he was bringing trouble with him. And when Colonel McCay's daughter fell in love with him, Rankin knew it was part of Consalvo's plan to gain their wealth. But how could he stop him, when no man who ever faced Consalvo in a showdown lived to tell the tale?

Paperback

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Frederick Schiller Faust (see also Frederick Faust), aka Frank Austin, George Owen Baxter, Walter C. Butler, George Challis, Evin Evan, Evan Evans, Frederick Faust, John Frederick, Frederick Frost, David Manning, Peter Henry Morland, Lee Bolt, Peter Dawson, Martin Dexter, Dennis Lawson, M.B., Hugh Owen, Nicholas Silver

Max Brand, one of America's most popular and prolific novelists and author of such enduring works as Destry Rides Again and the Doctor Kildare stories, died on the Italian front in 1944.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this pulp western more interesting than most is the characterisation. The main figure is the mother of the heroine who, despite the disadvantages of her position and being married to a fool, is able to manoeuvre events and handle the behaviour of her particularly vulnerable daughter who is in love with a fortune hunter. The fortune hunter himself is a remarkable manipulator and has the help of a strange otherworldly Native American.

The plot never loses its impetus and the tension never flags as the mother and fortune hunter engage in a psychological game of chess with the daughter at stake.

[Michael Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read with a great story line, arcing characters, surprises, and a satisfying denouement. The characters were easy to identify and sympathize with and the protagonist is very likable despite being a "bad boy." The protagonist reminds me of someone - me.

[Mike Grady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good tale by Max Brand - the main character waffles between good and bad; but then he falls in love.