Happy Valley

by Max Brand

Jim Fantom was back---after five years in prison. Tom Dollar and Larry Phelan, his partners in crime who had turned state's witness against him, knew that Fantom would be out to get them. But someone else got to Phelan first. He was gunned down ten minutes after Fantom had been seen near his house. This time---when he was innocent---Jim Fantom was sure to hang!

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1972

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

[Rena Sherwood]

Not exactly a good vs evil story as an evil vs a greater evil story. The Happy Valley is not so happy when our protagonist decides to join.



The story gets silly at times but it is a Western and "Brand" here takes delight at poking a few holes (and then filling them back in) at the beloved genre. Some nice bits about horses (although, kids, please don't try this at home) and a good look at how mixed-up people can be. Okay, it's not exactly Hamlet, but it is a good book to relax to and grin at for those who love not only a good Western, but a good action story.

Cover image of my copy:

[Ronald]

read SOMETIME in 2000