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Tragg's Choice
For ten years, Owen Tragg lived on his reputation as a hero-- exploited by a slick showman who dressed him and billed him as "the man who killed Jody Barker."When the act finally folded. Tragg was relieved. But before he could head for El paso to apply for a deputy's job, he had some unpleasant business to take care of at Boser's Creddk.There Jody Barker's widow waited for him; and there, by a twist of faith that had sent a half-starved sodbuster on a killing spree. Tragg, the man, was forced to separate himself from Tragg the legend. He was all that stood between two people and death.
- GenresWesterns
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 19, 2025
A solid, satisfying western.
Owen Tragg killed an outlaw a number of years ago and has spent the last decade out East, telling folks about it. When the lectures dry up, he finds himself without a plan and takes a coach back West with a motley crew of passengers. He and they eventually become embroiled in a confluence of bounties, vengeance, and murder. Despite all his fame being built on killing a man, Tragg finds himself trying to make sure there aren't more deaths in the chaos than there have to be.
This novel won the Spur Award when it was published, and it is not undeserved. He juggles a few different plot lines really well and their conclusions are earned. Adams writes in 3rd person omnipotent, which is one of my least favorite POVs, but it works well here. The novel sports a half a dozen characters and they all get some fleshing out, Tragg and antagonist Morrasey especially. The novel really plays in the moral grays, too. No one here is without dirt or blood on their hands. Yet of these, although they may truck in immoral plots, they have their reasons. There's motivations galore.
Highly recommended if you like westerns or know how to read.
Owen Tragg killed an outlaw a number of years ago and has spent the last decade out East, telling folks about it. When the lectures dry up, he finds himself without a plan and takes a coach back West with a motley crew of passengers. He and they eventually become embroiled in a confluence of bounties, vengeance, and murder. Despite all his fame being built on killing a man, Tragg finds himself trying to make sure there aren't more deaths in the chaos than there have to be.
This novel won the Spur Award when it was published, and it is not undeserved. He juggles a few different plot lines really well and their conclusions are earned. Adams writes in 3rd person omnipotent, which is one of my least favorite POVs, but it works well here. The novel sports a half a dozen characters and they all get some fleshing out, Tragg and antagonist Morrasey especially. The novel really plays in the moral grays, too. No one here is without dirt or blood on their hands. Yet of these, although they may truck in immoral plots, they have their reasons. There's motivations galore.
Highly recommended if you like westerns or know how to read.
October 11, 2021
plain ol fun
April 22, 2015
A tight, perfectly constructed western!
February 25, 2012
Very fun western fiction. Yes, western fiction can be good, try not to pre-judge.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews