Land of Promises: A Gun for Johnny Deere

by Wayne D. Overholser

In Land of Promises, Mark Manning battles vicious claim jumpers and vengeful Ute warriors to defend the woman he loves, while in A Gun for Johnny Deere, a man with a price on his head out-guns greedy bounty hunters. Original.

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Wayne D. Overholser (born September 4, 1906 in Pomeroy, Washington; died August 27, 1996 in Boulder, Colorado) was an American Western writer.

Overholser won the 1953 First Spur Award for best novel for Lawman using the pseudonym Lee Leighton. In 1955 he won the 1954 (second) Spur Award for The Violent Land. He also used the pseudonyms John S. Daniels, Dan J. Stevens and Joseph Wayne.

Reviews

[Tim Deforest]

Star City is a decaying town run by Bull Tatum, the local big rancher. When Bull's son accidentally dies in a fight with the hot-headed Johnny Deere, the townspeople force Johnny to make a run for it rather than risk a confrontation that could put the entire town at risk.

Soon, a paid gunslinger is on Johnny's trail, but Johnny soon gets tired of running.

This leads to a strong story backed up by some very sharp characterizations. The novel covers about nine months and during that time, Johnny's gradual growth into a more mature adult is handled realistically and with empathy. I also enjoy the way he is shown to win gunfights using intelligent and unexpected tactics.

Johnny's character arc is counter-pointed by alternating chapters set back in Star City, where the one town citizen Johnny thinks of as a friend proves to have his own treacherous agenda and gradually degenerates into a manipulative and murderous villain.

When Johnny meets a woman he wants to marry, he decides he must first return to Star City to resolve the situation. He knows he has to confront Bull Tatum, but has no idea he also needs to deal with the man he considers to be his best friend.

A very good Western.

[Kellyt]

Would give it a 3.6 if possible. Not sure why that particular title was chosen, it doesn’t have really anything to do with the plot. A good solid western story about a young man maturing and learning in some violent times with devious people around him. Not the best of Overholser’s books but a worthwhile read.