What do you think?
Rate this book
Kilkenny #1-3, 0.1, 0.5, 3.5
The Kilkenny Collection
Discover one of Louis L’Amour’s most iconic heroes of the Lance Kilkenny, the reluctant gunslinger outrunning a bad reputation and a troubled conscience. One of the earliest creations from the master craftsman of Western fiction, Kilkenny featured prominently throughout the years in L’Amour’s work, his search for peace and quiet interrupted by one heart-stopping adventure after another. Now this rollicking eBook bundle collects the three full-length Kilkenny novels alongside three essential shorter KILKENNY THE RIDER OF LOST CREEK THE MOUNTAIN VALLEY WAR WEST OF DODGE (SHORT STORY) MONUMENT ROCK (NOVELLA) A GUN FOR KILKENNY (SHORT STORY) Kilkenny wasn’t looking for trouble when he entered the Clifton House stage station, but trouble found him when a reckless youngster named Tetlow challenged him, drew his gun, and paid for it with his life. Looking to escape a reputation that he never wanted, Lance Kilkenny settles in the lonely mountain country of Utah, planning to ranch a high, lush valley. But the past is on his trail. Jared Tetlow is a powerful rancher determined to run his vast herd on the limited grasslands there—whether he has to buy out the local ranchers, run them out, or kill them. He’ll cut down anyone who stands in his way, especially a man he already the gunman named Kilkenny—the man who killed his son.
656 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
802 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
997 books3,492 followersLouis Dearborn L'Amour was an American novelist and short story writer. His books consisted primarily of Western novels, though he called his work "frontier stories". His most widely known Western fiction works include Last of the Breed, Hondo, Shalako, and the Sackett series. L'Amour also wrote historical fiction (The Walking Drum), science fiction (The Haunted Mesa), non-fiction (Frontier), and poetry and short-story collections. Many of his stories were made into films. His books remain popular and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death, almost all of his 105 existing works (89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two full-length works of nonfiction) were still in print, and he was "one of the world's most popular writers".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 9, 2021
While I enjoyed some of L'Amour's other books more Kilkenny has always been my favorite of his characters.
July 7, 2019
Worth the wait for collection
I had the complete collection of Louis L'Amour books from the nineteenth sixties till his passing. During the twenty-four year's I was in the Army his books help pass the time on guard, and staff duty along with many Reforager's and NATO TAC Evaluation. Unfortunately a hurricane took my book s. I am slowly rebuilding my books digitally so not lost as easy. Unfortunately some of my books where signed.
I had the complete collection of Louis L'Amour books from the nineteenth sixties till his passing. During the twenty-four year's I was in the Army his books help pass the time on guard, and staff duty along with many Reforager's and NATO TAC Evaluation. Unfortunately a hurricane took my book s. I am slowly rebuilding my books digitally so not lost as easy. Unfortunately some of my books where signed.
January 11, 2020
I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed all of his books, great writer the only thing I wish they would have put the books in chronological order because it would get confusing on some events, but still enjoyable
February 24, 2016
Kilkenny
Very well written gunfighter/ gentleman/hero western that will keep you turning pages. A Highly recommend novel for any avid western readers.
Very well written gunfighter/ gentleman/hero western that will keep you turning pages. A Highly recommend novel for any avid western readers.
September 21, 2017
It's nice to get these six books together in one collection for less than the price you would pay for each title individually in the Amazon Kindle store. Louis L'Amour was not one of the most technical or long-winded writers, he was short, succinct, and to the point and had a way that grabs you into the story immediately. The descriptions of the scenery, events, people, and situations made you feel as if you were right there living it side-by-side with his characters.
With these books, you not only have the classic Louis L'Amour situations with the good guy fighting the bad guy, a life-threatening conflict, the good guy wins and gets the girl, you also get more of a historical educational aspect of the life and times of early America and will learn a thing or two.
As I type this review, this combination of the six stories is priced at $13.99, compared to $5.99 each if you bought them on a standalone basis in the Kindle format: the $13.99 for all five is a great value vs. approximately $36 on an individual basis - you'll get a lot more than $36 of entertainment value out of these!
With these books, you not only have the classic Louis L'Amour situations with the good guy fighting the bad guy, a life-threatening conflict, the good guy wins and gets the girl, you also get more of a historical educational aspect of the life and times of early America and will learn a thing or two.
As I type this review, this combination of the six stories is priced at $13.99, compared to $5.99 each if you bought them on a standalone basis in the Kindle format: the $13.99 for all five is a great value vs. approximately $36 on an individual basis - you'll get a lot more than $36 of entertainment value out of these!
June 16, 2019
A trip down memory lane- And what a trip!
I've always loved the Kilkenny stories, and it was a joy revisiting them again. All the stories are as strong as ever, but little pieces, little mistakes jumped out for me this time. It on no way ruins the story, just pulled me out a bit. If I had one complaint, I would have preferred the novels be in chronological order instead of possibly written order. All in all, for those who enjoy Western stories, by all means, great yourself to these novels and short stories!
I've always loved the Kilkenny stories, and it was a joy revisiting them again. All the stories are as strong as ever, but little pieces, little mistakes jumped out for me this time. It on no way ruins the story, just pulled me out a bit. If I had one complaint, I would have preferred the novels be in chronological order instead of possibly written order. All in all, for those who enjoy Western stories, by all means, great yourself to these novels and short stories!
September 28, 2023
I absolutely love Louis L'Amour's writing and over my 55 years of reading him, I have built complete collections in paperback three times, then gifted them to other fans. Now I am building my Kindle collection of L'Amour. But reading all of the Killkenny stories in a group I noticed, for the first time, how ridiculous the timeline of Kilkenny's life was. It made absolutely no sense. Just how many times was he to FINALLY get together with Nita Forever? I still give this collection a 4-star rating because the individual stories were excellent, just never forming a coherent whole.
September 17, 2018
Loved this series of novels and short stories. Lance Kilkenny is a great character. As always, Louis L'Amour's story telling is wonderful with well-drawn characters and the good guys always triumphing over the bad guys. I enjoy a nasty villain but only if he ends up getting his sorry butt kicked.
October 25, 2020
A classic!
Having read these stories some 40 years ago I can honestly state I love them just as much today. No author has transported me into another realm as much as Lamour. I also find a pleasurable escape between the covers of his books and for that I am grateful.
Having read these stories some 40 years ago I can honestly state I love them just as much today. No author has transported me into another realm as much as Lamour. I also find a pleasurable escape between the covers of his books and for that I am grateful.
February 3, 2023
To me, this was a great read. The only downside was that they could have done a better job aligning or arranging the reads to be progressive, i.e., one followed by the next, etc. The amount of detail and building of the caricatures was well done.
February 7, 2018
I read these books about 20 years ago. Now that I have reread them I have rediscovered Louis L'Amour as an old favourite!
May 26, 2019
Kilkenny is the best
Like all Louis L'Amours books these keep you reading till the end. Kilkenny is the hero that rides in and saves the day.
Like all Louis L'Amours books these keep you reading till the end. Kilkenny is the hero that rides in and saves the day.
June 17, 2019
Reading order.
Read the first story, last. A fun series. L’Amour has fine hand when writing Westerns. Undoubtedly romanticized but fun and readable.
Read the first story, last. A fun series. L’Amour has fine hand when writing Westerns. Undoubtedly romanticized but fun and readable.
August 14, 2019
Gunfights! Women! Whiskey!
All the greatest tropes of the best westerns are here- like a Clint Eastwood movie written down. Love ‘em.
All the greatest tropes of the best westerns are here- like a Clint Eastwood movie written down. Love ‘em.
February 18, 2020
Fantastic clean action. One of the best characters created by Louis ever. Love the addition of Cain and Jamie. Every story in this series is worth your attention.
March 4, 2020
Kilkenny
The only thing bad about this is they were not arranged in the correct order.
I did multithreading all the books
The only thing bad about this is they were not arranged in the correct order.
I did multithreading all the books
July 29, 2020
6 entertaining stories for £1.50 on the kindle, fast paced and straight to the point, no wasted pages on descriptions but this doesn't make it any less immersive.
September 7, 2020
Not as good as I’d anticipated. Pretty much Jack Reacher on a horse.
November 20, 2020
Lamour at his best
Great stories about an independent tough man in the old west written as only Lamour can. Puts together a great bundle
Great stories about an independent tough man in the old west written as only Lamour can. Puts together a great bundle
February 25, 2021
Classic L'AMOUR
Even though there are inconsistencies this is a laruppin good read as are all of Louis' books.
Grab it for yourself!
Even though there are inconsistencies this is a laruppin good read as are all of Louis' books.
Grab it for yourself!
October 4, 2021
Not my favorite Louis L’Amour. Sacket’s Land and The Lonesome Gods are for sure my favorites of his.
September 30, 2025
Good series of stories, although several are similar. If you get this version, I think they are in publishing order the first story is the last story.
October 13, 2016
Very good book with lots of western knowledge thrown in to made me hold interest.
I enjoyed this book because of the way the history of the west was interspersed . The author has a wealth of knowledge of western history.
I enjoyed this book because of the way the history of the west was interspersed . The author has a wealth of knowledge of western history.
October 13, 2016
The Kilkenny Series is Just a Hair Below The Sackett Series!
Lance Kilkenny is a Gunslinger but he is also a very good person who does not like the reputation one gets when they are good with a gun. Kilkenny goes well out of his way to help those who have been good to him when he needed help.
He would rather settle disputes without the use of guns! But, during his time in the West, a shooting was a simple way to resolve differences and this was accepted. Then times began to change; law and order were being sought for towns that were springing up in many Western Lands. Lawmen across the Western Lands began to communicate with one another to bring criminals to justice! Kilkenny respects law and order and attempts to change his identity so he can live in peace; this is only possible if others will allow him the opportunity.
He is also in love with a kind, beautiful woman but he is afraid to spend much time around her, since she could be killed because of him; because some young kid learns his true name and then decides he will kill Kilkenny so everyone will think he is "Bad Man," which really means that he is a bad man to mess with or he could kill you with a fast, accurate draw.
Nita Riordan, inherited a saloon when her father died. She either had to run the saloon to make a living or starve. A Yaqui Indian made a promise to her father that he would take care of Nita, which he does and, he feels Kilkenny is the man for Nita! Now if Kilkenny will stop being so pigheaded, he could end up with a stunning bride! Nita doesn't give up so easily and she has never been willing to cut Kilkenny out of her life regardless, of his fears!
This is another Louis L'Amour Winner! If not very careful, you may fall in love with Kilkenny yourself!
Lance Kilkenny is a Gunslinger but he is also a very good person who does not like the reputation one gets when they are good with a gun. Kilkenny goes well out of his way to help those who have been good to him when he needed help.
He would rather settle disputes without the use of guns! But, during his time in the West, a shooting was a simple way to resolve differences and this was accepted. Then times began to change; law and order were being sought for towns that were springing up in many Western Lands. Lawmen across the Western Lands began to communicate with one another to bring criminals to justice! Kilkenny respects law and order and attempts to change his identity so he can live in peace; this is only possible if others will allow him the opportunity.
He is also in love with a kind, beautiful woman but he is afraid to spend much time around her, since she could be killed because of him; because some young kid learns his true name and then decides he will kill Kilkenny so everyone will think he is "Bad Man," which really means that he is a bad man to mess with or he could kill you with a fast, accurate draw.
Nita Riordan, inherited a saloon when her father died. She either had to run the saloon to make a living or starve. A Yaqui Indian made a promise to her father that he would take care of Nita, which he does and, he feels Kilkenny is the man for Nita! Now if Kilkenny will stop being so pigheaded, he could end up with a stunning bride! Nita doesn't give up so easily and she has never been willing to cut Kilkenny out of her life regardless, of his fears!
This is another Louis L'Amour Winner! If not very careful, you may fall in love with Kilkenny yourself!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews