Guilt of a Killer Town

by Lewis B. Patten

A Spur Award-winning Author The minute he rode into his old hometown, Medicine Arrow, Frank Kailey knew something was wrong. Behind the blank stares of his former friends lurked a terrible secret . . . a secret that directly involved him. What it was, Kailey didn't know. But one thing was perfectly clear. Because of it, the whole town was ready and eager to kill - and Kailey was their number-one target! Available only in Western 8 & 14.

Genres: Westerns

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1977

About the author

aka Lewis Ford, Len Leighton, Joseph Wayne (with Wayne D. Overholser)

Lewis Byford Patten was a prolific author of American Western Novels, born in Denver, Colorado. Often published under the names Lewis Ford, Len Leighto and, Joseph Wayne.

Reviews

[Dartharagorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read. I enjoyed it had most of the tropes you would want in any good western. I'm definitely going to look for more of Patten's stories. If you have a chance and can pick this one up I would definitely recommend it.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect short Western novel from one of the masters. Never read a bad Patten. Frank came back to his hometown after a 2 year stint in jail for attacking a judge that sentenced his father to death. He just wanted a chance to start over but the town wanted him gone real bad. What did they know that he didn't? He couldn't convince them he wasn't back for revenge like they thought, he didn't think he had reason for wanting revenge.

Highly recommended, A fast paced read with good characters. Its a simple story really but Patten does the short novel as well as anyone.

[Éric Kasprak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis B. Patten has the reputation of writing bleak, oppressive and dramatic western stories. The guilt of a Killer Town is a prime example of that reputation being put to paper. The human emotions are the real stars of this story and the characters that populate the story are bleak, oppressive and dramatic. The author's writing is simple and straightforward, and his storytelling style is very enjoyable. This is not an action oriented novel, but the action sequences are well done and help support the overall drama of the story. If you like this style of western, then Guilt of a Killer Town is one of the best representatives of it that I have read.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western as man released from prison goes back to his home town to discover that most of the town hates him and wants him gone. The reason: after they hung his father for murder they found he was innocent. Lots of action in this short (128 pgs.) novel, but sometimes the town's behavior doesn't make logical sense. Recommended to western fans, especially fans of Patten.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and "Death of a Gunfighter" are my two favorite favorites of Patten's many books. He remains the major influence in my own western noir writing style, and I wish more people had read him! (And me! :P)