Buchanan's Gamble

Buchanan #10

by Jonas Ward

The killers had taken over the town, lock, stock, and barrel - and they weren't going to leave until there was nothing left to loot. They had the bank and the saloon and the sheriff's office and the poker game. And you had to like it or you ended up dead. But Buchanan didn't like it.

Genres: Westerns

204 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 1975

About the author

A pseudonym used by William Ard. House name from 1960 to 1986.

In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”

Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.

After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens with Buchanan in San Francisco checking into a fancy hotel with his friend the prizefighter Coco Bean. They are looking for action in the ring, specifically a bout with Konecke, the toughest man in town. After the fight, Buchanan leaves Coco and travels to Culebra, a town in serious trouble. Buchanan met a woman named Flo Dockerty at the fight and she also ends up in Culebra.
People are being killed, there is uncertainty over the town bank with the strong hint of corruption. When friends of Buchanan are killed, he takes over the management of a saloon and interjects himself into the affairs of the town. This of course leads to violence, contrary to Buchanan’s peaceable nature.
While it is entertaining, the story is somewhat predictable. Flo has matrimonial designs on Buchanan and he of course has no interest in her while admitting she is a very attractive woman. There is a tense scene where Buchanan is apparently trapped, but with the aid of Flo and some other allies, he is able to emerge Victorious and maintain his freedom to go where he wants unencumbered. The last two lines are, “But marriage? Never!”

[John Peel]

I first read this series about forty years ago and loved them, so I figured it was about time to try the Buchanan novels again. And they're still just as much fun as ever. Tom Buchanan is a peaceable man who dislikes using either his fists or his guns - but always seems to end up doing both. In this case, two of his friends are murdered, and somebody is after even more of them. So peaceable Buchanan has had enough... Enjoy!

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is written by William R. Cox, who is a solid writer behind the Cemetery Jones books. Buchanan is a big man who tries to avoid trouble but is well equipped to handle trouble when it inevitably finds him. This time he is in a town that is being controlled by a small group of crooks who are slowly killing the town off. Buchanan decides he doesnt like it and tries to find out what side everybody is on and save the town.

Highly recommend, not read a bad book from Cox yet.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poker scenes were a tad draggy but still a solid western read.