Death Stalks Yellowhorse

by Lewis B. Patten

Western Large Print Edition Sheriff Hickory Marks had a life or death task: find the vengeful Indian on a murderous, bloody warpath, or the town of Yellowhorse would be wiped out. Except for the woman who loved him, the townsfolk were suspicious of Marks because he couldn t seem to capture the mysterious Indian who was burning their homes nightly. Would the raider stop? Or would they all be slain before Marks finally stopped him?

189 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 1974

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

[Paperback Papa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth Lewis B. Patten western, and another winner. The premise of a single, vengeance-seeking Indian terrorizing a small western town (called "Yellowhorse") that sits in the middle of nowhere was chilling. Waiting until dark, the Indian would silently - and seemingly invisibly - creep through the town to murder its citizens one by one. Sheriff Hickory Marks is tasked with catching or killing the Indian, but how do you catch or kill a ghost?

"Death Stalks Yellowhorse" is essentially a crime story, a serial killer story of sorts, set in the Old West. There are so many things to like about it. The writing is very good, as is always the case with Patten. The pace is crisp, the dilemma is confounding, and the mix of characters in the town is perfectly balanced between the likable and the unlikable. There's even a love interest for the Sheriff that raises the stakes as he puts his life on the line.

An interesting aspect of this story is that the reader cannot help but sympathize with the Indian, at least to a small extent. I'll let you read the book to understand why. Suffice to say, it was an interesting aspect of the story that made it richer.

This 1974 Signet paperback was only 128 pages. The font was ridiculously small, which almost made me decide not to read it. I'm glad I decided to power through. I'm now 4 for 4 with Patten and look forward to continuing my journey through his extensive body of work.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting western from a master of the genre. Quick read at only 128 pages, which was perfect for my flight today.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping novel of a town shut down by a Cheyenne indian. Very well written in story, characters and setting.

I really liked the struggling the main character, Sheriff Hickory marks, has as to how to stop one man from trying to murder all in the town. Even better is a discussion of the Marks character and a newspaper reporter as to the importance of the mess they are in, reporting it and the fate of the town's future. The last revisiting a big part of a book, 'Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen', read this past week. Interesting viewpoints of media now and 150 years ago.

Only draw back is the end which wraps up way too quickly. I'd like to have read what happens in the aft4ermath with some of the other characters. Especially the hope for the future of the town that was discussed mid-way through the book.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of 10 points