Trouble Trail

by Max Brand

Trouble Trail

Genres: Westerns

373 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 1926

About the author

Frederick Schiller Faust (see also Frederick Faust), aka Frank Austin, George Owen Baxter, Walter C. Butler, George Challis, Evin Evan, Evan Evans, Frederick Faust, John Frederick, Frederick Frost, David Manning, Peter Henry Morland, Lee Bolt, Peter Dawson, Martin Dexter, Dennis Lawson, M.B., Hugh Owen, Nicholas Silver

Max Brand, one of America's most popular and prolific novelists and author of such enduring works as Destry Rides Again and the Doctor Kildare stories, died on the Italian front in 1944.

Reviews

[David Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another entertaining book by Brand. The man's ability to pump out quality westerns was ridiculous. This one focus around an outlaw, Larry Dickon hunted both by a zealous sheriff and an outlaw gang he's run afoul of. Dickon is, of course, not an extreme outlaw. He's no murderer, and mostly in trouble for debt. Brand bring this character to life with great voice and energy. There I days think he's almost as good as that as Charles Dickens was. It's the strength of that character that carries the book, as there is very little plot. It reads more like a slice of life of the man, with no real plot coming in until the last quarter. A lesser author wouldn't have been able to pull this off, but Brand does, and the book is a fun, pulp adventure western. There's a few old stereotypes every so often, but mostly it's just a character-driven tale of days past.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good western, several twists and turns. Characters were good bad and ugly. Plot well woven as the characters complimented one another throughout the book. And cherry pie was one in a million. She dominated the story at times and most deservedly so. Max Brand at his best showing the assets and flaws in each characters psyche.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

While predictable, one must remember that this was written in 1926. The theme may have originated here. Boy is on the wrong side of the law, but not really a bad short. He has a run in with a real bad outfit. He falls in love with the Sheriff’s daughter. He can’t get her out of his mind. Good plot and good action. Good quick read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful in every way

[Lyndon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old style western soap opera, and although the language is dated (it was first published 1926) the plotting is fast-shootin', cliff-hangin' fun.

[Peter Charleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice tale of the old west.