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Hardcase
"AW, HE'S NOT SO TOUGH!" but they only dared to whisper when they said that!"HE'S JUST A RUNT", but a stick of dynamite stands only 8 inches - and there was a whale of a lot more of him!"HE'S ONLY A KID", but the U.S. Marshal plunked a price on his head - enough to make any man rich!In this tought Western, Hardcase , by Luke Short, young Dave Coyle spikes the law to smash a gang - and give you 213 action-packed pages of pulsing entertainment!
334 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1941
39 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Luke Short
126 books36 followersLuke Short (real name Frederick Dilley Glidden) was a popular Western writer.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 22, 2019
Dave Coyle is an outlaw. The sort of outlaw that thumbs his nose at the law, that can escape any jail he’s thrown in, and generally is able to strut about with confidence that his skills are superior to anybody who might disagree with him. But he is loyal to his friends and his actions are mostly honorable. So, when pretty Carol McFee asks for his help in saving her father from having his ranch suckered out from under him with a fake bill-of-sale, Coyle steps in to assist.
I’ve read a lot of westerns over the years, close to 200 of them, half of which are by Louis L’Amour. But this is the first one by Luke Short, pen name of Frederick Dilley Glidden and not to be confused with the gunfighter of the Old West. Most of his work was published in the 1930’s and 40’s. This book was first published in 1941 and definitely has that pulp western vibe to it.
The novel is certainly a western novel but it has many hallmarks of other genres, especially hard-boiled crime with a strong mystery element. Dave Coyle is the protagonist but not afraid to act outside the law to right a wrong. He’s hard-headed but smart. The novel certainly is titled appropriately. The plot is a complex whirlwind of interesting characters. With a couple of exceptions, the reader isn’t always sure who are the good guys and who are the bad hombres. The very nature of the power structure in the town, including the sheriff and his deputy, was well thought out and provided a lot of intrigue, double-crosses, and the mandatory fight scenes. I was impressed with the nature of the plot to steal the ranch. Very creative, as was the solution engineered by Dave Coyle. The ending was great fun as Coyle proves his own innocence and nails the bad guy in an unorthodox Old West court of law. It’s not a flawless novel to be sure with some parts that wandered around a little bit, but ultimately it pulled me right along.
I’m glad I read this one and will be looking for more westerns by Luke Short.
I’ve read a lot of westerns over the years, close to 200 of them, half of which are by Louis L’Amour. But this is the first one by Luke Short, pen name of Frederick Dilley Glidden and not to be confused with the gunfighter of the Old West. Most of his work was published in the 1930’s and 40’s. This book was first published in 1941 and definitely has that pulp western vibe to it.
The novel is certainly a western novel but it has many hallmarks of other genres, especially hard-boiled crime with a strong mystery element. Dave Coyle is the protagonist but not afraid to act outside the law to right a wrong. He’s hard-headed but smart. The novel certainly is titled appropriately. The plot is a complex whirlwind of interesting characters. With a couple of exceptions, the reader isn’t always sure who are the good guys and who are the bad hombres. The very nature of the power structure in the town, including the sheriff and his deputy, was well thought out and provided a lot of intrigue, double-crosses, and the mandatory fight scenes. I was impressed with the nature of the plot to steal the ranch. Very creative, as was the solution engineered by Dave Coyle. The ending was great fun as Coyle proves his own innocence and nails the bad guy in an unorthodox Old West court of law. It’s not a flawless novel to be sure with some parts that wandered around a little bit, but ultimately it pulled me right along.
I’m glad I read this one and will be looking for more westerns by Luke Short.
October 9, 2018
A Luke Short western about a young man who is definitely short in stature, but everyone knows dynamite comes in small packages.The young man is constantly harassed and when he gets angry his enemies instantly gang up on him. He makes the Marshal mad and ends up with a price on his head.. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
October 19, 2021
Thoroughly good read
I give this story five stars because it kept me interested from beginning to end. A well written yarn with a wide array of characters. A good mystery wrapped in an action packed western.
I give this story five stars because it kept me interested from beginning to end. A well written yarn with a wide array of characters. A good mystery wrapped in an action packed western.
December 23, 2015
An enjoyable western mystery.
December 29, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.75 of 5
I've read a few westerns over the years (likely more than most but less than a true western aficionado) but I believe that this is the first book I've read by Luke Short - a name in the western genre that I recognize from my days as a bookseller.
This story gets underway when a local postmaster sees a letter addressed to one 'Dave Coyle'. Coyle is wanted, dead or alive, and the wanted posters are plastered all over the town of Yellow Jacket, as well as many other nearby communities. If somebody's writing to him here, it can only mean he's on his way, and if that's true, trouble is sure to follow. But Coyle isn't looking for trouble, but for Carol McFee - the only woman who ever believed in him. Every man in town now knows he's on his way and is itching for the $7000 reward. Can Coyle get in and out without drawing attention - or lead?
I enjoyed Luke Short's writing. It is crisp and sharp and it paints a picture of the west much like that of Louis L'Amour and other popular western authors. Short's story, on the other hand, rambles a bit and there were actually times when I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be rooting for and who was the current villain. Some of that is by design, of course. Short is trying to weave a bit of mystery here and is showing us that all is not as it might seem.
A strong story of mistaken identity or villain wrongly-accused or criminal with a heart of gold is nice to have, but this one comes across as an author who wasn't sure where the story was going to lead and skims across a bunch of possibilities before settling in and closing down.
I look forward to reading some more Luke Short, but this particular title didn't 'wow' me.
Looking for a good book? Hardcase, by Luke Short, is a western that rambles a little more than it should and instead of a tightly woven work, we get a bit of a mess.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a few westerns over the years (likely more than most but less than a true western aficionado) but I believe that this is the first book I've read by Luke Short - a name in the western genre that I recognize from my days as a bookseller.
This story gets underway when a local postmaster sees a letter addressed to one 'Dave Coyle'. Coyle is wanted, dead or alive, and the wanted posters are plastered all over the town of Yellow Jacket, as well as many other nearby communities. If somebody's writing to him here, it can only mean he's on his way, and if that's true, trouble is sure to follow. But Coyle isn't looking for trouble, but for Carol McFee - the only woman who ever believed in him. Every man in town now knows he's on his way and is itching for the $7000 reward. Can Coyle get in and out without drawing attention - or lead?
I enjoyed Luke Short's writing. It is crisp and sharp and it paints a picture of the west much like that of Louis L'Amour and other popular western authors. Short's story, on the other hand, rambles a bit and there were actually times when I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be rooting for and who was the current villain. Some of that is by design, of course. Short is trying to weave a bit of mystery here and is showing us that all is not as it might seem.
A strong story of mistaken identity or villain wrongly-accused or criminal with a heart of gold is nice to have, but this one comes across as an author who wasn't sure where the story was going to lead and skims across a bunch of possibilities before settling in and closing down.
I look forward to reading some more Luke Short, but this particular title didn't 'wow' me.
Looking for a good book? Hardcase, by Luke Short, is a western that rambles a little more than it should and instead of a tightly woven work, we get a bit of a mess.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2021
A solid western from on of the best. In Hardcase, Dave Coyle was an outlaw but had some good in him. When a girl he helped once asked him for help to save her dad's land, he risked everything to figure out who was trying to steal it away. Reads like a mystery, even some Perry Mason like courtroom drama happens, just happens to be in a time and place of a western. Does have all the trappings of a good western as well though.
Highly recommended, something for every reader. Whether you are a western fan or not.
Highly recommended, something for every reader. Whether you are a western fan or not.
August 8, 2022
A typical Luke Short western, Hardcase first appeared in the Chicago Tribune in serial form in 1941, so it predates the Golden Age of the American Western by just a few years. But it certainly lies within the tradition. The plot centers on a land dispute initiated by some low-down swindlers and a hero whose reputation as an outlaw precedes him. And, of course, there is the virtuous and pretty young woman whose curmudgeonly father stands to lose the ranch in the face of overwhelming odds.
Hardcase is a quite readable good story.
Hardcase is a quite readable good story.
March 7, 2023
A good western by the excellent Luke Short. An outlaw helps a beautiful girl and her father fight off land grabbers. The only problem is that the ending is telegraphed and the bad guy is easily guessed. Recommended to western fans, especially to Luke Short fans.
April 27, 2023
Rating: 3.5/5.0
October 24, 2023
Audio book
Solid western plot. Entertaining listen.
Solid western plot. Entertaining listen.
July 27, 2025
Hardcase
An excellent read look forward to more of the same. This book kept me reading til late at night - worth while.
An excellent read look forward to more of the same. This book kept me reading til late at night - worth while.
February 4, 2025
Hero is an outlaw. A good hearted outlaw, but one who has a price on his head and an itchy trigger finger. When a nice young lady asks, however, he comes a running to help out a cranky old rancher being sued for his land by a slick ex-gambler. Gunplay and hard ridin’ ensues up to the final Perry Mason big reveal…
This is a pulp western with an easy to solve mystery firing the plot. (If you have watched to or three B Westerns on your laptop, or even an episode of Scooby Do, you know who the bad one is). You also know how our clever outlaw is gonna solve it.
Fast moving, though, and an excellent Librivox reader makes this a 3.5 star item.
This is a pulp western with an easy to solve mystery firing the plot. (If you have watched to or three B Westerns on your laptop, or even an episode of Scooby Do, you know who the bad one is). You also know how our clever outlaw is gonna solve it.
Fast moving, though, and an excellent Librivox reader makes this a 3.5 star item.
May 4, 2015
Okay vintage western from the best-selling western writer before Louis L'Amour. With a herky-jerky plot line, it lacks his usual craft and keen observation and detail. It falls short of his classic novels, such as RIDE THE MAN DOWN and others.
December 23, 2008
Not too bad. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews