Battle At Rattlesnake Pass

by Tom West

Ace 1979 edition paperback vg++ book In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Tom West was born as Fred East in London, England. After being injured in World War I he moved to the USA and worked several jobs before beginning his writing career as a reporter and journalist. In 1944, at age 59, he published his first full-length novel, going on to write well over sixty more. West is primarily remembered for his numerous contributions to the Ace Double Westerns.

Reviews

[Edwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike O’Briens father is accused of rustling cattle and is killed. Hot-headed O’Brien shoots the fella that killed his father and gets himself tossed into Yuma for five years. Upon release he heads home to Jackass Wells where he is branded as a rustler and shunned. When cattle starts disappearing everyone assumes that it’s his doing. O’Brien befriends a crippled gunslinger and falls for a sheepherder’s daughter as he tries to defend his honor and identify the rustlers. This half of an Ace Double was written by Tom West, who wrote a lot of them. Although written in 1965 his use of cowboy lingo and vernacular is impressive, much like the pulpsters of a earlier era. Good story and well written. Definitely a throwback to to pulp novellas, even ending with a wedding. Good enough to keep me reading more from Tom West when the mood strikes me.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read others by West and enjoyed them and this one isn't bad just a bit dull. Basically O'Brien was sent to prison for five years when he shot a guy, who killed his father after he was caught rustling. When he is released the whole town seems against him when he tries to take over his land again. He then should have been killed several times but he always got saved. Just seems for a main character he didn't really do anything other than put himself in situations he couldn't get out of.

Can't recommend, again it's ok just the main character isn't very noteworthy or interesting.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

another just ok little western