The Wrong Side of the Law

The Gunfighter #13

by Robert J. Randisi, Ralph Compton

In this fast-paced new installment in bestselling author Ralph Compton's Gunfighter series, a bandit who takes the identity of a dead lawman finds that the best place to hide is in plain sight.

Jake Polk is a wanted man. He's spent years on the wrong side of the law staying one step ahead of the marshals. His most recent stage robbery ends with a posse hot on his trail. He's opened up just enough room to take a breather when he stumbles upon something astonishing. It's the body of a man resting peacefully next to a burned-out campfire. It's clear the man died in his sleep of natural causes. This is the chance Jake has been waiting for.

According to a letter in the man's saddlebag, he's Marshall Owen Dent, on his way to the town of Riverbend to take over as the local lawman. Jake switches identities to avoid the posse, but what starts out as a quick means of escape may have deeper consequences when Jake considers making the change permanent.

Genres: Westerns

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Robert Joseph Randisi was a prolific American author, editor, and screenwriter, best known for his work in detective and Western fiction. He wrote over 650 books, including The Gunsmith series under the pen name J.R. Roberts, and edited more than 30 anthologies. A co-founder of Mystery Scene magazine, the American Crime Writers League, and Western Fictioneers, he also established The Private Eye Writers of America and created the Shamus Award. Randisi collaborated on novels with Eileen Davidson and Vince Van Patten, and created memorable characters such as Miles Jacoby, Joe Keough, and The Rat Pack. He received multiple lifetime achievement awards and the John Seigenthaler Humanitarian Award.

Reviews

[Linzee G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book was so interesting! And the characters were all charming and admirable. I would’ve liked a bit more conflict externally and internally. I felt there was a lot more room for “slip ups” in Palmer’s story. Like we never really got a big conflict with the town’s richest man, which was being built up to but never really happened. I also wished we connected to Palmer in his previous life for a bit longer and the transition in his morals was more dragged out. I would’ve liked to see more of the internal conflict within himself that we see at the book. I don’t think I necessarily agree that one’s past should be completely forgotten either. Not that it should be held against them, but it shouldn’t be swept under the rug. Our past is important for where we were and how we got to where we are. Understanding that ourselves and sharing that with others is important for moral stability. Defining one’s values is an important thing to do in life, cementing them through trial and error is what makes us human. If we ignore our original conclusions on life, we discard our proof of growth and discredit our human nature.

[Chris Morris]

This is the worst written piece of trash I've ever read by a professional. Randisi should be ashamed to show himself in public. 7th graders can write more imaginative plots than he did. Several pages of the sheriff and deputy taking turns to watch and feed the 2 prisoners with no other action happening. This book should be banned and burned.

[Ray Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.