A Trap for Sam Dodge / High Thunder

by Harry Whittington, Lee Floren

156 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

He also wrote under the names Ashley Carter, Harriet Kathryn Myers, and Blaine Stevens, Curt Colman, John Dexter, Tabor Evans, Whit Harrison, Kel Holland, Suzanne Stephens, Clay Stuart, Hondo Wells, Harry White, Hallam Whitney, Henri Whittier, J.X. Williams.

Harry Whittington (February 4, 1915–June 11, 1989) was an American mystery novelist and one of the original founders of the paperback novel. Born in Ocala, Florida, he worked in government jobs before becoming a writer.

His reputation as a prolific writer of pulp fiction novels is supported by his writing of 85 novels in a span of twelve years (as many as seven in a single month) mostly in the crime, suspense, and noir fiction genres. In total, he published over 200 novels. Seven of his writings were produced for the screen, including the television series Lawman. His reputation for being known as 'The King of the Pulps' is shared with author H. Bedford-Jones. Only a handful of Whittington's novels are in print today.
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Reviews

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Miles Ringo is gunned down and Sam Dodge comes back to town to find the killer of his old friend. Turns out that Sam and Ringo were once competing for the same girl and the same job, and Sam lost on both counts, inspiring him to leave town to start a ranch. Sam Dodge has a plan to draw out the killer but ends up creating a trap for himself. Courtroom drama ensues with a nice twist and an unexpected ally. Whittington delivers another propulsive crime thriller with Sam Dodge acting as the detective and protagonist. Sam’s relationship with the steadfast doctor and the soiled dove’s daughter were a couple of highlights for me. Recommended.

[Regan MacArthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewer Edwin summed it up perfectly. I thought this was a middle-of-the-pack effort by Whittington, which means that it's still a pretty good read. He wasn't called the King of the Paperbacks for nothing, after all. Final thought: If Alfred Hitchcock had ever wanted to direct a western, he probably would have done all right adapting this book.

[Chris Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This like many westerns is more Perry Mason than gunfights, also like anything that Whittington put pen to is really quite good a yarn.