Welcome, pardners, to the long-in-waiting all-Western column (or, as Deadheads might call it, “Jack Straw from Wichita Cut His Buddy Down“). I know I’ve covered some EDGE books already, but this branches out to cover two other Western writers: Ed Gorman and Max Brand, both of whom everyone should be on the lookout for when it comes to this stuff. So sit back and pop on your favorite CD by Hank Williams, Gram Parsons or – for the hipsters – Palace.

WOLF MOON by Ed Gorman – Fresh out of prison, Robert Chase still can’t forget how he and his brothers were double-crossed in a robbery, with his siblings cut to shreds by a pet wolf owned by the man called Reeves. So Chase heads back to the town of Rock Ridge (wasn’t Cleavon Little the sheriff there?), as his longtime love Gillian has a home on the outskirts and he plans on settling there. She has a daughter who, it turns out, is Chase’s. But that’s no real surprise to him.

What is a big surprise is after taking a job as a deputy, Chase learns Reeves is the owner of the town bank. The sheriff of the town is a bit of a drinker and likes to get a bit rough when soused, usually taking his aggression out on his prisoners. Reeves is none too pleased to find out his former partner is now a cop and tries to buy him off, to no success. Reeves also still has his precious wolf, now afflicted with rabies. Chase realizes that Reeves is planning another caper and sets the wheels in motion. If you’re expecting some lame ending, go somewhere else. Gorman doesn’t always give a “good will win out in the end” type of story. This is why his Westerns are so great; they’re not white hat/black hat/happily ever after. It’s more like grey hats and there are prices to pay. This 1993 novel is another great tale from one of our faves here.

GRAVES’ RETREAT by Ed Gorman – A really good Western is a story that could – in all actuality, with a few changes – be set in modern times. I can’t think of a finer example of that than 1989’s GRAVES’ RETREAT. This is a very intriguing, multi-faceted tale with three major storylines going on.

There’s Lee Graves, a bank teller quietly living his life while being the star pitcher of the town’s baseball team. Then there are T.Z. and Neely, two robbers on the run and looking for a score so they can head to Mexico; T.Z. is Lee’s estranged brother. And then there’s the bank president’s daughter and her fiancé, with the daughter hoping she can break free of her father and have her betrothed stand up for himself.

These stories start to collide when the robbers try to get Lee to aid them. Years ago, Lee stole some money to help out T.Z. and they use that info for all its worth. Throw in a hard-ass Pinkerton man and you got yourself a pretty gripping little yarn. The story really is about taking stock in what you have and how to use it for yourself. So if you’ve always been leery about picking up a Western, this would be an excellent starting point.

THE FALSE RIDER by Max Brand – From the king of the Western pulps comes this 1933 Silvertip series entry. Silvertip is the like the stereotypical good guy – a true Boy Scout. He is the ultimate in law enforcement to the point where he just travels with one blanket, a slicker and salt to get by.

RIDER starts out with Duff Gregor – a man who has been thrown out of more towns by various means, including tar and feathering – on the run. Having to abandon his horse, he comes across a horse with no owner. To his dismay, it belongs to John Silver aka Silvertip, who shows the man some generosity, a few bucks and the way to another town. Gregor accepts the money and figures he’ll take a stagecoach to unknown territory and start a new life. But the stage is held up, and Gregor is held back since the robber thinks he looks really familiar.

The robber accuses Gregor of being Silvertip and vows to make him pay for ruining his life, as he is a former enemy of Silver’s. After figuring out that Gregor is not Silver but bears a striking resemblance, they hatch a plan to impersonate Silver to their benefit, which means robbing a bank. This story is pretty straightforward, but don’t let that dissuade you. Brand is a master at the Western pulp; you’ll fly through this one and crave another one really quick.

GUNFIGHTER’S RETURN by Max Brand – In this 1922 novel, we are introduced to a father and son, both of whom are named Jim Curry. But no need to worry, as the confusion won’t last that long – wink wink. The older Curry accidentally shot a beloved person in town, causing a posse of men to come to his home seeking justice. They set fire upon the house, killing him, but the younger Curry makes it out alive.

Fast-forward six years, to a stagecoach traveling out west with a card sharp by the name of Charlie Mark and a shrewd businessman named Lange. The driver is concerned that they are running late and doesn’t want to be a victim of the dreaded Red Devil, a bandit who takes a page right out of Robin Hood’s book by stealing from the rich (or at least those who acquire via illegal means). I think all of you can figure out the Red Devil’s identity from here; he does rob the stage, but takes money from only Lange, which sets him off on a one-man crusade to unmask the “villain.”

Charlie Mark does some investigating of his own and finds the Red Devil’s hideout, where he lives with only a horse named White Meg to keep him company. (All I could think of every time Meg’s name came up was thinking of a really cute drummer with a bridle in her mouth.) Charlie makes a deal to take over the Red Devil persona and goes on a robbing and killing spree, while Curry regrets the decision – one that causes him much grief and pain.

I could easily ruin the end of this book. But, as with the Westerns of Elmore Leonard, you get to see the characters’ true faces by the story’s end. RETURN is not your typical Western by a long shot, and that’s why I’ve got a stack of Max Brand in my collection.

Next week, get set for a column that Roger Ebert would approve of. And no, not because of that. –Bruce Grossman

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