Ratings5
Average rating4
Lance Kilkenny has a debt to pay, and he isn't about to let the friend who saved his life go down in a range war. But when Kilkenny tries to stop the fighting, he finds there's more at stake than land or wire. Whoever is stirring up trouble has big ideas for the Live Oak country--and an army of hired guns to back them up. Nita Riordan, the beautiful and fiery owner of the Apple Canyon Saloon, warns Lance that the mysterious man orchestrating the conflict wants him dead. Lance realizes that if he doesn't watch his step, he'll pay the debt he owes with his own blood.From the Paperback edition.
Reviews with the most likes.
The MC of this story, Lance Kilkenny, when answering a call for help from an old friend gets caught up in a tense situation that is building toward a three-way range war. While he is trying to cool down that situation, he gets hints that a mysterious fourth party is trying to bring the range war on for their own unknown reasons. In addition there have been a series of murders over the years that may be related to the current troubles. And then there is a beautiful woman with a formidable protector that seems to have an interest in Lance. And also people keep trying to kill him. Altogether, Lance has multiple mysteries to solve while dodging known and unknown killers. A dangerous and tense situation indeed.
As usual, Louis L'Amour's prose also brings the landscape of the West alive.
I reckon this is one of L'Amour's better books. Solid 4 stars.