Dark Trail to Dodge

Smith has won three Clio Awards for his ad writing, but his first novel is a predictable pulp western full of hard-eyed characters, six-gun action and transparent plotting. The Triple C cattle drive from Texas to Dodge City, Kans., is Ty Bannon's first job as a cowboy. A strapping farm boy of 18, Ty is the greenhorn of the trail crew, but he learns fast and tries hard. His saddle pals are a tough bunch of wranglers, including a former outlaw, a former Texas Ranger, a cowardly bully, an irascible cook and a savvy trail boss. Pushing a large herd of Texas Longhorns across the harsh prairies to the railroad at Dodge City is risky enough under the best of circumstances, what with thunderstorms and stampedes, swollen river crossings and hostile Indians. What Ty and the others don't expect is that a spy in their crew is setting them up for an ambush by rustlers. After the devastating attack, the crew's few survivors, led by Ty and the Texas Ranger, plan their revenge. The conclusion is a bit of a letdown, but Smith knows cattle drives and cowboy lore, allowing him to add some color to an otherwise routine hayburner. (June)