cover image Dead Man's Money

Dead Man's Money

V. S. Meszaros, . . Avalon, $23.95 (265pp) ISBN 978-0-8034-9950-8

The Meszaros sisters, Valerie and Susan, prove themselves to be skilled western authors in this action-packed hayburner (after Lone Survivor ). Jim Wyatt is an ex-con, just released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. En route to his ranch in 1870s Wyoming, he stumbles into a stagecoach robbery, rescuing the sole survivor and the money from Lyle Bodine and his gang of murderous thieves. The survivor, Julie Carter, isn't sure if she is any safer with Wyatt, but she has no other choice, as the outlaws are after them. Meanwhile, back home, rancher March Newton, who framed Wyatt for murder, has stolen Wyatt's fiancée, is scheming to take Wyatt's land and has a posse tracking Wyatt. Wyatt and Julie are joined by some unlikely allies and together they whittle down the outlaws and the posse with some fancy Winchester and pistol work, blasting dozens of owlhoots into celestial pastures. Add greed, gunmen, gunsmoke and a surprise ending, and the result is fast-paced, bloody and exciting. (Apr.)