cover image Roy Bean's Gold

Roy Bean's Gold

W. R. Garwood, . . Five Star, $25.95 (249pp) ISBN 978-1-59414-839-2

Before Judge Roy Bean became infamous as the whiskey-soaked law west of the Pecos, he was just a randy 23-year-old pistolero who chased women and gold in 1849 California. Garwood's latest western (following Hunt Down Harry Tracey ), his sixth, is a colorfully revisionist tale of young Roy on the hunt for a hidden treasure, smitten by two deadly women, and in the gun sights of California's most vicious bandido. Roy is a cheeky, likeable fellow, a clever opportunist whose lust for the saucy teenage Dulcima and her voluptuous aunt, Red Rosita, gets in the way of his search for a stolen army payroll. Soon, however, dangerous characters learn of the treasure with Roy the only one who has the cryptic map describing the gold's location. While he's deciphering it, his rivals have plenty of time to plan ambushes and murder, and everyone gets to fire guns with much gusto and some accuracy. This smart and fun western is loaded with suspense, action, and intrigue. (Feb.)