Edward Grainger (aka David Cranmer) has a gritty Western up today at The Flash Fiction Offensive, The Outlaw Marshal.
Mason Doig and the ex-cons are playing high-stakes cards. But Doig's winning a little too often for the Stranger's liking, and when Doig deals from the bottom of a deck, a show-down ensues.
The dialogue flows easily and the action is fierce. What really sold this one for me is the cold-hearted ending. Cash Laramie's Wild West is a real, dark, and merciless place. A far cry from the crap that makes it to the big screen--where the West was fun!
And if you like this one, stay tuned--a collection of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles stories will be released in June.
It is a dark crime western and I'm appreciative of Mr. Barber publishing "The Outlaw Marshal" at FFO.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review, Chris.
I really dig crime-Westerns, crime-sci fi and other forms of genre mash.
ReplyDeleteAn accurate review of a fine tale, Chris. I was honored to have Edward/David at the FFO. Cash Laramie is a great character and I'll be getting my hands on the book when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your words, David!