Angel Peak

by Peter Dawson

Book Overview

Here are seven of Peter Dawson's classic stories. In The Sweetest Draw, a newly sworn deputy sheriff faces estrangement from the woman he loves and disaster as he defends a wanted man. Also included... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843957239
• ISBN13: 9780843957235
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Leisure Books
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Lucky seven

These seven short Western stories originally appeared in as many pulp magazines over the years 1937-47, and as is usually the case with Dawson, every one is a winner. In "The Sweetest Draw," small rancher and newly-minted deputy Rand Rivers forges a strange alliance with outlaw sharpshooter Steve Bassett, and nearly loses both his girl and his life; "Bullet Cure" finds a small-town doctor trusted with the confession of an accused murderer, whom he resolves to clear; in "The Echo Herd," Jim Rush struggles to prove himself unconnected with the rustling of the herd he'd been set to guard; "Gunpowder Campaign" tells the story of a hard-drinking blacksmith's attempts to help his son, the deputy sheriff, cope with a gang of bank robbers; "Sundown in Shadow" presents a second frontier doctor and his attempts to help an old friend, long ago framed for murder, protect that friend's unknowing daughter from making a bad marital choice; "Skull Creek Double Cross" follows Bob Phelan's attempts to clear himself of complicity in murder and rustling; and the brief title piece follows a young cavalry officer on a patrol against the Apaches. All the stories are full of Dawson's trademark quick-thinking heroes and strong, vibrant women, as well as his very obvious deep appreciation for the country itself--traits he shared with his brother, who wrote (even more prolifically) as Luke Short. As an extra treat, the uncredited editor of the collection has provided each story with an explanatory note describing how it came to be written and sold, how much Dawson received for it, and other tidbits about the pulp scene of that era.

Blazing Six-Gun Action!

Peter Dawson was one of the best western writers of the mid-20th century. In his career he produced over 120 short stories and 16 novels. Leisure Books brings together seven of Dawson's stories from the 1930s and '40s in this paperback. Though he frequently recycled basic plotlines, Dawson's stories are excellent reading. Several elements run through the seven stories in "Angel Peak." First, Dawson's heroes have to possess some of the quickest wits in the west! They've barely been framed and/or arrested for murder, cattle rustling, etc. before they planning a sure-fire way to clear their name and catch the bad guy, who often is a greedy cattle baron or banker. And there's usually a sweet young thing who's often that bead guy's daughter, etc. Also, several characters in this collection, such as the lawman in 'The Sweetest Draw' and the sawbones in 'Showdown in Shadow' take being a good samaritan to the max. Read the book and you'll see what I mean. I would have given the book a five but for two weak stories. 'Gunpowder Campaign' telegraphs its ending within the first pages while 'Angel Peak' is too slick for me. Yet, that's all personal taste so plunk your money down for this excellent oater, read and enjoy!