Blizzard of Lead

by Joseph A. West

Book Overview

When a killer winter storm traps a pack of murderous bank robbers in Dodge, they take hostages and try to wait it out. But Marshall Dillon and his deputies aren't so patient when it comes to justice.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451216334
• ISBN13: 9780451216335
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

War in the winter

In this third of Joseph A. West's original Gunsmoke novels, Marshal Matt Dillon is in a bad spot. It's deep winter: blizzards have turned Dodge City into an isolated island of habitation in a sea of snow, and many of the people who live and work there during herd season have departed till spring, leaving him with less backup than usual. In pursuing (and killing) the three murderous McCarty brothers, Matt has suffered a broken leg and his deputy, Festus Haggen, has taken two bullets. Then Dave "Scar" Henry and his outlaws rob the biggest bank in Dodge. The snow soon drives the posse back to town--and the outlaws with it. Making their headquarters in the Long Branch with several hostages, Henry issues his demands: safety till the weather clears, then all the money from the town's three banks--and Kitty Russell, whom he has decided to make his own. When Matt contrives to get her to safety, Henry's fury knows no bounds. Then word comes in that a train is stuck on the tracks west of town, and among the passengers is Isobel Charles-Greenwood, who is en route to join her officer husband at Fort Dodge--and whose father is one of the richest of the post-War nouveaux riches. Matt knows that once Henry learns of her presence, it won't take him long to think of trying to seize her for ransom--which he successfully does. Now, crippled and alone, Matt must find a way to get the unfortunate Isobel out of his clutches, save the people of Dodge and the money without which most of them will be ruined, and destroy the gang. West's continuity leaves something to be desired: where the first of these volumes was set sometime between 1877-9, this one is placed squarely in 1876. And, as in the previous two, he doesn't quite seem to have a handle on the TV version of Dodge and its people. But he's written a tight, tense, exciting tale of a lone lawman besieged by Man and Nature and how his courage and cleverness save the day, and he provides a vivid picture of the bitter and dangerous weather typical of that region even in modern times. Most Westerns aren't set in the winter months, chiefly because Westerners, being well familiar with the possibilities of the season, tended to cocoon, and even the outlaws were likely to either head south to warmer climes or hole up till spring. In breaking free of the mold West has produced a sound and action-packed Western even if it isn't quite the TV Gunsmoke we remember.

Quick and entertaining read

Yes, there are some inaccuracies, but these books are quite entertaining. I read the first three of Mr. West's books in two days, and enjoyed them. This is one man's interpretation of Gunsmoke, and just like any Gunsmoke fan, he writes according to his/her own slant and preferences. If you love Gunsmoke and would enjoy some new stories, these are fun.

Mr. West....keep'em coming!!

I really enjoyed this book. If you read the first two books the errors and mistakes are still there. Example Matt Dillon a City Marshal. But please overlook that. The stories are still very exciting to read. And we all know the facts so sit back and enjoy the book. It's also good to see Doc back in the story. We all know Dodge wouldnt be Dodge without him. Festus is still very loyal to the Marshal and Kitty and Matt are still going strong and we continue to see that in this 3rd book.Plus I like the fact that all these stories are staying in and around Dodge. And this one has the winter theme to it and I like that because we didnt see alot of shows with the winter scene. Mr. West please continue entertaining us the these stories and I cant wait for May 2 2006 for your 4th book.

4 STARS, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN 5 STARS

West has done a credible job of bringing GUNSMOKE and it's unforgetable characters back to life. On a scale of 1 to 10 West gets a 9. West made a few unforgiveable errors from the perspective of a long time GUNSMOKE fan. (1) Festus Haggen was not a former Texas Ranger as West stated at least twice in this volume. (2) Matt Dillon was not a city marshall responsible to the mayor as West states at least three times. As all real GUNSMOKE fans know, Matt Dillon was a federal or US marshall. (3) Marshall Dillon and Deputy Haggen did not use profanity. There are some additional errors, but not as grave as the three listed. Hopefully, if West is going to continue this series (and I hope he does), he will do a little research.