I am a fan of short stories and grab the chance to read them whenever possible. "Hell's Canon" a Western Quintet, by T. T. Flynn , copyright 2002, Five Star, was a joy.
Flynn, probably best known for his novel "The Man from Laramie" which was made into a movie with Jimmy Stewart, is in great form here. From the beginning story the reader is drawn into the lives of each character and continues through to the last.
I will admit that of the five the story of Sundown Daly, in 'Satan's Deputy', captured my attention maybe more than the others. We meet Daly as he is being released from prison and makes his threats to the warden and a visiting sheriff. From that point on anything that could go wrong does. It is Daly's handling of those situations that makes this such a great story.
The title story is also a fun tale that has some twists and turns you don't expect. The story starts with a man being 'pistol-slugged' for attempting to buy a drink with a bent half dollar. From that point on the story weaves and bobs along with enough twist to keep the reader completely interested and wondering how the author will resolve the conflicts.
Additional stories include a couple of cowboys who find something doesn't smell right in the story 'A Stranger Rides'. A wild horse hunter may have met a situation he can't figure a way out of in 'So Wild and Free'. The last of the five, 'Gambler's Lady', has a river boat race, secrets, and hidden identities.
For anyone who enjoys a well plotted story with nicely drawn characters I would recommend "Hell's Canon" as a book to add to the list. Each story is different and yet there is a thread that runs through each story of making choices, trying to find your way and do the right thing.
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