PRODIGAL OF THE PECOS by C. E. Edmonson

Aventine Press
San Diego, CA
Genre: Fiction/Classic Western
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1593305354, $12.50, 182 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Clint Cooper returns home after many years to find the land of his birth embroiled in a bitter and deadly land war. An Eastern powerbroker, bent on fencing off the West Texas range for his own profit, hires gunslingers to bully the local ranchers and farmers into submission. As the Pecos River runs red with the blood of the innocent, Clint emerges to make a stand, determined to keep his faith and his family intact--or die trying."

Prodigal of the Pecos is a classic western tale complete with villian, henchmen, the hero and pretty maiden. The story is not new or unique, but it was an enjoyable read, particularly the stormy-night showdown. If there was anything that did not ring true, it was Clint Cooper, the hardcore lawman, addressing his father as 'daddy'. The story is well written and well edited and C.E. Edmonson's writing style makes it a page-turner once it gets going. If you like westerns, you might give him a try.

Kaye Trout - January 4, 2009