Frank Roderus (–2015)

This surprisingly entertaining novel reminded me of Louis L' Amour's fiction. Started with a bang and kept up the pace for the most part. The sarcastic humour was not L'Amour, but the fast paced story involving a man hung for a crime he did not commit who by a fluke does not die and then as he pursues his attackers, he must teach himself how to survive in the wilderness in winter without any tools is vintage L'Amour.

This was a pleasant read I had difficulty putting down for dinner.

When the story opens, Frank Roderus, captain of a Confederate blockage runner is fleeing Union ships. In the battle he loses his right arm at the elbow. Now faced with life as an invalid, he heads west to search for his dead brother's mining claim in Colorado. He meets many people who help him out in getting to Denver. Outside Denver he goes to the town of Holihan to seek the site of his claim. Almost immediately he is attacked and beaten.

Rescued by a beautiful woman who heals his wounds and show more gives him a job, he seeks out the men who attacked. Along the way, he learns how to survive with one arm making many friends along the way. Eventually he is confronted with who the real conspirators are and beats his enemies without a gun fight. show less

Got this as a free e-book from Amazon and it was worth exactly what I paid for it. Ridiculous story line and very poorly edited.

An outstanding classic western, from a master story teller.