Gunsmoke & Glamour

This western adventure with a witchy twist is an entertaining but simplistic cross-genre romp. Lovable scoundrel Clayton Jensen is a lawman in the Old West who specializes in tracking down monsters and magical individuals. Following a breakup with his beloved Cora, a beguiling fairy con artist, Clay finds himself on the receiving end of a witch’s curse. With his body deteriorating and a coven of vengeful witches out to get him, Clay must survive a horseback journey to New Orleans, where he hopes to locate both Cora and a cure. Accompanying him are his best friend, Doc Irene Miller, and Cora’s sister, Adelaide, a lascivious redhead who has proudly “slutt[ed] her ass all over the South.” (The narrative glories in Adelaide and Cora’s “fleshpillows” and “fat, squishy perfections.”) Monahan (the Bloody Mary series) spins a good yarn filled with fun supernatural shoot-outs and quick-fire repartee. However, a lackluster denouement and facile treatment of gender matters—particularly around Doc Irene, a trans woman whose entire characterization consists of her steadfast, calm temperament as she repeatedly saves Clay and tolerates verbal and physical abuse from others—allow this breezy western to go south. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary. (Nov.)