Other Men’s Horses

Longtime fans of the late Kelton, who died this summer, will welcome the return of Texas Ranger Andy Pickard to the saddle. In 1880s Texas, newlywed Ranger Pickard is on the trail of Donley Bannister, wanted for the murder of low-down Cletus Slocum. Bannister won’t be an easy fugitive to nab, because most folks think Bannister did a good deed by killing Cletus. Pickard shares these sentiments to an extent, but as a dutiful lawman, he will not rest until he has captured Bannister. Pickard’s grueling pursuit takes him all over Texas, and along the way he’s shot, saved by Bannister, aided by a black army deserter and constantly dealing with frontier lowlifes and owlhoots. Bannister’s wife, Geneva, also pursues Bannister, enduring her own suffering, but not before dishing out her particular brand of justice to those who cheat or harm her. When the big showdown arrives, Kelton tosses in some dramatic and satisfying plot twists to give this tale extra punch. This is an exciting oater, with Kelton’s signature western authenticity and characters drawn outside the typical western formula. (Nov.)