Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Garnett Elliott on ADVENTURES

Edward Grainger (AKA pulp writer/editor extraordinaire David Cranmer) serves up some bite-sized wild west excitement in ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES. Many of the stories are reminiscent of old Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel radio serials, which will satisfy traditional western enthusiasts, but other pieces (notably "Kid Eddie", "Miles to Go," and "The Outlaw Marshal") have a darker bent, for those who like a little grit along with their flashing gun-play.

Written with the pulp values of brevity and action, the stories go down smooth. Lest you think it's all blood and thunder, though, Grainger sets a couple stereotypes on their heads, and even explores so-called "contemporary" issues (child abuse, racism, sociopathy) through the dusty lens of an older time.

Good for readers wanting fast-paced westerns with a twinge of nostalgia, and good for writers interested in the mechanics of vintage pulp, ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES delivers both barrels of literary buckshot! --From Garnett Elliott's Amazon review.

Thank you to all who made ADVENTURES the eleventh best in Westerns based on Amazon customer reviews.
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7 comments:

  1. Leah J. UtasJune 28, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    That's awfully cool.

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  2. Matthew P. MayoJune 28, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    That's a hoot, David, as two of the L'Amours ahead of you on that list aren't even Westerns.

    Nonetheless, well done, sir. The number one slot is yours, I can tell....

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  3. Charles GramlichJune 28, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Very nice. "Killing Trail" has actually broken the top fifty a couple of times here. Maybe Ron's review and the fact that Cash and Miles is lifting all boats. Independent boats at least.

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  4. David CranmerJune 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Thanks, Leah.

    Matt, Maybe #2 would be fine this time around. I promised Chris Holm I would engage in "planking" if I hit the top spot.

    Charles, I am going to do my best to post two or three reviews a week on books I like. Obviously they have a big impact and I will begin with KILLING TRAIL.

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  5. ACJune 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Yeah, some of those titles near the front of the line look more like romances to me. They need to get out of the way for the real westerns!

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  6. pattinase (abbott)June 30, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    You are galloping to stardom.

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  7. Alyssa GoodnightJune 30, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Big congrats on all those 5 star reviews!!

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