Ghost Town

by Ed Gorman

Book Overview

Bryce Lamont tracks his former partners in crime straight into a deadly outbreak of malaria to get his share of the loot that got them rich-and put him in prison. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425179273
• ISBN13: 9780425179277
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A couple of decades later,and a little further down the line.

I won't try to summarize this western saga as it has already been done very well by the first reviewer,Kay Lewis on June 6,2001.She says she's a first time western reader,liked it a lot,wrote a great review,and plans to read more of Gorman's novels.Go Girl! The other reviewer,Max Ilman, in his review of April 30,2003,also liked it a lot. I have come across Max's reviews on several occasions and enjoy them.I have also scanned his "All my Reviews",and see he has reviewed 129 westerns and has received 157 helpful votes.He seems to stick to westerns.He has reviewed novels by many of the popular western writers and the fact that there are not a lot more helpful votes;is probably due to the fact that it seems "western Readers" would prefer to spend their time reading rather than writing reviews.That is probably why you'll find low numbers of reviews on most westerns. As with Kay,this is my first Gorman western;though I am a big fan of the Longarm,Trailsman and Lone Star series.I have recently been reading Peter Brandvold,and also really enjoy his stories. My preference in westerns is much more in the area of "The Old West" from the 1860's till the late 1880's.I like the Gunslingers,Shootouts,Saloon Fights,Card-playing disputes,ambushes,shoot-outs in the canyons,raids on campsites,cattle drives,stage and bank robberies,and all the characters found around the mining and cattle towns ,the good,the bad and the indifferent.I particularly like it when the history of the time is worked into the story,be it the army,politicans,Mormans,Indian leaders,Wells Fargo ,Pinkertons,Mexicans and all the crooks and hucksters of the period. However;I am not much of a fan of dtective ,suspense or mystery stories and prefer westerns that don't have too much of that sort of thing in them. This story is set in Wisconsin,a long way down the trail of the Old West;Utah,Arizona,New Mexico,Nevada,Colorado,Texas and the Southwest area. The story is also set at the turn of the century,between 1895 and 1900,when the Gunslingers of the days of Tombstone,Leadville Bodie,Deadwoon;and the Earp's,James Bothers,Hickock,Calamity Jane,Masterson and all were either dead ,too old for that life any more,and the towns were being settled down and building booms were happening as the west was being opened up. Heck;when Bryce Lamont talks of his hero being Nick Carter and other Mystery writers are mentioned ,as opposed to people like Ned Buntline,you what Bob Dylan would say;"The times,they are a'changing". "Nuff said.If you like westerns with a mystery flavor you will find this a great read.Personally ,I prefer more fast-action,shoot-outs,saloon brawls,and rope-dancing,soiled doves who can handle a gun,and a stand-off on main steeet whether at dawn noon or sunset. I also enjoy the artwork on the covers of westerns.This one is great.It reminds me of the string of crosses I once saw along the hill at the old Bodie California mining Ghost Town,early one morning.

ditto

Just a few minutes ago I finished GHOST TOWN. I was not thrilled during the first 100 pgs. or more. But the last 100 were very exciting and page turning. I read the review by Kay Lewis and I agree with her 100%. And it would be impossible for me to write it down as well as her so I won't even try.

Sometimes you just have to do something a little different..

....and that's what I did when I picked this book out to buy. I'm not a reader of little western novels. I'd never heard of the author, Ed Gorman. But, it just sort of leaped out at me so I bought this little book and gave it a home. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed reading it and will probably be reading more books by Mr. Gorman.The anti-hero of GHOST TOWN, Bryce Lamont has been released from prison and has journeyed to a town in Wisconsin in search of his old partner in crime because he never got his cut of the money from their last job because Bryce was caught and served time. He finds Jed, his old friend is now an upstanding citizen and owns the bank. Between Bryce's instincts and suspious matters happening in town, he knows something big is going on and Jed's hand is the one stirring things up and Bryce keeps landing in the stirred pot. But, can he prove the respected bank owner is not who he appears? While all the turmoil is going on, Bryce finds the lady doctor of the town is stirring a few things up as well.....like, his feelings for her. I like the way the story is told in the first person mode and without all the old western cliche`s I expected. The humor, the suspense and a touch of romance were blended just right for a very enjoyable read. I may be ready for another western saga or two!