Hardcase by Luke Short

Dave Coyle is an outlaw. The sort of outlaw that thumbs his nose at the law, that can escape any jail he’s thrown in, and generally is able to strut about with confidence that his skills are superior to anybody who might disagree with him. But he is loyal to his friends and his actions are mostly honorable. So, when pretty Carol McFee asks for his help in saving her father from having his ranch suckered out from under him with a fake bill-of-sale, Coyle steps in to assist.

I’ve read several hundred westerns over the years, but this is my first by Luke Short, pen name of Frederick Dilley Glidden and not to be confused with the gunfighter of the Old West. Most of his work was published in the 1930s and 40s. This book was first published in 1941 and definitely has that pulp western vibe to it.

The novel is certainly a western novel, but it has many hallmarks of other genres, especially hard-boiled crime with a strong mystery element. Dave Coyle is the protagonist but not afraid to act outside the law to right a wrong. He’s hard-headed but smart. The novel certainly is titled appropriately. The plot is a complex whirlwind of interesting characters. With a couple of exceptions, the reader isn’t always sure who are the good guys and who are the bad hombres. The very nature of the power structure in the town, including the sheriff and his deputy, is well thought out and provided a lot of intrigue, double-crosses, and the mandatory fight scenes. I was impressed with the nature of the scheme to steal the ranch. Very creative, as was the solution engineered by Dave Coyle. The ending was great fun as Coyle proves his own innocence and nails the bad guy in an unorthodox Old West court of law. It’s not a flawless novel to be sure with some parts that wandered around a little, but ultimately it pulled me right along.

I’m glad I read this one and will be looking for more westerns by Luke Short.