Western

Slow-starting but eventually this was a fairly good read. I did like a few unusual plot twists but they didn't lift the story above average for me. Don't judge the author's body of works by this one.

Note: this is a novel length retelling of The Rider of the Ruby Hills. ( )

This a typical L'Amour western with plenty of action, a vivid description of an unusual geographic formation in western America, a love story and some heartless villains. Bill Caravan is ready to settle down and he has spent a great deal of time researching a good location near the town of Soledad. He has discovered that the two cattle barons who control the valley are battling one another for control of the land they do not own because they never register the deeds for the water rights and land. Caravan arrives to study the situation before revealing his ownership of the important resources and meets a very attractive Dixie Venable who he soon learns is to marry Star Levitt, a man who takes a quick dislike for Caravan which feeling is mutual.

Caravan discovers a lot of dirty dealing including opium smuggling, cattle rustling and blackmail. The author keeps the story moving at panic pace making the book impossible to put down. ( )

I haven't read a western for nearly 40 years, despite being a big fan of them in my early teens. So when I saw a Louis L'Amour book in our local library, on the spur of the moment I decided to give it a go as he was one of my favourite authors back then.

I must say "Where the Long Grass Blows" was fun. Despite an implausible plot line and an anti-climatic ending, it was a light, entertaining read with lots of action and excitement which made it a page turner. I loved the Old West setting with its gunslingers, cattle drives, range wars, horses, lawlessness, shootouts and ruthless villains. After all, what more could a gal want? Having enjoyed this one so much, I'm off in search of some more novels by this author. ( )