The Black Hills
Rod Thompson

Berkley Books
December 6, 2011 / ISBN 9780425243107
Western
Amazon

Reviewed by Bob Walch

In this debut Rod Thompson creates a conflicted but likeable character who decides to live by the six-gun, although there are pressures on him to perhaps follow a different path.

The main character of this western, Cormac Lynch, witnesses the violent deaths of his mother, father and sister when he's just 14 years old. Brought up by another family who has a daughter Cormac's age, he comes to harbor a strong affection for the girl, but she doesn't believe anything is solved by the use of a six-gun.

As he grows older, though, Cormac discovers he has a natural ability with firearms, which makes seeking justice for his family's tragic end quite easy. As he moves from the Dakotas and Wyoming to Colorado and Texas, the young man acquires a reputation built on his dexterity with a gun. Although he only kills defensively and eliminates only those who threaten him or others who can't protect themselves, is this young man much different than the those who took his parents' and sister's lives?

A tale of romance, redemption and frontier rowdiness, "The Black Hills" raises some interesting issues. The fact that Cormac is such a likeable fellow makes this western novel an enjoyable read and one that may remind some individuals of the decades old "Have Gun, Will Travel" television series starring Richard Boone.