Review of "Buchanan’s Revenge," by Jonas Ward

Review of

Buchanan’s Revenge, by Jonas Ward

Four out of five stars

 The western hero Tom Buchanan is once again drifting the western lands, all roots are temporary, and he has no desire to be involved in any violence. Yet, even a man with his peaceable nature can be forced to use violence, which is something that Buchanan is very good at. Both with a gun and with his fists. He uses both in this story, winning the fights he must engage in, walking away from those that he dismisses.

 Buchanan is visiting an old friend that asks for his assistance. The friend’s son is about to be released from prison and needs a fresh start. Buchanan is given some money and asked to go meet his son and engage him in an honest trade. The son’s name is Bogan and he still idolizes Buchanan from having known him when he was growing up.

 Buchanan takes him out into the wilderness to dry him out, clean him up and get him caring about his future again. They agree to form a partnership in a freight company, buying a large wagon and mule team to haul freight back and forth across the Mexican border. With little in the way of law and a lot in the way of greed, it is a lucrative business with a lot of corruption, payoffs and smuggling.

 Since the bankers are unwilling to take a change on Brogan, Buchanan is forced to be his partner and stays back in the Texas town while Brogan takes a load of freight to Mexico. When Brogan does not return within the allotted timeframe, Buchanan sets out after him, only to discover he has been ambushed and murdered. This is the context of Buchanan’s revenge.

 The three killers are part of a murderous outlaw gang led by a giant of a man. Although Buchanan makes it clear that his only dispute is with the three killers, he ends up pitted against the entire gang. The story moves along at a brisk and generally predictable pace.  Buchanan gets in trouble, Buchanan gets out of trouble, Buchanan goes broke after a disagreement and then manages to come back without violating his core principles. He also shrugs off bullet wounds like they were a wooden sliver rather than metallic.

 If you are like me and enjoy the Buchanan western novels by Ward, then you will love this book.