Don’t Be a Stranger
During the late 19th century, Wyoming is settled by ranchers like Rand Sullivan and his family, owners of the Crown Butte Ranch. The top hand, Lawrence Elwood, is caught up in a mystery – cattle are being stolen. A mysterious stranger walks onto the ranch, briefly meets Elwood, and is later found dead in a local town, supposedly by suicide. Meanwhile, Elwood becomes romantically involved with a young woman who is visiting Sullivan’s wife. He later learns she has secrets about her past that she fails to mention to Elwood that may have an effect on the crimes committed in the territory.
This is another fine western written by Spur Award-winning author John D. Nesbitt. The pace of the novel is a little slow, but the plots and subplots along with interesting characters make the story compelling and hard to put down. The author’s knowledge of the West is exceptional. He has a command of western ranching, and the book is rich in western culture. I highly recommend this book for western lovers, although the lack of excitement and action until the end of the book may turn off a few readers.