Review: Kiowa Trail by Louis L'Amour

In this epic tale of action and suspense, America's favorite storyteller follows the treacherous path a man of honor must take between the best and worst of human nature when he seeks justice for a crime that cannot go unpunished. This is uniquely American fiction as only Louis L'Amour can write it--a two-fisted tale of dangerous mystery, indomitable courage, and the impossible odds that can turn ordinary men and women into heroes. 


Kate Lundy, owner of the Tumbling B, and Conn Dury, her foreman, told Tom the rule: men from the cattle drives were forbidden on the north side of town. People appreciated the money the cowboys spent but thought them too coarse to be near their homes and families. Tom didn't listen. Enticed to come calling by Linda McDonald, daughter of one of the town's leading citizens, Tom Lundy broke the rule and crossed the line. Later that night, he was dead. 


Outraged by her brother's murder, Kate vowed to destroy the entire town. Her ingenuity and determination to carry out the promise were equal to her rage--and seemingly just as implacable. But when Aaron McDonald sent east for an army of hired guns, Conn Dury and the men of the Tumbling B began to wonder if te price of Kate's revenge was too high. 


Conn knows all too well that sometimes good people do the wrong things for the right reason. And when they do, they come to regret it the rest of their lives. A man like Conn can't let that happen. Even if he has to pay with his own life to stop it. 


This was my first foray into the western genre, and I definitely know it won't be my last. I've been wanting to try it out for a while now, and after one of my customers recommended "just picking any ole one up," that's exactly what I did. I went to the library and pulled the first Louis L'Amour I saw off of the shelf. Luck was definitely shining on me that day.

I had seriously the hardest time putting this one down. This was just a good, rollicking tale that I can imagine being told around a campfire. It was simple but eloquent, at the same time. L'Amour doesn't him-haw around with unnecessary detail, but there was a surprising amount of feeling in his words.

And there's something about a western--the nobility, the loyalty, the good versus bad--that just makes me happy. I just love it when the "good guys" come to save the day and they have these wickedly cool lines that make me happy that I'm not in the villain's shoes. And then there's the villain who is so frustrating because they are impossible to bring down. I personally think that makes for a good tale. In this one in particular, you can't help but root for the wizened, but tough and flawed Conn Dury. And then there's the totally kickbutt Kate Lundy. It was awesome to see such a strong female character in what I presumed to be a male-dominated genre.

I was totally and pleasantly surprised by this, and I will definitely be looking for more from Louis L'Amour!

Overall: 4 / 5 Stars 


Check it out!
Goodreads page
Author's website 

Happy reading and until next time, 


Jess