Book Reviews



	RIDERS OF DEATHWATER VALLEY: A KEYSTONE RANCH STORY "Work writes the most unusual Westerns of any writer today. His Keystone Ranch is an Arthurian creation, even its owner is named Pendragon. Quests, duels, and a hint of magic permeate the novels. If you choose not to recognize the influence of the legend of King Arthur, you may read his novels as traditional Westerns, ignoring the occasional odd happenings. But if you do that, you cheat yourself of the complexities of the story. In this latest installment of the Keystone Ranch series, Art Pendragon calls a meeting of the ranchers in the district to discuss the rustling that is occurring. Before they can formulate a final plan, the gang raids a picnic and kidnaps the women and children, including Gwen Pendragon. Worried and incensed, the ranchers join together for an armed confrontation with the rustlers. Sounds like a straightforward sort of Western, doesn’t it? Don’t count on it." Roundup Magazine, Western Writers of America, October 2005 RIDE TO BANSHEE CAÑON “A masterful novel of redemption, adventure, and renewal . . . a great novel, by a good writer, that will keep the pages turning until you find out . . . “ *February BookShelf, Suite 101.com* *“Work, author of The Tobermory Manuscript, takes the concept of the mythic western and does it one better, outfitting an ancient tale in spurs and chaps.”* Wes Lukowsky, Booklist RIDE WEST TO DAWN “A great book that reads well, holds you tight in the saddle, and begs you not to put it down!” Tim Lasivta, Western Collectibles “Ride West to Dawn is a splendid book, quite the best you have written so far . . . you bring to your book something psychologically powerful that resonates and shimmers in the Imagination long after you have put aside the story.” “A powerful, archetypal story . . . .” Jon Tuska, Golden West Literary Agency THE DEAD RIDE ALONE “Another of Work’s mythic novels featuring cowboy Link Lochlin, who dreams of a castle-like structure and leaves the Keystone Ranch to seek it. . . . The Dead Ride Alone is not for everybody, but those readers who enjoy allegories will find this novel a satisfying puzzle.” Western Writers of America, Roundup Magazine THE TOBERMORY MANUSCRIPT *“A fascinating untraditional Western by the author of Ride South to Purgatory* . . .”** Western Writers of America, Roundup Magazine RIDE SOUTH TO PURGATORY “The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is transported to the Wyoming Territory of the 1870’s when the nephew of rancher Art Pendragon is challenged to a strange contest by a Christmas visitor. The young cowboy’s quest incorporates many parallels to the romance, all with a western spin, and the setting at the ranch imitates Camelot with such characters as Pendragon’s beautiful young wife Gwen, the cowhands Link and Moore (Lancelot and Mordred), and even a sword in the stone (axe in the stump) incident.” *Phil Boardman, The Arthurian Annals* (Oxford University Press) PROSE AND POETRY OF THE AMERICAN WEST** “An ambitious undertaking. . . Work has done a commendable job of bringing together well-known and more obscure western writers. . . . In short, the anthology is thought-provoking and filled with diverse and beautiful writing. Work has provided a strong preface and concise author introductions, all of which help make this book a valuable addition to anyone’s library.” Judith Freeman, The *Los Angeles* *Times* “Work has produced a scholarly book, but also one that will satisfy lovers of marvelous writing . . . a monumental anthology.” Margaret Carlin, Rocky Mountain News “One of the best informed scholars on literature of the American West . . . . one of the most successful efforts I’ve seen to organize and categorize the literature, certainly worthy of attention by the scholar and general reader alike.” Lawrence Clayton, Abilene Reporter-News “A large and wonderful gallery of writings of lasting value . . . super-good reading with excellent contents.” *Clinton* *Daily News* “A classic the day it was published . . . .” *Bloomsbury* *Review*