Here’s my 4 star review of
McAllister Never Surrenders by Matt Chisholm
Effortlessly
readable western
The late Matt Chisholm was one of my favourite authors
when I started reading westerns. When I learned he was, like me, English
(Chisholm’s real name was Peter Watts) I was further inspired to become a
western novelist myself.
Peter Watts (Matt Chisholm) (1929-1983)
He wrote many westerns, also using the names Cy James
and Luke Jones. My favourites were the ones featuring his tough, amiable,
flawed hero Rem McAllister.
In McALLISTER NEVER SURRENDERS, McAllister is running a small horse-ranch in Wyoming when a grasping cattle baron comes after his land.
Wyoming
This isn’t the most substantial storyline
Chisholm ever constructed, and I do prefer his grittier tales (‘McAllister Rides,’ ‘Strikes’, ‘Cheyenne Death’
etc.)
However, what transforms a familiar scenario is Chisholm’s excellence as a writer. In some quarters the ability to produce effortlessly readable prose is looked down on, but those of us involved in this strange trade know it takes real talent and ability.
Chisholm keeps a cracking
pace, puts plenty of grit in the action scenes, writes crisp dialogue and relieves
high tension with laconic humour.
‘Never
Surrenders’ appears to be one of the last books Chisholm wrote, which
indicates, very sadly, that he passed when he was still at the top of his game,
with much more to offer.
Find my review here on Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/McAllister-Never-Surrenders-Western-Book-ebook/dp/B0722NDM2X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mcallister+never+surrender&qid=1617706725&sr=8-1
