Outrage at Blanco is a Western, a crime story, and a tale of revenge with a strong female lead. It is set in 1887 and the action starts out in Blanco, Texas.
The story starts with a rape. Two men attack Ellie Taine on the way home with supplies she had picked up in Blanco, Texas. Their mistake is that they leave her alive. When she gets home, her husband goes out to find the men and avenge the crime, but that doesn't go well. What follows is Ellie's journey to get her own revenge. She is accompanied by an ailing, retired Texas Ranger, Jonathan Crossland.
I liked everything about this novel. The writing is good; the story is told in a straightforward manner. I liked the picture of the times and the locale.
Bill Crider creates several interesting characters in this book. Ellie Taine and Jonathan Crossland are good partners in their quest for revenge. Ellie's determination and intelligence is very believable, and Jonathan brings his tracking ability, even with his disabilities. The men they are following each have different motivations and views on life. We see the events from both sides and are privy to the character's thoughts and motivations.While looking through the book for this review, having read it 5 months ago, I found myself wanting to reread it. And I will someday read the sequel, Texas Vigilante.
I liked this quote on the back of my Brash Books edition:
"Bill Crider is one of the most unpretentious and versatile pure entertainers in the mystery field."
-- Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine
Also see:
- The Story behind "Outrage at Blanco" at Brash Books
- At Kevin's Corner, two reviews in one post, one by Barry Ergang, the other by Kevin Tipple
- Col's review at Col's Criminal Library
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Publisher: Brash Books, 2014 (orig. publ. 1999)
Length: 184 pages
Format: Trade Paperback
Series: Ellie Taine #1
Setting: Texas, 1887
Genre: Western
Source: I purchased my copy.
18 comments:
Glad you enjoyed it Tracy. It's one of the few Bill Crider's books I've read.....hmm maybe the only one and a short story sometime.
He could do it all. I love his short stories too.
I've always liked the way Crider evoked the setting and atmosphere in his novels. What a talented writer! I'm glad you enjoyed this, Tracy
Enjoyed the book a lot and glad to see you did too. Very much appreciate the mention of the review deal over on my blog. Thank you.
Oh, shoot, I knew you had reviewed this and liked it a lot, in fact I had read your review again recently. I have now added a link to that.
I don't think I have read any of his short stories, Patti. I will have to look for some of them.
Exactly, Margot, he is very good with setting. This is a bit different from his Dan Rhodes mysteries, but it shares some of the qualities of those books too.
I did like the book a lot, Kevin. I am a novice with Westerns and I thought this would be a good introduction for me.
I'm not usually a reader of Westerns, but having heard about this, and knowing Bill, I got a copy and read it. What a terrific book! You are spot on with your description of it, the character-driven story is hard to put down, and I found myself rooting for Ellie throughout. Now that you mention it, I should reread it again.
I agree, Rick, a terrific book. And it illustrates Bill Crider's many talents.
Thanks for adding, you really didn't need to.
I know, Col, but it is a good review, you were enthusiastic, and you made some good points that I had forgotten about. Which is why I will enjoy rereading it someday.
It's been on my radar for a while, due to a good review. I think this seals the deal.
I definitely recommend this book, Ken. It has a lot to offer.
I've not read any of Bill's westerns, but I like his Dan Rhodes series so much, and with my respect for your judgment, Tracy, I'm going to mosey on over for a gallop on Crider's cowboy side. Outrage at Blanco sounds like a good place to hang my hat for s spell.
A definite winner from a man who was both a stellar writer and an embodiment of the term "class act."
I think you will like it, Mathew. Outrage in Blanco is different from the Dan Rhodes series, darker, less humor, but very good.
I agree with what you say, Barry. I have only read a few Dan Rhodes books and this one, but I would like to try the other series he has written. Not so sure about the horror books though.
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