Review - Gun Boss of Thumbleweed

 

Gun Boss of Thumbleweed
by L. Ron Hubbard
Director: Jim Meskimen
Voice Cast: Luke Baybak, Corey Burton, R.F. Daley, Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Taylor Meskimen, Rick Pasqualone, Josh R. Thompson, Michael Yurchak.
Publisher: Galaxy Press
Pub. Date: June 23, 2013
Retail: $12.95
ASIN: 978-1592123841
Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Buy Link: Audiobook, Paperback

Review:

Many people know that L. Ron Hubbard was the author of Battlefield Earth and the founder of the Church of Scientology, but he also wrote countless short stores that were published in "pup magazines" during the 1930s and 1940s. Galaxy Press has been releasing these short stories on audiobooks and paperbacks for a new generation of readers.

Gun Boss of Thumbleweed was originally published in the April 1949 issue of Thrilling Western, but it is now the main feature, as well as the title of the Galaxy Press's audiobook that was released last summer. The story centers on a gunslinger named Mart Kincaid, who is blackmailed into threatening locals to leave their land by the evil taskmaster, Gar Malone - a man who knows a bit too much about Mart's brother. Mart does attempt to do as Malone instructed, but he has a change of heart when he meets Drake and his daughter, Sally, whom own the land on the Singing Canyon. Mart decides that he has had enough of Malone's wickedness and fights against him and his hired guns.

The second story is Blood On His Spurs, which first appeared in the September 1949 issue of Thrilling Western. The tale centers on two men, Iron Jaw Bates and Larry McClean, who have been life long enemies. The two must put aside their differences to stop a group of deadly cattle rustlers.

A good old-fashioned western is hard to find these days. and this is one of the reasons why I signed up to review Gun Boss of Tumbleweed. I was sent both the audiobook and a paperback, so I did a little multitasking by listening to the audiobook at the same time I was reading the book. The audiobooks has an outstanding voice cast, as well as great sound effects. However, I thought Gun Boss of Tumbleweed was a little predictable at times; whereas I thought Blood On His Spurs was more entertaining. Overall, both stories are still enjoyable and I do recommend either the audiobook and/or the paperback to other western readers.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.