Well, here I am again, riding back into the world of Westerns. Now, some of you might have thought I’d hung up my spurs and ridden off into the sunset, abandoning the Western genre entirely. Fear not! Life sometimes pulls me in different directions, but I assure you, I’m still firmly planted in the saddle. This week, I’m tackling The Gunsmith: The Jingle Bell Trail [*], a “Special Christmas Edition” adventure published in 2020. And yes, I hear your thoughts: "Isn’t Christmas over?" Technically, yes, the tinsel has been packed away. I planned to read this under the glow of twinkling lights, but fate had other designs. I finally got around to it between January 1st and 2nd—about a month ago now, so my recollection may be a bit dusty, but let’s give it a shot!
As the holiday season approaches, our rugged hero, Clint Adams, rides into Buckley, North Dakota—a town that appears to have been pulled right out of a snow globe—festooned with garlands draping from light posts and adorning the windows and balconies of every building like a Christmas card come to life. But before Clint can even hang his hat at the local hotel, he’s intercepted by Sheriff Owens from neighboring Goodwill, who is desperate for assistance in tracking down three cold-blooded killers. The sheriff's wish? To get home to his young boy in time for Christmas. Clint, ever the good Samaritan, agrees to lend a hand. But as fate would have it, things take a dark turn, thrusting our gunslinger into a treacherous journey along the Jingle Bell Trail. The stakes? Not just saving one little boy’s Christmas, but also rescuing an entire town that teeters on the brink of a fatal holiday.
The story kicks off with a touch of campiness—think of festive towns decked in 1800s Christmas cheer, which might have felt quaint in the hands of a lesser writer, but here serves to set the stage wonderfully. Despite the jolly imagery, there's a stark moment early on that jolts you out of merriment: Sheriff Owens meets his end almost immediately. Yes, you read that right. Clint must then navigate the harrowing task of delivering the devastating news to the man’s widow and young son, choosing to delay the heartbreaking truth until after Christmas—because really, who wants to shatter a child’s holiday spirit?
Compounding the drama is an insane gang of ne’er-do-wells who find delight in robbing and torching towns solely on holidays. Their malevolent plan? To raid Goodwill on Christmas. And who stands between them and their wicked intentions? None other than Clint Adams. In a beautifully ironic twist, he unofficially takes on the role of sheriff—sans badge.
For those familiar with the Gunsmith series, you know the drill: Clint bests the villains and indulges in the affections of various women—saloon girls and unscrupulous damsels alike. Strangely enough, he shies away from Mrs. Owens, who would likely have been more than willing to comfort him. You see, Clint isn’t just a sharpshooter; word on the street is he’s hung like a horse and has a reputation that keeps the saloons buzzing.
Overall, I found The Gunsmith: The Jingle Bell Trail [*] to be an enjoyable romp through a gritty yet festive landscape. While it may not ascend to the heights of high literature, the late, great Robert J. Randisi (penned as J.R. Roberts) conjures a tale that is both shoot-‘em-up thrilling and decidedly steamy, all against a backdrop of Christmas. It’s a wild ride, filled with enough action and charm to keep you turning pages. ╌★★★★✰
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess