The gunslinger Clint Adams is back in The Gunsmith: Freaktown, the 495th installment of the adult western series, published by Speaking Volumes. This series began in 1982 with Macklin's Women, written by Robert J. Randisi under the pseudonym J.R. Roberts. Following Randisi's passing in 2024, his stepson, Marcus Pelegrimas, has taken over, creating new stories inspired by a query that Randisi submitted for future installments before his death. Pelegrimas is not new to the genre; he has also written other Westerns under the name Marcus Galloway.
As with every Gunsmith installment, Freaktown promises a mix of grit and intrigue, along with the relentless pursuit of justice in a lawless land. This series stands as a testament to the resilience of storytelling, continuing even after the original author’s lifetime, and serves as a reminder that the spirit of the West lives on through these narratives.
The story opens with a jarring discovery: Harriet Sands has been gruesomely murdered, her daughter Pearl left dazed in the wake of horror. The scene is stark and chilling, setting the tone for what is to come. As Clint, our ever-reluctant hero, joins the sheriff's posse to investigate, he is greeted by a tableau of violence that threatens to haunt him. Though Clint is no stranger to brutality, the savagery of this crime pushes even his hardened sensibilities to the limit.
From Pleasance, the narrative shifts to Freaktown, a once-thriving mining hub now overrun by carnival folk, which has evolved into more of a circus than a community. Its residents, often treated as outsiders or "freaks," lend a peculiar charm to the otherwise grim atmosphere. As Clint and his new, unconventional sidekick, Sam, a dwarf with a surprising capacity for bravery, embark on a quest for retribution, the town’s shadowy secrets unravel with each turn of the page.
What unfolds is an old-school whodunit that keeps readers guessing, with the motive behind the murder as intriguing as the identity of the killer. The story manages to elude predictability, weaving a narrative tapestry rich in suspense and red herrings. Perhaps seasoned readers will recognize patterns, yet Pelegrimas injects enough originality to keep the plot engaging.
The writing reflects the series’s trademark style, seamlessly capturing the essence of The Gunsmith. If you weren’t aware of the change in authorship, you might not notice. Clint Adams remains steadfast in his quest for justice, drawn not by personal ties but by the sheer injustice of what he witnesses. True to form, he finds himself enveloped in the allure of saloon life, where the women are as generous with their affections as they are intriguing. No tale in this series would be complete without romantic interludes, and Pelegrimas delivers them vividly; after all, the fire and passion in these scenes can’t help but add complexity to Clint’s character.
The supporting characters in Freaktown are a blend likable and loathsome. Sam stands out as a fun sidekick, his stature belied by his sharpshooting prowess and a heart braver than the biggest gunslinger. The antagonists in the tale embody the very essence of villainy, and their motivations add layers of tension to the story. Expect shootouts and violence aplenty; a feast for those of us who crave the thrilling chaos that marks every Gunsmith adventure.
The Gunsmith: Freaktown fires on all cylinders, delivering the exhilarating blend of peril, humor, and seduction that diehard fans have come to cherish. New readers will find it accessible as a standalone story, making it easy to jump headfirst into the gritty world of Clint Adams. If you’re looking for a well-paced, old-fashioned adult western, this is the ride for you. Fasten your seatbelts; Freaktown is waiting... ╌★★★★★
The book is available for purchase in both paperback [*] and Kindle [*] formats.
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess