It's astonishing to realize that the Adult Western series The Gunsmith has reached the ripe old age of forty-four, a year younger than I am; yes, the passage of time is a cruel companion, and I'm feeling every tick of the clock as I write this. It's the creation of J.R. Roberts, the pseudonym for the late Robert J. Randisi (1951-2024); this series stands as the last bastion of Adult Westerns from the 1980s. Following Randisi’s passing in 2024, his stepson, Marcus Pelegrimas, has stepped up to the plate, spinning new tales inspired by a query Randisi submitted before his untimely death. If the name Marcus Galloway rings a bell, it’s likely due to his work on the Snake Oil series, the Man From Boot Hill series, and several titles in the Ralph Compton books, solidifying his status among Western aficionados.
This brings us to my review of The Gunsmith: Tent City, the 496th installment, released in June 2026 by Speaking Volumes, LLC. While I could call it the latest addition, that wouldn’t exactly be truthful since the 497th title, Skinwalker, has just hit the shelves. I’ll have my thoughts on that one once I manage to snag a copy.
So, here’s the heart of the matter: our protagonist, ex-lawman Clint Adams, or as he’s known, The Gunsmith, is wrapping up a brief stint as a poker tournament enforcer in Leadville, Colorado. His journey to, well, who knows where, is abruptly thrown off course by the frantic appearance of a redhead named Mandy, a widowed damsel fresh off a narrow escape from four male kidnappers. Clint, ever the gallant knight willing to brave the wild west for a pretty face, can't turn a blind eye to her distress... but he could never predict the dangers he's about to be swept into.
Clint discovers that Mandy hails from a pop-up mining town called Dawson City, a place notable for lacking a mayor, a sheriff, and even buildings. Just tents as far as the eye can see. What starts as a simple act of chivalry quickly spirals into chaos when the town’s mysterious boss, whose identity will throw you for a loop, dispatches her henchmen after Clint when he refuses to play ball. And of course, Mandy has her own secrets lurking in the shadows, creating a complicated web that Clint must untangle to keep her safe. He’s nestled in this tent-strewn chaos not just to protect Mandy, but to exact some much-deserved vengeance on the town’s villainous leader.
At a brisk 245 pages, the pacing is relentless, as I expected from a Gunsmith adventure; there's no time for leisurely contemplation here. Just when you think you’ve got the plot pinned down, it veers off in a completely unexpected direction. The storyline is both compact and intricate yet straightforward. As is customary with this series, it delivers action, gunfights, and, naturally, some spicy moments drenched in that classic Gunsmith flair.
Is it a flawless read? Not quite, but I wouldn’t classify it as the worst offering from the series either. Reflecting on the Gunsmith titles I've read, I’ve yet to encounter one I outright disliked. This book isn’t without its hiccups; some subplots stumble here and there, but nothing major enough to derail my enjoyment.
So, would I recommend Tent City? Absolutely! It’s a delightful romp for those already enamored with the series, and it's standalone enough that newcomers can jump right in without feeling lost. Just a heads-up: this is an Adult Western, so brace yourself for some graphic love scenes that might not suit everyone’s taste.
In the end, I found The Gunsmith: Tent City to be an entertaining read; more like a compulsive page-turner, as I couldn’t tear myself away and breezed through it in a single sitting. So, if you’re looking for a wild ride through the rugged terrain of the Old West, you might want to settle in with Clint Adams for a spell. ╌★★★★✰
Please consider supporting future reviews on this blog by purchasing The Gunsmith: Tent City in paperback [*] or a Kindle eBook [*].
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess