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.

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.

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.

Am I the only Western reader who thought The Gunsmith series had drawn its final curtain with book #491, Invitation to a Bank Robbery, published in 2024, marking the end of an era with the passing of the author Robert J. Randisi (1951-2024)? The beloved author, who crafted this engaging series under the pseudonym J.R. Roberts, seemed to close the door on Clint Adams’s adventures. Yet, here we are, greeted by a surprise: Speaking Volumes has released the 492nd installment, A Fortune for the Gunsmith. So, the question lingers—did Randisi leave a stash of unpublished Gunsmith tales behind?

Spoiler alert: he did not. Invitation to a Bank Robbery remains Randisi's final contribution to the series, despite "J.R. Roberts" proudly stamped on the cover of this new installment. The true author? That would be Marcus Pelegrimas, whose name lurks quietly on the copyright page. I only made this discovery after devouring the eBook this afternoon. Did it alter my feelings about the narrative? Not in the least. The distinct shift in voice was palpable; I suspected as much from the get-go.

Now, onto the synopsis—well, sort of. I took the liberty of rewriting it for clarity. Clint Adams has always trusted his instincts, those sharp little devils that have maneuvered him through countless scrapes. When he steps in to assist an old friend on a perilous job, Clint dives headfirst into chaos, and the situation grows murkier the deeper he gets. To heighten the drama, a fortune teller ominously warns him of a shadowy figure poised to put a bullet in his back. Although Clint has little faith in palm readers, the bullets that whiz past him are all too real. A moment of hesitation amidst the gunfire could mean curtains for any gunslinger, even for someone of Clint’s caliber.

It’s been a while since I dove back into the gritty world of The Gunsmith, the iconic Adult Western series by J.R. Roberts, the pen name of the late Robert J. Randisi (1951-2024). Launched in 1982, this series captivated readers and bravely weathered the Jove 2014/2015 cancellation storm by moving to a new publisher. The most recent installment, Invitation to a Bank Robbery, hit the shelves last year thanks to Speaking Volumes, LLC. With a whopping 491 books, 19 giant editions, and even an 11-book spinoff featuring Lady Gunsmith, it's a legacy that continues to enthrall fans.

Now, let’s talk about The Gunsmith: Red Mountain, the 11th Giant Edition, released by Jove/Berkley in 2006. Unlike the standard Gunsmith paperbacks that typically run around 180 to 200 pages, this one stretches to a compelling 264 pages, giving it the “giant edition” status, and yes, you can expect a few extra steamy scenes!

The story kicks off with a bang—literally—in a brothel, where a woman possesses a particularly intriguing talent that keeps men coming back. This is how Hangnil finds himself drawn into danger, only to be shot shortly after, an event that initially seems driven by jealousy. However, a deeper mystery unfolds as it comes to light that he carried a note bearing the name of none other than Clint Adams, a.k.a. the Gunsmith.