I enjoyed this book, as I have all of Johnstone's work, and that includes those who are carefully continuing his titles which he did not complete prior to passing on.
This one is a little different, as a central character, Seymour Standish, is featured as a young man who is initially far out of his element. Sent to Sweet Apple, Texas by his uncle, who really wants him "accidentally" killed in order to gain total control of Seymour's father's company, Seymour finds love and manhood.
But, through a series of misadventures, Seymour is dubbed The Most Cowardly Man in the West, and the town fathers make him Marshal. He is supposed to just be a figurehead lawman, not really enforce the law. The theory is that the baddies will be reluctant to hurt the young man, because it would reflect badly on their reputations.
But, Seymour, now with the help of Sam and Matt, who have arrived on the trail of a large gang of very bad men, turns out to be fairly effective, especially with the help of a shotgun and by enlisting the town's men who are tired of gangs and danger to their town.
And, of course, there is the young lady schoolteacher, with whom Seymour has fallen in love.
His bumbling and shy efforts to demonstrate his caring for her make one laugh, not a common event when reading a Johnstone novel.
In the end, all ends well, and the reader is happy.
At least, this reader was.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Johnstone's work. You will not be disappointed, I am certain.
This one is a little different, as a central character, Seymour Standish, is featured as a young man who is initially far out of his element. Sent to Sweet Apple, Texas by his uncle, who really wants him "accidentally" killed in order to gain total control of Seymour's father's company, Seymour finds love and manhood.
But, through a series of misadventures, Seymour is dubbed The Most Cowardly Man in the West, and the town fathers make him Marshal. He is supposed to just be a figurehead lawman, not really enforce the law. The theory is that the baddies will be reluctant to hurt the young man, because it would reflect badly on their reputations.
But, Seymour, now with the help of Sam and Matt, who have arrived on the trail of a large gang of very bad men, turns out to be fairly effective, especially with the help of a shotgun and by enlisting the town's men who are tired of gangs and danger to their town.
And, of course, there is the young lady schoolteacher, with whom Seymour has fallen in love.
His bumbling and shy efforts to demonstrate his caring for her make one laugh, not a common event when reading a Johnstone novel.
In the end, all ends well, and the reader is happy.
At least, this reader was.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Johnstone's work. You will not be disappointed, I am certain.
