SHOOT EM' UP FUN:STEVE HOCKENSMITH'S NO HALLOWED GROUND

A little more than a month ago, Steve Hockensmith introduced us to to The Hired Guns in his first traditional western. Former cavalry officer Oswin Diehl and the two men he served with, ex- buffalo soldier Ira Hoop and Apache scout Eskamaminzim, now use their guns and know-how for the Double A Western Detective Agency when someone needs protection or bad men need to be tracked down. With his quick follow up, No Hallowed Ground, he proves the first rousing tale was no fluke.

The three are enlisted by the agency to pursue a gang who robbed a bank in Springfield, Illinois and are headed into Indian Territory. They are met by Pixley, the banker, and his men who insists on coming along. Diehl finds that as well as the fact Pixley didn't notify the authorities or hire the larger Pinkerton Agency for the job, however he does as told. Also insisting to come along is Onowa, Eskaminzim's sister and Hoop's wife.

Steve perfectly places his plot points and characters. Steeped in writing mysteries with his Holmes On The Range series, he practices more deliberation in his plotting than most western authors of the day. he story and people involved ping off one another at an exhilarating rate, always maintaining our attention if not raising it. He begins with a simple premise and cleanly builds layer after on it, building a reveal in the middle that changes everything.

His supporting characters play a great deal in the enjoyment of the story. Walking Stick, a leader in The Mounted Cherokee Rifles, sort of a version of The Rangers in the Indian Territory, becomes a touchy ally when the three enter his turf. He carries a sense of duty and humor that would make him a great lead in a spin off series. The villains have a complexity to them with motivations beyond greed and pure evil, but Steve paints them with a dark enough brush so we cheer for them when they find justice at the end of a Colt or Winchester barrel.

Owana stands out as a supporting character so much, she seems like a member of The Hired Guns. Her barbs and observations take the piss out of the three, even when she is captured by the bad guys, you know they'll have their hands full. Hopefully, Steve will make her an integral part of the series.

In just two books, Steve Hockensmith has made The Hired Guns a series I will be looking for forward to for the next installment. He has established himself a powder burner craftsman with his mix of well defined characters, loads of action, and colorful humor, providing enough authenticity to ground the bravado of his pulpier sensibilities, No Hallowed Ground is further proof The Hired Guns are heroes who are worth riding with.