Massacre at Bend-in-the-River

By Michael J. Kahman

Virtual Books

College Station, Texas

2003, paper, 109 pages, $12.95

"He had a way of looking at you, and then through you.  He spoke too softly for a man, I often had to strain to hear him, and he had a kind of a half grin on his face so you never knew what to make of him.  If you judged by appearance he was unremarkable except for a white streak just above his hairline…"

            Emmert Shannon rode into Summit County Texas seeking work.  He stayed to capture the mind of a boy and a woman's heart.  Emmert was a veteran of the "Great War" that is, the American war some call Civil.  He was a warrior, a sharpshooter.

            Mat Koenig was master of the largest spread in the country, that spread was called Bend-in-the-River.  He owned the bank in Springdale and he wanted the widow Preston and her ranch any way he could get her.

            This story moves so fast that the reader must stop occasionally to remember to breathe.  Michael Kahman has written a wonderful old-fashioned western.  Emmert is a true western hero, the strong man who rides into town from some unknown place and rights wrongs.  It is fascinating to follow each step as he plans and executes his battle against the rich and powerful Mat Koenig.  This story should be longer.  I want to know more.

A.H.Holt, editor

WesternFictionReview

June 2004