The
Big Showdown is the follow up to Mickey Spillane’s and
Max Allan Collins’ The Legend of Caleb
York (2015). Caleb York is leaving Trinidad, New Mexico, where he has been
sheriff since knocking down corrupted lawman and shakedown artist Harry Gauge,
to take a job in the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s San Diego office. A good
replacement has been found for Trinidad’s sheriff with Ben Wade, and as Caleb
is saying goodbye to the girl he will regret leaving, Willa Cullen, Trinidad’s
only bank is robbed at gunpoint.
Caleb guns down two of the robbers in the street, but
the third escapes, a majority of the bank’s cash on his horse. The robbery
leaves the bank near financial ruin, which could be fatal for both bank and
Trinidad if the townsfolk demand their money. Caleb pledges to stay on as
Trinidad’s sheriff until the final robber is caught, and the money is
recovered.
The Big Showdown is a fine crime and Western
hybrid. There is murder, fraud, and violence. The crime element features nicely
placed and believable forensic crime scene interpretation by Caleb and the
town’s doctor. There are gunfights, intrigue, and a lovable town drunk turned
sober deputy. The prose is smooth as glass. The plot is interesting and while
the master mind behind all the troubles in Trinidad is less than a mystery, how
it plays out is satisfying and surprising.
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