Emerson Dodge

Home Like a Hero

by

Emerson Dodge

(Paul Wheelahan)

First published 1999

Val Tyrone was returning home from Mexico. He had left as a reckless young man but came back matured. However, some things remained unchanged—such as the deep-seated hatred between father and son. 

Other things, however, had shifted. His father was dying, a widowed woman sought to marry him for his wealth, and his oldest brother was after everything. Yet, upon Val’s return, it felt as though nothing had changed, especially the constant conflict with his father. The old man’s disdain for Val only grew when the ranch hands gave him a warm welcome.

Cole Tyrone, however, had a scheme to achieve his goals. He unleashed his unfaithful wife on Val, hoping to ensnare him. When that failed, only one option remained: ensuring his brother was laid to rest. 

Another fantastic Emerson Dodge (Wheelahan) tale, with just the right mix of mystery and scheming by those eager to take advantage of a dying old man. While it doesn't pack the level of action you'd typically expect from a Cleveland Western, it still delivers a solid and enjoyable story overall.

To read an interview with Paul Wheelahan, click here!

 

Emerson Dodge

 No One's a Winner

by

Emerson Dodge

(Paul Wheelahan)

First Published 1996

 Tom and Dane Hardy—brothers by blood, but little else binds them. When the story begins, Tom is serving a five-year sentence for cattle rustling, framed by none other than his own brother and the corrupt judge who oversaw the trial. On the outside, his sister Artella and a determined lawyer named Long are fighting to clear his name.

Inside the prison, Tom’s life is made unbearable by the judge’s allies. Pushed to the edge, he makes a daring escape into the snow-covered mountains, pursued relentlessly by a brutal prison guard and a pack of dogs. But Tom isn’t one to go down without a fight.

Meanwhile, Dane is deep in shady dealings, running rifles to Red Cloud’s Sioux warriors. He can’t afford distractions—but Tom’s escape throws a wrench into everything, and the stakes rise fast.

This isn’t just another shoot-’em-up western. It’s a gripping journey of transformation. Tom begins as a man of peace, but as the story unfolds, he confronts the fury buried within him. And when he finally unleashes it, the consequences are explosive.

Emerson Dodge (Wheelahan) delivers yet another compelling tale of the Old West—rich in character, tension, and grit. If you can track down a copy, it’s well worth the read. These books are getting harder to find, but any story penned by Dodge is bound to be a rewarding ride.

Brett McKinley

Gut Instinct

by Brett McKinley

(Paul Wheelahan)

This is the story of two men and a woman. Clay Hathaway--the trail boss who fought for all he had--and Win Chambers--the outlaw killer. Both loved Carrie, but only one could have her. 

Hathaway first met Chambers on a trail drive. Deep down he knew he was trouble and that suspicion was eventually proven when he killed one of the trail hands and disappeared. Once they reached trails end, Hathaway gave up the drive to build himself a home and stock it with cows to marry Carrie. 

But then disaster struck, and Hathaway had to take to the trail again to make money for more cows. While he was away, Carrie married Chambers who soon went off the rails and turned outlaw.

Neither man was done with Carrie. Hathaway still wanted her for his wife. Chambers just wanted her. 

Two men riding head-on into a gun smoke showdown.

Originally published in 1965 as One Must Die. 

McKinley (Wheelahan) has written a rollicking adventure where the violent ending doesn't really come until the last page. 

The action scenes are vividly drawn with a stampede, gunfights, and a fistfight thrown in for good measure. Hathaway is a classic hero as far as westerns go, while after about halfway, we don't see Chambers until we get to the end.

Carrie on the other hand is torn between the man she loves and the man she eventually marries on the spur of the moment while Hathaway is away with a wagon train. 

Possibly the best part about reading the Cleveland Westerns is that they aren't too long and once you start the first page, you're right into the action. At 97 pages, they can't afford to get off to a slow start.

 I rather enjoyed this story as with most of Wheelahan's books that I've read over the years.