I’ve been reading W. C. Tuttle’s tales of Sheriff Henry Harrison Conroy for almost a decade now. Popular Publications (aka, Steeger Books (formerly Altus Press) has been reprinting Tuttle’s entertaining Western stories featuring a seemingly bumbling former actor who has been elected Sheriff of Tonto Arizona, a town with plenty of problems.
Blind Trails at Tonto is Volume 8 of this reprint series. The three stories included in this book also feature Sheriff Conroy’s loyal deputy, Judge Van Treece (a man with a serious drinking problem, but with an uncanny intelligence), and jailer, Oscar Johnson (a massive man with incredible strength). For comic relief, Frijole Bill and Slim Pickins are always around with their powerful prune whiskey laced with high octane alcohol.
“Henry the Silent” involves Frijole and Slim finding a dead body…and some money. Sheriff Conroy suspects the young woman who had just been hired at the Tonto saloon as a violinist, is connected to the case. Another murder and the disappearance of Mary McLean, the violinist, leads the Sheriff to a treacherous plot of counterfeiting and duplicity.
“Tracks in the Sand” begins with a plot to gain control of a mine outside of Tonto Arizona. The owner of the mine, Frank Travis, is found dead just outside of town. Yet, another man, claiming to be Frank Travis shows up to chase a beautiful woman named Nola Terry, who comes to Tonto to become its teacher. As the bodies pile up, Sheriff Conroy sets a trip for the gang who hopes to steal the mine.
“Blind Trails at Tonto” begins with the local newspaper Clarion, calling for the defeat of Sheriff Conroy at the next election. Conroy’s opponent is “Honest” Ed Henderson, owner of the Circle H spread who is backed monetarily by Jim Nelson. Nelson purchased the King’s Castle, the biggest saloon, gambling house, and honkatonk in the country. Conroy takes a lot of heat as the number of murders pile up. But once again, Conroy has a plan to reveal what is really going on.
I’ve enjoyed all the Sheriff Conroy stories–all 8 volumes!–and recommend them to readers who like their Westerns with humor and mysteries. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
“Henry the Silent” — 1
“Tracks in the Sand” — 137
“Blind Trails at Tonto” — 223
I’ve only read some of Tuttle’s later, less impressive stories, so far…James Reasoner has noted on his blog the better, earlier work, and I should give that a chance,
Todd, like a lot of the pulp fiction writers, W. C. Tuttle was prolific. But, writing a million words a year leads to a lot of ups and downs in quality.
George: I also was reading them in issues of Robert Lowndes’ no-budget western pulps of the ’50s…I suspect Tuttle looked upon those titles as salvage markets.
Todd, the stories in BLIND TRAILS AT TONTO were published in ARGOSY, one of the top fiction markets that paid well. The No-budget western pulps were for rejects…
Although I have seen a lot of Western movies, I don’t think I have ever read a book.
Patti, there are plenty of great western novels. Elmore Leonard wrote some dandies!
Ms. Lee Hoffman, Joe Lansdale, Elmore Leonard, Jack London of course (even if his key works were “northerns”), among YA writers Ester Wier–all among those I’ve read repeatedly in the western field, and I need to read more of Bill Crider and James Reasoner’s work, along with better Tuttles. I suspect you might like any and all of their relevant novels, Patti…
Todd, thanks for an excellent list of Western writers!
Yes, I’ve read westerns (Leonard included), but not the Tuttle stories, which sound like fun.
Jeff, I like the blend of humor and mystery in the Sheriff Henry stories. I know Bill Crider enjoyed them, too.
There are quite a few of his books available on Kindle for 99 cents up to $2.99, though obviously not in this series.
Jeff, some of those Kindle editions might include some Sheriff Henry stories.
Both of my parents liked westerns, but not me. Mom liked Louis Lamour as did dad, who also liked Tony hillerman
Maggie, Tony Hillerman is in a class of his own!
Honkatonk? I’ve read and enjoyed a bunch of Tuttle books and short stories over the past few years! Some of those plots sound familiar, but not the titles! I just finished a biography of Zane Grey, that someone gifted me! Were you that generous soul, George!? If so, thank you!
Bob, I just put QUCIK DRAW in the mail to you. And, as usual, I’ve included some goodies for you to enjoy. I sent you that biography of Zane Grey and I’m glad you liked it!