Escape from Hangtown by Larry D. Sweazy

Lucas has been exonerated from the charges that put him in jail, but he never would have made it out alive if he hadn't had Zeke's help.  He intends to help clear Zeke's charges now.  He knows the Senator's disabled daughter was beat by her father, not Zeke.  Trying to prove that will take a lot of guts and some good skills to make it happen.  Zeke doesn't believe it ever will...

Mr. Sweazy sent me a copy of this book for review.  It has been published and you can find a copy now at your local bookstore.  I'm sad to say that this will probably be the last time we see Lucas because the publishing company no longer publishes westerns.  That's really an unfortunate turn of events.  I like westerns and they're very hard to find.

Thing start getting bad for Lucas when his train car is attacked by dog soldiers.  The Indians are shooting flaming arrows, kill his cook, and he and Zeke just barely get away.  When they stop for shelter, they unfortunately get more than that.  While Lucas is going after the Senator and his son, the son and the Senator are going after him.

He meets more enemies every day, more friends die, and he's not sure if he wants to live or die.  But he does know he will get his revenge first or die trying.  Even the women are a bit nasty in this story.  But it's the wild west and most folks will do anything for money.  (Just like today's world.)

The story is a bit complicated but it ticks and ties Lucas' past and present.  I was pleased with the ending.  There's no one who hasn't been hurt in some way but the ones who have survived are moving on in life and regretting nothing left behind.  That's the best way to live.

I'll miss Lucas Fume...