This short western by Luke Short was made into the 1948 movie called Blood on the Moon starring Robert Mitchum. The story is of Jim Garry, a lone drifter who is summoned to the small town Sun Dust to help an old friend. He soon comes to the realization that he is actually on the wrong side in this range war by uncovering the plot to defraud a local rancher, John Lufton, out of his money. He also meets John Lufton’s attractive and tomboyish daughter, Amy.

A Gunman’s Chance was a fun, short read that is chock full of western cliches and action. A loner who has to make the decision between right and wrong even if it means turning on someone he thought was a friend. A headstrong woman who is able to lead her man to the path of redemption. The story unfolds against a backdrop of cattle herds, range-lands and gun fights.

I often turn to Westerns for pure escapism and I have learned to rely on Luke Short to deliver the goods. This has been the book that I have carried with me to recent doctor and dentist waiting rooms and it was perfect for that. ( )