Beans, Bourbon, and Blood  Been a while since I posted but this is a good story...

"Beans, Bourbon, and Blood" seemed like an interesting title but I've got to say that it did not seem to have a lot to do with the story. Even with that little bit of criticism, I found the story of Luke Jensen, bounty hunter, and his adventure with bringing a captured swindler to a little out-of-the-way town of Hannagan's Hill to await further instructions amount him fascinating and fun to read.

Jensen is a relative of the more famous Smoke Jensen and the Jensen men, all of them, seem to have a penchant for getting into trouble.  Luke is no different.  He befriends "Mac" McKenzie owner and operator of a delightful café, who has some interesting past history in New Orleans.  Add in a crusading newspaper couple, a crooked sheriff, a bought-off judge, and overbearing strongman named Hannigan, after which the town was named, and you have a heck of a story.

Story starts with Luke and his prisoner coming up on a gallows outside of town where a man was hanged and left for many days to actually rot and be picked apart by the birds.  Enter stage left the sheriff and his deputies with another prisoner bound for the noose.  The young man professes his innocence but there is little that Luke can do other than be on his way to town; although he feels bad about doing it. He proclaims that the only reason he is here is that Hannigan wants his ranch land and he was unwilling to relinquish it. 

The story evolves from there with Luke getting involved with a saloon owner, the café owner, another bounty hunter, the newspaper publisher, and others to attempt to right the wrong that is happening in Hannigan's Hill.  The denouement comes to a blazing conclusion with the various factions arrayed against each other.  There will be blood in the streets and the opportunity to turn a new leaf for many people.  The question is who will take the opportunity?  "Gotta" read the book to find out but if you like western stories, this is a very good one and one that will hold your attention. I definitely recommend reading this Johnstone book.