The Loner 3

Boothill Is Anywhere: A Loner Western

By: Sheldon B. Cole

Narrated by: Jack de Golia

Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A storm forces Blake Durant to seek shelter in a broken-down roadhouse, where he first meets the mysterious gunman-gambler called Parrant. And it's also the moment Blake’s life turns upside-down…because Parrant turns out to be trouble all the way.

The next time they meet, it's through a curtain of gunsmoke. Men die during that confrontation, and Blake finds himself hunted by a town marshal and a vicious prison guard, both of whom want to see him swing from the gallows. To prove his innocence, Blake has to make his way back to the roadhouse to find someone to vouch for him – but all he finds when he gets there is more bodies. All at once he can feel that noose growing ever tighter around his throat.

Sheldon B. Cole was one of many pseudonyms used by prolific Australian writer Desmond Robert Dunn (1929-2003). In addition to four crime novels published under his own name, Des was a tireless Western writer whose career spanned more than 50 years and well in excess of 400 oaters. These quick-moving, vivid, and always compelling stories appeared under such pen names as Shad Denver, Gunn Halliday, Adam Brady, Brett Iverson, Matt Cregan, Walt Renwick, and Morgan Culp. He is also said to have written a number of the ever-popular Larry Kent PI novels, but at this late date author attribution is almost impossible. He married and divorced twice and had three children. He died at the age of 73 in Brisbane, Queensland.

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A Wild Ride Through Gunsmoke and Grit

Partnering with the captivating narration of Jack de Golia, "The Loner 3: Boothill Is Anywhere" by Sheldon B. Cole is a thrilling rollercoaster ride across the rugged landscapes of the Old West. De Golia's voice, seemingly born on the prairie, raised in the mountains, trained by a six-gun, and nurtured by smooth whiskey, brings an authenticity that grips you from the very first word.

In this enthralling audiobook, we follow the footsteps of Blake Durant, who's thrust into an unexpected encounter with the enigmatic gunslinger and gambler, Parrant. Trouble never felt so exciting as it does in Cole's Western world, where storms force unlikely alliances and confrontations through curtains of gunsmoke are just another day in the life.

As a Guntown mortician, I must admit I'm both appalled and delighted by the sheer intensity of the shootouts that paint this narrative. Cole's vivid descriptions, brought to life by De Golia's masterful narration, make each showdown feel like a front-row seat to history's wildest conflicts. The clash of bullets and the twang of tension keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see who'll come out on top.

Having missed out on books 1 and 2 of "The Loner" series, diving into this third installment was like stepping into a whirlwind of action and intrigue. But let me tell you, after experiencing storytelling of this caliber, I've developed a deep hankering for more Loner tales. Cole has crafted a world so immersive, it's as if the saloons and dusty streets come to life around you, and De Golia's narration transports you right into the heart of it all.

I can't help but wish that these gripping stories could be played out on a Nickelodeon screen. The imagery Cole weaves and the energy De Golia brings to the table deserve to be experienced visually, too. With practically 20 books in the series, I find myself yearning for more, eager to explore every nook and cranny of this wild Western landscape.

In "The Loner 3: Boothill Is Anywhere," Sheldon B. Cole and Jack de Golia have created a masterpiece that not only caters to fans of the genre but also beckons newcomers like me with its irresistible charm. So, saddle up, partner, and let De Golia's voice guide you through a saga of bullets, bravery, and the untamed spirit of the West.