Robert J. Randisi
Lancaster's Orphans (2004)
Author: Robert J. Randisi
Genre: Western
Plot Summary:
The book begins as Lancaster ("just Lancaster, ma'am") rides into Council Bluffs, Iowa looking for a beer. A former gunslinger, he ran into trouble a few years back involving the accidental death of a young girl. The author really never explores his past, but the reader is aware that it was troubled and that Lancaster had a drinking problem for awhile (apparently this is dealt with in a previous book). As he enters the bar, he finds out that the town is fixing to hang the local sheriff - for fun. Lancaster saves the sheriff by killing the three outlaws who instigated the mob. In the process he gains a to-the-death friend (the sheriff) and a whole bunch of enemies (the six brothers of the hangman). He also meets a young boy who explains that he is part of a wagon train of orphans heading west with only three women leading them. The men they had hired to guide the train have disappeared with their horses, food and one of the oldest girls. Lancaster rides to the rescue, kills the outlaws, and saves the girl. The problem is that he is now committed to helping the orphans reach California - as the six outlaw brothers chase after him. In the midst of it all, Lancaster becomes friends with the young boy, Aaron, and the beautiful leader of the wagon train, Trudy Bennett. SPOILER: It all ends with a final showdown in Cheyenne. The sheriff finds that he has lost his nerve and is unable to help, so it is Lancaster alone against the brothers. He manages to kill two and send the others to jail. Lancaster uses the reward money to send the orphans and women on to California - on the train. He realizes that he loves Trudy and the boy, but he is still a wounded man and can't be what they need, so he puts them on a train and rides away...alone.
Main Characters:
Lancaster - the loner hero; wounded, but still a good and decent man...
Ben Lockwood - the sheriff of Council Bluffs (Lancaster saves his life)
Trudy Bennett - Lancaster's love interest; leader of the orphans
the Quitmans - a band of outlaw brothers; Lancaster kills Sam, so the rest come after him for revenge
Geographical Setting: Starts in Council Bluffs....travels across Nebraska, etc., until it ends in Cheyenne
Time Period: Sometime around 1880 - we know that the time for wagon trains is passed and everyone typically uses trains.
Appeal Characteristics:
Short chapters with intense bursts of action keep the book moving from the near-hanging of the first chapter. Quick, easy reading. There isn't a lot of description - all we know about Trudy is that she is beautiful and curvy. Lots of Western slang and trivia about the types of guns used, nicknames for things, etc. Randisi sticks to the Western stereotypes - good ultimately conquers evil. Lancaster is the perfect loner/wounded hero who can still ride away into the sunset, however Ben and one of the women do decide to marry, so the reader still gets a 'happily-ever-after. Theme of personal redemption.
Trivia: Randisi has also written in the mystery, suspense, men's adventure, fantasy and western genres...
Similar Authors: Randisi has written at one previous book about Lancaster - The Ghost with Blue Eyes and has hinted that there may be a following title.
Red Flags: This is really a fairly gentle western. There are killings but they aren't graphic. When Kate is kidnapped, rape is mentioned but nothing ever happens. No sex. A few off-color words. One note: apparently this is an all white world and women are good and decent and meant to be protected.
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