Kirjahaku

In this fast-paced new installment in bestselling author Ralph Compton's Trail Drive series, a trail drive boss faces many challenges. Luke Ross is determined to drive his herd to the trailhead, but along the way he'll have to cope with rustlers, bandits, and warlike Indians.

THE CAST-IRON STAR AND OTHER WESTERN STORIES brings together the finest tales of legendary Western author Robert J. Randisi, creator of The Gunsmith series. As one of the most prolific Western writers of all time, Randisi brings his trademark fast pace and flair for action to the stories in this volume, which include "The Cast-Iron Star", "The Story", "Three-Handed Winter", "Dancing on Air", "A Tall Man Hangs From a Short Rope", "The Knights of Liberty", "A Bad End", "Blood Trail to Dodge", and the original, novella-length version of "The Ghost With Blue Eyes". THE CAST-IRON STAR AND OTHER WESTERN STORIES is 48,000 words of Western adventure at its best.

WITH A VENGEANCELiz Archer had an ache inside after the Nolan clan slaughtered her fiance and family. An ache only revenge could heal. She got help from Tate Gilmore who taught her how to shoot like a man and make love like a woman. He called her Angel Eyes because those huge baby blues would be the last thing the Nolans would ever see before she blew them all the way to hell

Men fell prey to her angel eyes...and killing ways.WOLF PASS Liz Archer turns bounty hunter as she sets her sights on a vicious wolf and two rugged men. NO REST FOR THE WEARY A rancher in Wolf Pass, Montana threatens to disclose Liz Archer's identity unless she agrees to become bounty hunter for a vicious wolf. Liz teams up with an attractive hired "wolfer" to bag the animal, but does not realize that she will have to compete with three unscrupulous hunters also after Gray Hair. They will stop at nothing to kill the animal first, even if it means collecting the hide of. . . ANGEL EYES

ANGEL OF THE NIGHTAfter Liz Archer wakes up next to a corpse in a Frisco whorehouse, she's arrested for murder. Innocent of the crime, she escapes from jail desperate to uncover the truth. With help from an oriental "lady of the evening," Liz learns more than the identity of the killer. She learns her way around the brutal nocturnal world of a Chinatown bordello Liz archer turns from gunslinger to sleuth when she is framed for murder in a Chinatown bordello

HELL TOWN Liz Archer turns guardian angel to help a woman saloon owner fight against town boss Ed Logan.Liz Archer arrives in Loganville, Wyoming, for some peace and quiet. But before long, saloon owner Honey O'Day asks the infamous Angel Eyes for her assistance against town honcho Ed Logan. He wants a piece of Honey's action and a piece of Honey, too Liz decides to help out and winds up falling for one of Logan's men to boot. Logan won't sit still for this as he gathers up his army of men to assault the saloon in a bloody battle to the finish

Men fell prey to her angel eyes... and killing ways.There are two men after Liz Archer. One wants her as his lover, the other wants her stone-cold dead.A DEADLY TRIANGLEAfter checking into the Clearwater Hotel in the Dakota Territory, Liz Archer meets Sheriff Al Toliver. He's heard about her mean reputation with a gun and warns her that youngster Clay Hammet is aiming to make a name for himself by outdrawing Liz in a gunfight The sheriff keeps a careful eye on both of them, knowing he'll have to face the winner afterwards. Tumbling into bed with Liz makes his job a lot tougher.Into this red-hot triangle rides Liz's old friend, Tate Gilmore, who's just in time for the bullet-ridden showdown.

ROUGH AND READY, THERE'S NONE MORE FIT TO KEEP THE PEACE THAN MOUNTAIN JACK PIKEA child of the mountains, Jack Pike was the toughest hunk of manflesh the Rockies ever spawned. Strapping and sandy-haired, he was made of the stuff men feared and women desired.After meetin' up with Skins McConnell in Bonneville, and getting some late-night healin' from buxom nurse Jacoby, Pike got wind of a bunch of local sidewinders fixin' to rustle from the Indians. Jack knew how lowdown the Redskins could get over their missing horses, so he figured he'd better take things in hand himself because he couldn't abide the thought of the Snake Indians stickin' it to all Bonneville for the thievin' ways of a few bad apples.Saddlin' up with McConnell, the pair went lookin' to deal out a dose of range justice, hellbent on rightin' a wrong and stopping a full-scale war. Pike gets in deeper than he wants before he gets the job done and pulls out safely... none the worse for wear.

MOUNTAINEERING BREEDS HARD MEN-AND THEY DON'T COME ANY HARDER THAN... MOUNTAIN JACK PIKEA bold and brawny trapper hungry for beaver, he's rough and ready mountain Jack Pike A steel-fisted, bear of a man. Jack Pike is the toughest hunk of man-flesh the Rockies ever spawned. Men want to best him, women need to love him, and he always meets their challenges head on.When falling fur prices threaten to undo the trappers, hot-blooded Jack Pike and Skins McConnell head for St. Louis, headquarters of the big fur tradin' companies. But Pike and Skins are quick to learn that the price of beaver in the big city is high, maybe as much as a man's life. Then things get even stickier when the hard-lovin' Skins wakes up next to a dead woman-and lands head first in the hoosegow.Feeling like a fox in a chicken coop, Pike pokes around the bawdy house district, tryin' to clear his friend's name. He's about to come to blows when a prissy city-girl bends over backwards and gives Pike just what he needs to drive Skins' case home and free him once and for all

A BEAR OF A MAN, JACK PIKE HAS ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO STAND HARD AND FASTThe Indians call him "he whose head touches the sky," the womenfolk call him whenever he's near. He's the biggest hunk of man-flesh in the Rockies; he's mountain man Jack Pike When the famous Russian Ivan Koloff invites Pike to join him on a grizzly hunt, Pike has to think twice. Bears are best left alone, and besides, Pike's nose is for beaver. But one look at Koloff's curvaceous companion Vanya is all the persuading the hot-blooded mountain man needs. And who knows, Pike's beaver hunting skills just might bring him a new pelt on this trip.Sure enough, Vanya can't seem to stifle her hard-lovin' intentions, and Pike finds himself getting Russian bear hugs in his tent But the mountain man gets shafted hard when Ivan deals him a card from the bottom of the deck: now Pike is going to be the game, and Ivan the hunter Feeling like a mouse in a rattler's cage, Pike runs off into the wilds as the hunt begins. But just as he's on tarnation's doorstep, buxom Vanya bends over backwards to give Pike what he needs to come away clean

RANDY AND ROUGH, HE'S A MEAN MOUNTAIN MAN WITH A NOSE FOR TROUBLE AND HANKERIN' FOR HOT BEAVER All fired up from trapping a load of fresh beaver, Mountain Jack Pike and his ornery sidekick Skins O'Connell pushed through some virgin bush into Fort Halls for a little hard-earned fun. Trading their soft pelts for some hard cash, the burly mountain men snatched up a couple of saloon gals, hungry for some real frontier lovin'. Then, trouble hits. Ol' One Eye, a man-eating wolf, was attacking children and livestock near the fort. Everyone agreed the beast needed killing, but Pike was the only man big enough for the job.With the helping hand of a lusty young widow, the hot-blooded trapper picked up the scent of the demon wolf in the local hills and got down to action. But, Jack soon became the prey of a lowdown killer named De Roche, who was aimin' to collect the secret bounty of Ol' One Eye. Working up to a powerful, high-mountain climax, hard man Pike pumps his long gun fast and furious against both man and animal 'til he laid them down in a flood of hot lead and cold killing

RANDY AND ROUGH, HE'S A MEAN MOUNTAIN MAN WITH A NOSE FOR TROUBLE AND HANKERIN' FOR HOT BEAVER After a spell of setting traps and livin' off the rough mountain country, Jack Pike got hungry for the fleshpots most men call home. Meetin' up with his trail pard Skins McConnell, Pike aimed to sample himself something warm and willin' at the local post when he ran into trouble.Father Smets and his missionaries were on the trail of a lost band of their compadres when their guides robbed them, leaving them stranded in hostile Indian territory. With the Blackfeet and Flathead tribes fixin' to go to war, Pike and McConnell signed on to lead the padre to safe ground. And, when a saucy camp girl named Sally offered to keep his bedroll warm, the big mountain man knew he'd be sitting pretty. But as soon as the fighting started, he had his long gun out, primed and ready to bring the scalp-happy savages to their knees in a bloody desert climax

Frank Sinatra invites Eddie G. to Miami Beach, where he'll be performing at the Fontainebleau Hotel. Dino and Sammy will also be there, supporting Frank Sammy will be playing The Eden Roc Hotel, and Dean Martin is appearing on The Jackie Gleason's American Scene Magazine. And because Jackie Gleason was a mentor to Frank, he introduces him to Eddie. As a result, Gleason asks Eddie for his help. Somebody is following his lady friend, Marilyn Taylor, sister of the famous June Taylor (of the June Taylor Dancers). Before long, Eddie's up to his neck in murder, and may come to regret having ever met "The Great One."

"FRANK SINATRA and DEAN MARTIN never knew how much trouble they were in until Robert J. Randisi stepped onto the scene. A gem of a read "-SUE GRAFTON, author of S Is for Silence Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford are the Kings of Cool-the Rat Pack. Ocean's 11 is their first movie together and they have taken Sin City by storm-filming during the day and cavorting onstage at the Sands Casino at night. It's clear not everyone is charmed, however, when Dean begins receiving anonymous threatening letters. Eddie Gianelli, also called Eddie G., is a pit boss at the Sands. After twelve years, he's got the whole town wired. But he's still surprised when Joey Bishop drops by his table and invites him to meet with Frank in the Rat Pack's private steam room. Frank asks Eddie to find out who's been sending the threats, as a favor to him and Dean. Eddie wants to politely decline, but caught between his boss, Jack Entratter's, not-so-subtle nudging and being utterly starstruck by Dino, he agrees to look into it. He gets help from his P.I. best friend and a Jewish torpedo from Brooklyn. A few dead bodies and bruised ribs later, he remembers why he was reluctant. In a city of gamblers, Eddie has become the highest roller of all. The game is murder, and the stakes just may be his own life. Robert J. Randisi, the man Booklist claims "may be the last of the true pulp writers," takes his readers on a vivid, neon-lit tour of back rooms, bars, and famed gambling dens of the desert mirage that was-and still is-Las Vegas. Broads, blackjack, and bourbon flow. Celebrities, from John F. Kennedy to Angie Dickinson, strut in and out of this amazing first in a series that Rat Pack fans and crime fiction lovers will not want to miss. PRAISE FOR ROBERT J. RANDISI "This is a tremendously entertaining novel. If you're a fan of the Rat Pack, it's sacred."-T. Jefferson Parker, author of The Fallen "Randisi portrays splendid, seedy Vegas with a fresh and stunning perspective, making this a superb re-creation of those halcyon days and the hippest mystery of the year."-Ken Bruen, author of The Vixen "A terrific idea beautifully executed by one of the best storytellers in the business."-Max Allan Collins, author of Road to Paradise"Randisi delivers a masterpiece of plot and style, blazing with the bloody colors of early '60s Vegas."-Ed Gorman, author of the Sam McCain series "Guys in sharp suits, dice, cards, broads, booze-Randisi writes about it all as if he were a brother rat. What a time What a town What a book "-John Lutz, author of Fear the Night

It's 1965 and the Rat Pack isn't drawing at the Sands like they used to. Now Dino's playing golf, and Frank is playing the Sahara. And the marquee at the Sands advertises SAMMY DAVIS JR. & JERRY LEWIS.Eddie G. never got Jerry Lewis. Didn't think he was funny, didn't think Dean needed him. So he had no intention of seeing the show, or of meeting Dean's ex-partner. But Sammy comes to Eddie and asks him to help Jerry with a problem-one that might lead to murder. Because he likes Sammy, he agrees.At the same time Eddie's P.I. friend, Danny Bardini, comes to Eddie looking for a pretty girl to use as bait in a case he's working on. He ends up getting Eddie's blessing to recruit Gina, a waitress at the Sands who is waiting for a spot to open up on the line at the Riviera. Only when the spot finally becomes available, Gina's gone missing. Eddie, Danny and Jerry Epstein, Eddie's Brooklyn mob connection, end up working together to hopefully find Gina alive, and keep Jerry Lewis from committing murder.

"A terrific yarn. Sinatra would have loved it."-LARRY KING Vegas, 1960. Gamblin', drinkin', and everybody's misbehavin'. Six months ago, while they were filming Ocean's 11, the Rat Pack needed Eddie Gianelli's help to track down the mug who was sending threatening letters to Dino. Now they're back for the premiere and it's Frank who needs Eddie's help. Seems a babe he was planning to meet in Sin City took a powder-leaving behind her luggage and a stiff in the bathtub. She's on the lam, and it's up to Eddie to find her and figure out if she's a victim or a killer. Once again Eddie teams up with his P.I. buddy, Danny Bardini, and the Jewish New York torpedo, Jerry Epstein, who never met a pancake he didn't like. Together they scour the neon streets, smoke-filled lounges, casinos, and seamy back alleys, dodging bodies and thugs with guns. But when Sam Giancana arrives on the scene, Eddie starts to wonder if he's going to be able to keep himself out of jail-and alive. Celebrity cameos spice up the action, and Mo Mo Giancana brings a dark presence to the story. Once again, Randisi, the man Booklist says "may be the last of the pulp writers," gives readers a tour de force of bright lights, hot dice, and drop-dead-gorgeous dames in this second novel of the exciting, acclaimed series. "Randisi perfectly captures the GLITZ, GLAMOUR, CORRUPTION, AND CRIME of the era, using the Rat Pack gang with affectionate respect and considerable acumen."―Publishers Weekly on Luck Be a Lady, Don't Die "As entertaining as the series debut. Frank, Dean, Sammy, and Joey Bishop are all portrayed as the COOLEST OF THE COOL CATS (well, maybe not Joey), and the stakes are elevated....GREAT FUN for the snap-brimmed-hat crowd."―Booklist on Luck Be a Lady, Don't Die

"I am loving these FAST, FUN, and FURI0US What a great read What wonderful entertainment "-SANDY HACKETTIt's 1961 and Las Vegas is still the place to be. Eddie Gianelli, pit boss at the Sands Casino, now considers the Rat Pack his friends. And this time, his friend Frank Sinatra wants him to help Sammy. Someone has an embarrassing photo of Sammy and wants twenty-five grand for it. All Eddie has to do is make the payoff and collect the photo. Easy, right? But at the rendezvous, in place of a blackmailer, Eddie finds a dead body greeting him. Pretty soon Eddie and New York tough guy Jerry Epstein are up to their elbows in bodies. There's a double cross going on. Could the presence of the Secret Service mean that JFK is somehow involved?Celebrity cameos by Buddy Hackett and Marilyn Monroe add to the glamour. The stars are out, and it's up to Eddie to see that they don't fall from the sky."Randisi shows both respect and affection for his historical characters as he highlights the antics of the RAT PACK, who made the burgeoning gambling and entertainment empires of Nevada their playground."-Publishers Weekly on Hey There (You with the Gun in Your Hand)

Robert J. Randisi delivers the best entry yet in this evocative, fast-paced series. This time, it's not really a Rat Pack member who needs help from Eddie G., pit boss at the Sands Casino and friend of the Rat Pack, but an extended member-Marilyn Monroe. Still smarting from being blamed for Clark Gable's death after the filming of The Misfits, Marilyn thinks she's being followed. Eddie's on the job, but must take a break when he receives word that his mother has died. He flies back home to Brooklyn for the first time in fourteen years, with his buddy P.l. Danny Bardini looking after Marilyn while he's gone. When Eddie hears that Danny has gone missing, he returns to Vegas with Jerry, the Brooklyn tough guy, and the two investigate Marilyn's concerns more seriously. With stops at both Marilyn's home and Frank Sinatra's house in Palm Springs, where Frank is preparing to receive President JFK, this is another thrilling, fun-filled ride through the glittering world of the Rat Pack.