No sooner has he gotten into town than he is challenged, by what seems to be just another poker player. No matter what Luke says, the guy is insistent on taking the argument to the ultimate end, death for one of them. For some reason, Luke cannot let it go either. Instead of letting the other man's words and actions go by, Luke gets into a fight with him that ultimately ends with Luke having to shoot him, to death.

This bothers Luke. He cannot figure out why he didn't stop the whole thing. He knows that he could have, but the ghosts just won't let him. Jamie's death, his lost love, has forced him to avenge her. He knows he is responsible for her dying, and even though he knows that this will not bring her back, he has no choice. He has "that itch to kill, to punish". He remembers her dying screams.

But Luke feels like he is losing his edge. He is getting older, he is drinking far too much, and the nightmares are taking a toll on him. Soon, perhaps the next challenger will be the one to end it all for him. End the killings, end the constant nightmares, end the drinking to forget, end it all.

Luke decides that although no one has come forward to give him any clue as to why he was summoned to Bellstar, he will stick around, and perhaps find out. The longer he stays the more he thinks that perhaps the man in the saloon wasn't just someone who wanted to make a name for himself by killing The Manhunter.

While waiting for someone to come forward, and tell him what he has been summoned for, he breaks up an attempt on the life of a beautiful woman, Cynthia Addleson.

Cynthia has something about her that almost makes Luke forget his pain. But can he allow her to get close? Would it ultimately mean her death if he did? Surely with more attempts on his life happening, and more to happen, her life would be in danger.

Mr. Howard has written a fascinating book. Again, he has managed to write a wonderful mystery, with the old west being the background. His characters come alive on the pages, and bring you into their thoughts, and lives.

Luke Banner is a complicated man. One you would just love to hate, but cannot, because you actually find yourself understanding him, and wanting to help him. Wanting him to win his war with his demons.

If you are looking for an old fashioned shoot 'em up, type of western, with no actual story, don't even bother reading The Last Draw. Because Mr. Howard doesn't deliver this. He delivers an intriguing tale of suspense, mystery, and insight into the characters, that make the story impossible to put down. The old west being the background for this wonderful mix.

You will not be able to figure out the ending, no matter how many scenarios you come up with. It will come as a complete surprise.

I totally recommend The Last Draw. It is a book that will leave you wanting more.

Mr. Howard is still the master of the westerns, and has hit another bull's eye. I look forward to reading many more of his masterful works of art.


Mr. Howard has hit another bull's eye   October 12, 2001
Luke Banner, the Manhunter, has been summoned to Bellstar, Colorado, by a telegram that he received, through his agency, asking for his help. There is no information in this summons revealing what kind of help is needed, or even who sent it. But since he has finished the job, that he had been previously summoned to do, very successfully, he feels that this might just be a way to help him forget the ghosts that haunt him.

No sooner has he gotten into town than he is challenged, by what seems to be just another poker player. No matter what Luke says, the guy is insistent on taking the argument to the ultimate end, death for one of them. For some reason, Luke cannot let it go either. Instead of letting the other man's words and actions go by, Luke gets into a fight with him that ultimately ends with Luke having to shoot him, to death.

This bothers Luke. He cannot figure out why he didn't stop the whole thing. He knows that he could have, but the ghosts just won't let him. Jamie's death, his lost love, has forced him to avenge her. He knows he is responsible for her dying, and even though he knows that this will not bring her back, he has no choice. He has "that itch to kill, to punish". He remembers her dying screams.

But Luke feels like he is losing his edge. He is getting older, he is drinking far too much, and the nightmares are taking a toll on him. Soon, perhaps the next challenger will be the one to end it all for him. End the killings, end the constant nightmares, end the drinking to forget, end it all.

Luke decides that although no one has come forward to give him any clue as to why he was summoned to Bellstar, he will stick around, and perhaps find out. The longer he stays the more he thinks that perhaps the man in the saloon wasn't just someone who wanted to make a name for himself by killing The Manhunter.

While waiting for someone to come forward, and tell him what he has been summoned for, he breaks up an attempt on the life of a beautiful woman, Cynthia Addleson.

Cynthia has something about her that almost makes Luke forget his pain. But can he allow her to get close? Would it ultimately mean her death if he did? Surely with more attempts on his life happening, and more to happen, her life would be in danger.

Mr. Howard has written a fascinating book. Again, he has managed to write a wonderful mystery, with the old west being the background. His characters come alive on the pages, and bring you into their thoughts, and lives.

Luke Banner is a complicated man. One you would just love to hate, but cannot, because you actually find yourself understanding him, and wanting to help him. Wanting him to win his war with his demons.

If you are looking for an old fashioned shoot 'em up, type of western, with no actual story, don't even bother reading The Last Draw. Because Mr. Howard doesn't deliver this. He delivers an intriguing tale of suspense, mystery, and insight into the characters, that make the story impossible to put down. The old west being the background for this wonderful mix.

You will not be able to figure out the ending, no matter how many scenarios you come up with. It will come as a complete surprise.

I totally recommend The Last Draw. It is a book that will leave you wanting more.

Mr. Howard is still the master of the westerns, and has hit another bull's eye. I look forward to reading many more of his masterful works of art.


Intense Western Drama   October 8, 2000
A wonderfully intense and emotional reading experience. The author delivers a stand-alone sequel to The Gallows Ghost that is even better than its predecessor. I couldn't put it down. Even though I owned the hardcover edition I wanted the large print to go with my ever-growing collection of Lance Howard books.