Mundy's Law

July 8, 2013
McCord’s debut western is a refreshing hayburner—with suspenseful, clever plot lines and a steely-eyed lawman every bit as entertaining and lethal as Robert B. Parker’s Virgil Cole. In 1876 Deputy Marshal Joe Mundy is run out of Kansas after gunning down three local troublemakers in a justified shooting. He ends up as the city marshal of Taylorsville, Neb., not knowing a hired killer is on his trail to avenge the Kansas killings. Trouble seems to follow Joe as he shoots a whore-beating drunk, scandalously befriends a saloon “sporting lady,” wonders why a prominent businessman doesn’t want him to be the marshal, and why the county sheriff isn’t interested in investigating cattle and horse thefts. It’s a good thing Joe is handy and eager to use his pistols and shotgun, as witnesses change their testimony or get killed and an ambush nearly perforates Joe. Through all the dust and gun smoke, Joe finally figures out that some folks aren’t what they seem, and he uncovers a ruthless conspiracy of liars, thieves, and murderers just as the hired gun arrives in town. Before this exciting, fast-paced yarn is over, the body count stacks up. McCord deliberately leaves some obvious loose ends, clearly setting up a sequel and the start of an action-packed western series.