Escape From Five Shadows is the third novel from Elmore Leonard, best known for later titles Get Shorty, 52 Pick-Up, 3:10 to Yuma, and Out of Sight. Among many of his books (five of his westerns were turned into films before 1972 alone), these were turned into hit movies.
Written in 1956, it's a top western with tension, romance, action, bravery - just the thing you are looking for.
Karla watches the prison road gangs each day as they stop at her family ranch house, which is also Pinaleno Mail Station Number 3. One prisoner especially, Corey Bowen, stands out to her - there is a connection. The nearby convict camp Five Shadows is run with an iron hand by the sadistic Frank Renda, who makes his money by forcing the men to do day labour. Everyone is afraid of Renda including the main camp Officer and his wife, who are also treated as prisoners. No mail goes out, they will never leave. As Karla works to help this unknown prisoner get a new trial, Bowen plans his escape.
This was terrific - a well rounded story with a finale solved with cunning and intelligence rather than a shoot out. Bowen is an honourable man, but will stop at nothing to escape his unjust imprisonment. They were all great characters, all trapped in some way. It reminded me of an episode of my favourite western Cheyenne starring Clint Walker. I found it as exciting and involving to read today as it was back in 1956. This is the second dynamite novel of the West I've read from Elmore Leonard, and it makes me want to seek out more.
Just great storytelling.
My other Elmore Leonard reviews:
1956 / Paperback / 279 pages
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