Elmer Keltons The Familiar Stranger, Steve Kelton
Elmer Keltons The Familiar Stranger, Steve Kelton
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Elmer Kelton's The Familiar Stranger

Author: Steve Kelton, John Bradshaw

Narrator: Robert Fass

Unabridged: 6 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/03/2024


Synopsis

Hewey Calloway had intended to pass straight through Durango, Colorado, en route to visit a friend several miles northeast of the city. He had left his home range about a year before, with a herd of young horses. It was supposed to be a relatively straightforward affair; deliver the horses, collect the payment, and return home with the money. Things got out of hand, however, and there he was in Durango a year later with plans to go north rather than south. Oh, well, he thought, he had always wanted to see new country.

It isn't long before his travels lead him to a cabin on a rainy night. There he meets a young man, sick as a dog, who weakly tries to send him off. And for good reason: the man has smallpox, and soon enough, Hewey catches the deadly disease. The man cares for him in turn, and it's just as he is feeling better that the man disappears. The next morning a Pinkerton detective turns up with posse, looking for a wanted bank robber.

As he travels north, Hewey seems to run in with both the young man who tended to him, as well as the detective. But something seems off about the Pinkerton detective, and Hewey keeps his mouth shut. When he reunites with his friend Hanley, they do everything they can to get to the bottom of the mystery that threatens both theirs and this young man's life.

About Steve Kelton

Steve Kelton is retired from the San Angelo-based Livestock Weekly. Aside from journalism, he is the author of two nonfiction books about Texas. A West Texas native, he is a son of the late Western novelist and livestock journalist Elmer Kelton. During his youth, he spent as much time as possible on the McElroy Ranch in West Texas’s Crane and Upton counties. Managed by his grandfather, Buck Kelton, the McElroy was where Elmer and his brothers grew up.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Denice on December 02, 2024

Hewey Calloway is back to entertain his loyal fan club as he wanders from his planned ride, again. Seems trouble follows Hewey like a dog follows a steak. He's always got the best intentions, but they somehow never work the way he thinks they should. 1904 Texas isn't any kinder to the aging cowboy t......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on February 05, 2025

This was definitely out of my comfort zone but I loved it. It is the first western I have ever read. Reminded me of a sweet afternoon at home on a couch watching a western with your family. It was a great length. Told a good story and had good character development without dragging on. I absolutely......more

Goodreads review by Rick on January 30, 2025

There's nothing terrible about this book. It is just boring. There are lots of reference to Hewey Calloway - the main character - being funny, but he hides it well in this book. My expectation is that the original Hewey Calloway books, written by Elmer Kelton were a significant step up from this one......more

Goodreads review by Kate on January 04, 2025

I don’t read many westerns, but this one was really good and has sparked my interest to read more in this genre. It is very well written, the author got me to care about the characters, and the storyline kept me interested from start to finish!......more

Goodreads review by Reader on December 04, 2024

A captivating and enjoyable book about Hewey Calloway and his ongoing adventures. It is incredibly written, I couldn’t put it down. Hats off to John Bradshaw and his brilliant storytelling in honor of the Keltons and his precious son, Boone. PS: Read the tribute to Boone in the back of the book, firs......more