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megmegjo's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
yetanothersusan's review
4.0
I am not a fan of westerns and wouldn't have jumped up and down to read this book but it was recommended by someone who knows that I like historical fiction and mysteries. Set in Montana in the early 1900's, Nate Cooper is released from a 30-year prison sentence for helping in a hostage situation. He returns home to find some things have change (cars exist) and some things have stayed the same (Indian still being mistreated, the same corrupt people still in charge). When Nate starts butting his nose into a questionable survey, things get heated and the "western" in the book really comes out. Bar room brawls, men on hillsides shooting people, and cattle rustling all come in to play. Mr. Smith does a terrific job with his writing style of evoking an old western feeling to the story. Many of his characters were a bit stereotyped, but that too felt right. If he has more books like this, I might just become a fan of westerns!
A copy of this book was provided NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
dr_matthew_lloyd's review against another edition
4.0
After nearly thirty years in prison for murder, Nate Cooper finds himself free, and makes his way back to Cut Bank, Montana. In his time away, life seems better for his old partner Harry who married his old flame Rose, but things have only gotten worse for the local Indigenous people at the hands of Rose's brother and local state senator Clayton Covington. When old Kid Cooper starts digging up the past, Covington will stop at nothing to ensure he stays silent.
I haven't read a lot of Westerns but when I saw this novel among the forthcoming book club books at my local library, it seemed like a good opportunity to try one. There's something about the atmosphere of Westerns on television and in film that I really like, even as the underlying politics are so often far removed from what I usually enjoy. And yes, in this novel there's a sense of violence as justice and that real men are stoic about their feelings et cetera, but there's still something in the language and the descriptive passages that appeals. I do have to admit, though, that I found the first half of The Return of Kid Cooper to be slow going; partially establishing themes and character, which I liked, but also seeming to meander without a clear sense of narrative trajectory, which meant that it didn't always keep my attention. It was around the halfway point, or perhaps a little beyond it, with the introduction of Willis Samuels and events coming to a head, that I really started to enjoy this novel. There's an investigation, which I always like, and even though there's not really a mystery there's tension over whether there will be enough evidence and questions about the consequences of finding it. And then there's action, too!
I don't know how well my town-born, city-living mind would cope with older Westerns with a more conservative bent, but as an introduction to the genre I enjoyed this one.
I haven't read a lot of Westerns but when I saw this novel among the forthcoming book club books at my local library, it seemed like a good opportunity to try one. There's something about the atmosphere of Westerns on television and in film that I really like, even as the underlying politics are so often far removed from what I usually enjoy. And yes, in this novel there's a sense of violence as justice and that real men are stoic about their feelings et cetera, but there's still something in the language and the descriptive passages that appeals. I do have to admit, though, that I found the first half of The Return of Kid Cooper to be slow going; partially establishing themes and character, which I liked, but also seeming to meander without a clear sense of narrative trajectory, which meant that it didn't always keep my attention. It was around the halfway point, or perhaps a little beyond it, with the introduction of Willis Samuels and events coming to a head, that I really started to enjoy this novel. There's an investigation, which I always like, and even though there's not really a mystery there's tension over whether there will be enough evidence and questions about the consequences of finding it. And then there's action, too!
I don't know how well my town-born, city-living mind would cope with older Westerns with a more conservative bent, but as an introduction to the genre I enjoyed this one.
tsmi11's review against another edition
3.0
a pleasant enough book. I enjoyed the story and the characters. It moved a little slowly for my taste but I loved the ending. As someone who doesn't normally read western novels I was surprised by how much I did enjoy it.
I definitely wouldn't have picked it up if it hadn't been nominated for an Evergreen award this year. I think a lot of people would enjoy this story - it appeals to those who enjoy Westerns, Historical Fiction and Investigative plotlines.
I definitely wouldn't have picked it up if it hadn't been nominated for an Evergreen award this year. I think a lot of people would enjoy this story - it appeals to those who enjoy Westerns, Historical Fiction and Investigative plotlines.
gretel7's review against another edition
3.0
I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.
Nate Cooper is an old-school cowboy who has spent nearly 30 years in a Montana prison of a wrongful life sentence for a false murder conviction.
I respect Nate, he does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. The story lagged a bit in places but a great western story with all the right moral ingredients.
3☆
Nate Cooper is an old-school cowboy who has spent nearly 30 years in a Montana prison of a wrongful life sentence for a false murder conviction.
I respect Nate, he does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. The story lagged a bit in places but a great western story with all the right moral ingredients.
3☆
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