The first story, тАЬThe Rodeo Killer,тАЭ is a smoldering tale of the violent intersecting conflict between New Mexico cattle ranchers, cattle buyers, and men breeding horses for the rodeo circuit. Greed, deceit, trickery, and murder mix with romance and gripping examples of human and animal courage in this thrilling and dramatic tale.
The title story, тАЬMission Creek,тАЭ references a waterway in the Red River region of Texas that serves as the background for the fiery tale of Ruel Starrett, a man that worked against the odds his whole life to establish his own ranch. He finally gets his chance when heтАЩs offered a half interest in the Spade Ranch from a woman named Susanna Dahlhart. But she isnтАЩt all she appears. By the time Starrett learns what heтАЩs gotten into, it may be too late to get himself out without a fight.
Frank Bonham (1914тАУ1988) was a Western and young adult writer. He wrote nearly fifty novels, including The Nitty Gritty and Durango. Several of his works have been published posthumously, many of which were drawn from his pulp magazine stories, originally published between 1941 and 1952.
Bill Pronzini has won numerous awards, including the 2008 Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Hammer Award from the Private Eye Writers of America.