The Wild Bunch

by Ernest Haycox
Category: "Fiction - Western"
Pages:274
Year of Publication:1942
Date Added:02/22/2021
Date Read:08/11/2026
Notes:Armed Services Edition

Frank Goodnight has one desire — to hunt down McSween and kill him for ruining and abandoning Goodnight's sister. He traces McSween to the town of Sherman City and finds a feud in progress — plains ranchers and hills ranchers fighting over grazing land. He also finds two women, Rosalie Lind, who lives in town and owns the motel, and Virginia Overman, the daughter of one of the hills ranchers. McSween is working for Overman, but when he realizes who Goodnight is, he tries to run. Goodnnight follows and kills him, but realizes it didn't ease his grief over his sister. Virginia tries to draw Goodnight to her side of the feud, and Goodnight is tempted, but Boston Bill, leader of a gang of outlaws for hire, wants Virginia and her ranch for himself, which makes Goodnight his enemy. Bill kills Goodnight's friend, Bob, so Goodnight determines to kill him too. The feud breaks out in violence and the leaders of both sides are killed. Goodnight has a chance to kill Bill, but just shoots him in the leg. Virginia takes Bill back to her ranch, knowing she can control him like she couldn't control Goodnight. Goodnight decies to stay with Rosalia.
My Rating: 5

Reviews for The Wild Bunch

Review - Wild Bunch, The

Too many characters. Too many descriptions of how Goodnight was stricken with desire for both women. Too many turns and twists in the plot that didn't have much to do with the main character. Not one of Haycox's best.

Reviewed by Roger on 2026-08-11 19:41:07

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