The Keeper of Red Horse Pass

A novel written in the 20th century, specifically in the late 1930s. The story pivots around Blaze Nolan, a man recently released on parole after serving time for the murder of Ben Kelton. Set against the backdrop of Painted Valley, the tension escalates as Kendall H. Marsh, a wealthy sheep magnate, intends to take control of the cattle ranches, provoking conflict with the local ranchers, including the Keltons. The opening of the book introduces Blaze Nolan as he arrives at the estate of Kendall Marsh, where an ominous meeting of sorts unfolds. Marsh hints at his dubious intentions regarding the valley’s cattle economy, exposing Nolan's necessity as his enforcer to rustle local cattle in exchange for his freedom. The mood shifts dramatically when a gunshot is fired, leading Nolan to escape with a mysterious girl after he presumes Marsh is dead. As the narrative progresses, it is clear that Nolan’s past intertwined with the Keltons, particularly Jane and Harry, complicates the unfolding drama, setting the stage for a tense confrontation between loyalty, betrayal, and survival in the rugged landscape of the West.