The Iron Marshal

A Triple Cross

I have read most of Louis L’Amour’s books over the years. According to my records, I read “The Iron Marshal” when it first came out in 1979. I was looking for a western to read and decided to re-read this one. This book is a bit different from the usual L’Amour hero in that Tom Shanaghy was an Irish immigrant that ended up working as an enforcer for an Irish gang in New York City. He decided to head west and ended up in a small Kansas town that was looking to hire a town marshal. Tom applies and got the job. He found himself caught in the middle of a feud and a robbery that used the feud for a cover. Tom had a disadvantage as he was a city boy and not a cowboy.

The book is well written. The characters are interesting. L’Amour has a way of bringing his characters to life for the reader. The plot twists and turns and there are multiple plot lines. The pace is fast and there is some humor, fist fights and old fashion detective work. L’Amour always has a moral to his stories and also comments on ethics for example “ride for the brand”, “give an honest day’s work” and “pride in a job well done”. L’Amour is a master story teller who does not rely on sex and profanity to tell a story. L’Amour (1908-1988) was a prolific writer and wrote in a number of genre including poetry. He had many nom-de-plums. He is primarily known for his westerns and screen writing.

The book is six and a half hours long. Erick Singer does a good job narrating the book. Singer is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

The Iron Marshall by Louis L'Amour

I have read many books by Louis L'Amour but this was quite different. It starts off in Ireland than New York and finally the western frontier. It is full of interesting characters and I greatly enjoyed it. Erik Singer, the narrator was wonderful. I loved his Irish & Western accents.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

excellent

well done performance to wonderful story. I can only think of a handful of stories that held my attention like this one.

excellent read

story line is a good one and the narrator does a great job bringing the book to life

Iron Marshall is Solid!

Erik Singer does a stellar job of performing this classic by Louis L'Amour - - greatest western genre storyteller.

Slightly different tone, absolutely great

What did you love best about The Iron Marshal?

It is recognizably L'Amour -- I've read and loved so many of his novels and short stories. This one is a little different story line and characters than the other westerns. Like the others, it hangs together well. This is my new favorite. An interesting mystery. The main character plausibly develops over the course of the story. Lots of action.

L'Amour with a Few Twists

I am an avid L'Amour fan. This is another good one. Singer does an excellent job with the narration. Entertaining and a joy to listen to.

Entertaining western mystery

Excellent story and narration . The main character was a man with principles and a man to be admired .

great story

one of the best books I have ever listened to. it was a very delightful listening

I'm a L'Amour fan ...

I love listening to L'Amour books! Erik Singer did an amazingly nag job of narrating, transitioning seamlessly from Irish accent to western drawl to high-class refined lady to New Yorker. I look forward to the next on Earth!