The Hell Bent Kid

by Charles O. Locke
The Hell Bent Kid cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 8481
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • ISBN: 9781504011716
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2015-07-07
  • Reviews: 3

The Hell Bent Kid is a harrowing story of an 18-year-old crack shot, Tot Lohman, who finds himself on the run after a fatal altercation at a schoolhouse dance. Pursued by the vengeful Boyd family, Lohman embarks on a perilous journey across the rugged terrain of west Texas and New Mexico Territory to reunite with his ailing father. The novel is based on real events and is renowned for its stark and mesmerizing portrayal of the Southwestern landscape. /n/n Hailed as one of the top twenty-five Westerns ever written by the Western Writers of America, The Hell Bent Kid is a tale of survival and transformation. Lohman's journey is not just physical but also moral, as he grapples with the consequences of violence and the harsh realities of life on the frontier. The novel's unrelenting pace and vivid storytelling make it a standout in the genre, comparable to classics like The Ox-Bow Incident and True Grit.

Reviews
Tzer Island · 2015-11-06
transformative 4.50

The story explores themes of justice in the Old West and the transformation of a young man. The narrative is both unrelenting and deeply moving.

The reviewer appreciated the book's exploration of justice in the Old West and the profound changes the protagonist undergoes. The narrative is unrelenting, with a stark and mesmerizing backdrop that enhances the story's impact. The protagonist's journey is deeply moving, making the book a memorable read. The epistolary sections provide a unique perspective, adding depth to the character's development.

Quick quotes

    It is a story of what passes for justice in the Old West, but it focuses upon the changes a young man undergoes as he encounters unremitting adversity.

    The narrative is both unrelenting and deeply moving, with a stark and mesmerizing backdrop.

    The epistolary sections provide a unique perspective, adding depth to the character's development.

Adventures with Words · 2015-09-23
harrowing 3.50

The book starts with a startling event and builds into a compelling narrative. The protagonist's journey is both harrowing and transformative.

The reviewer was struck by the startling opening scene where the protagonist's horse is shot, setting the tone for a harrowing journey. The narrative builds into a compelling story of pursuit and transformation. The book's epistolary sections add depth to the protagonist's character, making his journey both relatable and poignant. The stark Southwestern landscape serves as a fitting backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Quick quotes

    It was a little startling to see Tot, the protagonist of the story, have his horse shot in the opening pages.

    The book is as easy to read as any Western, it just has a little more to it.

    The stark Southwestern landscape in which it is set adds a layer of authenticity to the story.

James Reasoner's Blog · James Reasoner · 2015-08-14
engaging 4.00

The story moves at a nice pace and the ending is quite powerful. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging.

James Reasoner found the story to move along at a steady pace, making it an engaging read from start to finish. The ending, in particular, left a strong impression. The characters are well-developed and the plot is both fascinating and credible. The book's epistolary form adds a unique layer to the narrative, making it a standout in the Western genre.

Quick quotes

    The story moves right along at a nice pace, though, and there's no denying that the ending is quite powerful.

    There's a new e-book edition of this classic Western that's well worth checking out.

    The characters are well-developed and the plot is both fascinating and credible.

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