The Hell Bent Kid

by Charles O. Locke
The Hell Bent Kid cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Western
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  • ID: 8481
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2026-01-24
  • ISBN: 9781504011716
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2015-07-07
  • Reviews: 4

The Hell Bent Kid is a gripping tale of survival and transformation set against the stark beauty of the Southwestern landscape. Eighteen-year-old Tot Lohman, a skilled marksman, finds himself on the run after a fatal altercation at a schoolhouse dance. The Boyds, a powerful and ruthless family, are determined to see Lohman pay for the death of their kin. As Lohman flees across the treacherous canyon country, he must confront the harsh realities of his situation and the brutal nature of the world around him. The novel is based on real events and has been hailed as one of the top twenty-five Westerns ever written, standing alongside classics like The Ox-Bow Incident and True Grit. It was adapted into the film From Hell to Texas, directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Don Murray, Diane Varsi, Chill Wills, and Dennis Hopper. The Hell Bent Kid is a story of pursuit and redemption, exploring the themes of innocence lost and the struggle to survive in a lawless land.

Reviews
Mystery File · 2019-08-15
mesmerizing 4.00

The book is easy to read and has a unique narrative style. The protagonist's journey is both stark and mesmerizing.

The reviewer from Mystery File finds 'The Hell Bent Kid' to be an easy and enjoyable read, with a unique narrative style that sets it apart from other Westerns. The protagonist's journey is described as stark and mesmerizing, with a compelling plot that keeps the reader engaged. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot development. The book's setting and atmosphere are vividly described, making it a memorable read. The reviewer also notes that the book's themes of justice and redemption are thought-provoking and well-executed.

Quick quotes

    Told in epistolary form, a long section in the middle by Tot himself

    The book is as easy to read as any Western

    The protagonist's journey is both stark and mesmerizing

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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