MASON HAWK NEVER KILLED ANYONE WHO DIDN'T NEED KILLING.  HE IS A VETERAN OF THE LATE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.  HE IS ALSO A CASUALTY OF THAT WAR.  NOT IN DEATH, BUT A CASUALTY OF THE BRUTALITY AND HORROR.  THIS WAR KILLED AND TOOK HIS SOUL. HE WAS A GREAT CONCERT PIANIST, WHO HAS PLAYED FOR A GOOD MANY OF THE "HEADS OF STATE"  IN EUROPE AND IN AMERICA.  DUE TO THE CIVIL WAR, WHERE HE WAS A "SHARPE SHOOTER" AND KILLED MANY PEOPLE, HE THINKS HE HAS LOST HIS SOUL.  NOW HE IS A PIANIST WHO PLAYS THE PIANO IN THE SALOONS AND CHURCHES AND CAN KILL A MAN WITH NO THOUGHT AND NO REGREAT.  HE IS VERY QUIET AND RESERVED BUT NEVER TAKE'S A STEP BACK.  HE IS NOT A MAN TO BE TRIFLED WITH.  THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A CATTLE VS. SHEEP AND LAND GRAB SITUATION.  THERE IS LOTS OF ACTION, MYSTERY SUSPENSE.  THERE IS NEVER A DULL PAGE IN THIS BOOK.  SOMETIME YOU WONDER WHY THEY TAKE SO LONG TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, BUT, WHEN THEY DO, IT IS FULL OF ACTION.  I THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK, IF YOU ARE A  WESTERN FICTION LOVER.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.