Disillusioned crime reporter, Sean "Curly" Woods, turned public relations flack for Mascot, the lowest of B-movie studios, is sent to keep hot-headed cowboy star Ken Maynard, now filming the 12-chapter movie serial, Mystery Mountain, out of trouble and out of the headlines. Soon the pair become convinced that the production is being sabotaged and attempt to uncover who's behind it and why. Curly and Maynard's investigation brings them into contact with gangster Charles "Lucky" Luciano, the ill-fated Thelma Todd, fanatic Nazi supporters, rabid Klansmen, a shadowy figure known only as the Viper, and a sadistic physician with a taste for torture. And it leads to a succession of attempts on our heroes lives, beginning with the crosshairs of a professional assassin's rifle, followed by a murderous barroom brawl, and an attack by a single-winged experimental flying machine of German design. As the scale of the plot behind the sabotage of "Mystery Mountain" becomes clear, the pair realize it represents nothing less than a threat to the existence of the United States. To thwart it, Curly and Maynard will need all the help they can get, including Maynard's friend, former cowhand and fellow star Hoot Gibson, a feisty stuntwoman, a shady ex-silent-film Valentino impersonator, and, with Thelma Todd as go-between, an unholy alliance of Lucky Luciano and the mob with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, who join forces against a common enemy. Horsemanship, gun fights, aerial battles, undercover reconnaissance, even a modern cavalry charge lie ahead. Can the outmoded Code of the West stand up against modern blitzkrieg warfare and the philosophy of the Master Race? You will find all the spectacular, non-stop action of old-fashioned B-movies, pulp magazines and comic books in Mystery at Movie Ranch, side-by-side with looks at serious issues as politics, corruption, racism, sexism, loyalty, ethics, and even the economics of low-budget filmmaking at the height of the Great Depression. You won't be able to put it down until the final game is played and the identity of the master manipulator behind everything is revealed. Paperback edition contains bonus Hollywood Cowboy Detectives short story "Mystery of the Murdered Badman."Special introductory sale! Regular Price 12.99.Cover and interior illustrations by animator and political cartoonist D. Purcell.

Mystery at Movie Ranch (Hollywood Cowboy Detectives)

Literature & Fiction

Purcell, Darryle

Genre Fiction

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

"A good time. Recommend it to all who like old western movies and serials too." -The Adventure Continues Blog When PR man Curly Woods and cowboy Hoot Gibson arrive at an Arizona dude ranch they find themselves up against a supervillain with a deadly weapon. Sent by the studio to teach Warner Oland, Keye Luke, and the rest of the cast of the new movie, "Charlie Chan Goes West," how to ride, Woods and Gibson find themselves in the midst of a situation that make's the film's plot sound like a kiddie story. Who is the mysterious "Dragon" and why is he killing horses, ranchhands, and plotting a mass slaughter of miners? And, most of all, why is he so determined to end our heroes' lives by any means necessary? Suspects include the film's stars, Oland and Luke, its German immigrant director, a cowboy actor who can't ride, a blonde getting her first big break outside of comedy shorts, the ranch's beautiful but mysterious redheaded owner, and a bevy of Hollywood hopefuls. Dust Bowl refugees, Arizona ranch hands, aerial battles, shootouts, underground traps and living creatures gathered and released as weapons, spice up the action.. Plus bonus novelette: 'Mystery of the Stuntman's Ghost", when the Hollywood Cowboy Detectives meet William Boyd on the set of a troubled production of a Hopalong Cassidy movie.

Mystery of the Arizona Dragon (Hollywood Cowboy Detectives)

MYSTERY OF THE HARDBOILED HOOTER (Hollywood Cowboy Detectives)

Independently published

As a child, young Vernon Jiles loved comic books so much that he spent all of his spare time reading them. His fascination soon grew to the point he began to hone his own writing and drawing abilities. His elementary school peers ridiculed him. Teachers saw him as an outcast-even his brother and parents rejected him and his talent. One day in the schoolyard something amazing happened.Despite his upbringing, Vernon grows to be a successful comic book creator with the uncanny ability to give his characters life.His assistant, the lovely Tenacity Mills, is in on the gig.Vermin Calling explodes with 15 action-packed chapters and generous humor. With ever-faithful Tenacity and his band of characters, Vernon(aka Vermin) delivers justice to the thugs, rioters, and evil scum-suckers of society.

Vermin Calling

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Fantasy

Offbeatreads

The First Agatha Christie Mystery novel is included in this Spring Issue of Adventures on the Go-an exciting Agatha Christie Tribute!The Mysterious Affair at Styles and a second Christie mystery celebrates the greatest-selling author ever.We discuss her strange disappearance, and more, and present an original story by author Darryle Purcell

Adventures on the Go, Book 3

CHRISTIE,AGATHA

Short Stories & Anthologies

Adventures to Go, Book 6

History

O'Brien, Pat

Vonnegut, Kurt.

Military

Everyone knows that Cultures can and do change. What is virtuous and just, however, does not change. Times like these are therefore ripe for voices with conviction. Enter Darryle Purcell.Whether fighting Charlie in the Vietnam war, or writing editorials for a southwest newspaper, Darryle has lived each experience as a die-hard American. Here, he shares with you his past articles, sure to touch all those in the baby boomer generation and beyond. he adds current-day commentary lined with unapologetic humor that will help you keep your sanity in the midst of all the craziness.

Hell to Humor

Comics & Graphic Novels

Comic Strips

Buck Jones in the 21st Century

Science Fiction

Airship 27 Productions

Mystery of the Howling Angels (Hollywood Cowboy Detectives)

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