*Starred Review* Not, perhaps, since McMurtry's Lonesome Dove (1985) has a contemporary writer produced a western that feels so right. Blinn, who wrote for TV westerns when the genre was in its heyday (Rawhide, Bonanza, The Big Valley), tells the story of two friends: Wilbur, an aging cowhand, and the younger Billy, an impetuous youngster who thinks it would be a real good idea if he climbed up onto Black Iodine, an especially nasty horse, and stayed there for 10 seconds (the record being about 7). Well, the horse flips on him, smashing Billy into the ground and messing him up pretty bad. As he recovers from his injuries he'll always walk with a limp Billy changes, turns inwards, begins reading books and making plans for the future. Eventually, Billy encounters a situation that fills him with rage, and, to save his young friend from ruining his life, Wilbur does what he has to do: he shoulders Billy's load. Like McMurtry, Blinn (who also created the TV series Starsky and Hutch, which oddly enough explored some of this novel's themes) creates a vivid environment, in this case Wyoming circa 1870, and populates it with beautifully drawn characters. This novel's thoughtful and compassionate story will stay with you for a good long time. A joy to read.--Pitt, David Copyright 2009 Booklist