Steve Holland profiles a prolific author
THE MAGIC OF AN "ORDINARY" MAN

Steve Holland

"The western writer is an average guy or gal," I'm told.

Since my informant is a western writer himself, maybe he can be forgiven for overlooking the touches of magic and skill the best bring to their work.

It was this magic and skill that made Geoffrey John Barrett — a man unknown to much of his readership under that name — a special person. For his was the life of an ordinary Englishman of his times.

Born in Norfolk on September 23, 1928, Barrett grew up on the Isle of Wight. He was educated at the local elementary school, and left at the age of 14 when his family returned to Norfolk, to the village of Kenninghall. In his early twenties Barrett moved to Attleborough, near Norwich. And there he remained for the rest of his life. At the age of 12, evidence of Barrett's exceptional talents came to brief light. He won a national essay competition. But surprisingly, he did not begin his writing career until he was in his thirties, when Robert Hale published his first novel.

Beginning then, in 1962, he maintained a steady output for the next thirty-six years, averaging six books a year. His total output was 220 western, crime and science fiction novels, some of which were published in other languages, including Spanish and Italian. He had sixteen bylines, twelve of them for westerns. He was one of the first writers to be published under the Black Horse Western banner.

Despite his prolific achievement and a very modest lifestyle, Barrett, the "ordinary, average" man, still found it necessary to take menial jobs to subsidise his writing. He worked as a driver in the plastics and brewing industries as well as at various labouring jobs, but was otherwise almost entirely immersed in his writing.

Characteristically of British western writers of his time, Barrett never visited America but drew on reference books, movies and a vivid imagination. In 1991, David Whitehead wrote, in Twentieth Century Western Writers, that Barrett was "one of the more accomplished exponents of the light western currently working in Britain". "A typical Barrett western almost always combines a good, strong frontier story with elements of mystery and intrigue," Whitehead continued. "He usually tells his stories in ten or so chapters, ending each one on a cliff-hanger [see quote from Night of the Hangmen at head of this article], or at some pivotal point in the plot: just in the moment that a new twist is introduced into the story, say, or the instant before the hero, goaded into a gunfight, reaches for his Colt. Barrett is very good at mixing these components together, and has produced some genuinely puzzling mysteries over the years. . . . Although he tends to write to a specific formula . . .Barrett is nevertheless an intelligent, erudite, and entertaining writer whose stories seldom adhere to expectation, but can always be relied upon to surprise." Ill health led to Barrett retiring from writing in 1998. He died on October 14, 1999, at his home in Cyprus Road. His sisters, Elsie Edwards and Heather Hewitt, donated 500 copies of his books to Attleborough Library, and a plaque was put up in remembrance of an especially prolific author. Several hundred books were passed on to other libraries around the county; others were donated to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

Most of these books were Black Horse Westerns, or their large-print reissues in the Dales Westerns and Linford Western Library series.

At the plaque ceremony, Mrs Edwards said, "It would have been his greatest wish for so many people to be able to enjoy his books."

Danger in Diamonds. London, Hale, 1968.
The Evil Ones. London, Hale, 1968.
He Died Twice (Blessingay). London, Hale, 1968.
Lonely is the Grave. London, Hale, 1968.
Murder Road. London, Hale, 1968.
Concerto of Death. London, Hale, 1969.
A Cup That Kills (Blessingay). London, Hale, 1969.
Guilty Be Damned! (Blessingay). London, Hale, 1969.
A Hearse for McNally. London, Hale, 1969.
His Own Funeral (Blessingay). London, Hale, 1972.
The Brain of Graphicon. London, Hale, Jan 1973.
The Tomorrow Stairs. London, Hale, May 1974.
The Lost Fleet of the Astranides. London, Hale, Oct 1974.
The Paradise Zone. London, Hale, Feb 1975.
Overself. London, Hale, Jun 1975.
City of the First Time. London, Hale, Sep 1975.
Slaver from the Stars. London, Hale, Jan 1976.
The Night of the Deathship. London, Hale, Apr 1976.
The Bodysnatchers of Lethe. London, Hale, Jul 1976.
Timeship to Thebes. London, Hale, Oct 1976.
The Halls of Evolvulos. London, Hale, Jan 1977.
The Other Side of Red. London, Hale, May 1977.
Robotria. London, Hale, Sep 1977.
Earth Watch. London, Hale, Jan 1978.

Novels as Rex Anders

Rider from the Dead. London, Gresham (Hale), 1963.
Saddle the Lightning. London, Gresham, 1964.
Troubled Range. London, Gresham, 1964.
The Trail to Hell. London, Gresham, 1965.
The Killers of Iron Bluffs. London, Gresham, 1966.

Novels as Jeff Blaine

Tully’s Revenge. London, Gresham (Hale), 1962.
Long Ride to Vengeance. London, Gresham, 1963.
Vengeance Riders. London, Gresham, 1963.
Inherit by Gunsmoke. London, Gresham, 1964.
Destination -- Boothill. London, Gresham, 1965.
The Rangebreakers. London, Gresham, 1966.
Valley of the Lawless. London, Hale, 1966.
Sons of the Saddle. London, Hale, 1967.
Wild Man at Smoke Creek. London, Hale, 1972.
Mankiller. London, Hale, 1973.
The Distant Gun. London, Hale, 1974.
Rage at Bedrock. London, Hale, 1974.
He Died on Main Street. London, Hale, 1988.
Ambush at Lynchville. London, Hale, 1991.
The Day of the Hellion. London, Hale, 1992.
Black Jo of the Pecos. London, Hale, 1995.
The Gun from Yesterday. London, Hale, 1996.
The Law at Spanish Graves. London, Hale, 1997.
Two Graves at Hellsgate. London, Hale, 1997.

Novels as Sam Gort

Gunn Came Back. London, Hale, 1988.
The Fastest Gun. London, Hale, 1989.
The Wandering Gun. London, Hale, 1991.
Renegade Guns. London, Hale, 1992.
Ride Like the Devil. London, Hale, 1993.
Betrayal at Ghost Creek. London, Hale, 1993.
A Wreath of Gunsmoke. London, Hale, 1995.
Guns on Water Mountain. London, Hale, 1997.
Ranch of Venom. London, Hale, 1997.
Promise of the Gun. London, Hale, 1998.

Novels as Jack Greer

Find Pecos Joe. London, Hale, 1988.
The Secret of Lost Butte. London, Hale, 1988.
Ride to Storm Town. London, Hale, 1989.
Riders in Rebel Grey. London, Hale, 1991.
Rustler’s Moon. London, Hale, 1991.
Timberland Vengeance. London, Hale, 1991.
Scourge of the Rio Bravo. London, Hale, 1992.
Blood at High Bend. London, Hale, 1996.
The Herd Stealers. London, Hale, 1996.
Ride to the Gallows. London, Hale, 1997.
John Wolfe - Badman. London, Hale, 1997.
Seven Hells and a Six Gun. London, Hale, 1998.

Novels as Matt Kilbourn

Three Guns from Midnight. London, Hale, 1965.
Face the Quick Gun. London, Hale, 1966.
Valley of the Lawless. London, Hale, 1966.
Sons of the Saddle. London, Hale, 1967.
Written in Lead. London, Hale, 1968.

Novels as Edward Leighton

Out of Earth’s Deep. London, Hale, Apr 1977.
A Light from Tomorrow. London, Hale, May 1977.
Lord of the Lightning. London, Hale, Aug 1977.

Novels as Carn Macey

Hired Gun. London, Gresham (Hale), 1964.
Marshals West. London, Gresham, 1964.
Guns to Babel. London, Gresham, 1964.
Guns of Dispute. London, Gresham, 1965.
Death Rides Tall. London, Gresham, 1966.
Fury on Mainstreet. London, Gresham, 1967.

Novels as Cole Rickard

The Crumpled Star. London, Hale, 1964.
Ride Lonesome. London, Hale, 1964.
Payment in Lead. London, Hale, 1966.
Rider at Dawn. London, Hale, 1967.
Hangmen at Thunderhead. London, Hale, 1968.
Guns of the Brothers Pike. London, Hale, 1970.
Blood on the Golden Spur. London, Hale, 1970.
The Badman of Black Gulch. London, Hale, 1972.
Bones Under Buzzard Rock. London, Hale, 1972.
The Kid from Elderville. London, Hale, 1972.
Last Man at Lobo Heights. London, Hale, 1972.
Finnegan on the Dodge. London, Hale, 1974.
King of Graftersville. London, Hale, 1974.
Funeral at Ferryville. London, Hale, 1976.
The Judas Loot. London, Hale, 1976.
The Grave at San Pedro. London, Hale, 1985.
Dealer Take All. London, Hale, 1986.
Night of the Hangmen. London, Hale, 1986.
Ben Casey was an Outlaw. London, Hale, 1987.
A Gun Against Midnight. London, Hale, 1987.
Die, Cowboy - Die!. London, Hale, 1988.
Firewater. London, Hale, 1988.
Kidnap in Hunt Valley. London, Hale, 1990.
Riders of the White Hell. London, Hale, 1991.
The Gold of Redwater Creek. London, Hale, 1992.
Red Bounty. London, Hale, 1993.
God Damn the Union!. London, Hale, 1995.
The Hangman in Black. London, Hale, 1995.
Sixgun Venus. London, Hale, 1996.
The Death of ‘Blackjack’ Magus. London, Hale, 1996.
Robbers at Pass City. London, Hale, 1997.
Prisoner of Hunter’s Ridge. London, Hale, 1997.
The Yankee Hangman. London, Hale, 1998.

A Rope at Sun-Up. London, Hale, 1965.
Riders to High Gap. London, Hale, 1966.
Killer from the Past. London, Hale, 1967.
The Gallows Breed. London, Hale, 1969.
Ten Devil Rock. London, Hale, 1969.
Valley of Dispute. London, Hale, 1969.
Gun Booty. London, Hale, 1970.
Lord of the High Lonesome. London, Hale, 1970.
A Hole on Boot Hill. London, Hale, 1970.
Rogue’s Justice. London, Hale, 1972.
The Avenger from Fire Mountain. London, Hale, 1972.
Murder in Blaze Canyon. London, Hale, 1973.
Storm Trail to Black Canyon. London, Hale, 1973.
The Hard Men. London, Hale, 1973.
Sixgun Samaritan. London, Hale, 1974.
The Saga of Fire Mountain. London, Hale, 1974.
Come Hell and Sam Hikeman. London, Hale, 1974.
Red Queen of the Carter Range. London, Hale, 1985.
Fight for Grimm Valley. London, Hale, 1986.
The Border Breed. London, Hale, 1986.
The Ghost Horseman. London, Hale, 1987.
Spearman’s Grass. London, Hale, 1988.
Dead Man Riding. London, Hale, 1988.
Killing at Goat Rock. London, Hale, 1989.
Sixgun Guardian. London, Hale, 1991.
He Died with His Boots Off. London, Hale, 1991.
Grafters on Main Street. London, Hale, 1992.

Novels as Brett Sanders

Desert Gold. London, Hale, 1964.
Gem Quest. London, Hale, 1964.
Forgotten Trails. London, Hale, 1965.
The Tunstock Range. London, Hale, 1966.

Novels as Max Stern

Hatchet Ridge. London, Hale, 1989.
The Wind River Kid. London, Hale, 1989.
The Guns of Jack Kilroy. London, Hale, 1990.
Shoot Me a Sidewinder. London, Hale, 1991.

Novels as D. B. Summers

Promised Lead. London, Hale, 1965.
Die by the Gun. London, Hale, 1966.
Gun Under Zero. London, Hale, 1967.
Escape to Oregon. London, Hale, 1968.
The Little Killer. London, Hale, 1970.
The Killers of Cain River. London, Hale, 1971.
The Gunhawks of Gaunt Range. London, Hale, 1971.
Gun Trail for Gus Hoffman. London, Hale, 1971.
Killers at Kyle Crossing. London, Hale, 1972.
Lament for a Lawman. London, Hale, 1972.
Law into Loudberg. London, Hale, 1972.
Mustang M’Gee. London, Hale, 1972.
They Hanged John Kilrain. London, Hale, 1984.
A Ranger Died. London, Hale, 1985.
Hang the Kid High. London, Hale, 1986.
Hideout at Skull Rock. London, Hale, 1986.
Gallow’s Hostage. London, Hale, 1987.
The Dead at Hob’s Climb. London, Hale, 1988.
Ranch of the Dead. London, Hale, 1989.

Novels as Dennis Summers

A Madness from Mars. London, Hale, Jul 1976.
Stalker of the Worlds. London, Hale, Nov 1976.
Robot in the Glass. London, Hale, Mar 1977.
Master of Ghosts. London, Hale, Jul 1977.

Novels as Bill Wade

The Brand of Destiny. London, Hale, 1965.
Four Graves to Tomahawk. London, Hale, 1966.
Guns of the Damned. London, Hale, 1966.
Trail to Blood Canyon. London, Hale, 1967.
Gunned Down. London, Hale, 1969.
Killing at Black Notch. London, Hale, 1969.
A Bullet Sped. London, Hale, 1970.
Gun Wolves. London, Hale, 1970.
The Gun from Prison Hill. London, Hale, 1971.
Ride for Revenge. London, Hale, 1971.
The Stage to Friday. London, Hale, 1971.
Massacre at Mission Point. London, Hale, 1972.
The Raiders of Glory River. London, Hale, 1972.
Terror at Black Rock. London, Hale, 1972.
Gunman’s Courage. London, Hale, 1972.
The Dastardly ‘Rum Keg’ Jones. London, Hale, 1973.
The Last Town West. London, Hale, 1973.
The Stong Range. London, Hale, 1973.
Tombstone Tuck. London, Hale, 1973.
The Haunted Prairie. London, Hale, 1974.
John Scar and the Sabre Range. London, Hale, 1974.
Canyon of Gold. London, Hale, 1974.
Flare-up at Battle Creek. London, Hale, 1975.
Revenge for Kid Billy. London, Hale, 1976.
Horsemen at Black Pass. London, Hale, 1983.
They Hanged Jake Kilraine. London, Hale, 1984.
West by Boot Hill. London, Hale, 1984.
The Last Round-Up. London, Hale, 1985.
Rancho Blood. London, Hale, 1985.
Blood on the Tomahawk. London, Hale, 1986.
Return to Spanish Hill. London, Hale, 1986.
Cade’s Gold. London, Hale, 1987.
Guns in Quiet Valley. London, Hale, 1987.
The Last Rebel. London, Hale, 1988.
Gallows Bend. London, Hale, 1989.
Dead Come Sundown. London, Hale, 1990.
The Bloodstone Herd. London, Hale, 1991.
Colorado Ransom. London, Hale, 1992.
Dead Man’s Loot. London, Hale, 1993.
Blood Feud. London, Hale, 1993.
The Brothers D’eath. London, Hale, 1996.
Treasure of the Lone Star. London, Hale, 1997.

Novels as James Wallace

A Man for Tomorrow. London, Hale, Sep 1976.
The Plague of the Golden Rat. London, Hale, Dec 1976.
The Guardian of Krandor. London, Hale, Apr 1977.