“It’s time for debts to be settled,” the man growled. “It’s past time.” – Tal Bauer, Hell and Gone

The owner of the Lazy Twenty-Two ranch, Lawrence Jackson, is the last person to have seen the dead cowboy alive, and suspicion swirls around him. Despite the danger, Everett is drawn to Lawrence and the risk he offers. But as he inches closer to the truth, he realizes that the Crazies may claim their next victim. Might it be Lawrence—or himself?! Will Everett find what he craves, or will he succumb to the treacherous mountains and suffer the same fate as the hanged man and missing cowboys?

Tal Bauer is a highly versatile writer. With every unique character and setting he works in, from N.H.L. hockey players to Montana cowboys, he always proceeds thoughtfully and enthusiastically, never making any character or location feel two-dimensional!

Hell and Gone is a modern Western with a whodunnit twist and M/M representation. The story revolves around two complex characters, Everett and Law, whose chemistry is palpable, much like their masculinity, from their first meeting. Despite their mutual attraction, they both hesitate to act on it due to their own painful past and some suspicious circumstances they encounter along the way. This slow-burn romance subplot adds an extra layer of intrigue to the gripping plotline; it’s never forced or frustratingly sluggish.

Something I don’t mind in a shorter work like this is that the lovers don’t get as much time to “fall in love.” But really, in a chaotic and mistrustful setting like the one Bauer sets his mystery in, I’m cool with “fall in lust” first and then building the passion and intimacy once our eventual lovers develop some mutual trust. It doesn’t take anything away from the eventual deeper connection. Everett is here to solve a crime, not find romance. The fact that he takes his job seriously—Lawrence is a possible suspect, after all—and that he has demons from his romantic past to deal with before jumping in heart first is laudable. Bauer wants his characters to act as realistic as possible in these developing situations. This isn’t a Cinderfella fairytale here; it’s psychology and authentic human behaviour. And remember, this story takes place over weeks, not months, so the insta-love schtick I don’t think would have worked for these two men with the emotional baggage each one is carrying. [Above image of the 

The well-crafted crime story had me hooked from the start. What I found most intriguing was the fact that, as readers, we knew from the outset that Carson had been murdered. Still, the identity of his killer remained a mystery, along with the details of the overarching crime taking place: the missing men and cattle. There are hints and clues. Some readers may guess the identity of the criminal mastermind(s) early. It’s still entertaining suspense. The author deftly navigates the investigation process, with Everett and other law enforcement officials trying to determine whether it was a case of murder or suicide and how deep the corruption in and around this town and the Crazies goes. It’s part Yellowstone melodrama, part C.S.I., with some Brokeback Mountain romance thrown in (without the “in-the-closet angst” or spouse cheating.) It’s wicked fun!

Something that particularly stood out to me, which supported the authentic Western narrative voice, is the author’s portrayal of the always hot cowboy drawl. It added an authentic touch to the Western setting and made the characters come alive in my mind more than just saying they’re wearing cowboy hats, tight jeans over nice butts [no complaints!], and boots with spurs. None of the characters felt like they were doing cosplay; these were tough and rugged cowboys.

Tal Bauer’s Hell and Gone is an intriguing gay, western mystery, and the romance within is the best kind: slow build and authentic. The sex scenes are sensual, adding to the story rather than detracting from it. The author has a talent for creating a sense of place that’s so vivid and immersive that I felt right there with the well-developed characters, touching the silky softness of a horse’s mane or feeling the rocks and pebbles under my boots. I eagerly look forward to reading more of his exceptional writing.

Disclaimer: I don’t eat animals or wear their hides, but reading fiction with elements of these actions and choices, such as a character eating a steak at a restaurant or, say, cattle ranching, is nearly impossible to avoid. Focusing on the characters and the plot in fiction while acknowledging yet not dwelling on these uncomfortable aspects does not diminish one’s own personal stance. Kinda like how I don’t like people being murdered in real life, yet I write fictional thrillers where people get murdered. 

Hell and Gone is available for purchase online at amazon.ca & amazon.com. For more information about this author, follow Tal Bauer on Instagram and Facebook. Also, check out his website!