This is a very good western that is part thriller. Or is it a very good thriller set in a western town? Either way, it's very good.
As a sheriff's deputy is shot in a case of mistaken identity...he's wearing the sheriff's coat...the sheriff of this small town must now figure out who is hunting him and why. A winter storm has blown in more than snow and ice as Sheriff Caleb York finds himself working against time and Mother Nature to save his town from a gang of thieves determined to take his life and the gold from the bank.
This is the first Caleb York book I have read but the western genre is one of my favorites. This is definitely a hybrid, combining the best of a true western theme with the build up suspense that Mickey Spillane brought to his detective noir characters. It's so good that I'm surprised I had not heard more about this series. Not only am I going to read the first four books in this series, I'm going to make sure my book buddies know this series and read it. A really great addition to my TBR authors.

HOT LEAD, COLD JUSTICE is the 5th book in the “Caleb York” series by Mickey Spillane, Max Collins and finds Caleb now settled into his position as sheriff of the town of Trinidad in New Mexico, and this time the story takes place in the dead of winter in the midst of a freezing snowstorm that affects the lives of the town and surrounding area, with the potential for death from exposure to the residents and livestock throughout the territory.

Mistaken identity due to the loan of his coat to his deputy leads to a shooting that leaves his trusty sidekick near death, and Caleb’s investigation into who the shooter is becomes his sole focus.

Luke Burnham and his gang make there way into the area and hide out at the remote location owned by a former associate who has hidden with the gang in days past, but now has become a respected member of the community.

“Burn ‘Em” Burnham, as Luke is known, was a former rider with the infamous Quantrill’s Raiders, well known for the atrocities left in the wake of their destruction in the Civil War period, and he and his gang have continued to wreak havoc in the days to follow as an outlaw gang terrorizing the west.

Caleb is familiar with Luke, and has gifted him with trademark scar that only adds to his intimidating appearance that strikes fear into anyone he crosses paths with, and also gives Luke an obsession with revenge against Caleb that he hopes to exact along with pulling off a planned robbery.

Willa Cullen, his on again/off again love interest, figures heavily into this one, and along with the shooting of his trusted deputy, gives Caleb plenty of incentive to protect the town he’s responsible for and especially those closest to him.

Can Caleb once again come out victorious over greater numbers of the gang, and if he does can he and Willa finally once and for all agree to settle down and become man and wife?

Max Allan Collins once again writes another fine book in the series based on a character developed by author Mickey Spillane for a screenplay intended for his friend John Wayne.

Recommended to all fans of western novels, as are all the books in this series.

4 stars.

Straight up Western grit. I could feel this narrative in my teeth. Pacing that was relentless and characters that were hardened and fun to read. I don't normally like a Western because of the cookie-cutter nature of the story, but this one was superb.

Another great Caleb York Western! This is arguably the best book in the series to date. While all the classic western story elements are present, the book could easily be classified as a thriller as well. The plot moves at a break-neck speed, but slows down enough at the end to stick the landing. It is always fun to catch up with Caleb York, and I hope his adventures continue for a long time to come.

Hot Lead, Cold Justice is the fifth book in the Caleb York Western series, an exciting hard-edged series with at least he first book originally designed as a screenplay for John Wayne by Mickey Spillane. Now fleshed out decades later by Collins, it's a modern-paced western filled with sharpshooting sheriffs, wicked bank robbers, damsels in distress, and a goofy deputy.

This is a different view of a Western to those of us used to the idea of a dry and dusty Main Street where two gunslingers take twenty paces. It may be Trinidad, New Mexico, but a blizzard is on its way and few will live to tell of its impossible snowdrifts and ferocious winds.

In fact, Sheriff York first realizes he's being targeted when Deputy Tully, wearing York's long coat, is shot in front of the Victory Saloon. Little does York know that a face from the past, fresh off ten years in the penitentiary, has his sights set on York and a fortune in a bank safe. This is a terrific read, well paced, exciting, and well worth your time even if you don't think you like Westerns.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.