THE SHORT CUT (Western Murder Mystery) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Classic Cowboy Crime Thriller of Frontier Justice, Ranch Country Suspense, and Old West WhodunitBy Jackson Gregory
Length10h 44m
About this audiobook
Jackson Gregory's THE SHORT CUT is a vigorous early-twentieth-century Western that fuses range adventure with the mechanics of a murder mystery. Its plot turns on violence, suspicion, pursuit, and the hard logic of frontier justice, while its title suggests both physical passage through a rugged landscape and the moral temptation to evade lawful order. Gregory's prose is direct, cinematic, and dialogue-driven, characteristic of popular Western fiction in the period when the genre was defining its codes of masculinity, honor, property, and retribution. Jackson Gregory (1882–1943) was an American novelist closely associated with Western and adventure fiction, and his work reflects an intimate imaginative command of ranch life, mining camps, mountain trails, and isolated communities. Writing during the expansion of mass-market magazine and book culture, Gregory helped shape the Western as both entertainment and moral drama. His interest in contested land, dangerous men, and resilient communities likely informed this novel's blend of suspense and frontier realism. Readers who enjoy classic Westerns with mystery elements will find THE SHORT CUT especially rewarding. It offers action, atmosphere, and ethical tension in a compact, accessible form.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (93)
Includes Goodreads
GenreAction and Adventure, Mystery and Thriller
Length10 hrs 44 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 30, 2017
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1THE SHORT CUT (Western Murder Mystery) (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Chapter I. The Tragedy
Show all chaptersShow less
6Chapter II. The Shadow
7Chapter III. Suspicion
8Chapter IV. The White Huntress
9Chapter V. The Home Coming of Red Reckless
10Chapter VI. The Promise of Little Saxon
11Chapter VII. The Gladness that Sings
12Chapter VIII. "A Game of Bluff and the Gambler Wins!"
13Chapter IX. The Contempt of Sledge Hume
14Chapter X. Shandon's Golden Opportunity
15Chapter XI. Wanda's Discovery
16Chapter XII. The Tales of Mr. Willie Dart
17Chapter XIII. Sledge Hume Makes a Call and Lays a Wager
18Chapter XIV. In Wanda's Cave
19Chapter XV. Willie Dart Picks a Lock
20Chapter XVI. And Solves a Fascinating Mystery
21Chapter XVII. "Where's That Twenty-five Thousand? What's the Answer?"
22Chapter XVIII. The Truth
23Chapter XIX. Shandon Takes His Stand
24Chapter XX. Hume Plays a Trump
25Chapter XXI. The Short Cut
26Chapter XXII. The Fugitive
27Chapter XXIII. Helga Strawn Plays the Game
28Chapter XXIV. Under the Surface
29Chapter XXV. Red Reckless on Little Saxon
30Chapter XXVI. The Laughter of Helga Strawn
31Chapter XXVII. Hume Rides the One Open Trail
32Chapter XXVIII. "It Is Home!"
33Analysis
34Reflection
35Memorable Quotes
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