Whispering Smith

Frank Spearman is often called the Dean of Western writers and this is one of the novels that made his reputations. The title character was modeled on real-life Union Pacific Railroad detectives Timothy Keliher and Joe Lefors (though the name of the titular hero was apparently derived from another UPRR policeman, James L. "Whispering" Smith) – and was made into a movie on eight separate occasions, (four silent films in 1916, 1917, 1926, and 1927, with sound versions in 1930, 1935, 1948 and 1952). In 1961, NBC aired twenty episodes of the television series Whispering Smith, starring Audie Murphy in the title role, and Guy Mitchell as detective George Romack. This beautifully done reprint edition from The Paper Tiger publishers includes the illustrations by famed artist N. C. Wyeth. 421 pages.