Just finished O'Brien 15: Flame and Thunder, and wow - this book delivers exactly what I want from a Western! The action starts on page one and never lets up. I found myself reading way past my bedtime because I had to know what happened next.

What really stands out is how O'Brien handles the oil rush storyline. It's not your typical gold or silver chase - the author puts a fresh spin on Western greed by using oil leases as the prize. The showdown with Quillan and his gang had me holding my breath!

The humor sprinkled throughout was a nice surprise too. Even in the middle of gunfights, there were moments that made me chuckle out loud (and got me some weird looks at the coffee shop). It's this balance of action and wit that makes O'Brien such a compelling character.

My only complaint? The book ended too soon! At 200+ pages, it's a quick read, but I would have happily spent twice as long in this world. The pacing is perfect - no boring stretches where the plot drags like some Westerns I've read.

If you're looking for an authentic-feeling Western with modern storytelling energy, this is it. Just be warned - you'll finish it wanting to immediately buy the next in the series (I already did!).