The Man from Missouri

This is an apt title for Frank Gruber was from Missouri, and he located many of his stories there or in the neighboring states. John Vedders leaves his home state under an assumed name, Les Bowman, because he was an outlaw back in Missouri where his death meant a substancial reward. He only d to start over, live in peace, be a rancher, but they wouldn't let him. First his neighbors tried to crowd him out, then a bounty hunter came for the reward. Who had told who and where he was? Who had betrayed him? His friend? or someone else?...Also in the book is another short novel, Outlaw, about a man John Vickers who came home after having run with a wild bunch, and how his homecoming was less than friendly. No one has any use for him including old acquaintances. He finds his father a "vegetable" after someone had shot him while Vickers was away. Two good short novels in one book.