MYSTERY OF THE ARIZONA DRAGON [Hollywood Cowboy Detectives] by Darryle Purcell

“Darryle Purcell's "Mystery of the Arizona Dragon" is a really fun, cowboy meets Hollywood, meets actors Warner Oland and Key Luke, meets rodeo & film star Hoot Gibson, to fight anti-American bad guys, detective novel. I couldn't imagine the author could make this combination work, but somehow he does, while keeping it suspenseful and easy to read. It's a great bedside companion…" —Louis Armagno, The Charlie Chan Family Message Board

When PR man Curly Woods and cowboy Hoot Gibson arrive at an Arizona dude ranch they find themselves up against a supervillain with a deadly weapon. Sent by the studio to teach Warner Oland, Keye Luke, and the rest of the cast of the new movie, Charlie Chan Goes West, how to ride, Woods and Gibson find themselves in the midst of a situation that make's the film's plot sound like a kiddie story.

Who is the mysterious "Dragon" and why is he killing horses, ranchhands, and plotting a mass slaughter of miners? And, most of all, why is he so determined to end our heroes' lives by any means necessary?

Suspects include the film's stars, Oland and Luke, its German immigrant director, a cowboy actor who can’t ride, a young actress getting her first big break outside of comedy shorts, the ranch's beautiful but mysterious owner, and a bevy of Hollywood hopefuls. Dust Bowl refugees, Arizona ranch hands, aerial battles, shootouts, underground traps and living creatures gathered and released as weapons, spice up the action.

For anyone who misses the old-fashioned thrills and action of the classic Hollywood B-movies.