The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse

By Gerald L. Holmes

When it comes to dealing with Tuerto, the one-eyed stud horse from the next ranch over, Hank's usual approach is not to approach him at all. But when Tuerto breaks loose and charges Little Alfred and his cousins, it's up to Hank to save them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maverick Books
• Release date: Mar 15, 1987
• ISBN: 9781591887089

Reviews for The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse

[dixiedarlin_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am an adult and STILL love this series! I have every book so far. This particular book "The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog" is one of the best in the series. Hank is an ranch dog who tries his hardest to protect "his ranch" from evil things that go bump in the night (and sometimes the day!). He usually screws up and gets yelled at, so THIS time he decides to....join the wild coyotes. He is accepted but first he must help in a secret plan to invade the ranch that he used to call home. Hank must make a choice....be free with the coyotes or protect the ones he was so loyal to? Very very good series, and it's funny too! All the books even have CD's so you can listen to them while driving in the car or whatever. And for music lovers, there's at least 3-5 songs per book.

[quaintlittlehead · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book takes a dog's perspective of life on a ranch in a (I presume west) Texas town. Hank sees himself as the "Head of Ranch Security" and takes care of business as much as a dog can, including attempting to solve crimes on the ranch. This story uses humour to guide children through an animal's perspective of what might otherwise seem like a very mundane life. Sometimes the humour is a little juvenile and doesn't really read as hilarious as an adult as it did when I was a kid (dogs peeing on tires, for example), and occasionally it verges into a predictable stereotype. However, it takes the traditional western genre and makes it palatable for children in a way that most authors have not ever tried, and the bumbling efforts of the characters, mixed with their own brand of street smarts, serves as a nice satire of a much misunderstood subset of Texas culture. I also appreciated that Erickson preserves authentic dialectal lexicalisms but does not write the entire book in a style that presents a corny pronunciation on behalf of any of the characters. Contrary to the perception that southerners are backwards, this book will also introduce some new vocabulary to young readers; I can remember my third grade teacher explaining what gunny sacks and mutton were, among other things, and this is a nice book to share with children or students to guide them in the development of their reading.

[jean_sexton-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

How have I missed this cute series until now? Everyone in the Texas Panhandle seems to know these books, and now I know why. The world that Hank lives in is the ranch life in the Texas Panhandle. Somehow Hank keeps the Western "voice" while staying true to being a dog. There's a mystery to be solved and a ranch to be kept safe. There is a lot of humor amidst life lessons. I found this quotation to be one of those: You can’t be safe and cautious all the time. If you’re too timid in this life, you’ll miss out on all the fun and adventure. You’ll just stay home and snap at the flies, and when you get to be an old dog, you’ll look back on your life and think, “All these years I’ve been on this earth, and I’ve never done anything but snap at flies.” And you'll regret that, when the opportunity came up, you didn't sneak a ride into town.It is well worth the reading by adults who like young adult fiction. It can be shared with middle school aged children on up. I will slowly be adding the entire series of 70+ books.

[capiam1234 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun read for the kids, 4-6.

[cminter-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is great book to get reluctant but competent readers to enjoy reading. Hank the Cowdog books are light and funny. Once kids read one of the books in this series, they are hooked.

[merrymary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hank is a wonderful voice in middle-school adventure series reading. Opinionated, bossy, not very bright, Hank brings giggles from kids and adults alike. My middle-school boys especially liked these books, as Hank lives in an environment they understand, and there aren't any girls around - except maybe a collie on the next ranch. This series is also wonderful as a read-aloud.