One of the hidden gems at the Bronx Library Center is the little trove of Spanish-language pulp fiction novels in the 4th floor Reference department. The small collection evokes memories of spinning racks featuring the tiny booklets on sale at local bodegas and corner delis. Cowboys and damsels in distress always adorned the cover of these quick Western reads.

I picked up two pulp novels from the collection: El Solitario: Cadena de Traiciones ("The Lonely Man: Chain of Betrayal") and El Libro Vaquero: Morir en el Ocaso ("The Cowboy Book: Dying at Sundown"). If you're interested in this genre, here's what you can expect! 

In El Solitario, a Mexican gunslinger named Santos is awoken by the sound of someone lurking in close proximity. Upon opening his eyes, the cowboy sees a rattlesnake glaring at him menacingly, preparing to strike—when an arrow pierces the snake’s head.

Once the snake is rendered dead, the cowboy’s savior is revealed to be a stunning female Comanche warrior. The woman, Katina, turns out to be a feminist who deems no man worthy enough of her love and considers men "less than dogs!" Katina arrives in the nick of time to request Santos’ help in avenging her father’s murder at the hands of the vicious warrior, Carne Muerta. On their journey, the cowboy-Comanche duo discover they are on the trail of a scheme that involves Natives, the military, and mercenaries. El Solitario is the juicy sort of pulp novel you don’t want to miss.

Morir en el Ocaso, part of the El Libro Vaquero series, opens in a quiet town where heralded cowboy Jesse Pharr has reformed his sinful ways and devoted his life to Christ. While he meets with the town priest, a group of rogue mercenaries enters the chapel and shoots up the sanctuary. After the holy man is injured by one of the notorious band’s bullets, the group forces Jesse to rescue the gang leader’s son, Mauren, held in prison at a military camp, in order to spare the priest’s life.

After teaming up with a beautiful female mercenary (these pairings are common), Jesse is able to free Mauren from his cell and return him to his father. Upon returning home, however, Jesse realizes the rogue boss has killed the priest; in response, he goes on a rampage. 

These pulp novels have similar characteristics—gore, cowboys and horses, pistol packing women—and they’re simply pure fun. Check them out on the 4th floor next time you're at the BLC!