Review- The Trainwreckers - 5 stars

 “The Trainwreckers” by Sean Lynch is a different kind of Western novel.  Normally Westerns have a lot of shooting and riding on the range.  The focus of this novel, as you might guess, is more on the train.

Trains in the days following the Civil War were becoming a great way to travel and because of various economic advantages to gaining the approval for lucrative routes, there were bound to be competition between rival railroad tycoons.  Such is the case in this novel.  The fierce competition leads to one of the two tycoons vying for a very lucrative route in Missouri arranging for a train carrying some mighty important parties to a meeting with the Governor and others to be derailed.

Not happy with just derailing the train into a gulch
where numerous people died, the mastermind had all those who would attend the meeting and riding in the special car murdered, except for one.  As the scoundrel ion charge of the destruction left, he told the lone survivor his name, since he thought the victim had not long to live with a totally busted leg and other major, life threatening wounds.  The name he gave was Jem Rupe, a notorious train wrecker for the South’s lost cause during the Civil War.  Rupe was thought to be dead about 10 years ago. Was this really him or a copycat?

Fast forward to the renown US Marshal Samuel Prichard, a former Rebel who had served 10 years in the Texas Rangers to be on the case.  Sam has a personal reason to track down the notorious Rupe because the lone victim left alive in that special car did not die but he is currently family being married to Prichard’s sister and the father of Sam’s young namesake nephew.

Lots of detailed action happens as Sam and his deputies start hunting for the culprits.  They are met by lots of paid criminals who want all the lawmen dead; the cutthroats are being paid for their actions by the same tycoon who caused the wreck. Sam and the deputies, the townspeople, his sister, and brother-in-law all have major parts to play as this story rises to a major climax. And don’t forget Rupe, the two tycoons, lots of mayors, the Governor, and President U. S. Grant—they all have a part in the climax action.

As I said, it is a different story although there is horse riding, shooting, hangings, there is the railroad and action around the route that plays a pivotal role in this story.  A really good read.

Review - The Saints of Swallow Hill - 5 stars

 

The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart is an interesting novel that plays on some stereotypes of life in the rural South. In starting the book, I almost put it down due to those racial and socioeconomic stereotypes.  I am very glad that I persevered with this book because I found the storyline entertaining and the character development detailed.

There are several events that happen in this novel that also describe life during the Great Depression and the types of trials that individuals living through such a difficult economic time experienced. Two distinct threads as well as numerous smaller ones run through out the book.

Rae Lynn Cobb and her husband Warren are eking out a living in rural North Carolina. The death of her husband under suspicious circumstances and the thread of a neighbor cause her to leave. At the same time, the other main thread character, Delwood Reese, has an out-of-body experience during what would be a near farming disaster that could have cost him his life.

These two threads weave together in a Georgia turpentine camp deep in the pine thickets of the rural part of the state.  Other minor threads and characters pop in and out as they interact with the two primary protagonists. Some interactions good and some very bad almost causing death.

Life during these times was most definitely hard and learning things about people which were not acceptable during the current social milieu doesn’t make it easier.  Friendships grow and wane and love even finds a way to bloom. 

So, from the first over-stereotypical introduction to a personal reality check from someone who had grown up in rural South, although not during the Depression, it struck a chord of reality.  From farmers with no real money but with plenty to eat from their efforts with gardens and farm stock to the slash pine work along the coastal areas, there is much reality here and it gives the reader the visceral reality of having been there.  It was a hard time but things like friendship, love, family, and making do was what happened and probably still do in this area as well as many others.  There was a certain resilience in not just the main characters but also there was prejudice and hate on display.

The book has a section of questions that will guide discussion at a book club gathering. A great job and a most enjoyable read.

Review - When All Hell Broke Loose - 5 stars

 

In “When All Hell Broke Loose” by J.A. Johnstone writing for the William Johnstone syndicate, has a sure-fire rip snorting Western that is sure to please any western fan.  This particular story follows Preacher and Jamie MacCallister in another of their adventures together. With these two, who are legends of the American West, a reader is assured of a good story…and this one does not disappoint.

The story here begins with the disappearance of some Prussian nobles who are on an adventure trip to the Western United States.  One of these nobles is in line to become the next king.  This band is waylaid and attacked and most of their detachment of American and Prussian troops are killed in a sneak attack.  What follows next is a clandestine trip through the wilds of the Sierras and an exchange with the Blackfeet, who do not love any white man.

Fast forward five years to another group from Prussia who have come to American seeking what happened to their countrymen and women.  This is the group that the U.S. Army is determined to help for diplomatic reasons although any change of living survivors with the Blackfeet is hopeless.

Enter Preacher and Jamie and they sign on to be the scouts and guides for this knowing the country as well as the Blackfeet. Let us just say that some unexpected happenings, some treachery, a fight to the death and lots of adventure rolled together is the crux of the book.

A most satisfying novel that fills a western reader with joy in its reading.

Review - Tidal Rage - 5 stars

 

Having a cruise ship where people either get killed or go missing is not something that the operators want to talk about. However, in Tidal Rage by David Evans, it is something that comes into stark reality.  People are going missing.

It seems likely to be up to Max Cutler, a former law enforcement agent, to solve.  One previous case seems to come back to haunt him from time to time and plays a role in the missing/murdered persons one.  While tying these two storylines together, the author does a masterful job of keeping the suspense going.

Cutler has a personal stake in solving this case as his young sister disappears on an Alaskan cruise with their parents.   His previous case has a way of popping up at inopportune times, thus complicating his personal interest.

Cruise ship, onboard musicians, lackadaisical ship’s officers, lack of evidence, involvement by outside bad guys are all part of the plot that Agent Cutler and his gang of well-trained investigators and agents must solve. The story is wide-ranging and moves from the US to Europe and onto various oceans.

The climax has some unexpected twists and is almost guaranteed to keep the reader’s attention to the very end.  A most enjoyable read.

Review- Stealth Attach - 5 stars

 

Author John Gilstrap has a winner in his novel Stealth Attack.  It is a well written book that is definitely a page-turner.  I had trouble putting it down. 

The story is set mainly in El Paso and Mexico but occasionally in suburban Washington; it addresses several real issues of the day—child exploitation/kidnapping/sex-trafficking and drug cartel influence on this business. It mainly follows the exploits of young teens, Ciara and Roman, and their trials while being kidnapped, abused, and held for ransom.

Throw in a private investigation agency with ties to the US government, a whiz-person at delving into all things cyber, previous history with narco-traffickers, FBI murder plots, and other similar activities and you have the underpinnings of this story.  

There are some pretty violent episodes described so this is not for the squeamish. Since I am not in the know on these issues, I don’t know how accurate the descriptions are of the types of events that occur.  They do seem to be somewhat realistic based on some recent news reports. Regardless, this is a good storyline where good and evil clash.  It is not always clear the distinction between some of the activities of the two extremes.  A question to consider is “how does displaying evil actions account in the broader sense  for the greater good”?  It is not an easy question, but does happen in this story.  A reader must make up their own mind.

Review - The Scorching - 1 star

 

If you expect this book by the Johnstone family (William and J.A.) to be like their previous western novels, you are in for a disappointment.  “The Scorching” is set in modern times and is presented with a highly conservative slant.  Being anti-terrorist, anti-Muslim, anti-conservationist, and several other anti- parts. For me this is the worst book from the Johnstone’s I’ve read because of too much of a slant, and I’ve read a bunch.  Some readers will really enjoy it for the story and others for the political slant.

While it is not a particularly unbiased book but is still quite readable with lots of adventure and action.  Perhaps some readers would even consider it a piece of propaganda. It is necessary that the reader probably somewhat suspend reality while reading.  The politization of a story is quite strong and at least for this reader, a little off-putting. It is about a group of Middle Eastern terrorists who are planning a major fire attack on the forests of the United States and really the world. They are being helped not only by wealthy oil-rich Arabs but politically motivated Americans…almost a la antifa.

Review - Lost Mountain Pass - 4 stars

 

Lost Mountain Pass by Larry Sweazy is a book destined to hold your attention from the first paragraph.  It has a device that some like and others abhor – using separate story lines to connect characters and even times.  To maintain a connection, it is necessary that the reader checks the beginning note at each chapter.

             There are at least four storylines and three timelines that you need to follow to make most sense of the book. As you might expect, they eventually do get wound together in an interesting story.

            The story follows a kid through first love to becoming a man in Army to becoming a Deputy US Marshal with many twists and turns along the way.  There is love and betrayal at spots along with several unexpected twists and turns in the plotline including murder of a judge and a family of three Darby brothers who get hung.  Lots of happenings to keep the reader’s interest.

            There is a surprising ending that leaves open the next volume in the series…but it is good for the many readers who have gotten to the end and will want to know what’s next for Deputy Marshal Sam “Trusty” Dawson.

Review - Hell for Breakfast -- 3 stars

       Hell for Breakfast by William and J.A. Johnstone is a bit different from most other books of the Johnstone western series.  It began very slowly and at several points, I almost quit reading.  Two old outlaws were assigned a job to do by a judge, which was an off-the-books assignment.

The two oldsters named Slash and Pecos were colorful characters in their less respectable days but now that they are on a type of parole by the judge get to take on varied and sometimes dangerous jobs. They even get to be deputy marshals in this effort heading into Nebraska.

             As might be expected, there are some unexpected things that happen including an unexpected need to defend a helpless lady of the night which results in a death. The local town marshal and a wealthy but cantankerous rancher get involved along with other townspeople.

             The ending of the book gets quite good, and action packed, which was a blessing after the slow start.  Definitely the reader will need to hang on for the first several chapters…and if they do they will be rewarded with a read justifying the Johnstone dynasty name.