Trail of Blood

The Loner #8

by J.A. Johnstone

Conrad Browning is about to face his deadliest challenge yet in this wild west thriller from the USA Today–bestselling author of Killer Poker.

Bravery Is in the Blood

The son of legendary gunman Frank Morgan, Conrad Browning goes by the name Kid Morgan—the Loner—and forged a growing reputation of his own. But in the midst of a fight for his life, the Kid discovered that he too was a of twins he’d never met. Now, the Kid heads back east to pierce a mystery guarded by murderous criminals for hire. Why is his ex-fiancée hiding his children from him? And why is this secret worth killing to keep? The answers lead the Kid back to a small Kansas town and a tale of cruelty, greed and power—the kind of story his father always knew how to with courage and a gun . . .

“Another terrific entry in The Loner series . . . The tale is peopled with many memorable characters and descriptions put me right there in the midst of the action.” —Western Fiction Review

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

J.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co-author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net

Reviews

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conrad Browning, aka Kid Morgan, had learned startling news(in the last book, The Bounty Killers). He was the father of twins by his ex-fiancee, the vicious Pamela Tarleton, the woman who'd had his wife murdered and tormented him before her accidental death. She'd planned well though and left him a letter to be delivered, detailing how he was a father and would never find them as they were well hidden.

He set out to find them, first going to Boston, her home and his former, where he hoped to pick up the trail, even though it was three years cold. That lead him to Kansas City and further west. Pamela had laid taps along the way, men hired to kill him if he came looking.

It would be no easy task to find his children, a son and a daughter. He would, though, however long it took.

[Flannery Kneel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pursuit of Conrad’s beloved twins, Frank and Vivian, has taken him back to where it all began. Boston; where he lived during his engagement to Pamela Tarleton, and where she gave birth to his children. Conrad Browning discovers that the twin’s mother hired Eddie Murtagh, a ruthless to carry out her plan to torture him. But Murtagh gives up information that Pamela had travelled west, taking the twins on an expedition to San Francisco to conceal Frank and Vivian. Conrad decides then and there that “The Kid” would rise again! Arturo and the Kid, strike out on an adventure west, stopping at every settlement town between Boston and San Francisco! Fighting for good and justice, all the while steadfastly searching for his lost children! The two arrive in Abilene, TX. But when the Kid goes to the Marshal’s office, he becomes unwittingly set to defend the Marshal when a group of outlaws that work for Court Elam, a tyrant from nearby town, Powderhorn, ambush him to bust out their murderous compadre. Now with a grudge, Elam and his men have it out for him. And when the Kid goes to Powderhorn to visit the orphanage owned by Theresa Shanley to further investigate his missing children, he discovers just what a tyrant Elam really is. The Kid decides to take it upon himself to save the town of Powderhorn and rid them of the clutches of the greedy entrepreneur! Will the Kid find his twins and save the defenseless town from crumble?

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this book. The last book ended with a big she-bang, and this one dragged it out and fizzled. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it didn't follow through very well.

[Yeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, now I know I'm hooked on Johnstone. This book was fun. Loads of actions, good dialogue, and believable characters made for a rip-roaring time in the west.

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of the trail. Some of the books appear to pick up where others have left off and lend to you reading them in order. This is one of them. Reading it out of order would not be that fun as things make more sense because of what we know. It was a good story and throws back to Morgan's history.

[Nai Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binge read the series in one month, 12 books. That makes my 2nd western in one year and I loved it. This one takes place during the Wild Wild West and it was such a great adventure that I loved every minute of it. I recommend this to anyone who likes a fun adventure in the West .

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story of where the bad guys tree a town. Second one of this series. Conard Browning is searching for his children. Twins. A boy and a girl, that his ex-girlfriend hid. This woman came before the woman he married.

[Ted Cartier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book so far in this series. Author stepped away from the normal settings and offered some insights into the main character.