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Bill Travis #1
The Last Call
The Last Call is the first of six completed novels in The Bill Travis Mysteries.
Nook
First published March 6, 2011
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4061 people want to read
About the author
George Wier
71 books39 followersI was born in East Texas and spent most of my life there, principally around the Bryan and College Station area. I moved to Austin, Texas, in 2002 and shortly thereafter began writing The Bill Travis Mystery series. I currently live in Austin with my lovely wife, Sallie, along with two cats and two dogs.
Writing is both my avocation and my vocation, but to add to these I play both classical violin and country fiddle, and I dabble in art (mostly drawing and painting), photography, and book cover design.
I began writing in earnest in 1986, although I have been creatively writing far longer than that, practically since I could read (at a very formative age.) I find that I have far more ideas than I could ever write down, and so I pick and choose only the best story ideas. I write what I, myself, like to read, and nothing more.
Writing is both my avocation and my vocation, but to add to these I play both classical violin and country fiddle, and I dabble in art (mostly drawing and painting), photography, and book cover design.
I began writing in earnest in 1986, although I have been creatively writing far longer than that, practically since I could read (at a very formative age.) I find that I have far more ideas than I could ever write down, and so I pick and choose only the best story ideas. I write what I, myself, like to read, and nothing more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
November 8, 2012
It was a fair story but I kept getting distracted by the over long sentences.
Example: I've seen men who have gone through some of the worst hells that men have ever experienced under fire who when they come face to face with a beautiful woman become slightly less articulate then your average garden squash, which is descriptive of how Lawrence White was acting.
Yikes. I learned that if you cannot say it in one breath, the sentence is too long. When they continue to be that way through out the book, it causes distraction and disinterest. You can get away with an over long sentence once in a while, but this is the theme through the whole book.
The over all story was okay. But I did have to keep going back and rereading because I would lose the point of where it was leading me. Break the sentences up into, 2,3,or 4 sentences and ones interest will hold better.
Example: I've seen men who have gone through some of the worst hells that men have ever experienced under fire who when they come face to face with a beautiful woman become slightly less articulate then your average garden squash, which is descriptive of how Lawrence White was acting.
Yikes. I learned that if you cannot say it in one breath, the sentence is too long. When they continue to be that way through out the book, it causes distraction and disinterest. You can get away with an over long sentence once in a while, but this is the theme through the whole book.
The over all story was okay. But I did have to keep going back and rereading because I would lose the point of where it was leading me. Break the sentences up into, 2,3,or 4 sentences and ones interest will hold better.
February 1, 2012
When I first started reading this book, I was extremely disappointed by how very cliche' it was. I stopped reading it - and for me, it takes a LOT to get me to set aside a book. Which is exactly why I went back to it a few days later to give it a second chance. I'm glad I did. Although the book did remain a bit cliche', I found that I enjoyed the writing and the sense of humor that came through page after page. Living in North Texas and having a familiarity with the locations in the book helped a bit, I think. Regardless, it was a free Kindle download, and I'm happy to have run across it.
June 26, 2012
I found this book by accident. I try to give all Texas authors writing stories about Texas a shot whenever I find them and I was not disappointed this time. The Last Call is written in a slightly different voice/tone than most mass produced fiction and some folks out there may not find it appealing. I loved it - the characters spoke and acted in ways that felt very true to me - like men I've known or my Grandfather might have known in various parts of our great state. The action was crisp. The plot was a traditional style, sort of old fashioned mystery that wasn't terribly hard to solve, but that wasn't the real point of the book. The crazy folks meeting, interacting and building relationships seemed more the point if you ask me. I am definately going to look for book two in this Bill Travis series.
September 11, 2023
A very pleasant surprise!
This being my first time reading a George Wier book I didn’t know what to expect. I was really impressed with his simplicity and style, always wondering where the story was going, and not wanting to put the book down even to go pee. I’m a fan.
This being my first time reading a George Wier book I didn’t know what to expect. I was really impressed with his simplicity and style, always wondering where the story was going, and not wanting to put the book down even to go pee. I’m a fan.
December 12, 2012
A bit too confusing for me. 'Investment counselor' takes a beautiful woman as a client. They fall in love even though she is obviously hiding a lot of information from him which leads to murder, mayhem and other scary situations. Is she legit? Is she a con artist using him to rescue her ill-gotten gains from a third-generation bad-guy so she can take her two million bucks and leave him behind? I think I would have waved good-bye to her early on, but then I wouldn't be being led by lust. In spite of that, I found most of the 'good' characters to be well-drawn and sympathetic. The book was actually pretty good, although I don't know if I'm going to read any others in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2014
A Great Page Turner By A Writer That Knows His Stuff
A Great Page Turner By A Writer That Knows His Stuff
I picked up this book from the recommendation of a friend and although I don't usually read mysteries and thrillers, this book hooked me in for an awesome ride as I found myself flipping through pages faster than usual and was entertained by Wier's writing style. The author knows how to tell a story, does it with just the right amount of description and keeps things moving. The main character Bill Travis is a cool dude that you can't help but love and root for. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of his adventures.
A Great Page Turner By A Writer That Knows His Stuff
I picked up this book from the recommendation of a friend and although I don't usually read mysteries and thrillers, this book hooked me in for an awesome ride as I found myself flipping through pages faster than usual and was entertained by Wier's writing style. The author knows how to tell a story, does it with just the right amount of description and keeps things moving. The main character Bill Travis is a cool dude that you can't help but love and root for. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of his adventures.
January 10, 2012
It
Was free. That being said it started out strong with lots of potential and went down hill pretty fast. I wasn't miserable reading it but would not read it again. So basically if you have no money left in your emergency book fund it's free and will keep you from
Going through book withdrawals. If you have something else to read I would skip it.
Was free. That being said it started out strong with lots of potential and went down hill pretty fast. I wasn't miserable reading it but would not read it again. So basically if you have no money left in your emergency book fund it's free and will keep you from
Going through book withdrawals. If you have something else to read I would skip it.
April 13, 2017
Accountants are notoriously known as lackluster and extremely boring people with monotonous jobs. Investment counselors generally fall into this category that is until you meet William (Bill) Travis. As an investment counselor, he made it his specialty helping people out of financial difficulties. His clients aren’t in need of money but generally have a large amount that can’t be neatly accounted for.
It was a typical Monday morning in Austin, Texas and Bill Travis was caught in traffic. A sports car with a very attractive woman caught his eye. They play cat and mouse into the city until he reached his office building. A few minutes later his secretary announces an unscheduled visitor. Julie Simmons, the stranger he had noticed on his way to work enters his office.
This woman and her story set warning bells off in his head but he found himself ignoring the cacophony and he soon finds himself on an adventure he didn’t really want or expect.
A vanilla story, written in a 1930’s style, The Last Call isn’t what I expected. It is fast-paced and interesting but it didn’t flow as I hoped it would. A cold-case dating from 1926 is slowly uncovered like layers of a red onion. The scenic tour through east Texas brought back fond memories and as a Texan expatriate still warms my heart. I liked the characters and found them well developed. The addition of Dingo the dog also helps the tale but when I finished it, I wasn’t sated and feel that something was missing.
This is the first book in the Bill Travis Mystery Series. I will probably read more by this author but I am a born optimist.
It was a typical Monday morning in Austin, Texas and Bill Travis was caught in traffic. A sports car with a very attractive woman caught his eye. They play cat and mouse into the city until he reached his office building. A few minutes later his secretary announces an unscheduled visitor. Julie Simmons, the stranger he had noticed on his way to work enters his office.
This woman and her story set warning bells off in his head but he found himself ignoring the cacophony and he soon finds himself on an adventure he didn’t really want or expect.
A vanilla story, written in a 1930’s style, The Last Call isn’t what I expected. It is fast-paced and interesting but it didn’t flow as I hoped it would. A cold-case dating from 1926 is slowly uncovered like layers of a red onion. The scenic tour through east Texas brought back fond memories and as a Texan expatriate still warms my heart. I liked the characters and found them well developed. The addition of Dingo the dog also helps the tale but when I finished it, I wasn’t sated and feel that something was missing.
This is the first book in the Bill Travis Mystery Series. I will probably read more by this author but I am a born optimist.
December 18, 2011
This was okay - another free one from Amazon which supports my point about getting something for free that you are totally satisfied with, but that's another story.
This was predictable. I knew the plot before it unfolded. It was a fast read for the airplane.
This was predictable. I knew the plot before it unfolded. It was a fast read for the airplane.
September 12, 2017
Everything is expected. No excitement at all. I'm happy that this book was free on Amazon Kindle.
March 16, 2025
Demasiado fomeeeee no me engancho nunca
December 30, 2013
Quick read but very cliche. There were many overly long sentences, some of which didn't make any sense by the time you got the the end.
I wasn't find of the romance aspect of the book. The author made it a point to punctuate how short a time the two lovers had known each other multiple times, but then wrote about them as if they had been married for years. For example, there was a point where Bill (while narrating) said that Julie did something only Julie could do. My immediate reaction was to laugh. These two have known each other for one day, they aren't to the point where they can say things like "Only you would do that." At the end (after knowing her for one week), Bill told someone he was thinking of asking Julie to marry him. It hurt the believability of the story for me.
This book is part of a six book series from what I understand. I won't likely read any more of them.
I wasn't find of the romance aspect of the book. The author made it a point to punctuate how short a time the two lovers had known each other multiple times, but then wrote about them as if they had been married for years. For example, there was a point where Bill (while narrating) said that Julie did something only Julie could do. My immediate reaction was to laugh. These two have known each other for one day, they aren't to the point where they can say things like "Only you would do that." At the end (after knowing her for one week), Bill told someone he was thinking of asking Julie to marry him. It hurt the believability of the story for me.
This book is part of a six book series from what I understand. I won't likely read any more of them.
May 5, 2016
This was a fun mystery. You knew it could not be a serious mystery when in the first chapter, the hero gets cut off on the highway by a beautiful woman and within 30 pages they are making hot love all day long. But it was well told. It was told from first person so you knew Bill Travis would survive. It has a lot of West Texas stereotypes and Austin Hill country. It has good buddies who love a good adventure who help. It is not health to be a Bill Travis friend. If this is a series you wonder how the romance of the story will continue as it ends with talk of marriage. But I guess some of the stories have married hero.
I enjoyed the read. It was an engaging tale and of course, good guys win and bad guys die, but more than that I will not say.
I enjoyed the read. It was an engaging tale and of course, good guys win and bad guys die, but more than that I will not say.
March 1, 2016
An exciting and fast read. Wier writes so easy and is so good with keeping the details together that the book is a good read from beginning to end. One finds that even though you put the book down to pick it up later, you never forget the detail at all. The Travis character also pulls you in so that you wonder what would happen next every time. I liked the ending when everything comes together. The eruption didn't leave me lost at all. I could follow it all with clarity. This is a definite good read.
April 6, 2013
Reasonable mystery with a little action. I didn't get swept up in the story, but I was happy to share my lunch hour with it. I did feel that the characters were a bit bland and I would have actually liked to learn more about Hank, but seeing as this is the first in a series of stories with these characters, maybe it develops along the way.
February 19, 2014
Like old home week
Like old home week
If you're from Texas, this book will send you back to the stories about the oil days in the Panhandle. If you're not a native, this book will start your education, if you're interested.
Like old home week
If you're from Texas, this book will send you back to the stories about the oil days in the Panhandle. If you're not a native, this book will start your education, if you're interested.
October 2, 2014
Exciting mystery
This is a page turner,kept me engaged the whole way. I cared about the characters and the back story of 1920's Texas .I am looking forward to reading more by this author
This is a page turner,kept me engaged the whole way. I cared about the characters and the back story of 1920's Texas .I am looking forward to reading more by this author
April 19, 2013
Action was quick, but I felt a bit left out. It's more of a "Man's man" kind of book. Being a female reader I felt no real connection. But I can see how men would enjoy this book.
July 6, 2016
Too choppy & not writing that I can take anymore. If there was some humor to it, I'd probably get through it. There isn't. Can't. I probably would have liked it 30 years ago, though.
March 21, 2015
Love a good mystery
Bill Travis stories keep you wondering where it's going. Very hard to put down and unexpected story line.Will read next book.
Bill Travis stories keep you wondering where it's going. Very hard to put down and unexpected story line.Will read next book.
February 3, 2013
I found this painful to read. I should have just stopped.
June 18, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Call. Bill Travis reminds me of PI's from an older time who could be persuaded to do anything by a beautiful woman in distress; such a woman is Julie Simmons. She begins to lead Bill Travis on a merry chase. And is in the case of most mystery novels worth their salt, not all is as it seems! This story has plenty of action, a few surprises, some of which I saw coming, and even caused me to shed a tear or two (not that that is such a hard feat to accomplish!). There is plenty of shoot 'em up, blow 'em up action and well-thought out, developed characters. I can't wait to get on to the next book in the series to see what kind of trouble Bill can get himself into and how he gets himself out.
October 4, 2020
Over hyped
The good is that the story moves at a pretty brisk pace. The scenes are fairly well set and described. The character developments are better that average. For me, the main character is lacking. He doesn’t really contribute to the actions taken. There’s no planning on his part, he just stumbles in to have actions take place around him. His life doesn’t make sense, there’s no acknowledgement as to how he earns money. And I can’t believe how trusting he comes off. He jumps into helping a client without ever getting the basis for the job; and there’s nothing there that would make me want to read another book in the series. I’d say he just gets by on luck, and life isn’t so accommodating.
The good is that the story moves at a pretty brisk pace. The scenes are fairly well set and described. The character developments are better that average. For me, the main character is lacking. He doesn’t really contribute to the actions taken. There’s no planning on his part, he just stumbles in to have actions take place around him. His life doesn’t make sense, there’s no acknowledgement as to how he earns money. And I can’t believe how trusting he comes off. He jumps into helping a client without ever getting the basis for the job; and there’s nothing there that would make me want to read another book in the series. I’d say he just gets by on luck, and life isn’t so accommodating.
October 30, 2019
Bill Travis was a financial consultant, divorced, no kids, just a single guy living a single life. Monday morning as he drove to his office, he saw a beautiful girl driving a roadster along the Austin traffic. Little did he know that she would be his client that morning, who sought his help that involved two million US dollars. It only took me less than a day to read the e-book using my Kindle app on my Android phone. A good, entertaining, and educational read (a little history of Texas included). This is the first of the Bill Travis mystery series. It’s worth having a copy and I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Read my review here: https://starstack.blog/2019/09/13/the...
December 5, 2016
A good read that takes you on a decent adventure through old crime in the south, Quarter Horse racing and liquor through the Texas country side. You meet Bill, an investment counselor, who gets caught up with an issue that Julie Simmons is in. It seems she has taken two million dollars from her last ill fated affaire & needs help to stay alive. An explosive yarn with good ole characters by your side.
October 8, 2020
An easy read. Interesting main character (Bill). Questionable actions at times. Some missing pieces of the story at times as well. One example is how the two guys in the blue truck keep finding them. Easy ways to explain, just not there.
SOme unique stories that are flsashbacks of Bill that often are deep tangent - yet interesting.
Enjoyed some of the Texas history oven into the story.
So, I will give book 2 a try and see where it goes.
SOme unique stories that are flsashbacks of Bill that often are deep tangent - yet interesting.
Enjoyed some of the Texas history oven into the story.
So, I will give book 2 a try and see where it goes.
September 8, 2025
Read this since I've bought it around 10 years back and was just lying around unread in my content library. But immediatly made me realize again why this genre itself is just not my cup of tea. Had no interest in any of the leads. Was so bored that I barely followed the storyline. Only saving grace is that it was short. Won't be reading this genre for a long long time. Rated 3 stars since i don't think i should be rating this genre itself.
December 10, 2017
I won't give too much detail in my review so as not to spoil the book for future readers. The book tells of murder [dating back 70 years], blackmail and lots of deception, Having said that there are also glimmers of hope. A woman turns up at Bill's office and he is asked to help her by his business partner and the book explains their next few days of mayhem
June 4, 2018
Great book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like a hero figure that is more gray than black and white. Bill has had a colorful history and I think it gives him a good perspective on life and how to deal with his clients. I don't know if all of his novels include a bit of history(real or made up), but I intend to find out immediately as I read more of his work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like a hero figure that is more gray than black and white. Bill has had a colorful history and I think it gives him a good perspective on life and how to deal with his clients. I don't know if all of his novels include a bit of history(real or made up), but I intend to find out immediately as I read more of his work.
February 22, 2019
Needed more depth
In my opinion, the characters were flat and not likeable, the story was a little unbelievable (and I read enough books that I can suspend my belief, couldn't do it here), there were some editing errors and the story itself was not riveting. I will try another of Mr. Weir's books to compare.
In my opinion, the characters were flat and not likeable, the story was a little unbelievable (and I read enough books that I can suspend my belief, couldn't do it here), there were some editing errors and the story itself was not riveting. I will try another of Mr. Weir's books to compare.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews