Butch Cassidy: The Lost Years

Bad Men of the West #4

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

According to the history books, legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy was killed in 1908 alongside the Sundance Kid in a bloody shootout with the Bolivian Army. Or was he?

From master storytellers William W. Johnstone and  J.A. Johnstone, a page-turning revisionist Western and gripping tribute to a true icon of the Wild West that asks the What if Butch Cassidy survived?

In a small Texas town in 1950, a Pinkerton detective interrupts an old-timer’s game of dominos to learn the truth about Butch Cassidy—who is still very much alive and well. In fact, he’s the old-timer playing dominos.

Seems that after surviving the infamous shootout in Bolivia that claimed the life of his partner the Sundance Kid, Butch returns to Texas searching for a place to call home. When he comes across a dying rancher who’d been shot by some rustlers, Butch promises to avenge him—and take over the ranch after his death. Assuming the name Jim Strickland, Butch begins a new chapter in his life. But trouble has a way of finding Butch. A corrupt railroad baron pulls him into the most dangerous train robbery he’s ever attempted. But if Butch Cassidy is going to ride again, it’ll have to be with a newer, and wilder, Wild Bunch . . .

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE LEGENDS NEVER DIE.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction

282 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great “what if” Butch had survived in Bolivia. The story flows quickly with memorable characters and enough Wild West action and suspense to keep you hanging on until the end.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I all but devoured this book it was so good. From the first page that sucks you in to the very last page that leaves you wanting more, you are fully immersed in Butch Cassidy's world. All the characters well written and very likable. Do you want Jim Strickland to be Butch Cassidy.....Yes. Do you want book 2 of The Lost Years.....Yes. Is this your typical western.....No it's better. I highly recommend this book.

[Wesley Prothro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reckon this was a dadgum good read I tell ya what.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story; easy reading; but I think I would have like it as just any old cowboy ... no need for the attachment to Butch Cassidy. Very entertaining.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel, apparently the beginning of a new series, which presupposes that story that Butch Cassidy survived the Bolivian army and lived out his days until he died of old age.

Opening in 1950, we get a young man talking to an eight-five year old he believes to be Butch and the old man telling a "tale" of Butch becoming a rancher in Texas, bur gradually being drawn back into the outlaw world by greedy railroad executives who wronged the mother of one of his hands, a widow whose husband died in an "accident" in the rail yard, then using a forged document that claimed he'd borrowed against his pension, leaving nothing.

Quite engaging western of a new "Robin Hood" in Texas.

Enjoyed this one.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of Johnstone's books sort of run together in my mind in a muddle of similarity, but this one stood out. Its not that I don't enjoy his formula of uber-gunslinger vs impossible odds, but they aren't very distinct.

The story of Butch Cassidy's life after his presumed death in South America (immortalized in slow motion by Paul Newman) is a fun read, particularly with its concept of a Pinkerton Agent hunting down the aging outlaw. The book reads smoothly and avoids most of Johnstone's typical patterns with the hero who never gets hurt or misses.

Cassidy tries to go straight but can't resist his outlaw nature in this tale, and the book was well researched with details and background fitting the time period and Cassidy's life. An enjoyable read.

[Scott Seney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good old fashion Western with Butch Cassidy.
Lots of fun!

[D. Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such fun!

[W.M. Wiltshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, however I was left with questions unanswered. I even looked to see if there was another book that carried on form this one, but no.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1950 this man, Nathan Tuttle, from the Pinkerton Detective Agency had old papers from his grandfather, who also was a Pinkerton man. The papers were about the outlaw Butch Cassidy. Nate went to a spot in Zephyr, Texas and found an old man, Henry Parker, playing dominoes. He asked Henry if he could talk to him and Henry went outside with Nate. Nate told Henry about the papers and that they led him to Henry.
Henry went on to tell quite a story about the outlaw Butch Cassidy, how he used the name Jim Strickland and came to own a ranch. How Jim tried to live a good law abiding life until a railroad company done one of his ranch hands family wrong.
This is a good story and entertaining.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Butch Cassidy: The Lost Years,' by William W. Johnstone, is formulaic, even for a Western, but I enjoyed it for the most part. I am new to westerns, so I wanted to try out a variety of authors and time periods. Johnstone and his nephew J.A. Johnstone may merit another look once I'm ready for wild west escapism again.

[Lisa Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it twice. It is a sweet story. The best part is that while you are reading, you imagine Paul Newman reading it to you. So, it was super fun to be with Butch/Paul for a few hours.

[Jeff M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging read. My only "complaint" was that the opening and closing seemed unnecessary, but it's not a real complaint - more of a style preference. I'm not a fan of scenes and dialogue that don't add value to the story itself. Again - just thinking out loud. Recommended!

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun reading on a business trip.

[Darren · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a cheesy crock of a book........

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't care for the ending. Leaves you hanging. Disappointing.

[Wendy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first western I've read and it was excellent - so good I could hardly put it down. Recommend!

[Linda Crispini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I’m in the mood for a Western, this was an enjoyable read

[Scott Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally an easy read, good character development. A nice read while sitting on the porch sipping on a soda.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Butch scenario. I hope he’s still riding out there somewhere. (So wish this would have been a series)

[Jake Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a very nice story, true or not, just a great story

[Cassie Bateson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Entertaining and kept me engaged but no real ending

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Telling Mastery!!!

Just as anyone would expect the amazingly talented duo of William W. Johnstone and his equally talented nephew J.A. Johnstone once again deliver all of the goods. If you're looking for the best in western/action literature you've come to the right place.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

First western I've read and truly enjoyed it - although I have a hard time believing Butch could have survived Bolivia!

[Dave Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not finished a little over halfway but this book is fantastic I was in America for the first time in 4 years cuz I've been living overseas for 7 years and when I was in some book stores in Los Angeles I suddenly had a desire to get books about the west. Haven't read a western book in over 30 years since I knocked out Dances with Wolves anyways this book jumped out to me of all places Walmart in Burbank while I was emptying out my storage locker. It was just what I wanted. The fact that Butch Cassidy was featured in the book really doesn't mean that much because he's a really good man at least so far and he doesn't feel anything like the Butch Cassidy or Paul Newman character but that's fine. The book acts as a standalone you don't need to know anything about Butch cassidy. This book in a very low key way was just unbelievable everything was real everything red true Everything rang true like I said I haven't read a western book in over 30 years but I jumped right into it everything seemed completely real did not feel like fiction. There wasn't a wasted page. Again I'm only about a little over halfway through the book but it's amazing how much an adorable little paper back and stuff into it. I guess the main author has expired around the time of the writing of the book and now he's nephew is carrying on the legacy. I look forward to reading more books by these brilliant authors. Finished the book---Flawless

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-6. Very good Western that made me smile. I enjoy a story were you cheer for a bad guy and wonder if your ethics are compromised because you do cheer for him. I want to know more of his stories. I bought this paperback in an attempt to spend less exposure to light from my device.

[Jo Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank Parker, a cowboy of eighty-plus years, has a past he’d rather keep hidden. In 1950 Parker is the same age as a certain notorious gunslinger would have been, had he survived a well-known shootout in Bolivia. Pinkerton agent Nathan Tuttle believes that Butch Cassidy actually did. It was Tuttle’s grandfather, also a Pinkerton man, who tracked Cassidy from Chile to Texas. Now Tuttle has followed the paper trail to Parker.

In Butch Cassidy: The Lost Years, bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone present readers with a quick-moving, entertaining novel that will hold your attention. Could that notorious train robber really transform himself into an honest man, or will he succumb to temptation? If you like Westerns, read Butch Cassidy to find out!

[Ken Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was almost impossible to put down. I usually don't devour books, but I did with this one in just 3 days. The writing was so descriptive, it pulled you in, feeling like you were there. Very action packed.

[Jo Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://amzn.com/0758290349

[Mickey Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and I will look for more by this author. Light read and maintained my interest all the way through and left me wanting more questions answered.