The Butcher of Bear Creek

Sidewinders #7

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

There's nothing like family. At least that's what people say. But when Bo and Scratch come home to Bear Creek for a long-overdue visit, Bo's family kindly invites him to turn around and leave. His old friends and neighbours turn tail and run when they see him. Next thing he knows, he's in jail for the brutal murder of two saloon girls in neighbouring Cottonwood. Unfortunately, the real killer looks astonishingly like Bo. Now, with his buddy in jail, Scratch needs to ride to the rescue.

Genres: Westerns, Action

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 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

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this instalment Bo and Scratch the two best friends and saddle tramps go back home to Bear Creek Texas for a visit. When they arive, however, the whole town including Bo's family think Bo is a cold blooded killer of soiled doves. This is impossible ofcorse, but it takes some doing for Scratch and Bo to prove their innocence. I highly recommend this series.

[Emily Galindo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at the edge of my seat, came to life for me. I could totally get the relationships and the plot. Loved it.

[Sandra R Tjarks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Classic Western told by great writers! Keep up the Great stories!

Excellent series. I hope in the future there will be more of Bo and Scratch stories! A western pair that are great together!

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a different story for sure. I still enjoy the two main characters and their actors, but this story itself wasn't as funny as normal ones, so that was a bit of a bummer. I'm looking forward to the final one by GA next. I'm hoping it going to be awesome.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

Each tale in this series is unique and loaded with all of the action and adventure you could want. The characters are bold and fully developed. Each story stands on its own yet is woven nicely into this series. Plain good reading.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional Book!

I enjoyed this tale immensely as it was interesting and exciting with a great plot. The book is also well written and edited.

[John Meitner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best western that I have read. The pages flew by. I like his work!

[jim fisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great western fiction as always. Dust time I've read about Bo and Scratch. Different plot than Smoke Jensen very good

[Bo Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Series Good Book

[Roberto Galindo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story to follow until the end. Low quality, low imagination, minimal creativity ending. Ruined the plot. The rest is good writing.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo Creel and Scratch Morton come home to Bear Creek after a ten year absence to strange circumstances. People that meet them, known to both, seem terrified of Bo. Even Bo's family seem a little put off by him.

They soon learn that two women, saloon girls, have been killed, sliced up with a big knife and the one witness to one murder has described the killer, then drew his picture, which has been identified as Bo Creel by folks that know him.

He's quickly arrested and seems in danger of lynching, led by the Fontaine family already in a semi-feud with the Creel clan. The boys had already figured the murders had happened a month before when they were working for the hanging Judge Parker two hundred miles away. A telegram sent by Scratch gets the reply that Parker is away on business. It's left up to Scratch to find the real killer before it's too late.

The killer must be Bo's double, seemingly impossible on the surface. But there could be no other explanation. Find the killer and what's going on is the task laid before Scratch Morton.

Or his lifelong friend will be lynched. Only one hardheaded marshal stands between the Fontaine clan and a bunch of liquored up townspeople.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. These books are supposed to be written for adults, but they read like an early middle school level. They would actually be great for kids that age because there is no profanity, nothing remotely sexual and if there is violence, it touches on it only enough to give a clear understanding, with metaphors a child would understand. Nothing overly graphic! Plot was well thought out and orchestrated but I felt I should be reading it aloud to a class of 10-11 year olds. For me, it was lacking.

[Dale Cordell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading Johnstone books, for years! I rally got into the Sidewinders series and kind of wish they were still being printed. This is just another great book to read, if you are in to JA Johnstone, following up in Bill's footsteps.