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Black Sky
A BRUTAL MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN...
The Civil War has just ended and world-weary Sheriff Jesse Smith likes his town quiet and peaceful. Woken one night when the body of a young woman is found torn apart, that peace is shattered as it dawns on him that a predator is among them.
EVERYONE A SUSPECT...
With little to go on, all the men in the town are potential suspects and Jesse begins an investigation that spans across the social spectrum. Unable to find the killer, the mayor goes against Jesse and decides to bring in bounty hunters. But the cure may be more dangerous than the disease.
A WINDOW INTO THE DARKNESS OF MEN...
As another murder occurs under their noses, Jesse realizes he is outmatched and facing an evil he has never encountered. He enlists the help of an alienist from Harvard University. Someone trained in the new science of the mind. Together they are about to journey into the darkest recesses of the human soul, and they may not make it out alive...
The Civil War has just ended and world-weary Sheriff Jesse Smith likes his town quiet and peaceful. Woken one night when the body of a young woman is found torn apart, that peace is shattered as it dawns on him that a predator is among them.
EVERYONE A SUSPECT...
With little to go on, all the men in the town are potential suspects and Jesse begins an investigation that spans across the social spectrum. Unable to find the killer, the mayor goes against Jesse and decides to bring in bounty hunters. But the cure may be more dangerous than the disease.
A WINDOW INTO THE DARKNESS OF MEN...
As another murder occurs under their noses, Jesse realizes he is outmatched and facing an evil he has never encountered. He enlists the help of an alienist from Harvard University. Someone trained in the new science of the mind. Together they are about to journey into the darkest recesses of the human soul, and they may not make it out alive...
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2013
279 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Victor Methos
72 books2,129 followersVictor Methos is the Edgar Award nominated bestselling author of over forty novels. He has been a criminal and civil rights lawyer in the Mountain West, conducting over 100 trials, and produces two books a year with his dog Fraiser by his side.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2018
Love, love, love!!!
I’ve read everything of his I can find! Riveting, unputdownable.... every single time! Thanks for all the enjoyably hours spent reading your books!!!
I’ve read everything of his I can find! Riveting, unputdownable.... every single time! Thanks for all the enjoyably hours spent reading your books!!!
April 11, 2018
"Old Western Mystery"
Right after the Civil War, tired Sheriff Jesse Smith enjoys his quiet western town. But one night, the body of a young woman is found torn apart. The quiet and peacefulness is gone as there is a vicious predator in town. Well, this story is a little difficult ta read because of the western dialog used throughout the story. In all honesty, I wanted ta just quit, but I decided ta scan though ta the end which is shocking. But it's a murder mystery and if you read it, the story line is excellent. It's a little bothersome but I made it! I hope this is the only western story Victor Methos will write!
Right after the Civil War, tired Sheriff Jesse Smith enjoys his quiet western town. But one night, the body of a young woman is found torn apart. The quiet and peacefulness is gone as there is a vicious predator in town. Well, this story is a little difficult ta read because of the western dialog used throughout the story. In all honesty, I wanted ta just quit, but I decided ta scan though ta the end which is shocking. But it's a murder mystery and if you read it, the story line is excellent. It's a little bothersome but I made it! I hope this is the only western story Victor Methos will write!
November 14, 2018
Hard to read, at first
I know the author was trying to get the reader in the mindset of the main character; our an image in the head, by using the language he did and the spelling, or misspellling, of words, however, for me it was hard to read because I kept wanting to correct the language. That said, it was a good story (i thought the villain was the mayor). I would like to read more books with the Sherriff as the main character.
I know the author was trying to get the reader in the mindset of the main character; our an image in the head, by using the language he did and the spelling, or misspellling, of words, however, for me it was hard to read because I kept wanting to correct the language. That said, it was a good story (i thought the villain was the mayor). I would like to read more books with the Sherriff as the main character.
April 17, 2020
A great author never fails
I read everything by Mr. Methos. I enjoyed this book as much or more than his never fail writings. Black Sky was so very different than his modern crime thrillers, allowing me to see how varied his writing skills are! I am never disappointed with his artistry on a variety of topics. If I have one thing to say about this western tale of murder is READ IT!
I read everything by Mr. Methos. I enjoyed this book as much or more than his never fail writings. Black Sky was so very different than his modern crime thrillers, allowing me to see how varied his writing skills are! I am never disappointed with his artistry on a variety of topics. If I have one thing to say about this western tale of murder is READ IT!
June 22, 2020
Edits
I went out back ta the stables and got my horse, a beautiful black horse named April, and followed him inta town. [stallion, mare, gelding ?]
We walked up and the men nodded and began diggin’. Andy helped and I wasn’t goin’ ta on account a tricky back, but I just wanted ta get outta here so I helped too. [how long has it been since he was shot by an arrow and nearly died of infection?]
I went out back ta the stables and got my horse, a beautiful black horse named April, and followed him inta town. [stallion, mare, gelding ?]
We walked up and the men nodded and began diggin’. Andy helped and I wasn’t goin’ ta on account a tricky back, but I just wanted ta get outta here so I helped too. [how long has it been since he was shot by an arrow and nearly died of infection?]
August 21, 2024
This isn't what I know know Methos for and as a western its pretty run of the mill and almost generic. Its fine for what it is, a fast read with a solid protagonist but there isn't much meat on the bone as the only twist was obvious and everything else plays pretty straight. Overall, a quick painless read.
February 21, 2026
Black Sky Review
I love The Western books and movies and the author really loves them. Great attention to details about life in the "Old West " , the violence, the prejudice and day to day survival. The story takes place in New Mexico after the Civil War and the author makes you feel how tough everyday life was.
I love The Western books and movies and the author really loves them. Great attention to details about life in the "Old West " , the violence, the prejudice and day to day survival. The story takes place in New Mexico after the Civil War and the author makes you feel how tough everyday life was.
April 22, 2021
A different kind of Western.
I’d expect a Methos western to be different. An older imperfect protagonist, more gristly and loss and yet a happy ending...sort of. Victor Methos heard to beat in any genre.
I’d expect a Methos western to be different. An older imperfect protagonist, more gristly and loss and yet a happy ending...sort of. Victor Methos heard to beat in any genre.
November 8, 2022
Very different
I love reading Victor Method books. They are so engaging. I started this book and thought, "what?!" But decided to keep reading. I'm glad I did. Completely different from the settings I'm used to reading! You got me again Victor! Good job!
I love reading Victor Method books. They are so engaging. I started this book and thought, "what?!" But decided to keep reading. I'm glad I did. Completely different from the settings I'm used to reading! You got me again Victor! Good job!
February 9, 2018
Black Sky
A very western murder mystery! So interesting I read all of it in one setting! Most books do not end right but this one did!
A very western murder mystery! So interesting I read all of it in one setting! Most books do not end right but this one did!
November 29, 2020
Wow, so many deaths
So sad so many people died in the story including horses. Murderer was a surprise, but a sociopath is good at hiding in plain sight.
So sad so many people died in the story including horses. Murderer was a surprise, but a sociopath is good at hiding in plain sight.
April 22, 2021
Good Book
I enjoyed reading this book even though I was surprised to find it was based in the old western days. Don’t see much of that...
I enjoyed reading this book even though I was surprised to find it was based in the old western days. Don’t see much of that...
gave-up
March 4, 2025I gave up. I found that all the Western accents that the characters used was very off-putting. And I have followed Victor Methos, enjoying most of his books. Disappointing
January 24, 2023
Here is Victor Methos, again the ruthless author. In this era of the modem thriller he manages to pull of an off beat detective story, set in the early 19th century about 20 years after the American civil war.
The place is a small, lonely, dusty little town in the mid west. The sheriff is about 45, not very good at the job, unassertive, unable to stand up to a philandering mayor who's more interested in the 4th July celebrations and the considerable income to the town's business interests than in keeping an innocent boy away from the gallows.
They have a serial killer on the loose and nobody wants to admit it.
The story is told in the first person, consequently you read it as he thinks it, in his language with all the grammatical errors and misspelling one would expect from the period.
Inefficiency and drunkenness, with the odd shoot out is the order of the day. Many get killed for stupid reasons, and horror plays it's part.
It really is a very interesting study of life around those times. It is well worth your attention and on completion you will have gained another perspective.
PS: Ignore the remarks of the idiot reviewer who said it was "badly edited"! He completely missed the point!
The place is a small, lonely, dusty little town in the mid west. The sheriff is about 45, not very good at the job, unassertive, unable to stand up to a philandering mayor who's more interested in the 4th July celebrations and the considerable income to the town's business interests than in keeping an innocent boy away from the gallows.
They have a serial killer on the loose and nobody wants to admit it.
The story is told in the first person, consequently you read it as he thinks it, in his language with all the grammatical errors and misspelling one would expect from the period.
Inefficiency and drunkenness, with the odd shoot out is the order of the day. Many get killed for stupid reasons, and horror plays it's part.
It really is a very interesting study of life around those times. It is well worth your attention and on completion you will have gained another perspective.
PS: Ignore the remarks of the idiot reviewer who said it was "badly edited"! He completely missed the point!
April 3, 2015
NOT a keeper!!
The humor derived from the semi-accurate use of Western vernacular lost its charm after the third or fourth "ta" and frankly, by chapter two, I had to check the cover to see if the story was really even written by Victor Methos at all!
I admire Mr. Methos' writing, having just finished eight of his Stanton series but seriously? This was just a big mistake! Every writer experiments with 'voices' and styles but hopefully they quickly learn what works ... and what are hopeless failures -and FAST!
This has to be the worst book ever written by Methos. Leave this genre to the classic Louis L'amours of the world, Vic, and stick to the excellent modern day stories. PLEASE!
The humor derived from the semi-accurate use of Western vernacular lost its charm after the third or fourth "ta" and frankly, by chapter two, I had to check the cover to see if the story was really even written by Victor Methos at all!
I admire Mr. Methos' writing, having just finished eight of his Stanton series but seriously? This was just a big mistake! Every writer experiments with 'voices' and styles but hopefully they quickly learn what works ... and what are hopeless failures -and FAST!
This has to be the worst book ever written by Methos. Leave this genre to the classic Louis L'amours of the world, Vic, and stick to the excellent modern day stories. PLEASE!
April 23, 2015
depressing tale of a Jack the ripper style sociopathic killer set in post civil war New Mexico. main character and his wife are likable.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews