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Black Horse Creek
There's no taming Billy Blanchard. He's cut from the same rough cloth as his father, Jacob, the man who built the town of Black Horse Creek from nothing. Jacob takes pride in Billy's lawless, wild ways. But when the boy returns home with a stolen horse, having just killed a US Marshal, Jacob knows trouble will be coming. Called in on special assignment, enigmatic former deputy marshal Grayson is asked to find Billy. The marshals would prefer to have him brought in alive. But Grayson knows Billy. He knows Billy's father. And he knows that things don't always go the way the law would like.
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First published December 4, 2012
About the author
Charles G. West
70 books76 followersCharles G. West first arrived on the western literary scene in March, 1998 with his first novel, Stone Hand, published by Penguin under their Signet imprint. The book was the first of a three-book series, featuring Jason Coles, master tracker. The public response to those first three books called for more western fiction by West, and as of January 2014, Signet has published forty-five.
Inspired in his youth by great adventure authors like A.B. Guthrie and Vardis Fisher, West has always sought to be true to the men and women who braved the dangers of the savage frontier that was ultimately forged to become the American west. Novels by Charles G. West are classified as historical/westerns due to his diligent research in his subject matter, choosing to weave his fiction into the fabric of the actual places and events, being true to the times as well as the people. As a result, his protagonists are usually not heroes, but are often called upon to perform heroic deeds.
Insisting that his protagonists must be instilled with a sense of fairness in addition to courage. West readily admits that many of the characters in his books are patterned after his two sons, both of whom are graduates of the University of Montana, one still lives in Kalispell, Montana - and is the source of much of the author's detail on the ways of the mountain man. Both sons share West's love for the Big Sky Country.
Presently, the author resides in Ocala, Florida with his wife, Ronda, whose name is found on the dedication page of every West novel.
Inspired in his youth by great adventure authors like A.B. Guthrie and Vardis Fisher, West has always sought to be true to the men and women who braved the dangers of the savage frontier that was ultimately forged to become the American west. Novels by Charles G. West are classified as historical/westerns due to his diligent research in his subject matter, choosing to weave his fiction into the fabric of the actual places and events, being true to the times as well as the people. As a result, his protagonists are usually not heroes, but are often called upon to perform heroic deeds.
Insisting that his protagonists must be instilled with a sense of fairness in addition to courage. West readily admits that many of the characters in his books are patterned after his two sons, both of whom are graduates of the University of Montana, one still lives in Kalispell, Montana - and is the source of much of the author's detail on the ways of the mountain man. Both sons share West's love for the Big Sky Country.
Presently, the author resides in Ocala, Florida with his wife, Ronda, whose name is found on the dedication page of every West novel.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 9, 2023
The Blanchard Family is evil…pure evil. They kill, they threaten, they use, they abuse, they own what they want in this town… Black Horse Creek, the town Jacob Blanchard has built from ground up.
When Grayson (Deputy Marshall turned Bounty Hunter) tries to bring in Billy Blanchard alive for crimes he has committed, his success is thwarted on the long trail to bring Billy in, as Grayson is hunted, and runs into numerous obstacles. He eventually does bring Billy all the way in, unfortunately, it’s been many days since his demise- Billy is NOT a “live” body, thereby presenting a bit of a proof problem for he was was suppose to be on display when being delivered (dead or alive).
Well, Hell has no fury like a father’s scorn for the loss of his favorite son - which is soon to be released on Grayson, and anyone standing in Blanchard’s way of revenge. Jacob Blanchard has one thought…to avenge his son, and his anger is white hot.
The reader will want to see how this plays out until the very last page is turned.
When Grayson (Deputy Marshall turned Bounty Hunter) tries to bring in Billy Blanchard alive for crimes he has committed, his success is thwarted on the long trail to bring Billy in, as Grayson is hunted, and runs into numerous obstacles. He eventually does bring Billy all the way in, unfortunately, it’s been many days since his demise- Billy is NOT a “live” body, thereby presenting a bit of a proof problem for he was was suppose to be on display when being delivered (dead or alive).
Well, Hell has no fury like a father’s scorn for the loss of his favorite son - which is soon to be released on Grayson, and anyone standing in Blanchard’s way of revenge. Jacob Blanchard has one thought…to avenge his son, and his anger is white hot.
The reader will want to see how this plays out until the very last page is turned.
July 19, 2022
I read a fair quantity of historical fiction, but I rarely read Westerns. I calculated while I was talking to a friend that I might read one every four years or so. But sometimes I do enjoy reading a book in which you cannot track someone with their cell phone records, in which there are white hats and black hats, and justice is served. Black Horse Creek by Charles G West fits that description. Grayson is a former Deputy Marshal turned bounty hunter. He has a fabulous payday to look forward to IF he can capture Billy Blanchard, a murderous thug with no redeeming virtues, and transport him alive to face a judge and presumably hang. Blanchard belongs to a family of lawless jackasses. Complications and subsequent mayhem ensue. Grayson has a formidable reputation but he is not invincible, which is one of the things I liked about this book. The author throws in the occasional twist but there’s really nothing that happens here that breaks the mold. Three stars.
February 11, 2022
I enjoyed this story. It did not go down the way I was expecting it to , so that was a definite plus in the book's favor. I thought the character development was decent .
The "basic" plot of three books I have read have pretty much all been about revenge in some fashion taking place. In Death is the Hunter and Silver Creek Massacre, it is also passed off as "justice" because a family member is seeking some kind of justice (in the form of revenge) for crimes/atrocities committed against family members. This book starts about with the main character seeking justice for a crime committed, but then it becomes personal and he switches from justice to vengeance.
I am glad I took a chance on reading a third book by this author. It was a relatively fast read (despite my reading bits of it at a time), and it held my interest from start to finish. It was no big thing to put it down if something else came up, but I was still able to pick back up where I left off and continue the story. It was worth at least a one-time read.
The "basic" plot of three books I have read have pretty much all been about revenge in some fashion taking place. In Death is the Hunter and Silver Creek Massacre, it is also passed off as "justice" because a family member is seeking some kind of justice (in the form of revenge) for crimes/atrocities committed against family members. This book starts about with the main character seeking justice for a crime committed, but then it becomes personal and he switches from justice to vengeance.
I am glad I took a chance on reading a third book by this author. It was a relatively fast read (despite my reading bits of it at a time), and it held my interest from start to finish. It was no big thing to put it down if something else came up, but I was still able to pick back up where I left off and continue the story. It was worth at least a one-time read.
June 5, 2019
BAD NEWS FOR BILLY BLANCHARD
A U. S. Deputy Marshal Tom Malone trailing a bank robber, murderer whom he's trailed to an out post in Indian territory, is sitting in a saloon gambling with monies he stole. His name is Bully Blanchard and he's a wild card. He shoots a U.S.
Marshal and brags about it, even though the
law breakers didn't want to be in that saloon when the U. S. Marshal Service came down on that outpost looking for the killer.
Some background on Billy Blanchard, his father created the town of Black Horse Creek and all the townies and surrounding farms and ranches. His father Jacob Blanchard was an old owlhoot, killer and Billy was his youngest son, personification of himself a ruthless cruel man.
The U. S.Marshal service is sending a man named
Grayson to arrest Billy Blanchard who fled back to his father's ranch to hideout. Grayson is man whose worn many law hats, Texas Ranger, U.S.Marshal and now a round about way Bounty Hunter. The service enlisted his help especially when they have a hard case such as Billy Blanchard. The town of Black Horse Creek is literally a fiefdom ruled by Jacob Blanchard his two sons appointed as Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff.
Plus he has a couple of store owners who take information back to Jacob regarding going-on in the town..snitching snitchers another hot mess.
Grayson is a man to ride the river with, a man to have at your back. He tells you up front what he'll do to you, no guessing, just the facts of I'll shoot you there are no qualms. That's how he's stayed alive so long, never underestimate the man or men standing in front of you pointing a loaded pistol at you.
Lots of action straight shooter very few friends. He demonstrates an analytical mind, because the men tracks down to arrest, you have to be at least three to four steps or more to read these owlhoots minds to stay alive.
I hope this author will continue writing about
"Grayson" he's another to add to the growing list of lawmen trying to bring some sort of justice to
the Territories west of the mighty Mississippi
River.
A U. S. Deputy Marshal Tom Malone trailing a bank robber, murderer whom he's trailed to an out post in Indian territory, is sitting in a saloon gambling with monies he stole. His name is Bully Blanchard and he's a wild card. He shoots a U.S.
Marshal and brags about it, even though the
law breakers didn't want to be in that saloon when the U. S. Marshal Service came down on that outpost looking for the killer.
Some background on Billy Blanchard, his father created the town of Black Horse Creek and all the townies and surrounding farms and ranches. His father Jacob Blanchard was an old owlhoot, killer and Billy was his youngest son, personification of himself a ruthless cruel man.
The U. S.Marshal service is sending a man named
Grayson to arrest Billy Blanchard who fled back to his father's ranch to hideout. Grayson is man whose worn many law hats, Texas Ranger, U.S.Marshal and now a round about way Bounty Hunter. The service enlisted his help especially when they have a hard case such as Billy Blanchard. The town of Black Horse Creek is literally a fiefdom ruled by Jacob Blanchard his two sons appointed as Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff.
Plus he has a couple of store owners who take information back to Jacob regarding going-on in the town..snitching snitchers another hot mess.
Grayson is a man to ride the river with, a man to have at your back. He tells you up front what he'll do to you, no guessing, just the facts of I'll shoot you there are no qualms. That's how he's stayed alive so long, never underestimate the man or men standing in front of you pointing a loaded pistol at you.
Lots of action straight shooter very few friends. He demonstrates an analytical mind, because the men tracks down to arrest, you have to be at least three to four steps or more to read these owlhoots minds to stay alive.
I hope this author will continue writing about
"Grayson" he's another to add to the growing list of lawmen trying to bring some sort of justice to
the Territories west of the mighty Mississippi
River.
October 12, 2022
Another story of a criminal who has taken over a town and all the residents are spineless to do anything until the main character (Joel Grayson) and hero shows up.
One part of the story a outlaw gets shot in the back and is dead. But the hero of the story gets shot five times, front and back and survives. Yeah, right shot five times and survives, what a crock.
Otherwise, a pretty good story.
One part of the story a outlaw gets shot in the back and is dead. But the hero of the story gets shot five times, front and back and survives. Yeah, right shot five times and survives, what a crock.
Otherwise, a pretty good story.
May 27, 2020
Loved it.. Plenty of fighting.. gun slinging and fists! Man raises son without any rules or respect for anyone but him.. You can imagine how this goes and how eager most folks would be to finally find someone with guts enough to stand up to him.. Grab your coffee and enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
A classic western from the start. I have been looking for some traditional western style stories and this fit the bill, so much so that I have started a second book by Mr West.
April 5, 2018
This was a great adventure to read.
May 24, 2018
This is a good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend this book to everyone.
November 17, 2019
If you enjoy westerns, you’ll like this novel. It was quick & enjoyable. Don’t over think it. Read it.
October 14, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. Definitely some shocking moments, but that's the wild West for you! 😁
July 7, 2023
Good fun, read, but it's kind of predictable. It's still worth the read!!
January 7, 2026
2.15 audio
December 26, 2018
Despite some similar themes, I like books by West. In this story, Grayson follows Billy Blanchard back to the town run by the killer's pa Jacob. Everyone, even the honest blacksmith, is deceived by the family. Guerilla tactics are the hero's method to combat an evil crew.
Humor may come in hints. Here, lightning crashes exactly when Grayson's "ghost" scares many townspeople. The cemetery setting adds fear.
Humor may come in hints. Here, lightning crashes exactly when Grayson's "ghost" scares many townspeople. The cemetery setting adds fear.
July 9, 2025
Grayson is a former Marshall-turned-bounty hunter who is hired to capture and escort the outlaw son of a corrupt family and have him hang as a statement. The patriarch discovers the plot and sends his various crones to save his son and execute his captor.
Another solid western by Charles G. West. A simple but effective story of a bounty hunter and his mission. I liked how the author developed the outlaw family dynamic and their twisted blood ties compared to the lonesome bounty hunter Grayson. I really liked the villains because of how mean and cruel they were, but not excessively so for shock value. They were nasty and it was satisfying for Grayson to serve justice.
The more I read of this author the more I appreciate and respect his work and diverse characters compared to other westerns I’ve read that are a predominantly white cast.
He writes a sweet but naive native girl that gets duped by the outlaw’s charm, and he also writes another tough and savvy native woman who is more than capable of handling her own. This is the first western I’ve read where native characters had significant roles, and I’m really glad he included them.
Another solid western by Charles G. West. A simple but effective story of a bounty hunter and his mission. I liked how the author developed the outlaw family dynamic and their twisted blood ties compared to the lonesome bounty hunter Grayson. I really liked the villains because of how mean and cruel they were, but not excessively so for shock value. They were nasty and it was satisfying for Grayson to serve justice.
The more I read of this author the more I appreciate and respect his work and diverse characters compared to other westerns I’ve read that are a predominantly white cast.
He writes a sweet but naive native girl that gets duped by the outlaw’s charm, and he also writes another tough and savvy native woman who is more than capable of handling her own. This is the first western I’ve read where native characters had significant roles, and I’m really glad he included them.
March 11, 2017
I haven't been disappointed with a Charles G West novel yet. Tracking an outlaw as a bounty hunter, recovery from an ambush, then revenge. What more should be in a western?
December 17, 2012
The town of Black Horse Creek was owned by Jacob Blanchard, a ruthless man who'd built his empire by cattle rustling and bank robbery. The town was built on land he owned, or claimed, and he charged outrageous sums to merchants to set up businesses.
He had three boys, the two oldest he'd set up as Sheriff and deputy. The youngest, Billy, was just eighteen and wild as a buck. He was the apple of his father's eye because he was most like his father.
He was a wanted man now. He'd robbed a bank and shot a clerk to death because he didn't get down on the ground fast enough. The Federal Marshal who came after him he killed as well and fled the Indian Territories back into Kansas and the home ranch.
Enter bounty hunter Grayson. Ex-Texas Ranger, ex-Federal Marshal, he was asked to bring Billy in alive for trial and hanging. One thousand was the reward. If he couldn't bring him in alive, he must bring the body to claim the reward.
Grayson knew it would be tough. The Blanchards were a pack of wolves. But a thousand.
Catching Billy was the easy part. Getting him back for Judge Parker's trial was the hard part. Old Jacob dent men after him, the two brothers were also out. Outlaws roamed the area and young Pawnees testing their mettle were between him and his destination.
But not even bullets could deter the bounty hunter. And revenge was just part of his make-up.
Liked this one.
He had three boys, the two oldest he'd set up as Sheriff and deputy. The youngest, Billy, was just eighteen and wild as a buck. He was the apple of his father's eye because he was most like his father.
He was a wanted man now. He'd robbed a bank and shot a clerk to death because he didn't get down on the ground fast enough. The Federal Marshal who came after him he killed as well and fled the Indian Territories back into Kansas and the home ranch.
Enter bounty hunter Grayson. Ex-Texas Ranger, ex-Federal Marshal, he was asked to bring Billy in alive for trial and hanging. One thousand was the reward. If he couldn't bring him in alive, he must bring the body to claim the reward.
Grayson knew it would be tough. The Blanchards were a pack of wolves. But a thousand.
Catching Billy was the easy part. Getting him back for Judge Parker's trial was the hard part. Old Jacob dent men after him, the two brothers were also out. Outlaws roamed the area and young Pawnees testing their mettle were between him and his destination.
But not even bullets could deter the bounty hunter. And revenge was just part of his make-up.
Liked this one.
July 21, 2015
Black Horse Creek
This is a fantastic read. Full of suspense and suspenseful excitement. A look at how one ruthless tyrant and . his hooligan son's ruled a town through fear and intimidation. Another great story by Charles G West. You will truly enjoy this book. So, "Giddy Up."
This is a fantastic read. Full of suspense and suspenseful excitement. A look at how one ruthless tyrant and . his hooligan son's ruled a town through fear and intimidation. Another great story by Charles G West. You will truly enjoy this book. So, "Giddy Up."
February 18, 2015
too much swearing
February 1, 2016
Wasn't a favorite.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews