Aftermath

by Jerry S. Drake

Mitch Ellsworth wants a new, uneventful life. With a history that includes Civil War service with the notorious Quantrill raiders, post-war banditry and a consequential stretch in a Missouri prison, he hopes to put his past behind him. Responding to a plea for help from Bob Carlin, a childhood friend and companion in their youthful escapades, Mitch arrives only to discover Carlin wants his help with an imminent bank robbery. When Mitch refuses, he is shot by his angry friend and left for dead. After a lingering recovery, Mitch finds he is a wanted man, mistaken for a member of the Carlin gang who was wounded in the bank robbery violence. Mitch must now set out on a danger-filled journey to avenge his friend's betrayal and clear his name, all the while haunted by remembrances of his yesteryears.

Genres: Fiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Rose Marie Burchett]

Interesting read

Not at all what I expected, but an interesting story with a happy ending. Nice and simple and era appropriate.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I already reviewed this; perhaps I reviewed it on Amazon, as the $1 Amazon Local book deal is where I got this. I've read a couple from that periodic deal Amazon runs, and this will be the last. If the three star rating doesn't say "don't bother" to you already, what am I gonna say down here that will change your mind? That I really mean 2.5 stars? Your time is better spent invested elsewhere. Also, I am getting into the groove of how I rate books. Apparently, 2.5 stars and up means that I finished it. 2 stars and down means I threw it aside because I couldn't make it through - and yes, I need the flexibility of 2 stars to express that.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was like reading a Louis L'Amour novel--one that you had on hand for reading during a commute. The protagonist in Aftermath was good and honest but was accused of being a villain and dishonest... and is rescued by the heroine. This is a period piece. It is a fast read. It is a morality play. It's an antique--like a Saturday AM cowboy show in the 1950's.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent western...with Civil War connections. Predictable story...good guys vs. bad guys. I learned a bit of history, and was reminded of some, too. In the end, the man and his horse ride off into the sunset...leaving the woman waving goodbye, but with the hope of a whole new story awaiting their future together.

[Stephanie R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book held my attention long enough to finish it, but I wouldn't read it again. When the guy was shot in the gut and somehow manages to avoid dying of an infection JUST AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, it really took me out of the story.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

So glad to finish this book. Took me almost two years to get through. I kept picking it up and putting it down. It really wasn't that good, but I just forced myself to get through it and really have no idea what happened.

[Kaylee Marx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly addicting read it in a few days.