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Bill Travis #4
The Devil to Pay
Why would someone want to kill the curator of the Texas Rangers Museum? And why is Walt Cannon, a thirty-year veteran Ranger the chief suspect? And what could the murder possibly have to do with a very old arson case and satanic worship both north and south of the Texas-Mexico border? To answer these questions, Bill Travis needs the help of the unlikeliest of all sidekicks, including womanizing insurance agent Perry Reilly and Bill's own adopted daughter, Jessica. Follows is a comedic yet tense plunge into the dark underbelly of a hidden world right under our very noses.The Devil To Pay is the fourth installment of the action-adventure and suspense-thriller The Bill Travis Mystery series. About the Wier—dubbed “The Titan of Texas Fiction” by ArtPlanet—lives in Austin, Texas with his lovely wife Sallie, a cat and two dogs. He is the author of the popular sixteen-part Bill Travis Mysteries (beginning with The Last Call and currently culminating with Reveille In Red), The Elysium Chronicles (Murder In Elysium and Sentinel In Elysium), and co-author of the Far Journey Chronicles (1889: Journey to the Moon and 1899: Journey to Mars). His new historical thriller Neptune series begins with Neptune’s Forge and continues with Neptune’s Dominion (forthcoming). He has also penned the erotic thriller West of Valhalla. With over thirty-five novels, omnibuses, and short story anthologies to his name, George Wier writes mystery and crime, historical thrillers, action-adventure, science fiction, steampunk, speculative fiction, short stories, screenplays and teleplays. He also plays classical violin, country fiddle, paints oils and watercolors, sketches with pencil, and speaks publicly on the subject of writing.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2011
About the author
George Wier
71 books39 followersI was born in East Texas and spent most of my life there, principally around the Bryan and College Station area. I moved to Austin, Texas, in 2002 and shortly thereafter began writing The Bill Travis Mystery series. I currently live in Austin with my lovely wife, Sallie, along with two cats and two dogs.
Writing is both my avocation and my vocation, but to add to these I play both classical violin and country fiddle, and I dabble in art (mostly drawing and painting), photography, and book cover design.
I began writing in earnest in 1986, although I have been creatively writing far longer than that, practically since I could read (at a very formative age.) I find that I have far more ideas than I could ever write down, and so I pick and choose only the best story ideas. I write what I, myself, like to read, and nothing more.
Writing is both my avocation and my vocation, but to add to these I play both classical violin and country fiddle, and I dabble in art (mostly drawing and painting), photography, and book cover design.
I began writing in earnest in 1986, although I have been creatively writing far longer than that, practically since I could read (at a very formative age.) I find that I have far more ideas than I could ever write down, and so I pick and choose only the best story ideas. I write what I, myself, like to read, and nothing more.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 28, 2017
George Weir does a wonderful job with this murder mystery, not only because of its smooth writing, but also because his characters, even in the face of social transgressions, find the kindness in others. Or just because of it. More than plot twists, Weir creates character twists that bring out the good in people in the face of evil.
September 30, 2017
Wow what a rush!!
I could not put this down! What a crazy ride. Absolutely riveting. Definitely worth the read ,definitely worth buying the series.
I could not put this down! What a crazy ride. Absolutely riveting. Definitely worth the read ,definitely worth buying the series.
November 6, 2017
very good enjoyed the father daughter interaction
October 3, 2021
The 4th book in the Bill Travis series. Entertaining mystery.
November 28, 2025
Good book. These Bill Travis Mysteries just keep getting better and better!
October 25, 2012
The fourth book in the “Bill Travis Mysteries” series opens with Bill Travis at work in his office when his friend Walt Cannon comes by to see him. Walt is a Texas Ranger with a thirty plus year career in the elite law enforcement agency. Walt is also under suspicion by some within the organization. Some believe that Walt committed a murder. Walt expects to be arrested soon. Walt swears he didn’t kill Phil Burnet, though he certainly had a good reason to kill him.
Bill Travis knows Walt and is pretty sure his friend is telling him the truth when he says he didn’t do it. But, something is wrong with Walt and he won’t come clean about it. All Walt wants is Bill’s help in clearing his name. Bill seems to have a knack for investigating things and finding the truth even though his day job deals with money and all the tricks investment counselors, like Bill, use to make money grow for their clients.
One thing that will help Bill when he starts poking around is that the guy who found the body of Phil Burnet in the water at what used to be called Town Lake is Perry Reilly. The same Perry Reilly, notorious womanizer, who runs an insurance agency right next door to where Bill has his office. Bill has known Perry since way back in the day before Bill was married with kids. Before long, Bill is over at Perry’s office asking a few questions and reluctantly agreeing to let Perry tag along in the investigation. A decision that Bill will have more than one chance to regret in a dangerous case that will take them back and forth across Central Texas chasing a killer.
The Devil To Pay is another fast moving read in the series showcasing the obvious talents of the author George Wier. Bill Travis is a unique character firmly grounded in his everyman roots who gets involved in things again and again because of the people he knows. Often in this series, what starts as something relatively minor soon explodes in a major way with links to the Governor’s Mansion, political double dealing, and notorious crimes decades old. Bill can’t help getting involved and becoming a target. It is in his nature and he can’t help it. Even these days with a wife, a new baby in the house, and lots more going on.
While you could read The Devil To Pay as a stand alone it would be better if you read this series in order starting with The Last Call.
The Devil To Pay: A Bill Travis Mystery
George Wier
http://www.georgewier.com
Flagstone Books
December 2011
E-Book
(Estimated print length 141 pages)
$3.99
Material provided by the author some time ago in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
Author of the e-book short story collection Mind Slices available at Amazon and Smashwords in a variety of formats.
Bill Travis knows Walt and is pretty sure his friend is telling him the truth when he says he didn’t do it. But, something is wrong with Walt and he won’t come clean about it. All Walt wants is Bill’s help in clearing his name. Bill seems to have a knack for investigating things and finding the truth even though his day job deals with money and all the tricks investment counselors, like Bill, use to make money grow for their clients.
One thing that will help Bill when he starts poking around is that the guy who found the body of Phil Burnet in the water at what used to be called Town Lake is Perry Reilly. The same Perry Reilly, notorious womanizer, who runs an insurance agency right next door to where Bill has his office. Bill has known Perry since way back in the day before Bill was married with kids. Before long, Bill is over at Perry’s office asking a few questions and reluctantly agreeing to let Perry tag along in the investigation. A decision that Bill will have more than one chance to regret in a dangerous case that will take them back and forth across Central Texas chasing a killer.
The Devil To Pay is another fast moving read in the series showcasing the obvious talents of the author George Wier. Bill Travis is a unique character firmly grounded in his everyman roots who gets involved in things again and again because of the people he knows. Often in this series, what starts as something relatively minor soon explodes in a major way with links to the Governor’s Mansion, political double dealing, and notorious crimes decades old. Bill can’t help getting involved and becoming a target. It is in his nature and he can’t help it. Even these days with a wife, a new baby in the house, and lots more going on.
While you could read The Devil To Pay as a stand alone it would be better if you read this series in order starting with The Last Call.
The Devil To Pay: A Bill Travis Mystery
George Wier
http://www.georgewier.com
Flagstone Books
December 2011
E-Book
(Estimated print length 141 pages)
$3.99
Material provided by the author some time ago in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
Author of the e-book short story collection Mind Slices available at Amazon and Smashwords in a variety of formats.
October 21, 2012
This book was not as good as the first three of the series to me. Very implausible that Bill would let Perry just "tag along" on a murder investigation. Then there's the daughter, Jessica that he has to pick up and she is allowed to get involved. I didn't particularly like the Satan Worshippers theme and I found it hard to imagine that these men all fell under the spell of one rather plain woman. I read the book just because I've liked following the tales of Bill but this one was a little too far fetched. I think I will try a different author for a while. I may go back to Karen Slaughter and the Grant County Series.
August 28, 2014
Ok but too predictable
we read an author's books because we like their style or turn of phrase. this book is only halfway interest I g because it feels a bit mechanical. "hmmm. let me see...Time to insert possible sexual attraction tion moment here, followed d by shocking gore to shake them back to break
pity. Next scene introduce nice old lady who will become the unexpected......."
No real spark of suspense and Texas stereotypes are cardboard flat. Lived many yrs in Texas and there are a million interesting personalities to complement the interesting settings.
we read an author's books because we like their style or turn of phrase. this book is only halfway interest I g because it feels a bit mechanical. "hmmm. let me see...Time to insert possible sexual attraction tion moment here, followed d by shocking gore to shake them back to break
pity. Next scene introduce nice old lady who will become the unexpected......."
No real spark of suspense and Texas stereotypes are cardboard flat. Lived many yrs in Texas and there are a million interesting personalities to complement the interesting settings.
August 11, 2014
Can't go wrong reading a Bill Travis mystery.
Can't go wrong reading a Bill Travis mystery.
I am enjoying these books in the series a great deal. Like the book Caddo Lake, Jessica plays a major role in this book, and it's rewarding to see the relationship between Jessica and her father. But don't think for a minute that means that because we get to see that we are denied the speed and thrill of a great suspense and mystery. Good read!!
Can't go wrong reading a Bill Travis mystery.
I am enjoying these books in the series a great deal. Like the book Caddo Lake, Jessica plays a major role in this book, and it's rewarding to see the relationship between Jessica and her father. But don't think for a minute that means that because we get to see that we are denied the speed and thrill of a great suspense and mystery. Good read!!
April 7, 2016
Danged if he hasn't done it again
I started the Travis series at the beginning, of course, and then picked up the next and the next, and now he's gone and made me decide to get book 5. Now why would I do that? Well, I've enjoyed each book in the series, trying to unravel each mystery before Bill does, and that is very hard to do. Always engaging, always interesting, always a great read. If you haven't given Bill Travis a try, you're missing out.
I started the Travis series at the beginning, of course, and then picked up the next and the next, and now he's gone and made me decide to get book 5. Now why would I do that? Well, I've enjoyed each book in the series, trying to unravel each mystery before Bill does, and that is very hard to do. Always engaging, always interesting, always a great read. If you haven't given Bill Travis a try, you're missing out.
December 8, 2015
Mystery, Deception, and Enthralling Characters
Bill Travis still gets his family, profession, friendships, and mystery solving all mixed together. He continues to grow in abilities, force of personality, and driving ambition.
Bill Travis still gets his family, profession, friendships, and mystery solving all mixed together. He continues to grow in abilities, force of personality, and driving ambition.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews