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Jess finds himself on the way to Stratton, Texas, after helping Jane Lacey escape the death grip of Walt Mercer and all his money. The fact that he had to finally kill Walt Mercer to accomplish it, was not something he had wanted to do, but Walt Mercer had left him no other choice.

He finds plenty of trouble along the way, but he eventually arrives in Stratton and his plan is simple, get the best suite in the Stratton Hotel and rest up for a few days. That plan suddenly changes when a wagon train arrives in Stratton with their wagon master killed in a bloody Indian attack.

Jess reluctantly agrees to take on the job of wagon master for the caravan of wagons after Laura Woods convinces him that the only way they could make it to their destination is if he agrees to lead them.

Their trip to Benson, Arizona, is long and arduous. They are attacked by Indians, outlaws and thieves along the way. To make matters worse, Rod Mercer has placed a blood bounty on Jess's head for the killing of his brother Walt Mercer. The three Galt brother's have decided to collect on the bounty and they are hot on his trail.

He finds his task twice as hard, looking ahead for the wagon train, and constantly looking over his shoulder for the Galt brothers.

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2013

185 people are currently reading
82 people want to read

About the author

Robert J. Thomas

180 books61 followers
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

In 1990 Robert J. Thomas was sworn in as the full time mayor for the city of Westland, Michigan. He served twelve years, making him the longest serving mayor in Westland's history.

While he was mayor he wrote his first book titled, How to Run for Local Office, which has now sold over 25,000 copies worldwide.

He has written and published on Kindle, the Jess Williams Westerns series. Retired, he now lives in Mississippi with his wfe Jill.

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5 stars
581 (67%)
4 stars
200 (23%)
3 stars
49 (5%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
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9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Jim A.
1,267 reviews82 followers
January 10, 2021
As the title indicates, Williams gets involved in shepherding a wagon train from Texas to Arizona. The usual gunslingers try to take Williams on for size along the way.
2 reviews
January 15, 2015
Standard western

Jesus Williams is too good. Enjoyable quick read but every incident is the same story told over and and over.
1,114 reviews17 followers
October 17, 2023
Came close to being a dnf. A first for me for a Jess Williams. The wagon train theme didn't work for me.

In this story our hero goes from being a good Samaritan with a heart of gold to a dumb schmuck.

All of Jess's friends in Stratton seem to think that he's responsible for a semi stranded wagon train. The people on it were to cheap or stupid to hire enough people to guide them and to stupid to learn to shoot a rifle decently. So he is guilted into being a wagon master. Why? If the good people of Stratton are so concerned let them help them.

So now Jess takes a month or so of his time and throws thousand of dollars at them to to get them to their destination. Why. They look down their nose at him because he kills people. So he spend yet another thousand to buy them supplies and only one little girl approached him to say thank you. They were an ungrateful lot.

So should I have DNF'd it? Probably. But I did like the other parts of the story. Like when he saves a kidnapped girl or gets to see the ocean. Would I recommend it? Not likely. Would I read it again? Never.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Charlene Bridgeford.
63 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2019
Fantastic

It was a very good read. I love reading the books on this cowboy, Jess Williams, he is a good heart warning man that fights for justice with a sense of humor and big dose of confidence.
Profile Image for Patti Kerr.
100 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2020
I truly enjoyed this book. It has been a very long time since I found a western fiction that was worth reading, but this one was great. The author captured my interest quickly and kept it throughout the book.
Profile Image for Troy Farley.
107 reviews14 followers
October 28, 2020
Predictable? So what!

If your not reading these books in order. Stop! That’s what makes this series so good! This story was fun because it was something we never saw Jess do before. Great read. Loved the new characters. Hope to see some of them in future books.
Profile Image for JANE.
352 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2021
Wagon Train

Well Jess sure gets around doesn't he? In those days it wasn't like a few days driving. Wonder how long it took to get from one ocean to the other? Enjoys folks. Jess is worth it. JD
Profile Image for LUAYNE.
1,953 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2021
Good read

Jess collects bounties, but he is wearing a different t hat in this story. He becomes a wagon train leader. The train faces Indians and trail bandits. Jess also helps a young man face the death of father.
5 reviews
March 26, 2023
Love Love Love Jess Williams

Great book, great writer, great. I have read the whole series and am doing it again. Very rare talent in River J Thomas , the story just flows. You must start from the beginning and read them all. Thanks to the author for such a good read!
375 reviews6 followers
October 30, 2017
A long hard and dangerous road.

If you enjoy fast moving stories about the wild west then I highly recommend reading the Jess Williams series by Robert J. Thomas.
Profile Image for Peggy Pancherz.
1,173 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2021
Good book

Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
45 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2022
21 Books Read

I 've read the first 21 books. One after another, enjoyed each one. They are very well written with good storylines. They are not " cookie cutter" stories.
55 reviews
June 19, 2022
Jess Williams 21

Great book enjoyed as usual all the others are great I started reading them again
I will get 22 thanks tommy a.
Profile Image for Charles Horne.
165 reviews4 followers
April 20, 2023
Like the series

Well written for the times. Like the main characters and the fleshing out of their lives. Descriptions are good also.
35 reviews
January 7, 2019
Jess Is The Best

A classic Jess Williams western with a ton of action and a whole lot of men who need killing.If you like good old fashioned westerns this is a good one.
Four 🌟🌟🌟🌟
1,249 reviews23 followers
November 26, 2016
JESS WILLIAMS WAGON MASTER

Good hearted Jess Williams and his friend Sheriff John Bodine persuaded Jess to lead a WAGON train to Benson, Arizona. Well Jess gave in and decided to help the wagon train reach their destination. Between Indian attacks and bushwackers, wagon trouble, the Galt brothers gunning for Jess because of a blood bounty put on him Mercer brother. All three Galt brothers are dead. Well the wagon train reaches Benson in one piece with the help and financial aid from Jess Williams. Another great adventure and I love the names that are used such as Shortie McCredie that's truly a western name. As JOHN Wayne might possibly say 'HEY CHRISTIAN KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN AND YOUR GUN LOADED' and Jess takes a trip to see the Pacific Ocean, he called it the big water. He loved all three days camped out on the beach with his Gray and Sharps. Ride on cowboy into the sunset...

3,198 reviews26 followers
January 28, 2019
RJT. has. penned the 21st western novel in the Jess Williams series. JW. Agreed to lead a Wagon Train to Benson, AZ. He agreed to be the Wagon Master and sometimes Scout. There are many obstacles to overcome. Outlaws, raiding Indians and the weather. JW. Has had a bounty placed on his head. He killed a Mercer and an older brother wants revenge. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

Merged review:

RJT. Had penned the 21st novel in the Jess Williams series. JW. Agreed to be the Wagon Master and lead a wagon train to Benson, AZ. The problems encountered are numerous including the bounty out on his horse by Walt Mercer's brother. This is an excellent read for you he genre.....DEHS
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,224 reviews34 followers
September 13, 2016
How I miss Louis L'Amour! Our hero in this book is a bounty hunter. And boy is he good. To have him on your tail is to know your days are numbered since he doesn't bother with bringin' 'em back alive. Let's put it this way -- he's a good guy that is great with a gun and a reason for going after the worst of the bad guys. And you want him on YOUR side and not the other way around. You don't get the feel of the land the way you do when reading a L'Amour western story. But you do have a "winning" guy to follow he just happens to have a big heart and is nice to women and kids.
205 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2014
good typical western

This is a good, typical western novel. Good guys and bad and it is easy to determine which is which. Taking on an unaccustomed task the main character follows through on his promises just like a good man does. Some Indians, bandits, gunslingers, all fit into the plot align with a young teen required to grow up too soon. Was an enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Allen.
Author 6 books10 followers
April 17, 2021
I like westerns and this guy kills off more bad guys than any other I have read. He is a walking army with revolver, shotguns, buffalo gun and carbine. He also does good deeds. A classic western, just ramped way up.
Profile Image for Susan Moore.
509 reviews7 followers
December 24, 2014
This was a nice change of pace in the series.

Jess does a few things he has never done before. I really enjoyed this free copy. The ending was one of the best in the series.
Profile Image for Randy Carlson.
3 reviews
December 26, 2014
Love the characters

Very good read! I like the characters and will be with the series. Author kept my interest throughout and I found it hard to put it down.
731 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2014
Another very good read by this author.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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