Body Count

Jess Williams #24

by Robert J. Thomas

Jess finds himself in Hays, Kansas, looking for the man who murdered his friend, Hardtack Hammer, up in Durango, Colorado. He puts Big Jim Baker out of commission for good, shooting him in the elbow a second before he was going to cut the neck of another fighter, ending his career in boxing.

He continues to hunt wanted men, but his hunt is cut short when he finally gets a wire from United States Marshal Frank Reedy. Reedy wants Jess to go to Wichita and join up with John Bodine to help settle a range war between two of the largest cattle barons in the area.

The richest ranch owner is hell-bent on buying out the second largest cattle ranch and when Jess gets involved, lead starts flying and men start dying. Tom Rund makes it his mission to remove his one obstacle that's still in his way...Jess Williams.

Genres: Westerns

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2013

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Williams gets involved in another range war. The title tells the reader all they need to know.

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Body Count by Robert J. Thomas is a true western. No female characters to speak of. It also involves a range war between Mr.Rund, boo hiss, the bad guy and Mr. Burr, the good guy. Jess Williams is a bounty hunter and a U.S.Marshall. He's picking off wanted men and collecting the bounty on them waiting for a message from his boss about the range war brewing over in Witchata, Kansas. When he gets the telegraph to meet Bodine, he heads off. Bodine is the sheriff of Stratton, Texas. He rides to Witchita finds the ex Marshall and has him swear in as a U.S.Marshall. He heads over to the saloon and arrests three of Rund's hired gunslingers. This does not sit well with Rund. He bails them out. Jess arrives in town immediately after two of Rund's men shot down two of Burr's men. He gives them a chance but ends up shooting them both. Bodine comes in and they get a drink of good whiskey. The undertaker is quite happy. Burr rides into town the next day and takes the two men back to his place for burial. With Rund hiring all gunslingers to take over Burr's ranch, will Jess Williams be enough to stop him?

[JANE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body Count.

Well Jess sure had a couple of body counts. I'm 24 looking for 25. I don't usually read of these westerns 24 at a time. But you get into them and look for the next one. Folks you haven't read westerns until you get into these books Read and Enjoy them. I'm sure doing just that. JD

[Mikel Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some learn to late.

Once again Robert J. Thomas has written a very entertaining Jess Williams Western. If you enjoy fast paced stories about the Wild West then I highly recommend this series.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Range war done well in true Jess Williams style. Lost a star because of John Bodine. He is a grown man constantly expecting his friend to pick up his tab. There is nothing charming or fun about a cheapskate and a leech. Jess needs to make a new best friend.

[Anthony R Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Western series.

[Peter Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whole series

Brilliantly told easy to read and well worth doing in to the world that the author paints of humour gunbattles and justice

[Peggy Pancherz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Read all of them books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.

[Susan Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western about a range war and hired guns.

Jess always comes through for his friends and good people he meets. This book was free this week, but still worth buying even if it wasn't free.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good novel by this author.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

24th in the Jess Williams series. More than 3 errors.

[Nikki Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This an enjoyable read for my bus commute. It was light and easy to read.

[LUAYNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Jess and Bodine are involved in a familiar situation, A range war. As usual, Jess does most of the killing and collecting the blood money.