Bloody Newton

by Johnny D. Boggs

Inspired by the shocking true story of the Gunfight at Hide Park, this blazing Western novel by Spur Award–winner Johnny D. Boggs takes readers back to that fateful summer in 1871—when Newton, Kansas, became “the wickedest town in the west” . . .

BLOODY NEWTON

A decade before the legendary Gunfight at OK Corral, there was a much bloodier showdown with a much bigger body count—and Wichita Herald reporter Cindy Bagwell was there to see it all. At first, the fledgling journalist had no idea why her boss would send her to what hardly even passes for a town. But Texans, including trail boss Gary Hardee and his sons, are bringing longhorns to Kansas. And Newton aims to take over the cattle market. Hardee has his hands full—and that’s before he reaches Newton, where Texans and Kansans don’t get along. Tensions escalate from fisticuffs to brawling to fatal shootings in short order. But that’s just a warm-up. On August 19, 1871, in a gambling room at Tuttle’s dance hall in Hide Park, this powder keg of bad blood and bitterness between two rival groups explodes—with one young reporter, a restaurant owner, and Hardee’s sons caught in the middle . . .

This is the story of the deadliest gunfight in the American West. Of the passionate men and women who fought for a piece of the American Dream. And of the ultimate price they’d have to pay . . .

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Johnny D. Boggs is a Spur- and Wrangler Award-winning author of the American West and frontier. Born in 1962, Boggs grew up on a farm near Timmonsville, South Carolina, around the old stamping grounds of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (chronicled in his frontier novel The Despoilers). He knew he wanted to be a writer at an early age. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Lisa Smith; son, Jack Smith Boggs; and basset hound, June.

Reviews

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre but it felt good to dip into a western for a change

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody Newton by Johnny D Boggs is about a Newtown cropping up in Kansas called Newton in the book entails all those aiming to go there. First up is Gary and his two sons Tyler and Evan and they’re going to run 3200 head of cattle. At first their aiming to go to Abilene, but thanks to the Railroad in Judge muse who are starting the new town of Newton they’ve sent men into Texas and Chicago to direct them away from Abilene and towards Newton. We also get to know restaurant owner Denise B Beard and reporter Cindy Bagwell, Who in an effort to besmirch the new town of Newton and get rid of Cindy at the same time sends her there to report on any violent deaths and murders. Something she does without a complaint. Can I just stop here and say I found the letters between her and the editor Dodd to be so humorous. While Gary his boys and Hue, the arrogant pompous son of Gary‘s best friend drive the herd to Kansas the violence ramps up in Newton. Throughout the book at the beginning of each chapter is an authentic newspaper article that only helps ramp up the tension between Kansas and the Texas cowboys. When the storylines converge it will end in a bloodbath and only some will make it home again. This story is based on a real account of Newton Kansas that I had never heard of but the author who in my opinion is such a great writer there was a part in the book where Gary is in pain and wore out in the cattle has stampeded and he is trying to find his son Tyler and in that moment I was so swept up in the thunderstorm the wind blowing I was shocked when I snapped back into my own reality and that is a sign of a great writer. This is an awesome Western and a book I definitely recommend. I did fine Hughes conversion happen quite quickly but with the rest of the book being so awesome it’s forgivable. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.#KensingtonPublishing, #NetGalley, #JohnnyDBoggs, #BloodyNewton,

[Joe Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s storytelling skills shine with this historical western. While there are heroes and heroines, the story is not a black and white conflict. Boggs does a fine job in pulling three storylines together. As expected, if the reader has read other stories by Boggs, his descriptive writing immerses the reader in the period, the places, and alongside the characters.

As historical fiction, the story sketches out the founding and the stages of growth or survival of communities in the west, like Newton, Wichita, and Abilene. This is aided by the epigrams at the beginning of each chapter coming from actual newspapers which give a sense of what the expectations, conditions of life and business, and attitudes were for a town like Newton.

Another interesting aspect in the story is what newspapers printed. Not just straightforward reporting of the news, but a “blood and thunder” style of writing.

[Thomas Clagett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Bloody Newton,” multiple award-winning author Johnny D. Boggs presents a vigorous Western tale about one of the deadliest but almost forgotten gunfights in the Old West. It happened on an August day in 1871 in the fledgling cow town of Newton, Kansas.
He tells his story through the eyes of Gary Hardee, a tough Texas cattleman driving his herd through Kansas where Texans aren’t exactly welcome, novice newspaper reporter Cindy Bagwell, a fast learner with a keen eye, and Denise Beeber who’s determined to escape an ugly past and make a new life for herself in this rowdy and vicious town. Boggs also populates his book with plenty of grit and gumption, humor and sorrow.
This well-crafted novel burns inexorably like a lit fuse to the climactic showdown. You know what’s coming, yet you can’t put it down.

[Shawn Cote · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did. I've only read one other Boggs novel, and that one, A Thousand Texas Longhorns, took some getting into but eventually clicked. This one never quite did. Sadly, the Wikipedia entry on the real gunfight at Hide Park fascinated me more than this historical novel. Boggs writes well but his blending of fact and fiction here was anything but seamless, and the made-up revelation about the historical figure James Riley was unconvincing and anticlimactic.

For a more interesting take on the Newton Massacre, read Louis L'Amour's novel Flint , the backstory of which was inspired by but does not specifically reference what actually took place in Newton, Kansas, on August 19, 1871.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to like this one, but the writing is almost comically clumsy such that the novel becomes a slog. The author wants you to know that he did his research, and the newspaper snippets to open each chapter are somewhat interesting, but that cannot substitute for the lack of coherence in any other part of the book (which should be easy, considering that it is based on historical events).

It appears that some of the cowboys' names were chosen to resemble those of current Major League Baseball players, particularly from the Kansas City Royals (Nicky Witt? Bobby Witt? C.J. Merrifield? Nicky Lopez? Whit Merrifield? Which are cowboys and which are infielders?)

[Cathlina Bergman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I'm not necessarily a huge fan of westerns, but I have lived in Newton for 17 years, so I thought it would be cool to read a book about the town's origins. And that part was cool. I also really liked the quotes from actual newspapers of the time.

What threw me the most was the poor writing in various places. Characters walk or even ride away from each other and then still deliver one more line of dialogue, often in an inexplicable "whisper.".. A character shouts something for no reason. It was irritating and distracting.

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. Chose this re recent Spur historical fiction winner. There are some excellent reviews here that cover the strengths and weaknesses. It's an easy read. Unfortunately, didn't cross over to the 'memorable' category for me. However, the 'Author's Note' is quite well written re is research and writing process. And, nice work on the bibliography embedded in that note - several of which will definitely be read.

[Gwen Kubberness · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the Best Westerns I have ever read and I have read a few I used to read Louis L'Amour and I loved his but these newer ones are getting better and better and this Johnny D Boggs is a fantastic writer I absolutely enjoyed this book and I got the book by accident I do not go by Western books no I'm going to

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't put off this book thinking it's "just a western". This is well written historical fiction with great character development and a great story.

[Michael McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun western read. I haven’t read that many westerns but this was a quick fun read based on an actual gunfight and town.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great historical fiction about an up and coming cowtown.
Or, just read it as an awesome Western.

[Carsen Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strong finish in the last 60. Everything thing before that was slow. It also lacked character development and the characters where never flushed out.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Mr. Boggs when I read Longhorns East and jumped at the opportunity to read his latest historical fiction. It’s setting is centered around the up and coming town of Newton, Kansas during the late 1800’s. A new railroad track is going to change Newton into a booming, lawless city. The story is interspersed with period newspaper blurbs that rival current tabloid fodder. As a native Texan I’m familiar with the cattle drives and their destinations in Kansas but Newton was a tale I hadn’t heard of. I appreciated the author’s research and colorful portrayal of the adversities of the era. I became totally invested in the characters and cared about what the outcome would entail. The people are authentic and true to the period of history.
Gary is a cattle driver from Texas with two son’s, Evan and Taylor. He’s the one in charge of everything from the cattle to all the men and the success of the resulting sale. He faces dangerous river crossings, stampedes and exhaustion during the months it takes to reach trails end. He will lead the men and cattle from Texas through Indian Territory to reach Kansas. Cindy is an aspiring newspaper reporter whose misfortune lands her in Newton. Denise loves to cook and wants her own restaurant. She just needs to keep her brother out of trouble long enough to settle in one place. Gary, Cindy and Denise will cross paths in Newton and their futures are forever entwined and altered there.
If you enjoy a Western vibe with lots of historical innuendo, you’ll soak up the atmosphere in this story. There are gunfights, heartbreaking tragedy, death, hardships, love, honor, lifelong friendships, success and a glimpse of the people who founded our great country.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader’s copy of “Bloody Newton” by Johnny D. Boggs, Kensington Publishing, publication expected 06/25/2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.