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The Only Saloon in Town
The start of a crackling new western series by Spur Award–winning author Reavis Z. Wortham perfect for fans of William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone.
A couple stiff drinks after a long day’s ride. That’s all Cap Whitlatch and his one-armed buddy Gil are looking for when they drift into the dusty town of Angel Fire. Problem is, there’s only one saloon—and they don’t accept U.S. currency. Just gold and silver coins. Which means Cap and Gil have to go to the only bank in town to exchange their bills for coins. Unfortunately for them, the bank is about to get robbed—by the wildest sons-of-guns this side of the Rio Grande . . .
It turns out Cap and Gil aren’t the only ones who need the gold and silver to get a drink. There’s a rowdy crew of rough riders from the north, ranch hands from Panther Creek, and vicious bunch of scalp hunters with a grisly cargo of Commanche and Apache scalps. Since the bank president is out of town, the teller can’t exchange anyone’s money. Which doesn’t sit well with some of the boys, who decide to take the gold and silver themselves—with bullets and bloodshed as collaterol. Things turn ugly fast. The town marshal turns his head. Which leaves Cap and Gil to deal with these maurading devils—before they blow the whole town of Angel Fire to kingdom come . . .
“Reavis Z. Wortham is the real a literary voice that’s delivered with a warm and knowing Texas twang.”—C.J. Box
“There’s a term we use in the west, the genuine article, and those words fit Reavis Z. Wortham to a Texas T.”—Craig Johnson
A couple stiff drinks after a long day’s ride. That’s all Cap Whitlatch and his one-armed buddy Gil are looking for when they drift into the dusty town of Angel Fire. Problem is, there’s only one saloon—and they don’t accept U.S. currency. Just gold and silver coins. Which means Cap and Gil have to go to the only bank in town to exchange their bills for coins. Unfortunately for them, the bank is about to get robbed—by the wildest sons-of-guns this side of the Rio Grande . . .
It turns out Cap and Gil aren’t the only ones who need the gold and silver to get a drink. There’s a rowdy crew of rough riders from the north, ranch hands from Panther Creek, and vicious bunch of scalp hunters with a grisly cargo of Commanche and Apache scalps. Since the bank president is out of town, the teller can’t exchange anyone’s money. Which doesn’t sit well with some of the boys, who decide to take the gold and silver themselves—with bullets and bloodshed as collaterol. Things turn ugly fast. The town marshal turns his head. Which leaves Cap and Gil to deal with these maurading devils—before they blow the whole town of Angel Fire to kingdom come . . .
“Reavis Z. Wortham is the real a literary voice that’s delivered with a warm and knowing Texas twang.”—C.J. Box
“There’s a term we use in the west, the genuine article, and those words fit Reavis Z. Wortham to a Texas T.”—Craig Johnson
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Reavis Z. Wortham
22 books238 followersReavis Z. Wortham retired in 2011 and now works harder than before as the author of the critically acclaimed Red River historical mystery series. Kirkus Reviews listed his first novel, The Rock Hole, as one of their Top 12 Mysteries of 2011. True West Magazine included Dark Places as one of 2015’s Top 12 Modern Westerns. The Providence Journal writes, “This year's Unraveled is a hidden gem of a book that reads like Craig Johnson's Longmire on steroids.” Wortham’s new high octane contemporary thriller from Kensington Publishing, Hawke's Prey, featuring Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke was released in June, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 14, 2025
I do like a good western and this one of those. The Only Saloon in Town by Reavis Z. Wortham is the second adventure with Cap Whitlatch, although not as dark as the first one there is still some bad stuff going on. I do however think that the author should write more of his Red River and Tom Bell stories since they are in a different league. I do however enjoy the characters in this series and I will continue to read anything from this great Texas storyteller.
October 1, 2024
5 stars, again!
Reavis Wortham knows how to spin a tale! When deputies Gil and Cap ride into the little village of Angel Fire, they just intend to pick up a prisoner to return him to Fredericksburg for trial. But they are thirsty and when they go to the only saloon in town they discover they need "hard money", no paper. When they go to the bank, more strange things are happening. There is a bank robbery, & Cap & Gil lead a posse to find the robbers. A separate robbery is taking place at a burned out stage stop. Comanche are involved, a team of filthy scalp hunters join with the Comanches, and many people are dying of lead poisoning. As with all of his books, the body count quickly stacks up. It's a gritty, tough novel about gritty lawmen and several bands of robbers. I recommend it for readers who enjoy a fast moving tale with lots of twists and turns along the way.
Reavis Wortham knows how to spin a tale! When deputies Gil and Cap ride into the little village of Angel Fire, they just intend to pick up a prisoner to return him to Fredericksburg for trial. But they are thirsty and when they go to the only saloon in town they discover they need "hard money", no paper. When they go to the bank, more strange things are happening. There is a bank robbery, & Cap & Gil lead a posse to find the robbers. A separate robbery is taking place at a burned out stage stop. Comanche are involved, a team of filthy scalp hunters join with the Comanches, and many people are dying of lead poisoning. As with all of his books, the body count quickly stacks up. It's a gritty, tough novel about gritty lawmen and several bands of robbers. I recommend it for readers who enjoy a fast moving tale with lots of twists and turns along the way.
August 10, 2025
Action packed western and never a dull moment! This book is full of all kinds of colorful characters. You have lawmen, con artists, a greedy banker, evil scalphunters, and hardened cowboys.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews