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Jess Williams #29
To Hell and Back
Jess finds himself back in Stratton, Texas, to turn in a corpse for the bounty. He finds himself working with his friend Sheriff John Bodine again when all of a sudden, Frank Reedy shows up in town unannounced.
Reedy explains to Jess that he needs him to accompany a private stagecoach from Oklahoma City to Juarez, Mexico. The private coach is carrying Matthew Hannigan, who is a personal representative from the President of the United States along with four tough bodyguards and Matthew's wife, Melinda, who is the daughter of one of the richest men in Mexico. Jess is to deliver them safely to Juarez, Mexico, to meet with a personal representative of the Mexican President to resolve a border dispute that is about to boil over and possibly start another war between Mexico and the United States.
At first, Jess refuses, but when Reedy explains all the details, he finally agrees; but only because if he takes the job, the Mexican government will lift the twenty-five thousand dollars in bounty money on his head for his killing of the once famous Mexican General, Pablo Zoreles, along with lifting the warrant on Jess's head.
Jess makes John Bodine accompany him on the long and arduous journey and when he meets the representative of the President of the United States, the conflicts begin. The bodyguards don't like the fact that Jess is to lead the group and Matthew Hannigan's wife, Melinda, slowly makes an unspoken connection with Jess along the way.
The trip to Juarez ends up being a long and dangerous one, fraught with robbers and Indians and to make matters worse, Jess becomes enamored with Melinda and he begins to wonder whether or not they'll make it to Juarez alive.
Reedy explains to Jess that he needs him to accompany a private stagecoach from Oklahoma City to Juarez, Mexico. The private coach is carrying Matthew Hannigan, who is a personal representative from the President of the United States along with four tough bodyguards and Matthew's wife, Melinda, who is the daughter of one of the richest men in Mexico. Jess is to deliver them safely to Juarez, Mexico, to meet with a personal representative of the Mexican President to resolve a border dispute that is about to boil over and possibly start another war between Mexico and the United States.
At first, Jess refuses, but when Reedy explains all the details, he finally agrees; but only because if he takes the job, the Mexican government will lift the twenty-five thousand dollars in bounty money on his head for his killing of the once famous Mexican General, Pablo Zoreles, along with lifting the warrant on Jess's head.
Jess makes John Bodine accompany him on the long and arduous journey and when he meets the representative of the President of the United States, the conflicts begin. The bodyguards don't like the fact that Jess is to lead the group and Matthew Hannigan's wife, Melinda, slowly makes an unspoken connection with Jess along the way.
The trip to Juarez ends up being a long and dangerous one, fraught with robbers and Indians and to make matters worse, Jess becomes enamored with Melinda and he begins to wonder whether or not they'll make it to Juarez alive.
- GenresWesterns
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2014
179 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Thomas
193 books61 followersLibrarian'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.
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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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2021
The further Thomas goes into his Jess Williams series, the better the writing gets. Decent story about Jess escorting a politician from Kansas to El Paso to execute an agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. Plenty of action along the way.
July 31, 2019
Another good book out of this series. The reason why it is called to hell and back is because the main character Jess Williams has to get Melinda and her husband Matthew across a dangerous territory that has robbers and Indians to watch out for safely.
I have said before if you can get passed some of the gruesome parts in each book and the killings, you would appreciate the message that is sent. Plus he always has quite the interesting names for his characters and a good sense of humor that has me chuckling at times.
This had another twist that I did not see coming at the end. Even though Jess is a bounty hunter he is very much appreciated because he does it for the right reasons. He is more of a cop than a bounty hunter. Back in those days he was called a bounty hunter.
This series is not for everyone. I grew up in the country where I recognize some of the messages that are sent in the series and not everyone might get them.
I have said before if you can get passed some of the gruesome parts in each book and the killings, you would appreciate the message that is sent. Plus he always has quite the interesting names for his characters and a good sense of humor that has me chuckling at times.
This had another twist that I did not see coming at the end. Even though Jess is a bounty hunter he is very much appreciated because he does it for the right reasons. He is more of a cop than a bounty hunter. Back in those days he was called a bounty hunter.
This series is not for everyone. I grew up in the country where I recognize some of the messages that are sent in the series and not everyone might get them.
December 29, 2017
A high stakes ride.
This is another in a long list of good stories by Robert J. Thomas. If you enjoy fast paced, action packed stories of the Wild West then you should read the Jess Williams series.
This is another in a long list of good stories by Robert J. Thomas. If you enjoy fast paced, action packed stories of the Wild West then you should read the Jess Williams series.
July 27, 2021
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better than the other.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better than the other.
October 24, 2023
A soft 4.
November 18, 2023
Name and places
Great book. Is Sheriff Hunter the sheriff of Willoughby or El Paso? Please keep character s and places in order. Thank you.
Great book. Is Sheriff Hunter the sheriff of Willoughby or El Paso? Please keep character s and places in order. Thank you.
August 4, 2025
Great story!
This was one of the best stories in the series. Old friends and a hint of new enemies is hard to beat.
This was one of the best stories in the series. Old friends and a hint of new enemies is hard to beat.
February 20, 2015
Jess Williams rides again.
This book was so good. As usual, Mr. Thomas has a hit on his hands. I was never a Western type of book reader. I just did not care to read them. Well, Robert Thomas changed my mind. I have read several of his books in a series on Jess Williams. They are all well written and very interesting. They are written without sex scenarios, very, very few words that I don't want to see or read in a book, if possible. However, they do have fight scenes, guns and knives,etc. Blood,gore, and death are in his wake. After all, Jess Williams is a very good bounty hunter. I have to say that it would be worth your while to try a Western story, and when you do, try a Jess Williams book by Robert J Thomas.
This book was so good. As usual, Mr. Thomas has a hit on his hands. I was never a Western type of book reader. I just did not care to read them. Well, Robert Thomas changed my mind. I have read several of his books in a series on Jess Williams. They are all well written and very interesting. They are written without sex scenarios, very, very few words that I don't want to see or read in a book, if possible. However, they do have fight scenes, guns and knives,etc. Blood,gore, and death are in his wake. After all, Jess Williams is a very good bounty hunter. I have to say that it would be worth your while to try a Western story, and when you do, try a Jess Williams book by Robert J Thomas.
July 9, 2016
WHAT IS HELL
Another GREAT ADVENTURE full of action. Jess and Bodine are together love it. You know when Bodine is in the picture he brings his a lot to the table. He's funny especially when dynamite is involved...funny. I like that the friends he has..few...but they always have his back. Even the native Americans that he has had contact with respect him and he respects them..Jess finds love in this adventure but it's untouchable another man's wife...no touched..oh well he'll meet another. A very strong man with strong ideas and morals..Even though he's called a man killer...he shoots who needs it. The description of THESE killers is scary..their like cases you see on ID scary but true. Everyone keep your camp fires low and watch your backs...
Another GREAT ADVENTURE full of action. Jess and Bodine are together love it. You know when Bodine is in the picture he brings his a lot to the table. He's funny especially when dynamite is involved...funny. I like that the friends he has..few...but they always have his back. Even the native Americans that he has had contact with respect him and he respects them..Jess finds love in this adventure but it's untouchable another man's wife...no touched..oh well he'll meet another. A very strong man with strong ideas and morals..Even though he's called a man killer...he shoots who needs it. The description of THESE killers is scary..their like cases you see on ID scary but true. Everyone keep your camp fires low and watch your backs...
January 4, 2024
Excellent and enjoyable read.
I read this after American Sniper. While the lead characters have little in common, I love that they are the "good guy". Jess is also generous with his friends, as well as strangers. This particular book in the series was a favorite of mine. While helping a presidential emissary arrive safely at the Mexican border, all sorts of action occurs during their journey. There are also some great Laughs along the way. Looking forward to next book in this series.
I read this after American Sniper. While the lead characters have little in common, I love that they are the "good guy". Jess is also generous with his friends, as well as strangers. This particular book in the series was a favorite of mine. While helping a presidential emissary arrive safely at the Mexican border, all sorts of action occurs during their journey. There are also some great Laughs along the way. Looking forward to next book in this series.
November 29, 2014
Great book
This book is one of the best in the series. There's lots of laughs among friend and among the enemies too. I just can not get enough of this continuing series. jess is so cool. All of my friends are reading these books , that keeps getting better. To be such a good man killer, Jess has a very caring heart.
This book is one of the best in the series. There's lots of laughs among friend and among the enemies too. I just can not get enough of this continuing series. jess is so cool. All of my friends are reading these books , that keeps getting better. To be such a good man killer, Jess has a very caring heart.
May 17, 2015
To Help and Back
The best read yet. Robert J. Thomas has a very special talent with story telling. His imagination and ability to put forth such intriguing adventures is remarkable. Every western fan will thoroughly enjoy this adventure. Full of intrigue and action. So, "Giddy Up."
The best read yet. Robert J. Thomas has a very special talent with story telling. His imagination and ability to put forth such intriguing adventures is remarkable. Every western fan will thoroughly enjoy this adventure. Full of intrigue and action. So, "Giddy Up."
March 9, 2015
To hell and back.
Sounds like An movie. Enjoyed Jess as always. He sounds a little like The Duke. Can't you just SEE an old seventy seven years old. Lady reading a western and looking for the next jess williams. ENJOY I did.
Sounds like An movie. Enjoyed Jess as always. He sounds a little like The Duke. Can't you just SEE an old seventy seven years old. Lady reading a western and looking for the next jess williams. ENJOY I did.
October 20, 2022
Good read
Jess has a different mission in this story. He and Bodine escort the American representative to negotiate with Mexico's representative. Jess also falls in love, but it cannot be.
Jess has a different mission in this story. He and Bodine escort the American representative to negotiate with Mexico's representative. Jess also falls in love, but it cannot be.
June 5, 2014
I really enjoy these novels and if the author continues writing them I will continue reading them.
Read
February 22, 2015Hell just increased in size.
Good book great read Jess ready for the next job. He can't let another war with Mexico start.
He must fulfill the agreement
I
Good book great read Jess ready for the next job. He can't let another war with Mexico start.
He must fulfill the agreement
I
May 3, 2015
An excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews