A Dangerous Man: A Novel of William "Wild Bill" Longley

Bad Men of the West #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone are the USA Today bestselling authors whose Western sagas have won a legion of devoted fans. Now, they take up the tale of a legendary outlaw who tore up Texas, and left behind a legacy of terror.

Live Wild, Draw Fast, Die Hard

Born and bred in the Texas Pandhandle town of Comanche Crossing, William "Wild Bill" Longley gunned down a dozen of its men in cold blood before he got around to the sheriff and deputy--so he could take over the job himself. Then he found the perfect sidekick in a vicious career criminal named Booker Tate. With his remorseless heart set on a beautiful young woman, Wild Bill and Booker take the whole town hostage until the young lady agrees to marry a man she despises.

That's when a cold-eyed stranger comes to town with a dead man strapped to his saddle. In a town where violence and murder rule the day, a terrifying battle is about to explode--between ruthless Wild Bill Longley and a bounty hunter named Tam Sullivan, who's done a whole lot of killing of his own...

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Ebooks

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Brian Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wise cracking western bounty-hunter Tam Sullivan is quick with his six-shooter and quick with sarcastic verbal shots towards outlaws as well.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Routine Western

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never heard of William 'wild bill' Longley, but wanted to try a new series, so this was it. I enjoyed the story, it had some different aspects and storyline than many of them, so I enjoyed it. I'll listen to the series as it looks like there are 5 of them. I think Graphic Audio has only done 4, but that's fine by me. Great job GA and Great job Johnstone.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Johnstone Classic

Enjoyable as are all his books! I never tire of reading these wonderful exciting stories! I have over 120 of his ebooks!

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mixed experience. For the first third of the book, it was brilliant, it almost made me wonder if a different writer than Johnstone wrote it. The dialog had a terrific period feel and the characters felt fresh.

Then it went a bit odd, where the dialog turned into normal cowboy sort of fare, and while the main characters felt fresh, the rest of the cast was kind of boilerplate. One thing that stood apart was a strange woman who collects Indian artifacts and bones with her strange Chinese butler/man.

Then it shifted into a weird comedy while the hero tries to find the body of his bounty that has vanished from the grave before he can get paid for it. This is a bit of an interesting twist, but it pads a book that already has an Apache outbreak, a town being taken over by an infamous villain, a bounty hunter collecting money in town, and a power struggle in town.

Then it gets grim and dark with awful things happening to characters you've been caused to like and hope for, and in the end the story turns into a strange supernatural plot.

So some of it is great stuff. The main bad guy the book is ostensibly about (Longley) is interesting because of his very distinct and unusual personality and deeds. The concept was fairly sound, but became too complicated and jumbled, as real life often does.

[Richard Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't rush me.

this story builds and builds until it just rolls out in front of you. it takes time to grow with the "hero" but once you do it is good.

[John Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good characterization. Interesting little mystery. Seemed to go on a little long to me, though.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing story. Historical Western mystery. I enjoyed the buildup and the banter between the hero and the baddie. Had me wondering, given the factual character, how it was going to play out.

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138156

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, i believe i have come across the best written of any - ANY - Johnstone Clan book I've read - around 70.

This is so good that this must be a new writer in the Johnstone stable. Certainly the most competent. Great plotting, terrific settings, excellent writing, wonderful characters. Unfortunately, due to it being part of the Johnstone Clan, it's unlikely to be known any more than it is.

The best part of the writing of this book had so many hints of Steinbeck of the setting descriptions. Often i could feel the cold that whipped around. The creaking structure as a character walked. A lone dog trotting along a wagon in the slushy snow. Just wonderful additions, usually not found in a Johnstone book, that illuminate the entirety.

The story is also more complex with a lot to sink into. The bounty hunter, the killer, the store owner, the new Sheriff, the mysterious woman, a large dog and more mystery is combined and well written enough to draw a reader in. Seems the one before this one is just as good. i look forward to it.

Here's a time i wish i knew who the actual author is. Likely will leave the Clan at some point and have to figure out if i can find the author again.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.