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John Tall Wolf #3
Super Chief
When a classic Super Chief locomotive disappears between L.A. and Chicago and the case is handed to the BIA’s John Tall Wolf, he asks the obvious question, “How do you steal a train?”
Once more, John is working with FBI Deputy Director Byron DeWitt, and the question he wants answered is a perennial favorite. “Are terrorists behind all this?”
Other possible suspects are Native Americans and two feuding Silicon Valley tech billionaires who were among the last people to see the Super Chief off from L.A.’s Union Station.
All trails lead to the one place John swore he’d never go: the reservation where he was born. Looks like a good place to avoid, too, when John learns his grandmother has put out a hit on him.
Once more, John is working with FBI Deputy Director Byron DeWitt, and the question he wants answered is a perennial favorite. “Are terrorists behind all this?”
Other possible suspects are Native Americans and two feuding Silicon Valley tech billionaires who were among the last people to see the Super Chief off from L.A.’s Union Station.
All trails lead to the one place John swore he’d never go: the reservation where he was born. Looks like a good place to avoid, too, when John learns his grandmother has put out a hit on him.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2014
285 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Flynn
70 books198 followersJoseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 22, 2024
Joseph Flynn keeps the John Tall Wolf series at its highest calibre with yet another piece that has the reader enjoying the journey. Tall Wolf, an essential part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), finds himself on the way to Los Angeles after a massive locomotive disappears into thin air. The Super Chief, a symbolic monster that travels along the rails, must be found and its their caught quickly. Working alongside an Amtrak investigator, John Tall Wolf is also trying to keep things in order after being promoted by the US vice-president to a new role. He must work the case and watch his back, all while the political situation in the US heats up. Flynn does well to keep the reader in the middle of the action once more.
After the massive Super Chief locomotive disappears on its trip between Los Angeles and Chicago, the BIA’s John Tall Wolf is called in to help with the investigation. A central part of the Bureau, Tall Wolf wonders not only about the uniqueness of the case, but also how one can steal such a massive item and have it disappear into thin air.
Working with the FBI, local authorities, and an Amtrak investigator, Tall Wolf starts to peel back the truth from the various people who cross his path. The other question that he is trying to decipher is whetether this was a random theft or an act of terrorism, thereby leaving the train as a weapon that could cause a great deal of damage. All this while he is trying to assert his authority and keep his job. Tall Wolf’s promotion to co-direction of the BIA’s enforcement division leaves his former boss angered beyond belief, as she tries to wipe him off the map while juggling her own ambitions. Tall Wolf does not get into the mud with others, but he knows that he will have to watch his back at every step.
When Tall Wolf thinks that he has an idea who is behind the theft and why, he must try to coax them out of hiding to answer for their crimes. It is symbolic of the struggle between the Native American community and the hungry American business interests, both butting heads for what they feel is right. This will require John’s return to a place he swore he would never go; the reservation where he was born. There, another mysterious person seeks to change Tall Wolf’s life forever, and not in a good way. Flynn keeps the reader on track with this piece that has all the elements of a stunning novel.
Joseph Flynn’s writing is so strong and keeps the story flowing so well, I cannot say enough. Flynn not only builds his story for the reader to enjoy, but also connects other series and their themes to this one, adding depth and intrigue for the curious reader. The narrative pushes things along and gains momentum like a powerful locomotive, while letting the reader take in the scenery along the way. There are strong themes that emerge, both social and political, building from book to book, never letting things lose their way. Characters, which have always been a strong suit for Flynn, find themselves opening up and backstories are made to flourish at the author’s hand. I cannot get through books fast enough, as I want to know more and see how everyone will connect together.
Plot development is something with which Joseph Flynn has never struggled, creating addictive stories from the outset. The series possesses all the elements I need to delve deeper and I cannot wait to see what’s around the corner. Flynn connects all the elements of surprise together and peppers the story with his own flavouring to keep the reader coming back. With strong ties to the Jim McGill series—another stellar collection—I will have to keep my eyes open to see how things progress with this narrative that the larger other series that I devoured in short order.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for another winning novel in an addictive series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After the massive Super Chief locomotive disappears on its trip between Los Angeles and Chicago, the BIA’s John Tall Wolf is called in to help with the investigation. A central part of the Bureau, Tall Wolf wonders not only about the uniqueness of the case, but also how one can steal such a massive item and have it disappear into thin air.
Working with the FBI, local authorities, and an Amtrak investigator, Tall Wolf starts to peel back the truth from the various people who cross his path. The other question that he is trying to decipher is whetether this was a random theft or an act of terrorism, thereby leaving the train as a weapon that could cause a great deal of damage. All this while he is trying to assert his authority and keep his job. Tall Wolf’s promotion to co-direction of the BIA’s enforcement division leaves his former boss angered beyond belief, as she tries to wipe him off the map while juggling her own ambitions. Tall Wolf does not get into the mud with others, but he knows that he will have to watch his back at every step.
When Tall Wolf thinks that he has an idea who is behind the theft and why, he must try to coax them out of hiding to answer for their crimes. It is symbolic of the struggle between the Native American community and the hungry American business interests, both butting heads for what they feel is right. This will require John’s return to a place he swore he would never go; the reservation where he was born. There, another mysterious person seeks to change Tall Wolf’s life forever, and not in a good way. Flynn keeps the reader on track with this piece that has all the elements of a stunning novel.
Joseph Flynn’s writing is so strong and keeps the story flowing so well, I cannot say enough. Flynn not only builds his story for the reader to enjoy, but also connects other series and their themes to this one, adding depth and intrigue for the curious reader. The narrative pushes things along and gains momentum like a powerful locomotive, while letting the reader take in the scenery along the way. There are strong themes that emerge, both social and political, building from book to book, never letting things lose their way. Characters, which have always been a strong suit for Flynn, find themselves opening up and backstories are made to flourish at the author’s hand. I cannot get through books fast enough, as I want to know more and see how everyone will connect together.
Plot development is something with which Joseph Flynn has never struggled, creating addictive stories from the outset. The series possesses all the elements I need to delve deeper and I cannot wait to see what’s around the corner. Flynn connects all the elements of surprise together and peppers the story with his own flavouring to keep the reader coming back. With strong ties to the Jim McGill series—another stellar collection—I will have to keep my eyes open to see how things progress with this narrative that the larger other series that I devoured in short order.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for another winning novel in an addictive series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 12, 2018
Another decent installment in the series. The "is Marlene Coyote" question pretty much gets resolved.
May 5, 2020
Want to make a statement? Want to commit an act of domestic terrorism and not have anyone die? Steal a train! Not just any old Amtrak train, but the Super Chief, spiffed up and on its way to a museum in Chicago. Make it disappear. Then hope and pray that John Tall Wolf isn't sent to find you. (Your prayers will not be answered.)
Tall Wolf, the Apache and Navajo adopted by Haden Wolf and his wife Serafina Wolf y Padilla, finds himself being forced to go the one place he swore he'd never go – onto a reservation. Not just any reservation, but the one his birth mother was from. And some members of his blood family still want him dead. But not all.
If you've not read any of the series, you can start here, but I highly recommend you start at the beginning and read sequentially. Many of the minor characters move through the books, and I think you'll enjoy the series more if you get in at the beginning.
Once again, Tall Wolf is playing well with others, local cops, train cops, and feds. Coyote is still trying to get Tall Wolf, but something changes. Just barely. True, she wants Tall Wolf, has claimed him, and that claimed ownership makes her meaner than a mama bear when someone else goes after him. They are still dancing around each other, and my advice is, don't get between them as Tall Wolf's cousin, Bodaway, found out.
A terrific series to binge read
Tall Wolf, the Apache and Navajo adopted by Haden Wolf and his wife Serafina Wolf y Padilla, finds himself being forced to go the one place he swore he'd never go – onto a reservation. Not just any reservation, but the one his birth mother was from. And some members of his blood family still want him dead. But not all.
If you've not read any of the series, you can start here, but I highly recommend you start at the beginning and read sequentially. Many of the minor characters move through the books, and I think you'll enjoy the series more if you get in at the beginning.
Once again, Tall Wolf is playing well with others, local cops, train cops, and feds. Coyote is still trying to get Tall Wolf, but something changes. Just barely. True, she wants Tall Wolf, has claimed him, and that claimed ownership makes her meaner than a mama bear when someone else goes after him. They are still dancing around each other, and my advice is, don't get between them as Tall Wolf's cousin, Bodaway, found out.
A terrific series to binge read
May 24, 2021
The third book in the series
The third book in this series is very timely, because it deals with The true story of how the success of the Railroad System was achieved by lies, deception and murder of the Native Americans. The Super Chief is a luxury train with three cars, it has all of the luxury of Five Star Hotel. The train is traveling from California to Nevada and its final destination is Chicago. The author makes you understand The Culture of the Native Americans and their beliefs and superstitions. The author also hints at the true history between success of the Railroad Industry and how it came at the expense of the Native American People.
The third book in this series is very timely, because it deals with The true story of how the success of the Railroad System was achieved by lies, deception and murder of the Native Americans. The Super Chief is a luxury train with three cars, it has all of the luxury of Five Star Hotel. The train is traveling from California to Nevada and its final destination is Chicago. The author makes you understand The Culture of the Native Americans and their beliefs and superstitions. The author also hints at the true history between success of the Railroad Industry and how it came at the expense of the Native American People.
November 9, 2019
Joseph Flynn is one of my favorite authors. He creates characters that you really like and care about enough to read book after book in the series John Tall Wolfe is one of those great characters who have multiple layers and in each book you learn more about him and see him grow. The books are written with a flare and vocabulary that is quite impressive—I love to read on an educated level!
Great plot, twists and surprises thrown in with the excitement and history. I really enjoyed it!
Great plot, twists and surprises thrown in with the excitement and history. I really enjoyed it!
April 15, 2020
Four and a half stars!
Great characters and an excellent plot full of humour and action. This story keeps you guessing up to final pages. John Tall Wolf and his nemesis, former boss but now co-director Marlene Flower Moon AKA Coyote are two of the best characters in fiction I have encountered. Their friction with each other and the constant game of getting the best of each other is very entertaining.
Great characters and an excellent plot full of humour and action. This story keeps you guessing up to final pages. John Tall Wolf and his nemesis, former boss but now co-director Marlene Flower Moon AKA Coyote are two of the best characters in fiction I have encountered. Their friction with each other and the constant game of getting the best of each other is very entertaining.
July 19, 2020
Just plain boring
I read only 30 pages and was just bored. It was basically to me just boring dialogue with a bunch of elitist. There were no characters who I felt I could relate to. Just talk about their high positions in government and giving the impression how smart they were.
I enjoyed the first one, second was okay but I think as of now I’ll scratch John Tall Wolf from my reading lists.
I read only 30 pages and was just bored. It was basically to me just boring dialogue with a bunch of elitist. There were no characters who I felt I could relate to. Just talk about their high positions in government and giving the impression how smart they were.
I enjoyed the first one, second was okay but I think as of now I’ll scratch John Tall Wolf from my reading lists.
August 29, 2018
Another good read
This series is good. Good characters, well developed and interesting. Lots of action. Very good premise of a stolen train made to disappear. The characters are believable, including their motives. Strong suggestion is to read the series in order. You will enjoy the series more that way. Recommended.
This series is good. Good characters, well developed and interesting. Lots of action. Very good premise of a stolen train made to disappear. The characters are believable, including their motives. Strong suggestion is to read the series in order. You will enjoy the series more that way. Recommended.
August 20, 2023
Indian Chief s Rule As Best They Can.
This is a tall tale that certainly revolves around greed and winning. Native American John Tall Wolf has with help solved the crime with fresh blood young guns. The Super Chief Locomotive will be a haunted tour of a wild west that we can all be ashamed of. Our Author deserves our praise!
This is a tall tale that certainly revolves around greed and winning. Native American John Tall Wolf has with help solved the crime with fresh blood young guns. The Super Chief Locomotive will be a haunted tour of a wild west that we can all be ashamed of. Our Author deserves our praise!
September 21, 2017
Love the Super Chief since i was a kid!!!
This franchise just keeps getting better...! The Native American aspect just had to come out as well as the strong female heroism vs menace...! Superb!!!
This franchise just keeps getting better...! The Native American aspect just had to come out as well as the strong female heroism vs menace...! Superb!!!
January 21, 2020
All aboard !!
A good train ride with interesting stops along the way. Well-defined characters which shows the skill of the author and add to the enjoyment of reading. I will follow the series and read the next offering
A good train ride with interesting stops along the way. Well-defined characters which shows the skill of the author and add to the enjoyment of reading. I will follow the series and read the next offering
April 23, 2021
A Great Story
This third in the John Tall Wolf series is a great story well told. It's not as much of a who done it as a why done it. The plot is straightforward yet with enough twists and questions to keep the reader interested from beginning to end. As in the previous books in this series, the characters are original and fairly well crafted. A really fun read!
This third in the John Tall Wolf series is a great story well told. It's not as much of a who done it as a why done it. The plot is straightforward yet with enough twists and questions to keep the reader interested from beginning to end. As in the previous books in this series, the characters are original and fairly well crafted. A really fun read!
April 10, 2022
Great storyline!
I liked this book better than the first two in this series! Awesome storyline and loved how it ended! Can't help but hope that at some point John will find more family!
I liked this book better than the first two in this series! Awesome storyline and loved how it ended! Can't help but hope that at some point John will find more family!
October 10, 2025
Great read!
Loved this book and actually love all of J Flynn' s book. I like that I don't have to wait for the next book since I just started reading his books. He is an amazing story teller!
Wonderful characters and so easy to get wrapped into the story.
Loved this book and actually love all of J Flynn' s book. I like that I don't have to wait for the next book since I just started reading his books. He is an amazing story teller!
Wonderful characters and so easy to get wrapped into the story.
August 12, 2018
Love It
Another winner from Mr Flynn. Heart stopping, page turning, edge of your seat read . Can't wait to start the next one
Another winner from Mr Flynn. Heart stopping, page turning, edge of your seat read . Can't wait to start the next one
October 1, 2018
Another great read
Just keeps getting better with clever stories and interesting characters. Just a little supernatural to keep you guessing. Will continue this series
Just keeps getting better with clever stories and interesting characters. Just a little supernatural to keep you guessing. Will continue this series
January 22, 2020
Great book
I love John Talk Wolf series & will read next book soon.as well as other books from author Joseph Flynn
I love John Talk Wolf series & will read next book soon.as well as other books from author Joseph Flynn
August 2, 2021
3rd in the series. Not my favorite, a little slow and at times hanging on the edge of boring. The last few chapters do pick up and are a fun read and provide some interesting twists for the main character.
November 2, 2021
A tale not too tall
Enjoyed the book. Solid storyline and it flowed without dragging or taking a side rail into some tangent that half do not want to hear.
Enjoyed the book. Solid storyline and it flowed without dragging or taking a side rail into some tangent that half do not want to hear.
December 20, 2021
A Super Tale
This is my 3rd John Talk Wolf book. I am anxious to start my 4th book in this suspenseful series.
This is my 3rd John Talk Wolf book. I am anxious to start my 4th book in this suspenseful series.
December 21, 2021
Another good read
Live this series. Flynn keeps things moving along at a fast pace, and covers a lot of territory! Highly recommend.
Live this series. Flynn keeps things moving along at a fast pace, and covers a lot of territory! Highly recommend.
April 23, 2022
Loved it
Loved it. I am enjoying the whole series. Can't wait for my next installment. super Chief was a great read
Loved it. I am enjoying the whole series. Can't wait for my next installment. super Chief was a great read
August 30, 2022
Loved this book. Thoroughly enjoyed the plot twist and characters. Highly recommend it!
December 3, 2023
Super Chief
I really enjoyed Super Chief (A John Tall Wolf Novel Book 3). John and Coyote are once again trying to out maneuver each other and solve a crime.
I really enjoyed Super Chief (A John Tall Wolf Novel Book 3). John and Coyote are once again trying to out maneuver each other and solve a crime.
February 15, 2024
excellent
Great story
Sheds some small insight on the shabby treatment of the Native Americans by our government
Tall Wolf is a formidable man and investigator
Great story
Sheds some small insight on the shabby treatment of the Native Americans by our government
Tall Wolf is a formidable man and investigator
March 1, 2024
Excellent reading
Another excellent story from Joseph Flynn. I do enjoy these Tall Wolf tales as they make a change from the usual “thrillers” which I read.
Another excellent story from Joseph Flynn. I do enjoy these Tall Wolf tales as they make a change from the usual “thrillers” which I read.
May 14, 2025
Super Chief. Super Story
Loved all of the Native American history and stories in this hard to put down book. Highly recommend! Great read.
Loved all of the Native American history and stories in this hard to put down book. Highly recommend! Great read.
March 8, 2024
The story gets better with each book.
December 11, 2015
Mr Flynn has a new fan in me. I've been reading two of his series and might just start a third. He's prolific, which is good for me but I'm slowly catching up.
What I liked: As with many of my favorite books, I loved the characters. Give me a well written, intriguing character and I can get through most books. In the John Tall Wolf Series, I not only get the characters, but the political plotting and the suspense. The suspense is not always a paper cut out either.
I also enjoy the characters crossing over from his other series because Mr. Flynn surprises you with additional background information or motivation on those characters.
Who could steal/hijack a Super Chief Train and make it disappear? That's the dilemma in Super Chief. John becomes the investigator because well, Indians might or might not be involved. He's a newly promoted co-director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) but he made a deal to steal be able to personally work some cases. The funny thing about John, he's never spent any extended time on an Indian Reservation. His birth mother left him to be eaten by Coyote but a couple stumbled upon him and chased Coyote off. (John doesn't feel Coyote is done with him yet. As a matter of fact, his previous boss and now co-director just might be the Coyote in disguise). Until this case, he has refused any cases requiring him to go to a reservation.
I enjoyed a lot of the Indian folklore and how Mr. Flynn intertwined it into the story. I think the reason the Super Chief was hijacked will surprise many readers as it's not driven by money.
What I didn't like: There were a few editing problems but none of them detracted from the story. That's about it.
I really had a hard time putting Super Chief down. It grabbed and held my attention and it was a quick, entertaining read!
Recommended!!!!
What I liked: As with many of my favorite books, I loved the characters. Give me a well written, intriguing character and I can get through most books. In the John Tall Wolf Series, I not only get the characters, but the political plotting and the suspense. The suspense is not always a paper cut out either.
I also enjoy the characters crossing over from his other series because Mr. Flynn surprises you with additional background information or motivation on those characters.
Who could steal/hijack a Super Chief Train and make it disappear? That's the dilemma in Super Chief. John becomes the investigator because well, Indians might or might not be involved. He's a newly promoted co-director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) but he made a deal to steal be able to personally work some cases. The funny thing about John, he's never spent any extended time on an Indian Reservation. His birth mother left him to be eaten by Coyote but a couple stumbled upon him and chased Coyote off. (John doesn't feel Coyote is done with him yet. As a matter of fact, his previous boss and now co-director just might be the Coyote in disguise). Until this case, he has refused any cases requiring him to go to a reservation.
I enjoyed a lot of the Indian folklore and how Mr. Flynn intertwined it into the story. I think the reason the Super Chief was hijacked will surprise many readers as it's not driven by money.
What I didn't like: There were a few editing problems but none of them detracted from the story. That's about it.
I really had a hard time putting Super Chief down. It grabbed and held my attention and it was a quick, entertaining read!
Recommended!!!!
October 18, 2014
Another winner by Flynn. John Tall Wolf has been promoted to Co-Deputy Director along with Marlene Flower Moon, John's nemesis and the person he believes...... oh, well, read the series and you'll get it. One of the things I like best in this series is the way the characters are able to inhabit a small strip of territory between the human and the supernatural.
In this case, John has been called to find out what happened to a special train, the Super Chief, which was scheduled to run from California to Chicago as part of a public relations tour. The train has disappeared. John has assistance from FBI Deputy Director Byron DeWitt, as well as a terrific cast of characters, including a very higher-up in the Government. In this case, John's parents are also involved in guidance - and a lot more. These books are a pleasure to read, for insight into the relationships between John and his parents as well as the other characters. Don't miss it.
In this case, John has been called to find out what happened to a special train, the Super Chief, which was scheduled to run from California to Chicago as part of a public relations tour. The train has disappeared. John has assistance from FBI Deputy Director Byron DeWitt, as well as a terrific cast of characters, including a very higher-up in the Government. In this case, John's parents are also involved in guidance - and a lot more. These books are a pleasure to read, for insight into the relationships between John and his parents as well as the other characters. Don't miss it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews