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RETURN TO STRATTON: One Hundred Fifty-Third in a Series of Jess Williams Westerns
Jess and John Bodine have finished cleaning up Frankfurt, ridding the town of Eddie Pickett and his gang, and Jess is back on the hunt for Dave Nutter.
After finally catching up with Nutter, he heads along a trail that would take him to Stratton, Texas, for a much-needed rest. Along the way, he takes Nutter’s body to the town of Raleigh to turn in to the marshal there for the bounty.
When he arrives, he discovers that the marshal, Houston Goodheart, has been beaten severely by two brothers, Larry and Danny Neal. Goodheart begs Jess to track down the two brothers and bring them back to his jail while he recuperates.
He catches the Neal brothers and locks them up in the jail in Raleigh, but then two of their friends show up in town and cause trouble. Jess is delayed even further dealing with them.
Just when he thinks he'll be able to continue his travel to Stratton and his long-awaited rest, life seems to throw more obstacles in his way, one by one.
He begins to wonder if he'll ever make it to Stratton.
After finally catching up with Nutter, he heads along a trail that would take him to Stratton, Texas, for a much-needed rest. Along the way, he takes Nutter’s body to the town of Raleigh to turn in to the marshal there for the bounty.
When he arrives, he discovers that the marshal, Houston Goodheart, has been beaten severely by two brothers, Larry and Danny Neal. Goodheart begs Jess to track down the two brothers and bring them back to his jail while he recuperates.
He catches the Neal brothers and locks them up in the jail in Raleigh, but then two of their friends show up in town and cause trouble. Jess is delayed even further dealing with them.
Just when he thinks he'll be able to continue his travel to Stratton and his long-awaited rest, life seems to throw more obstacles in his way, one by one.
He begins to wonder if he'll ever make it to Stratton.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2026
About the author
Robert J. Thomas
205 books62 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 13, 2026
Great read as usual.
I have read all the Jess Williams novels. All are five stars.
There are many great Western Authors that write series and stand alone books.
There us a few things that confuses me is why some if them when mentioning an empty container write "an empty bottle of whiskey" instead of "empty whiskey bottle",
Also an empty can of beans, or peaches, shouldn't be empty bean can, empty peach can? Another series I read is U.S. Marshall Shorty Thompson, written by another five star author Paul Thompson, However in his books/storys he uses the word "Sacred" for ''scared" or "afraid".
I am not an Editor or an English Teacher, just
another Sailor (USN Retired) that loves a good Western. Please don't take this as criticism and keep the good reading coming.
I have read all the Jess Williams novels. All are five stars.
There are many great Western Authors that write series and stand alone books.
There us a few things that confuses me is why some if them when mentioning an empty container write "an empty bottle of whiskey" instead of "empty whiskey bottle",
Also an empty can of beans, or peaches, shouldn't be empty bean can, empty peach can? Another series I read is U.S. Marshall Shorty Thompson, written by another five star author Paul Thompson, However in his books/storys he uses the word "Sacred" for ''scared" or "afraid".
I am not an Editor or an English Teacher, just
another Sailor (USN Retired) that loves a good Western. Please don't take this as criticism and keep the good reading coming.
June 13, 2026
Return to Stratton
What an adventure for Jess. At every town, his services is needed. His trip to relax and rest at Stratton is delayed. One of the delays when he comes upon Vanessa and her daughter Chloe who were running away from her husband a his two brothers. Jess promised them his protection. One of the towns they were stopping by, Vanessa's husband and brothers found them. Jess had to challenge them so they could not get the two women. He killed all three. He promised the two women a new life in Stratton and an opportunity to get a job and start a new life.
What an adventure for Jess. At every town, his services is needed. His trip to relax and rest at Stratton is delayed. One of the delays when he comes upon Vanessa and her daughter Chloe who were running away from her husband a his two brothers. Jess promised them his protection. One of the towns they were stopping by, Vanessa's husband and brothers found them. Jess had to challenge them so they could not get the two women. He killed all three. He promised the two women a new life in Stratton and an opportunity to get a job and start a new life.
June 10, 2026
Excellent book
This book was just great to read. Jess is such a special person and is very good to those that need help but at the same time if you need removed from civilization he takes care of it in short order. Would highly recommend this series to those that enjoy a great western read.
This book was just great to read. Jess is such a special person and is very good to those that need help but at the same time if you need removed from civilization he takes care of it in short order. Would highly recommend this series to those that enjoy a great western read.
July 2, 2026
A Kind and Generous Man
That describes Jess Williams. He kills bad bad men but he is always helping people along the way. This time on his way to Stanton, he is helping a mother and daughter who was misused by her husband and his brothers. Jess finally take a week off to be with his friends.
That describes Jess Williams. He kills bad bad men but he is always helping people along the way. This time on his way to Stanton, he is helping a mother and daughter who was misused by her husband and his brothers. Jess finally take a week off to be with his friends.
June 22, 2026
Great chapter in a great series!
I really enjoy the Jess Williams story and I especially like when some familiar characters are in book. It feels like I know them all personally. I am ready for the next book!
I really enjoy the Jess Williams story and I especially like when some familiar characters are in book. It feels like I know them all personally. I am ready for the next book!
June 20, 2026
Interesting
Another well written story enjoying the assorted problems that one person can find while on escort duty. So enjoy a pleasant western series
Another well written story enjoying the assorted problems that one person can find while on escort duty. So enjoy a pleasant western series
June 18, 2026
Enjoyed very much!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews