The Kill Shot

by Tony Gavin

Assisted by Luv Lass, a young ‘soiled dove’, newly wed Darcey Teller seeks to identify and to bring to justice her murdered husband’s killers. Using Darcey’s expertise as a photographer, the two unlikely heroines devise a machination they refer to as the ‘Kill Shot’ as a means of accomplishing the dangerous undertaking. But first they must do battle with each other, with their own social differences and with Darcey’s desire for vengeance over justice, before ultimately battling it out with the bad men.
Just who is saving who and from what? Is a question that you will ponder frequently as the story unfolds.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2015

Reviews

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...

This is a story of vengeance and justice. Two outlaws are responsible for the two people’s deaths. Darcey Teller will seek revenge, and be the strong woman in a men’s world.

I really enjoyed this western. Usually this kind of novels have male main characters but here we are up against a strong main female character helped by another outstanding woman. The characters were quite well portrayed and it was easy to connect to them.

I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but at first I had troubles to buy Darcey’s desire for revenge. It seemed a very unfortunate event but not close enough to her to justify her wrath. Things rapidly changed, and then things started to make more sense. I found some things a bit predictable, but that didn’t deter me from enjoying this book.

There is plenty of action, great dialogs, and numerous facts about old photography that would delight anyone with a little bit of curiosity about the subject. This and the fact that we have a strong woman getting her way in a men’s world are the most remarkable things in this book.

Craig Hensley’s narration was mostly correct but the women’s voices sounded all the same, and he practically just used two accents to differentiate characters. I found it a bit weird that a male narrator was chosen for a book where the two main characters are women. I think this audiobook would have worked a lot better with a female narrator.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it to anyone into westerns and strong female characters.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathryn Theulen dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is great!"
This is a book to keep you on your seat. Darcey Teller one of the main characters she is amazingly smart lady. She is living the happy newly married dream. All that comes to an end when a couple of thief's end her husband's life. The shock of sitting by her husband's side during his last moments makes up Darcey's mind. She's going to find the killers and hopefully bring them to justice. Than the real adventure begins, Old wild west style.

I found myself stopping everything I was doing several times to listen to exactly what was going on in the story. The story line took me through it all Shock, sadness, that oh no feeling, and than the triumph came in the end. It was hard to believe the author could pack that much into a story line less the 6 hours long.
I would listen to this book again.

Narrated by: Craig Hensley did a great job. He really helped bring that old west style out in this story. He was great at the voice changes he did for each character.

I received this audio book free in exchange for an honest review.

[Craig Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read The Kill Shot shortly after it came out because I had read Tony's book Wooden Star previously and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Kill Shot was even better and as I got further into it I realized it was an excellent Western in the traditional sense but was also going down a unique and intriguing path that was hooking me more and more. It is a very fresh take on the genre, with great character development that makes the reader care about the people and what is happening to them; I won't tell the ending but I had goosebumps several times and one of the twists set me back on my heels...like a fine wine, it was the enjoyment in the moment and then even more enjoyment upon reflection of what an exquisite tale Mr. Gavin has crafted. I relayed my appreciation to him and when he asked me to narrate the audiobook version I jumped at the chance even though my full schedule would not allow it; I made the time! Having read and re-read the book several times in the course of recording it, those particular moments and twists kept their full effect every time and that, to me, is the best sign of a really well-told tale. I enjoyed it more and got more of the nuances with each read, but believe me, one read is all you need to say BRAVO, Mr. Gavin!

[Elsie Stoltzfus · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, I will say that the book started off very well. The story was well put together, and interesting. I think I would have liked it, except for the characters! The only one who had any depth was Luv Lass. Darcey was repulsive. And I found it rather hard to believe that a "Lady" would throw plates at a sheriff! Not to mention screaming at him and abusing him so violently that her husband had to drag her away from him! And Luv Lass would swear, but Darcey? I'm sorry, but I just have a hard time taking it seriously.

The book could also use another batch of editing. The lack of punctuation was irritating, as was the occasional use of a lower case letter instead of a capital.

The writing style is not the best, but I think that it could be developed into something. Mostly I'd advise the author to work on his characters.

My rating: Two Star

[Terri Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just another "set in the old west" story with a few historical facts thrown in. Mr. Gavin's writing is refreshing and unique, and his plot twists are seamless and yes, plausible! He provides extra character details and vivid setting descriptions which allowed me to feel transported into the story... I felt as if I was right next to Luv as the events unfold, feeling the urge to wipe away dirt as the stagecoach passes, wanting to shield my eyes from the hot sun, even sensing a whiff of smoke in the air. I love Mr. Gavin's character development, but my favorite part of The Kill Shot is his masterfully spun ending, which sets the bar higher for what any reader should now expect from other authors.

[Cindelu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. It was an interesting look at the old west through the eyes of two young women. I'm not sure how true this story would be but it did make for entertaining reading. I'm sure some of the outlaws were as nasty as the ones in this book and the women just as intelligent, cunning and brave.

[Simon Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: This is a very enjoyable short novel. We are in the wild west, with all the lawlessness that entails and quickly witness to two murders by ruthless robbers. Two wonderfully portrayed women emerge to seek justice. A well written and nicely narrated story with many twists and turns to keep the listener hooked.

[Mary Hosmar · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Kill Shot
By Tony Gavin

The premise of a photographer traveling the wild west and using that gift of photography to aid the law in apprehending a killer, promises an interesting story. And interesting it was. Mr. Gavin has done his research and presents an authentic setting for his tale. The science behind the photography was also well-researched.
Darcey Teller, the heroine, is an impetuous widow with a mercurial temper, who flies off the handle at the least provocation, threatening to shoot all who cross her. Despite the passage of time, Darcey doesn’t seem to grow beyond that, remaining a shallow woman bent on vengeance.
The most believable character in the story was the prostitute, Luv Lass.
Unfortunately, the writing left a lot to be desired. Too often, the author tells the reader what was in the mind of the character rather than let the reader discover for himself what thoughts or actions might be occurring.
The wrap-up at the end of the story is more a catalog of what happened to the characters and does little to add to the story.
A thorough edit might be in order to correct the spelling and grammatical errors.
The author, in one of his blurbs, warns the reader that this is a book which is impossible to put down. And, despite the shortcomings listed previously, there were times when the story did intrigue. It has potential

[Tony Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down.

This was not the normal revenge Western. Darcey teams up with a young soiled dove to exact revenge for her husband's murder but the story is as much about their unlikely friendship as it is about their photographic trap that they call, "The Kill Shot."
The range of character voices that the narrator Crag Hensley uses adds an authentic feel to this old west tale.