Will Tanner: U.S. Deputy Marshal

Will Tanner #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

After spending most of his young life driving cattle from Texas to Nevada, Will Tanner is ready to wash the trail dust from his throat. Maybe it was fate that brought him to the Morning Glory Saloon on the border of Indian Territory--or just plain bad luck--because no sooner does he sit down than three rough-looking characters walk into the bar with vengeance in their eyes, guns at their sides…and fingers on their triggers. The trio's target is the famous U.S. Deputy Marshal Dove who arrested one of their kin--and who's sitting in the bar near Will Tanner.

Seeing that Dove is facing losing odds, Will Tanner makes a decision that changes his life forever. He draws, takes aim, and saves the deputy's life. Tanner has himself a new job, a badge, and enough grit to make him a legend on the American frontier.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Action

305 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 31, 2016

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

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the years I have read a number of William W. Johnstone’s books. He died in 2004. J. A. Johnstone, who was trained by his uncle, carries on the family business of writing westerns. I am unsure if J. A. Johnstone is his niece or nephew as I have seen it reported both ways.

This is a good old fashion western tale. Will has been a cowpuncher for a number of years. He helps save a U. S. Marshall’s life and was recruited into the Marshall service. The book is well written. The plot is straight forward with lots of suspense. The characters are interesting. The book got my attention at the beginning and kept it throughout. If you enjoy a good western, try this book.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and fourteen minutes. Eric Michael Summerer does an excellent job narrating the book. Summerer is a voice-over actor and audiobook narrator. He has won the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphone Awards.

[HornFan2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sad thing with, 'Will Tanner: U.S. Deputy Marshal' is that it's written by a ghost writer, and unlike with the now defunct Ralph Compton Western books. These are written under the William W. Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone banner, the actual author's name doesn't appear on it or given credit.

Which is a shame. Since I'm pretty sure Charles G. West wrote this one, it has his writing style and the parts in the story with Sophie. That was the dead give away for me, it's exactly how he treated the women in his stories, always clean, respectful and he's end a few the way Will Tanner does.

I have a shelf in my library of his books, he's one of my favorite authors and with Signet no longer publishing Westerns, glad to see he's found a new home.

My all-time favorite theme in the Western genres are the Ranger/U.S. Deputy Marshal/Sheriff books and tie in with a range Cowboy. Makes it all that much better of a read.

So I took a chance with 'Will Tanner: U.S. Deputy Marshal', usually I wait to see reviews before I'll just buy a William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone Western.

Will gets taken in by Ranch owners Jim and Jean Hightower, who treat him like their own son, make him their foreman once he shows his skills to run the ranch.

Sadly Jim gets killed trying to ride a bad horse that he should have just let Will ride. Will takes over ownership of the ranch, but ends up sharing ownership with fellow Cowboy Shorty Watts and agrees to take Jean who retired, along their cook Sally to Arkansas so they can be closer to her family.

Will stops in Fort Smith goes into the Morning Glory Saloon to wash the trail dust from his throat and ends up saving the life of U.S. Deputy Marshal Fletcher Pride.

He ends up becoming a U.S. Deputy Marshal, paired up with Fletcher to learn the ropes and to learn the rest. You'll have to read 'Will Tanner: U.S. Deputy Marshal to know the rest of this one.

Definitely a great read, but note that William W. Johnstone is a legendary author in the Western genre, who passed away in 2004 and highly recommend his early writing.

You'll also wanted to checkout Charles G. West's books as well, he'll be a fast favorite, some of his earlier books are out of print and hard to find used. So happy hunting for them or just save yourself some time just get them in ebook.

Just a quick note. I'm merely speculating that this one is actually written by Charles G. West. In
writing this review, I did see another review that mentioned he was approached to ghost write for another publisher. So it's 50-50 whether I'm right on the money or not.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change of jobs doesn't always make life easier.

That's one of the lessons young Will Tanner learns early on in this Western.

Will has been content with his life as foreman of a small Texas ranch until his boss, Jim Hightower, who had taken him in as a fatherless boy and taught him all he knew about cattle and horses, until a cantankerous horse kills Hightower.

Though Hightower has left him the ranch, Will is disheartened and uncertain whether he wants anything more to do with the business. He decides to accompany the grieving widow back to where she has family in Arkansas.

En route back to Texas, he stops for the night in a small town and intercedes when a trio of thugs attempt to murder U.S. Deputy Marshal Fletcher Pride. Impressed with the legendary marshal, Will decides to accept an offer to become a deputy.

On their first excursion into Indian Territory in search of a band of bank robbers, the bandits bushwhack Pride and Charlie Tate, their wagon-master and cook. This sets Will on the trail of vengeance rather than justice.

Alone and outgunned, Will Tanner takes on the gang and prevails, though he also becomes the target of another outlaw who believes Will killed his brother.

Lots of gunplay, a fast moving plot, a bit of humor and even hints of a coming romance with the daughter of the woman who runs the boarding house where he stays in this first in the Will Tanner series. Good stuff, if you like a traditional Western.

[Lyndi W.]

Discovering that William W. Johnstone has been dead for twenty years and his niece has been writing these books as piqued my curiosity.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this series starter about a rugged young cowboy who unexpectedly is offered a job as a deputy marshal.

[Joann TRAVIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

first off my grandmother read it before me in 1 day and rates it a 10 out of 10...will tanner has spent most of his life driving cattle from Texas to Nevada .When his boss dies he delivers the bosses wife back to her hometown. on the way back he stops into the morning glory saloon to eat.3 guys walk in and he instantly noticed trouble. they plan to kill the deputy marshall pride. will helps save prides life and is offered a job with him to go hunt down a gang of brank robbing murders. as they set out not knowing what dangers they will get into.......

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

As usual this is a really good book. The Johnston's always write great books. I have never read a book by them that was not a great book. Look forward to more books on Will Tanner U.S. Marshall.

[Gilbert Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Tanner is a ranch hand til his boss dies and he helps the widowed lady move on from the ranch. He is the inheritor of the ranch, and decides to split it with another hand who’s been there for a while.

Tanner moves out to Fort Smith and saves Deputy Marshall Fletcher Pride from a man and his boys out to kill him. Pride convinces Tanner to join the Marshall Service and they head out to capture the Tarbow gang, Max Tarbow being their leader.

Fletcher Pride and their companion/cook Charlie Tate are killed on the mission. Will vows revenge and kills 4 of the 5 members of the gang, bringing Max Tarbow to hang. Max is killed in crossfire from Eli Stark, looking to kill Will Tanner for killing his younger brother Jeb Stark. Jeb was killed by one of the Tarbow gang. (Their father Lem almost kills Will while he visits looking for Eli, but his slave wife Jenny Three Toes kills him. Will helps her find freedom with a new tribe.)

Tanner, with the help of Jim Little Eagle and Perly Gates, arrests Eli Stark and returns him to Fort Smith. Will Tanner develops a romantic interest in young Sophie Bennett while in town. However, she’s been offered a hand in marriage by a young and upcoming lawyer she’s known for a while. Nevertheless, she’s undeniably attracted to Will and his lifestyle.

[Elwin Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I liked it." - 3 out of 5 star rating.

Super fun Wild West fiction book series. I actually accidentally started to read book #7, and was amazed how good the first 2 chapters were. Then, I realized not knowing that this a series and I was jumping in really deep into the middle of the timeline... I quickly jumped on book #1. So glad I did.

Well done horse-breaking opener. Followed by the introduction of the star of the show Will Tanner, how he becomes a law man, and essentially laying down all the ground work of the universe you are entering.

Aside from the above, this also offers a unique perspective (for me) on "Indian Police" ... something admittingly a brand new concept to me. Definitely a knowledge gap in my old west history. I will have to make sure I throw in a non-fiction eventually to learn more about these Indian police and what they did, how it started, and how I'm sure it all ended in probably not the most pleasant way. Maybe I am wrong though. We shall see.

But yeah... Will Tanner, Wild West fiction series. I'm hooked. Let's go! Book #2 here I come!

[Reader4Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story told with simple words in a simple manner.

The challenges and pleasures of the time period made the story enjoyable. Gunplay was frequent. Molasses was a treat. The dried beans intended for supper soaked all day in a bucket of water under the seat of the wagon.

I usually prefer writing that is sophisticated, but this character and subject are better-served by language that’s not highbrow. Unfortunately, the straightforward delivery felt like a flat movie at times, but I was still entertained enough that I’ll obtain the next book in the series.

This audiobook was admirably performed by Michael Summerer.

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first of the Will Tanner series, a hero of the Old West. Tanner gets himself a job after saving the life of U.S. Deputy Marshal Pride in the Morning Glory Saloon. His young life was spent driving cattle but he decides to make a change. This incident will change his life forever. If you are a western reader you will like this book! I received this copy from the Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Westerns are not a genre I usually read, I rounded up on the star rating but I think the book was maybe more of a 2.5.

I liked Will Tanner as a character I just had a hard time getting past how often the characters did stupid things. I mean 2 experienced lawmen decided to go on their own and both get shot, apparently Will is the only one who can go it alone?

Likable characters and interesting action.

[Stephen Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished reading this novel, the first in the Will Tanner series, from prolific western writer William W Johnstone, and I found it a damn good read. A classic account of good vs evil with just the right blend of action and character development, told at a cracking pace. In fact I enjoyed the experience so much I've just ordered the rest of the series.

Unputdownable and highly reccomended.

[Eva Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Tanner: The Beginning

I have read almost every book that Johnston have written. I will enjoy this Series as much as the Mountains Man with Smoke. So far I like what I have read of Will Tanner. To say I like this book is a under statement. I this P.Gates the same as with Smoke? Thank you for writing such wonderful books. You uncle would be so proud of you. Keep up the goog work.

[Jeff Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great western with plenty of action

Good story with much information about life in the West with its trials and tribulations. The story includes information as to the first legal and police activities of the old west. keeps the reader interested and describes life for folks who lived in this time period.

[RICHARD STENTON · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New Marshall

A fast paced adventure with lots of intrigue. Will leaves ranching and meets a US Marshall by saving his life and then is persuaded to join him as a Marshall. Will's first adventure leads to the death of is Marshall friend and exposes him to lots of danger and a love interest sure to provide for a great next tale in the series.

[Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun and good reads. The story's are very informing and very true to the area😀

I love all of Zane Grey and had a lot fun reading all of his books growing up. I think all of Wm. W. Johnstone are wonderful and SO much FUN. I had so much reading Western Books in over 50+ years !!!!!! Thank You.. Joyce Lee

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will is more than big and tough, rather shy around the girl he likes, still young, at the start of his legend. Minor roles are more than a few lines. A villain is bad, not crazy vicious.

Typos:
"It there" is "If there" p 147
"as if it was" is "as if it were" p 254.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read/listened to a western. This one kept me entertained and wanting more. Beware: there's every swear in the book but for some reason when a cowboy says back in the 1800's, it's because he's been dealing with a horse or an outlaw.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining shoot 'em up.

Tanner is a rookie US Deputy Marshal and his first two jobs get quite interesting.

Enter the elderly Perely Gates, granddad of the other as a bit character.

Predictable at times, but still a decent read.

[Laura L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. A must read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put the book down once I started reading it. I had to limit how much I read each day in order to stretch the story out for at least a few days.

[Wanda Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Once made a deputy marshal, he left along with Marshal Pride to hunt down arrest a gang of outlaws terrorising the Indian territory.
Pride gets killed and he is forced to hunt all of them by himself.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hard to rate a 4 star. 3 1/2 would suit it better. I will read the next in the series of Will Tanner but it did not hold up to any of the Jensen saga books that I’ve read by Johnstone. A slight disappointment.

[Abbigail Janick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read

While it seems strange that a new Marshall recruit could accomplish so much, Johnstone did provide numerous examples of mistakes he made along the way. That kind of made this an enjoyable read with hopes that Tanner would succeed.

[Sean Furey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick and entertaining read in the spirit of True Grit. Outlaw Max Tarbow was a good villain, and his gang rounded out a good antagonist stable. I liked Tanner’s relationship with Fletcher Pride.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

good writer and story

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Richard Astle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing start to a new series

[Joyce Kirkwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best western I ever read.

I hope the rest of the series is as good. Reminds me of Gunsmoke. This deputy is like Matt, honest!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished the first book of this series, well done , 5 stars, on to number two..A Stranger in Town