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The Loner #15
Bullets Don't Die: The Loner
Conrad Browning, a.k.a. the Loner, knows what it’s like to a have a family and a home. And he knows what it’s like to lose it all. Now, he has met a man living on the edge of sanity: a good man, a flawed man, a solitary man who might just cost the Loner his life.
- GenresWesterns
288 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
J.A. Johnstone
649 books240 followersJ.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co-author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2026
Conrad Browning, aka Kid Morgan, aka The Loner, is drifting on the plains after completing his most recent adventure when he is accosted by a gang of horse thieves. In a desperate gun battle he is saved by an absent-minded old marshall named Jared Tate.
Jared Tate ends up almost being the main character in this episode of the Loner series, and he's just great.
Deciding to join Tate on his path to the wholesome town of Copperhead Springs, Morgan is enlisted to help deal with brutish thugs working for a local ranch outfit, and then Tate has further troubles when some grudge-holding criminals from his past intend to do him harm.
Rather than reading this one, I listened to the "dramatized adaptation" audiobook version via Hoopla narrated by Ken Jackson along with a number of other character voice actors. Jackson's narration is great but I did notice some of the action scenes had the sound effects volume high enough that the guns and shouting drowned out some of the play-by-play and made it hard to hear what was happening.
Still, the GraphicAudio "dramatized adaptation" Loner series overall (I've listened to six of these so far) is very well-put-together and enjoyable, even if some of the specific stories can be hit or miss.
The main plot for "Bullets Don't Die" is a familiar one for westerns books or movie fans, and the Loner series itself has some repeated threads, but elevating this adventure a bit is Jared Tate. He's a fun character.
Verdict: A really good modern western adventure. The Sequels Theorem puts this at a 4 since I'd like to hear another adventure starring the absent-minded and awesome Marshal Tate.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
Jared Tate ends up almost being the main character in this episode of the Loner series, and he's just great.
Deciding to join Tate on his path to the wholesome town of Copperhead Springs, Morgan is enlisted to help deal with brutish thugs working for a local ranch outfit, and then Tate has further troubles when some grudge-holding criminals from his past intend to do him harm.
Rather than reading this one, I listened to the "dramatized adaptation" audiobook version via Hoopla narrated by Ken Jackson along with a number of other character voice actors. Jackson's narration is great but I did notice some of the action scenes had the sound effects volume high enough that the guns and shouting drowned out some of the play-by-play and made it hard to hear what was happening.
Still, the GraphicAudio "dramatized adaptation" Loner series overall (I've listened to six of these so far) is very well-put-together and enjoyable, even if some of the specific stories can be hit or miss.
The main plot for "Bullets Don't Die" is a familiar one for westerns books or movie fans, and the Loner series itself has some repeated threads, but elevating this adventure a bit is Jared Tate. He's a fun character.
Verdict: A really good modern western adventure. The Sequels Theorem puts this at a 4 since I'd like to hear another adventure starring the absent-minded and awesome Marshal Tate.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
September 12, 2012
Kid Morgan meets Marshal Jared Tate when, looking for a place to camp for the night, rights into trouble. Four men amid the trees, one dead horse and the other three looking like they'd been rode hard.They intended to kill him for the buckskin and his pack horse.
A gun battle started and the Kid was pinned down, in serious trouble. That was when the Marshall took a hand, shooting one of the two remaining men as he was about to kill the Kid.
Tate was an old man, but he could shoot and was tough as nails. He was returning from delivering an outlaw to prison.
The Kid and he rode toward his town and on the trip, the Kid noticed some things. The Marshal seemed forgetful, forgetting to get the water for coffee, just staring into space, forgetting to put coffee in the water, forgetting what he'd told him the night before.
Something was wrong here,
He learns the truth when they arrive at Copperhead Springs. Tate had retired a few years before and now lived in Wichita with his daughter and her husband. The event he was returning from had happened ten years before. His deputy was now Marshal.
And the town was in trouble. A man had murdered a man in the bar and the Kid, after a terrific battle against his huge adversary, had taken him down. The young Marshal seemed reluctant to jail him.
The big man was foreman at a ranch owned by a young man since his father had died. He was intent on being the badass of the territory and hired thugs to back him. The town was scared.
It took the Kid and Tate to buck them up and settle it when the man came to town with his crew.
The Kid agreed to take Tate back to his daughter. Tate had put a lot of men away and in the ground in his career as Marshal. When a nosy reporter reports about Tate;s mental problems, old enemies come out of the woodwork looking for him. Even the ten years ago outlaw, now out of prison.
Nice efficient western with lots of action. The J. A. Johnstone who writes this series knows his business.
A gun battle started and the Kid was pinned down, in serious trouble. That was when the Marshall took a hand, shooting one of the two remaining men as he was about to kill the Kid.
Tate was an old man, but he could shoot and was tough as nails. He was returning from delivering an outlaw to prison.
The Kid and he rode toward his town and on the trip, the Kid noticed some things. The Marshal seemed forgetful, forgetting to get the water for coffee, just staring into space, forgetting to put coffee in the water, forgetting what he'd told him the night before.
Something was wrong here,
He learns the truth when they arrive at Copperhead Springs. Tate had retired a few years before and now lived in Wichita with his daughter and her husband. The event he was returning from had happened ten years before. His deputy was now Marshal.
And the town was in trouble. A man had murdered a man in the bar and the Kid, after a terrific battle against his huge adversary, had taken him down. The young Marshal seemed reluctant to jail him.
The big man was foreman at a ranch owned by a young man since his father had died. He was intent on being the badass of the territory and hired thugs to back him. The town was scared.
It took the Kid and Tate to buck them up and settle it when the man came to town with his crew.
The Kid agreed to take Tate back to his daughter. Tate had put a lot of men away and in the ground in his career as Marshal. When a nosy reporter reports about Tate;s mental problems, old enemies come out of the woodwork looking for him. Even the ten years ago outlaw, now out of prison.
Nice efficient western with lots of action. The J. A. Johnstone who writes this series knows his business.
September 15, 2012
J. A. Johnstone's the Loner is part western/part romance. Even though the romantic parts are not always developed into full blown relationships, there is always the possibility. I always enjoy this series, and as soon as I read one, I'm ready for the next one to come out. This particular book had some great moments in it, and the Marshall Tate was a real hoot! The Kid has grown even more sentimental about the folks he helps out, and I think that's why I really like that character. This was another good read by Johnstone.
October 12, 2017
The Wild West is back!
It has been years since I picked up a good western and this one was definitely that. Of course, the story was completely predictable up to the point as it followed the typical template for western novels. But what I found particularly entertaining was how Johnstone treated a difficult topic that many of us are struggling with in providing the care they need with dignity and honor. Yes, it was a fun, action-packed western, but it was far more.
It has been years since I picked up a good western and this one was definitely that. Of course, the story was completely predictable up to the point as it followed the typical template for western novels. But what I found particularly entertaining was how Johnstone treated a difficult topic that many of us are struggling with in providing the care they need with dignity and honor. Yes, it was a fun, action-packed western, but it was far more.
September 9, 2012
Another good book in the series, though a somewhat sad and melancholy in it's own way. Lots of action however, and a fast read.
December 10, 2017
Great!
This is a wonderful adventure of the old west. It touched all my heart-strings by portraying many of the trials we all face in life.
This is a wonderful adventure of the old west. It touched all my heart-strings by portraying many of the trials we all face in life.
July 3, 2020
Great series of Kid Morgan....a real page turner...
October 14, 2020
Excellent Tale
Johnstone carries his series well. Another book to read and share. Keep them coming. I am a fan. Action galore!
Johnstone carries his series well. Another book to read and share. Keep them coming. I am a fan. Action galore!
January 5, 2021
This was the last one in the series that I've read. It was a good one, though a bit sad because of the Marshall's issue, but the story added some interesting elements because of it.
February 2, 2024
First part I thought it was just another rancher who had treed a town. But it is more than that. "The Kid" helps out an old retired Mashall with dementia. Of course, it's not considered that back then, it was a mental problem. Makes for good reading on what goes on.
This is the last story of this series, and I was disappointed that the ending wasn't better with Kid Morgon and what happens.
This is the last story of this series, and I was disappointed that the ending wasn't better with Kid Morgon and what happens.
January 27, 2017
Another Good western Read! Enjoyable!!
May 23, 2015
Addresses dementia....wonderful plot.
August 4, 2016
Great storry sotrry the series is finised
Very good reads ready for more too bad he didn't write more. Thought he might go for the deputy girl
Very good reads ready for more too bad he didn't write more. Thought he might go for the deputy girl
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews