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The Lockes #1
Last Will
When the dead body of one of lawyer Ian Locke’s wealthy clients is discovered in a place most unbefitting for a man of his station, it is just one piece of a complicated legacy that Ian must unravel.
Who killed Ralph Wainwright? His bitter wife? His son, back in town after a long absence? The discovery of multiple wills further clouds Wainwright’s relationships and motives others may have had in wanting to see him dead.
From the countryside to the courtroom, the small town of Borderview to the burgeoning metropolis of Omaha, Last Will is a tale of mystery and suspense set in 1880s Nebraska, as lawmen and law wranglers must navigate the ripple effect a murder has on the community and their families.
Who killed Ralph Wainwright? His bitter wife? His son, back in town after a long absence? The discovery of multiple wills further clouds Wainwright’s relationships and motives others may have had in wanting to see him dead.
From the countryside to the courtroom, the small town of Borderview to the burgeoning metropolis of Omaha, Last Will is a tale of mystery and suspense set in 1880s Nebraska, as lawmen and law wranglers must navigate the ripple effect a murder has on the community and their families.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2015
771 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Ron Schwab
47 books193 followersRon Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 7, 2025
A WESTERN MASTERPIECE!
☆☆☆☆☆
Last Will (The Lockes) by Ron Schwab is a work of art when it comes to a western thriller, which takes place in Nebraska in 1884. This book and series goes into the lives of the Locke family who are not only the main characters fir the most part and are a family of ranchers, bankers, preachers, lawyers, veterinarians, and are highly respected in thier community.
This book and series answers some of the questions into the characters mentioned in other books and series written by Ron Schwab.
The Locke's, their friends, and neighbors are a true inspiration to what a true hero is. They put it all on the line to protect those who can not bring justice. They place their own lifes on the line without even a thought about their own safety. They open their homes to take in those who have been wronged without even considering to be compensated.
If you haven't read any of Ron Schwab's works, this is a great book and series to start out with. I truly believe you will find it as enjoyable as I have.
Quotes:
"Domesticated was an oxymoron when describing a cat."
"Life is about choices and living with decisions we make and doing the best we can on that path we chose at the fork in the road."
"I don't think social standing matters much when you're dead. The grave brings total equality, rich or poor...white, black, red, or yellow."
"I had determined very early I'm my career that one never learns much when his own lips are flapping."
☆☆☆☆☆
Last Will (The Lockes) by Ron Schwab is a work of art when it comes to a western thriller, which takes place in Nebraska in 1884. This book and series goes into the lives of the Locke family who are not only the main characters fir the most part and are a family of ranchers, bankers, preachers, lawyers, veterinarians, and are highly respected in thier community.
This book and series answers some of the questions into the characters mentioned in other books and series written by Ron Schwab.
The Locke's, their friends, and neighbors are a true inspiration to what a true hero is. They put it all on the line to protect those who can not bring justice. They place their own lifes on the line without even a thought about their own safety. They open their homes to take in those who have been wronged without even considering to be compensated.
If you haven't read any of Ron Schwab's works, this is a great book and series to start out with. I truly believe you will find it as enjoyable as I have.
Quotes:
"Domesticated was an oxymoron when describing a cat."
"Life is about choices and living with decisions we make and doing the best we can on that path we chose at the fork in the road."
"I don't think social standing matters much when you're dead. The grave brings total equality, rich or poor...white, black, red, or yellow."
"I had determined very early I'm my career that one never learns much when his own lips are flapping."
June 7, 2021
You wouldn't think a lawyer book had suspense and adventure but you'd be wrong
I am in his clerk will feature themselves at the beginning of this book. The mysterious death of Mr Wainwright has them puzzled but they have to deal with the last will and testament. Celeste's is Wayne Wright's mistress and owner of the house that he had built for her. The mystery deepens as they try to figure out who really killed Waynewright. But another will pops up that was dated a year after the one that Ian had drafted for Wainwright but it was a holographic will done and only Wainwright handwriting. The burden of proof rests on the prosecutor to prove that it was really Wainwright that wrote that will and not a forgery. In the meantime his mistress Celeste is charged with the murder of Lane right so she cannot inherit from the current holographic will. Things get even more complicated when his son Karl testifies that he saw Celeste kill Wainwright but he never reported it to the sheriff until 3 days later. In the meantime Karl's testimony is suspect because he took so long to report it to the sheriff. After finding a third will at the Wainwright house that says the will from Ian and Wainwright stands and that Celeste is not to get the thing out of the estate. And Ryan's ranch he has seen a prowler around and can't figure out what the prowler is after. Mandy his daughter is staying with him and he hopes that she is enjoying herself. She seems to be really enjoying staying at the ranch and meeting the neighbors as they have a daughter her age Rosemary. One day after coming home from work they both put away their horses but Mandy's the one putting away the horses and having Ian cook the dinner. When she doesn't come back to the house he goes looking for her and finds the horses still saddled but Mandy is missing. He goes to his neighbor George for his help because George can track anything and together they figure out what direction Mandy has been taken.
I am in his clerk will feature themselves at the beginning of this book. The mysterious death of Mr Wainwright has them puzzled but they have to deal with the last will and testament. Celeste's is Wayne Wright's mistress and owner of the house that he had built for her. The mystery deepens as they try to figure out who really killed Waynewright. But another will pops up that was dated a year after the one that Ian had drafted for Wainwright but it was a holographic will done and only Wainwright handwriting. The burden of proof rests on the prosecutor to prove that it was really Wainwright that wrote that will and not a forgery. In the meantime his mistress Celeste is charged with the murder of Lane right so she cannot inherit from the current holographic will. Things get even more complicated when his son Karl testifies that he saw Celeste kill Wainwright but he never reported it to the sheriff until 3 days later. In the meantime Karl's testimony is suspect because he took so long to report it to the sheriff. After finding a third will at the Wainwright house that says the will from Ian and Wainwright stands and that Celeste is not to get the thing out of the estate. And Ryan's ranch he has seen a prowler around and can't figure out what the prowler is after. Mandy his daughter is staying with him and he hopes that she is enjoying herself. She seems to be really enjoying staying at the ranch and meeting the neighbors as they have a daughter her age Rosemary. One day after coming home from work they both put away their horses but Mandy's the one putting away the horses and having Ian cook the dinner. When she doesn't come back to the house he goes looking for her and finds the horses still saddled but Mandy is missing. He goes to his neighbor George for his help because George can track anything and together they figure out what direction Mandy has been taken.
June 8, 2021
Mystery, romance, suspense, likeable main character, great ending. All this in a well-developed 1880s Nebraska setting.
I love a book that makes me WANT to pick up the story each day. Highly recommended.
My Appaloosa gelding also gave me no incentive to ride. He tended to be contrary during a mid-day saddling and was inclined to bite when annoyed. Hemlock is a mean-looking critter with a splotch of black around one eye that gives him a pirate-like appearance.
My family, however quarrelsome, is a mighty fortress in times of crisis. Don’t take on a Locke unless you’re prepared to fight the whole tribe.
First, there were the little, insignificant disclosures as we tiptoed our ways up the fragile stairway that leads to trust, but by the end of our time there I had revealed parts of myself I had never displayed to another person, not even Emily or Cam…
I try to make logic rule my conclusions, although I confess I am often more comfortable when I allow my intuition to rule. I have learned to never entirely ignore my “gut feelings” and to at least test my carefully reasoned decisions against my more instinctive reactions. This had long been my internal strife—logic versus emotion—and I tried to give both due weight.
I love a book that makes me WANT to pick up the story each day. Highly recommended.
My Appaloosa gelding also gave me no incentive to ride. He tended to be contrary during a mid-day saddling and was inclined to bite when annoyed. Hemlock is a mean-looking critter with a splotch of black around one eye that gives him a pirate-like appearance.
My family, however quarrelsome, is a mighty fortress in times of crisis. Don’t take on a Locke unless you’re prepared to fight the whole tribe.
First, there were the little, insignificant disclosures as we tiptoed our ways up the fragile stairway that leads to trust, but by the end of our time there I had revealed parts of myself I had never displayed to another person, not even Emily or Cam…
I try to make logic rule my conclusions, although I confess I am often more comfortable when I allow my intuition to rule. I have learned to never entirely ignore my “gut feelings” and to at least test my carefully reasoned decisions against my more instinctive reactions. This had long been my internal strife—logic versus emotion—and I tried to give both due weight.
September 18, 2023
Blackmail, a mysterious murder, courtroom drama and a touch of romance. Five cheering stars!
This story takes place in and around the small town of Borderview, Nebraska, in 1884, but this is not a typical "shoot 'em up" western. You won't find non-stop action, bloody gunfights and constant danger. Instead, this is an immersive, complex story of banking, blackmail, a mysterious murder, multiple wills, lawyers, courtroom drama, and a touch of romance. If you're a fan of well-written westerns and gripping murder mysteries, Last Will is a perfect blend of both genres.
I loved every minute of this intriguing tale, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Kudos to the author for extensive legal research, authentic western settings, and a perfectly delightful surprise at the very end. Last Will easily earns five cheering stars from me!
This story takes place in and around the small town of Borderview, Nebraska, in 1884, but this is not a typical "shoot 'em up" western. You won't find non-stop action, bloody gunfights and constant danger. Instead, this is an immersive, complex story of banking, blackmail, a mysterious murder, multiple wills, lawyers, courtroom drama, and a touch of romance. If you're a fan of well-written westerns and gripping murder mysteries, Last Will is a perfect blend of both genres.
I loved every minute of this intriguing tale, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Kudos to the author for extensive legal research, authentic western settings, and a perfectly delightful surprise at the very end. Last Will easily earns five cheering stars from me!
October 15, 2017
A Legitimate Tale of the Old West
This is not a shoot ‘em up bang, bang book and more realistic because of it. A lawyer has written a will for a wealthy man who is killed under suspicious circumstances. A female lawyer becomes the defense attorney for the live in lover accused of killing the man. And this privides the will writing lawyer with a very strong love interest. It was a surprise happy ending. Very nice book.
This is not a shoot ‘em up bang, bang book and more realistic because of it. A lawyer has written a will for a wealthy man who is killed under suspicious circumstances. A female lawyer becomes the defense attorney for the live in lover accused of killing the man. And this privides the will writing lawyer with a very strong love interest. It was a surprise happy ending. Very nice book.
April 24, 2019
Absolutely one of the better ones!
My opinion, of course, but this book deserves my 5 stars. The time-frame for a murder mystery and the story within it is intriguing; the character development is excellent, interplay and dialogue fit very well. Overall, especially for a self-published novel at $0.99, Last Will is well worth the reading time. I'll be going to the 2nd "Locke Family" story!
My opinion, of course, but this book deserves my 5 stars. The time-frame for a murder mystery and the story within it is intriguing; the character development is excellent, interplay and dialogue fit very well. Overall, especially for a self-published novel at $0.99, Last Will is well worth the reading time. I'll be going to the 2nd "Locke Family" story!
July 8, 2019
Realistic and hugely enjoyable
The experiences of Ian the lawyer here build the background nicely. We start to feel sympathy to this man through his thought and other people's perception about him.
Then things develop further making us sympathise more.
The story pace feels relaxed and comfortable even though many things seem to happen one after another.
I really enjoy this book. Will look for the author's book again
The experiences of Ian the lawyer here build the background nicely. We start to feel sympathy to this man through his thought and other people's perception about him.
Then things develop further making us sympathise more.
The story pace feels relaxed and comfortable even though many things seem to happen one after another.
I really enjoy this book. Will look for the author's book again
November 17, 2017
Interesting story once the stage is set. Bankers and lawyers transcend time, so this story could have taken place in any era. Ian Locke is a lawyer whose banker friend is murdered. Now who could have done such a dastardly deed to such a fine citizen. Ian is the executor of the will, but which will? there seems to be more than one. Will the murderer get away scott free?
June 18, 2019
Love courtroom drama ...👍🏼
And I love the plot. Some descriptions of body parts was too much but this is an seemingly simple novel with an extraordinarily interesting story. Appreciate author using “old time” sayings (reminds me of my grandma). Recommended with the provision mentioned - but I’d read it again! 👍🏼
And I love the plot. Some descriptions of body parts was too much but this is an seemingly simple novel with an extraordinarily interesting story. Appreciate author using “old time” sayings (reminds me of my grandma). Recommended with the provision mentioned - but I’d read it again! 👍🏼
June 24, 2020
CAT LADY, LAWYERS, TRIAL, HORSES
5 STARS for this Old West Era taking place some years after the Civil War. For a bit of difference it takes place in Nebraska, about murder of the Bank President, who inherits, his bank, wife, mistress, & our hero is a lawyer. Shush one more thing, he was a hero in the war. A different kind of Western but western man all the way. Recommend.
5 STARS for this Old West Era taking place some years after the Civil War. For a bit of difference it takes place in Nebraska, about murder of the Bank President, who inherits, his bank, wife, mistress, & our hero is a lawyer. Shush one more thing, he was a hero in the war. A different kind of Western but western man all the way. Recommend.
October 22, 2022
Didn’t expect such a powerful read…
Ron Schwab, you sneaky guy. It’s been years since I’ve read a western that was so well developed. Great characters. A well rounded plot. Not one dull word in the entire book, but I did catch a couple of bloopers. I promise to let my newsletter peeps know about your work.
Ron Schwab, you sneaky guy. It’s been years since I’ve read a western that was so well developed. Great characters. A well rounded plot. Not one dull word in the entire book, but I did catch a couple of bloopers. I promise to let my newsletter peeps know about your work.
November 30, 2017
I loved the book. I have never thought of attorneys in the frontier. But Ron's books puts a new twist to westerns. His writing is the style of Louis L'Amour, my favorite western writer. This was a page turner. Even if one is not a western fan, I think they would like it.
June 14, 2019
I found this book to be well written and well edited. The story was excellent with romance, mystery, and the added bonus of taking place in a different era. I recommend this book to all those who like a good read.
June 17, 2019
Entertaining!
A book filled with well developed characters in a plot of murder, mystery, intrigue, sex and love. It is a step back in time though the crimes are the same as crimes today but justice was swifter. Enjoy.
A book filled with well developed characters in a plot of murder, mystery, intrigue, sex and love. It is a step back in time though the crimes are the same as crimes today but justice was swifter. Enjoy.
August 7, 2020
Last Will
A rather good read. It is actually about three characters whose lives are intermingled. The last part of the book was somewhat predictable. Look forward to other books by this author.
A rather good read. It is actually about three characters whose lives are intermingled. The last part of the book was somewhat predictable. Look forward to other books by this author.
May 16, 2021
A different look at the Old West!
Ron Schwab has given us a different look at a Western. From the Perspective of Lawers, " Law Wranglers". His cast of Characters is Great, and the Plot is wonderful. A great start, for a series. A Good Read! Santa Mike
Ron Schwab has given us a different look at a Western. From the Perspective of Lawers, " Law Wranglers". His cast of Characters is Great, and the Plot is wonderful. A great start, for a series. A Good Read! Santa Mike
October 22, 2021
Entertaining to say the least
When they ask for twenty words required this is well written very good reading with a good ending that brought a tear to ones eye. But ended in a smile!
When they ask for twenty words required this is well written very good reading with a good ending that brought a tear to ones eye. But ended in a smile!
December 22, 2022
Unusual
Who thought you could combine a courtroom thriller with an old Western setting and characters? Totally compeling story and adventure. Very unusual. Surprised me. Well well worth it.
Who thought you could combine a courtroom thriller with an old Western setting and characters? Totally compeling story and adventure. Very unusual. Surprised me. Well well worth it.
September 27, 2023
Excellent murder mystery, and thought provoking!
I found this read to be very interesting in that it offered a lot of mystery, romance, and full of a variety of characters that really pique your interest. I highly recommend reading this novel.
I found this read to be very interesting in that it offered a lot of mystery, romance, and full of a variety of characters that really pique your interest. I highly recommend reading this novel.
June 11, 2017
Loved the book, I do not finish a book if I do not like it. I did like this book. I enjoy simple straight forward writing, little fluff. This is it.
October 19, 2017
The Last Will is excellent.
The book was well written, I t was an interesting and plausible story. It had just the right balance of romance, intrigue and adventure.
The book was well written, I t was an interesting and plausible story. It had just the right balance of romance, intrigue and adventure.
October 21, 2017
Slow start but a good read
Good characters... lots of places the story could go... or future storie. And, I would likely read them. Good luck
Good characters... lots of places the story could go... or future storie. And, I would likely read them. Good luck
November 16, 2017
A Very Good Story
Good western books are rare and hard to find nowadays. This one is a very good find. It is full of intrigue, romance, and action. Be sure to read this one.
Good western books are rare and hard to find nowadays. This one is a very good find. It is full of intrigue, romance, and action. Be sure to read this one.
December 25, 2017
Great
Great story and well paced. Characters are nicely formed and I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
Great story and well paced. Characters are nicely formed and I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
February 20, 2018
Darn good book!
It kept me interested from page one till the end!
I had to find out who the killer was. I had to find out it Ian got the woman! It was a page turner!
It kept me interested from page one till the end!
I had to find out who the killer was. I had to find out it Ian got the woman! It was a page turner!
March 26, 2019
Last Will:
This was a different story to read. I enjoyed reading it and I was impressed with your writing. Your work was very good.
This was a different story to read. I enjoyed reading it and I was impressed with your writing. Your work was very good.
June 18, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Loved the Characters and how they interacted with each other. I liked the fact that an American Indian was portrayed as if it was a usual fact.
July 26, 2019
An entertaining read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Had nice mix of suspense, the law and romance in the west. Kept my interest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Had nice mix of suspense, the law and romance in the west. Kept my interest.
April 29, 2020
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
May 15, 2021
Review
I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend highly this story. The main characters were likeable as well as believable. Kept my interest from the start to finish!
I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend highly this story. The main characters were likeable as well as believable. Kept my interest from the start to finish!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews