Deadman's Stagecoach: Third Edition, December 2020

by C.M. Oslund

Death, including murder, are part of western life. Especially in 1850 Wyoming territory.
That doesn't mean you have to take murder lying down.

Annie and Luke Hunter with their foster brother Joseph Peopeo raise Appaloosa horses and cattle east of the Laramie Mountains. Annie's beau, Adam, is coming home from the California gold fields to help run the ranch but the stagecoach he's in is attacked, and Adam is shot.

Family is the bedrock of their life and soon Annie, Luke, and Joseph are trying to uncover who targeted Adam.
Was one of the other two men on the stagecoach part of the Mr. Garrett the photo maker, or Henry Little Light who says he's seeking work?
Does the new woman at the saloon, May, know more than she's saying?
Ad where are the shooters hiding now?

While Annie runs the ranch with the help of teen sister and brother Janie and Gerry Moran, Luke and Joseph follow the tracks through the prairie and foothills only to find themselves led back to their own ranch. But will they arrive in time to help Annie?

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2016

Reviews

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadman’s Stagecoach by C.M. Oslund is a 1800’s Western who-dun-it. A lighter type western read, mixed with plenty of backstory on Adam, a passenger on a stagecoach, who was shot dead before reaching his destination.. Why? And who wanted him dead? Hired men? What about the other stagecoach passengers?
Overall, quick enjoyable western historical fictional read.. 3 Stars.

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free electronic copy of this interesting western novel from Netgalley, C. S. Oslund, and BooksGoSocial-Collie Dog Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Originally published in 2016, this is the first novel in a series of five, taking place in 1850 in the Territory of Wyoming, the city of Deadman. This was an interesting, fast read. I will have to acquire the balance of the series. C. M. Oslund is an author I was not familiar with, but she has a knack for bringing us a picturesque historical western. I truly enjoyed her sense of humor and the odd spin of hilarity that just slips up on you. Thank you, BooksGoSocial, for bringing her to our attention.

The main lesson I took from this book was remembering to appreciate how much we all depend on our personal family, be they blood kin or part of our family of friends, to keep us balanced. Deadman, Wyoming is small, insular, everybody knowing each other's business and pull together despite or because of that, to establish a life worth living. Some of the bad guys are extremely bad, most of the good guys are trying to be good, and even the women in the cathouse are well-rounded and attractively humanized. You can't help but like these pioneers, to see them as potential friends and neighbors. This is another book my husband and I 'shared', reading out loud to each other the best parts in the depth of the night. Easily entertained? Or it could just be the tail end of 2020 making us giddy, or seeing Deadman through the eyes of C. M. Oslund. In any case, I want more, please.

pub date June 28, 2016
received December 9, 2020
BooksGoSocial - Collie Dog Press
Reviewed on December 28, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review on BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.

[Iris Chacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

L’Amour Fans Will Enjoy Oslund’s Western

This story of good guys in pursuit of a murderer lopes along the rolling plains and rivers around Laramie with charm, warmth, and gunplay. Oslund shows a firm command of the genre, and readers who like westerns will enjoy this one.

[Angel Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Western Read!

I haven't read a good western novel in a long time. It seems to be an underappreciated genre. That is why I decided to give this book a shot. The characters are relatable despite the book taking place in the 1800s. For the most part, the characters are just trying to survive. Reading the book reminds me of watching an episode of Bonanza, which I enjoyed watching when I was younger. I hope there is more :)

[Sibyl Mory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great gun-toting Western of revenge and retribution, and the search through a rugged landscape in order to carry out that revenge. Luke Hunter and his foster brother Joseph are in pursuit of the gang who shot and killed their sister Annie's beau. There a re a number of well-drawn characters, and the plot keeps twisting and turning, with the classic twist at the end of the hunters--or those close to them--becoming the hunted. Recommended.

[Christy Oslund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the updated edition. Fast read with good character development and diversity. Felt more real than historical stories which only tell the stories of white men. Will read next book in series, which I've already bought.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashion western. There is the murder, the good guys and the bad guys and the guilty party is a good twist. All you can ask for. I liked it!

I read the book on NetGalley

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the historical western mystery to this book. It was such a great read with a interesting story that kept me invested. The characters were great and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

[KatsCauldron R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent western murder mystery. It is the first of a series about a particular family & their friends a& nearby small town. Set in the northeast plains area along with some history of the same. The author did alot of research of the high plains & the peoples of that area as well as the history. She fleshed out the characters & handled them & their cultures & ways well. I probably will read more of the series While not point on for lower plains history & regulations & ways she did a good job of the higher area. If you liek westerns you will love this

[Mrs. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of Deadman’s Stagecoach from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the different perspective of the white family’s acceptance of natives and “mixed bloods” which would have been quite unusual during that period in history. I also found Annie’s thoughts concerning some of her peers more realistic than expected for a woman of those days. Overall, it was a short, interesting read and I look forward to a sequel.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy read, like a Louis L'Amour. I enjoyed the mystery and am currently reading book 2, Deadman's Daughter.