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Will Tanner #2
A Stranger in Town
The train grinds to a halt somewhere in the Indian Nations, and the bandits get onboard. They take everything on the train worth stealing and gun down a guard to make their escape — just another notch on the belt for Ben Trout and Zack Larsen, two of the most savage killers in the west. U.S. Deputy Marshal Ed Pine follows them to Muskogee. There the trail runs cold, and Ed Pine disappears. To save his friend, Deputy Will Tanner rides for Muskogee, where justice extends only as far as the range of a Colt .45.
367 pages, Library Binding
Published January 1, 2017
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,043 books1,451 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 10, 2019
The book is written by J. A. Johnstone (William Johnstone’s nephew) as William Johnstone died in 2004. This is book two in the Will Tanner Series. The book is well written and is non-stop action. Will is after two train robbers. This is a good old fashion western where everything is black and white; there is no gray area. Also, there is no foul language or steamy sex scenes. If you are looking for a quick fun read, give this book a try.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and twenty-one minutes. Eric Michael Summerer does a good job narrating the story. Summerer is a voice-over artist and audiobook narrator.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and twenty-one minutes. Eric Michael Summerer does a good job narrating the story. Summerer is a voice-over artist and audiobook narrator.
March 27, 2023
I have little experience with reading Westerns. But the last time I did, years ago, I enjoyed it. It accomplished what i wanted it to accomplish: light, easy reading with some atmosphere, some action, and an escape.
So I picked up this one hoping for the same thing. 100 pages in, and a gun has been fired once.
It's walking around, and talking, (telling not showing). The clod at the center of it all, Will, is a US Marshall looking for two murderers. Or, thinking about doing that.
Get on with doing something! It's a Western!
I am not a stickler for always writing in the active voice, but almost every clumsy run on sentence in this pablum is passive construction to the Nth degree, and frankly, it's a pain in the ass to read.
Or, "my ass was pained greatly by the not-so-quick pace of this poorly paced novel, to be honest."
Chapters of that. DNF, 100 pages.
So I picked up this one hoping for the same thing. 100 pages in, and a gun has been fired once.
It's walking around, and talking, (telling not showing). The clod at the center of it all, Will, is a US Marshall looking for two murderers. Or, thinking about doing that.
Get on with doing something! It's a Western!
I am not a stickler for always writing in the active voice, but almost every clumsy run on sentence in this pablum is passive construction to the Nth degree, and frankly, it's a pain in the ass to read.
Or, "my ass was pained greatly by the not-so-quick pace of this poorly paced novel, to be honest."
Chapters of that. DNF, 100 pages.
December 14, 2016
This is a Goodreads win review. I love Westerns whether is be a movie or book. This is an exciting Western where Will Tanner (US Deputy Marshal) has to chase after two dangerous train robbers. But in the end he must resort to using his guns.
June 9, 2017
3.5/5.
"A Stranger in Town" is the second book in the Will Tanner series. Having read the first book, I can confirm that this book does work as a standalone; however, reading the first book first will provide some interesting (but not necessary) background.
This book starts off with Ed Pine (Will's mentor/recruiter from the previous series) hunting a pair of train robbers. When the hunt goes back, Will is sent to find Ed; once he goes, he promises revenge on Brock Larsen and Ben Trout, the train robbers who shot Ed. Quickly, Will's hunt becomes personal as he crosses borders in to Kansas to complete the job.
Similar to the previous book, this Western book is non-stop action, and has Will cleverly getting himself out of dangerous situations. The fast pace keeps the pages turning, and as someone who never reads books from this genre this is appealing.
Moreover, the author does a good job of staying consistent with Will's character and building on the previous introduction. I liked a lot of the secondary characters that he introduced, and hope some of them (especially Marcy) are around for the next instalment.
On the other hand, while this book packed on the action, I felt like it was lacking some of the background that I enjoyed last time. Will's relationships (with Sophie, for example, and even with Ed) and his life in Fort Smith were absent in this book, despite having such a promising beginning in the previous one.
Overall, this is definitely a fast and enjoyable read, and though I wasn't quite as impressed as I was with the previous instalment, I will definitely continue the series and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a classic Western.
"A Stranger in Town" is the second book in the Will Tanner series. Having read the first book, I can confirm that this book does work as a standalone; however, reading the first book first will provide some interesting (but not necessary) background.
This book starts off with Ed Pine (Will's mentor/recruiter from the previous series) hunting a pair of train robbers. When the hunt goes back, Will is sent to find Ed; once he goes, he promises revenge on Brock Larsen and Ben Trout, the train robbers who shot Ed. Quickly, Will's hunt becomes personal as he crosses borders in to Kansas to complete the job.
Similar to the previous book, this Western book is non-stop action, and has Will cleverly getting himself out of dangerous situations. The fast pace keeps the pages turning, and as someone who never reads books from this genre this is appealing.
Moreover, the author does a good job of staying consistent with Will's character and building on the previous introduction. I liked a lot of the secondary characters that he introduced, and hope some of them (especially Marcy) are around for the next instalment.
On the other hand, while this book packed on the action, I felt like it was lacking some of the background that I enjoyed last time. Will's relationships (with Sophie, for example, and even with Ed) and his life in Fort Smith were absent in this book, despite having such a promising beginning in the previous one.
Overall, this is definitely a fast and enjoyable read, and though I wasn't quite as impressed as I was with the previous instalment, I will definitely continue the series and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a classic Western.
May 21, 2022
Will Tanner is after Brock Larson and Ben Trout, the two men who robbed a train and left Tanner’s fellow deputy, Ed Pine, for dead.
Will meets a man named Oscar Moon, a man who no doubt becomes very important at the end of this book. It looks like the start of a long friendship. With Moon’s help, Will discovers Elmira and her hideout for various gang members.
Will guns down Ben and takes Brock into custody. Brock escapes after a woman (Annabeth) has sympathy on him and lets him go by mistake. Will goes all across Kansas looking for him, and eventually finds him in Delano.
Will has a potential love interest with a woman named Marcy, daughter of the Wichita Mayor. She’s very interested in him, but he’s indifferent toward her and uncomfortable around her family.
Brock ends up dead and Will is saved by Oscar Moon.
Will meets a man named Oscar Moon, a man who no doubt becomes very important at the end of this book. It looks like the start of a long friendship. With Moon’s help, Will discovers Elmira and her hideout for various gang members.
Will guns down Ben and takes Brock into custody. Brock escapes after a woman (Annabeth) has sympathy on him and lets him go by mistake. Will goes all across Kansas looking for him, and eventually finds him in Delano.
Will has a potential love interest with a woman named Marcy, daughter of the Wichita Mayor. She’s very interested in him, but he’s indifferent toward her and uncomfortable around her family.
Brock ends up dead and Will is saved by Oscar Moon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
"I liked it." - 3 out of 5 stars.
On par with book #1! Which is indeed a positive complement!
Classic wild west train robbin' good times in this one, hot pursuit of bandits on the run by the law, and so much more. One strong highlight was the jailing situation back in the old west days that this book offers. I'll stop there and keep this spoiler free, but I will say it was very well done and super enjoyable to read.
For the Star Wars fans out there... Will Tanner in this book, I couldn't help but see him as "Thrawn-like". Thrawn is a Chiss (alien species) that excels at analyzing body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, words spoken, the rate they are said, everything in the room, and more. Thrawn is basically not 2 steps ahead of you, he's 5 or more. While Mr. Tanner is not nearly at Thrawn's level... I will argue that he out performs Moff Tarkin.
Great book!
On par with book #1! Which is indeed a positive complement!
Classic wild west train robbin' good times in this one, hot pursuit of bandits on the run by the law, and so much more. One strong highlight was the jailing situation back in the old west days that this book offers. I'll stop there and keep this spoiler free, but I will say it was very well done and super enjoyable to read.
For the Star Wars fans out there... Will Tanner in this book, I couldn't help but see him as "Thrawn-like". Thrawn is a Chiss (alien species) that excels at analyzing body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, words spoken, the rate they are said, everything in the room, and more. Thrawn is basically not 2 steps ahead of you, he's 5 or more. While Mr. Tanner is not nearly at Thrawn's level... I will argue that he out performs Moff Tarkin.
Great book!
March 3, 2021
The Wild West
Will is now a deputy and established as a capable one with an honest desire to perform his best but wanting g to work alone. His boss doesn't like the idea but wants to keep Will as he sees him as his best deputy now. This next adventure has lots of intrigued including the saving of a single woman traveling in Indian country alone with her young son. Will regrets his kind efforts as she causes him to lose his prisoner and this just provides more adventures to fix the problem. This one was hard to put down.
Will is now a deputy and established as a capable one with an honest desire to perform his best but wanting g to work alone. His boss doesn't like the idea but wants to keep Will as he sees him as his best deputy now. This next adventure has lots of intrigued including the saving of a single woman traveling in Indian country alone with her young son. Will regrets his kind efforts as she causes him to lose his prisoner and this just provides more adventures to fix the problem. This one was hard to put down.
March 6, 2017
***I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM GOODREADS FIRST READS***
I enjoyed this book very much. I have not read the first book in this series (actually I've only read one other of Mr. Johnstone's books before this), but I was able to jump right in with this one. The plot was coherent and the characters were well written. I will definitely read more westerns by Mr. Johnstone in the future.
I enjoyed this book very much. I have not read the first book in this series (actually I've only read one other of Mr. Johnstone's books before this), but I was able to jump right in with this one. The plot was coherent and the characters were well written. I will definitely read more westerns by Mr. Johnstone in the future.
February 3, 2021
I don't remember the first one, but I remember I enjoyed it. The lead actor is really likeable and not someone I remember hearing much of. It's a great read, a little different story, though much of the same cowboy type story. Will is likeable though, but I think the actor is the reason I enjoy it so much.
November 20, 2024
The next chapter in my Johnstone marathon pits US Marshal Will Tanner up against a couple of bank robbers/Marshal killers who ride from Arkansas to Missouri on a robbery spree.
It’s an entertaining series, but I have to say that the deus ex machina endings are killing me. Lazy ass writing, and it robs the reader of a gratifying ending.
It’s an entertaining series, but I have to say that the deus ex machina endings are killing me. Lazy ass writing, and it robs the reader of a gratifying ending.
July 27, 2021
Another great read from WA Johnstone
Another great story in the Will Tanner Series, WA Johnstone really has a way of making the old west come alive. Can’t wait to start the next installment of Will Tanner!
Another great story in the Will Tanner Series, WA Johnstone really has a way of making the old west come alive. Can’t wait to start the next installment of Will Tanner!
January 7, 2024
Deputy Will Tanner is on the trail of two train robbers, who killed a man and shot a deputy and left him for dead.
I enjoyed the story and the main character very much and would definitely read more in the series
I enjoyed the story and the main character very much and would definitely read more in the series
March 13, 2017
Yes I know that these are written under the house name by whoever the current writer is. I do not think this is the same person that writes the Smoke Jensen books. Why? It moves so slow that I almost gave up on the story. I finally finished it - simply to see how it would end. I was underwhelmed at best.
I had the feeling that rather than shooting for a decent ending, the writer was aiming towards a high word count to pad his/her pay day. Seriously, 1/3rd of the way into the story it could have ended the main plot.
According to this author the US Marshal did not have arrest authority out of the are that they worked in. However in the history books I've read, a Deputy Marshal was assigned to an area, but his fugitive apprehension authority was in the US (it's in the name), they could follow that fugitive where ever they had to to capture them. After looking at the web page for the service, I see nothing that contradicts what I've been told by Marshals that I've interacted with.
It was hard to like the hero - after Smoke, Matt, Luke and all the other Jensens - he was bland. The bad buy was boring too.
I think this is the start of a new series, if so, lets hope a different house writer picks up the name.
I had the feeling that rather than shooting for a decent ending, the writer was aiming towards a high word count to pad his/her pay day. Seriously, 1/3rd of the way into the story it could have ended the main plot.
According to this author the US Marshal did not have arrest authority out of the are that they worked in. However in the history books I've read, a Deputy Marshal was assigned to an area, but his fugitive apprehension authority was in the US (it's in the name), they could follow that fugitive where ever they had to to capture them. After looking at the web page for the service, I see nothing that contradicts what I've been told by Marshals that I've interacted with.
It was hard to like the hero - after Smoke, Matt, Luke and all the other Jensens - he was bland. The bad buy was boring too.
I think this is the start of a new series, if so, lets hope a different house writer picks up the name.
October 19, 2017
Enjoyed reading
September 17, 2019
Another great Will Tanner episode, #2 A Stranger in Town was a very good read....on to number 3
April 25, 2020
Another good western.
February 20, 2022
Audible: 3.5 ⭐️
June 14, 2023
Again, another good read. enjoyed the characters and the story. These western books have always been my little getaways.
February 10, 2024
Enjoyed reading thanks.
Enjoy continued follow reading of Will Tanner, The plot wasn't exciting as book one. However recommended the reading to friends.
Enjoy continued follow reading of Will Tanner, The plot wasn't exciting as book one. However recommended the reading to friends.
August 7, 2024
Howdy Partner
February 24, 2017
I like that there are more Westerns being written.
It is a great tale of Deputy Marshal Ed Pine and Deputy Will Tanner. A tale of bank robbers, gun battles, tracking the outlaws, survival and that hint of love.
This novel is a great read. I recommend this book.
I received this novel a free giveaway from Goodreads.
It is a great tale of Deputy Marshal Ed Pine and Deputy Will Tanner. A tale of bank robbers, gun battles, tracking the outlaws, survival and that hint of love.
This novel is a great read. I recommend this book.
I received this novel a free giveaway from Goodreads.
January 26, 2017
I Love a good William W. Johnstone book
A mighty good book to read. It kept me wondering how the bad guy is going to get his just rewards in the end. I highly recommend You buying this book right now. You will not regret it.
A mighty good book to read. It kept me wondering how the bad guy is going to get his just rewards in the end. I highly recommend You buying this book right now. You will not regret it.
December 21, 2016
I liked this book. It was a quick easy read. The storyline was fairly straightforward and kept my attention. I'm curious to know where Will Turner will go next.
January 10, 2017
Pretty decent book
I always enjoy Johnstone books. I wonder sometimes who is really writing them, and if J. A. Johnstone really exists.
I always enjoy Johnstone books. I wonder sometimes who is really writing them, and if J. A. Johnstone really exists.
January 18, 2017
A Good Book!
Really enjoyable read just like all his books! Always an interesting plot with colorful characters with good guy the winner.
Really enjoyable read just like all his books! Always an interesting plot with colorful characters with good guy the winner.
September 1, 2017
Will Tanner took my mind off Hurricane Harvey after we evacuated!
Read
November 24, 2016vg
April 7, 2017
This is a very good western. The main characters are interesting and the story keeps moving. It was an enjoyable read. Thank you to Pinnacle Books and Goodreads for the chance to win, read, and review this book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews