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Widowmaker Jones #2
Buzzard Bait
Two-time Spur Award winner Brett Cogburn brings back the true grit and glory of the Old West—with a hero as glorious as the author’s real-life ancestor Rooster Cogburn . . .
THEY CALL HIM THE “WIDOWMAKER”
Newt Jones is none too proud of his deadly nickname. But when you tangle with the likes of Judge Roy Bean and the notorious Mexican outlaw Juan Cortina, a man’s bound to earn a reputation. Or get stuck with a moniker like “Widowmaker.” Even so, Newt is ready to put his gunslinging days behind him, hang up his Winchester, and take it easy. There’s just one problem: Ain’t nothing easy about living in Apache country . . .
When Newt gets word that a renegade tribe has kidnapped Matilda Redding’s grandson, he can’t just sit by and let the local authorities bungle it. Matilda once did him a good turn up on the Pecos and—flat broke and half drunk or not—he’s got to help the old gal out. So he saddles up his horse, straps on his dead man’s gun, and sets off to save this boy before he’s buzzard chow. Sure, Newt’s outnumbered, outgunned, and probably out of his mind. But they don’t call him Widowmaker Jones for nothing . . .
Praise for Spur Award-winner Brett Cogburn
“Fans of frontier arcana will revel in Cogburn’s readable prose and lively characters.”
—Publishers Weekly on Rooster
“Cogburn amazes and astounds.” —Booklist
THEY CALL HIM THE “WIDOWMAKER”
Newt Jones is none too proud of his deadly nickname. But when you tangle with the likes of Judge Roy Bean and the notorious Mexican outlaw Juan Cortina, a man’s bound to earn a reputation. Or get stuck with a moniker like “Widowmaker.” Even so, Newt is ready to put his gunslinging days behind him, hang up his Winchester, and take it easy. There’s just one problem: Ain’t nothing easy about living in Apache country . . .
When Newt gets word that a renegade tribe has kidnapped Matilda Redding’s grandson, he can’t just sit by and let the local authorities bungle it. Matilda once did him a good turn up on the Pecos and—flat broke and half drunk or not—he’s got to help the old gal out. So he saddles up his horse, straps on his dead man’s gun, and sets off to save this boy before he’s buzzard chow. Sure, Newt’s outnumbered, outgunned, and probably out of his mind. But they don’t call him Widowmaker Jones for nothing . . .
Praise for Spur Award-winner Brett Cogburn
“Fans of frontier arcana will revel in Cogburn’s readable prose and lively characters.”
—Publishers Weekly on Rooster
“Cogburn amazes and astounds.” —Booklist
- GenresWesterns
295 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 29, 2017
132 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 19, 2023
When a band of Apaches kidnap the grandson of one of "Widowmaker" Jones's friends, He gets on the trial, and shoots and fights his way through the desert.
Not too bad.
Not too bad.
December 22, 2019
A tough man for a tough job.
Cogburn does a great job of linking real characters into believable situations. Also nice to see the lead character get his butt kicked once in a while. An joyable tale of a trip down Mexico way.
Cogburn does a great job of linking real characters into believable situations. Also nice to see the lead character get his butt kicked once in a while. An joyable tale of a trip down Mexico way.
August 29, 2021
Better then the first book in this series, although way to much talking.
July 16, 2023
The second entry in the Widowmaker Jones series is almost as good as the first. Mr. Cogburn manages to create authentic western characters and mingle them with historical characters. Then he puts them into the rugged western terrain, arms them with authentic weapons, and brings them into wild action sequences that are so real the reader can almost smell the gunpowder.
This time around, our hero repays a debt he incurred from the introductory novel. His friend, Matilda, who helped him when he was down and out, has a grandson who has been taken by Apache raiders. Jones agrees to go down to Mexico, with little hope of success, but he enlists the assistance of Tom Horn (before he was famous and then later infamous-- in 1903, 20 years after the setting of this novel- Horn was hanged for shooting a teenage sheepherder- although many believe he was innocent) and an Apache scout.
Along the way, the group fight Apaches, Rurales, and bandits. It seems that nobody wants them to recover these children. Of course, the corruption that was so common in Mexico, especially near the U.S. border plays a part. There is plenty of solid action.
Cogburn takes great pains to describe the terrain in wonderful detail. The trails lead across streams, through desert, through mountains and canyons, and the reader is provided some of the best background descriptions I've read since Zane Grey's western novels.
The story gets resolved and the novel ends, and then--- BONUS TIME--- Cogburn offers a historical rundown on the historical figures he has brought into his novel. This coupled with dialogue which described the political (and racial enmity) turmoil-- the reader receives an entertaining historical snapshot of the time, place, and people...
This is the second Cogburn book I've read and thus far I am impressed. If you are looking for authentic western action with great characters and an impressive setting-- look no further... this is the stuff you've been looking for... A Western that's tougher than five year old beef jerky.
This time around, our hero repays a debt he incurred from the introductory novel. His friend, Matilda, who helped him when he was down and out, has a grandson who has been taken by Apache raiders. Jones agrees to go down to Mexico, with little hope of success, but he enlists the assistance of Tom Horn (before he was famous and then later infamous-- in 1903, 20 years after the setting of this novel- Horn was hanged for shooting a teenage sheepherder- although many believe he was innocent) and an Apache scout.
Along the way, the group fight Apaches, Rurales, and bandits. It seems that nobody wants them to recover these children. Of course, the corruption that was so common in Mexico, especially near the U.S. border plays a part. There is plenty of solid action.
Cogburn takes great pains to describe the terrain in wonderful detail. The trails lead across streams, through desert, through mountains and canyons, and the reader is provided some of the best background descriptions I've read since Zane Grey's western novels.
The story gets resolved and the novel ends, and then--- BONUS TIME--- Cogburn offers a historical rundown on the historical figures he has brought into his novel. This coupled with dialogue which described the political (and racial enmity) turmoil-- the reader receives an entertaining historical snapshot of the time, place, and people...
This is the second Cogburn book I've read and thus far I am impressed. If you are looking for authentic western action with great characters and an impressive setting-- look no further... this is the stuff you've been looking for... A Western that's tougher than five year old beef jerky.
September 11, 2017
LIFE IS NEVER GUARANTEED
Meet Newt Jones aka "THE WIDOWMAKER," is another great name that's added to the list or better still compared to the likes of The Earp Brothers ,Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, Doc. Holiday, Billy The Kid etc. You will be introduced to a variety of different characters who made the west what it was in that time period.
The author also lays out explanations and descriptions of the different situations people had to live through and do the best they could trying to survive.
Native Americans were being herded on to reservations while others escaped to the mountains e.g.White Mountain Apaches, Geronimo and his people lived in the mountains of Mexico. The Apaches were also hunted down by the Mexican government because they raided both sides of the border..genocide..
With all the historic moments, Newt Jones, did whatever was necessary to make a few coins for his essentials. Never thought he was the better man, but he never underestimate anyone or anything..not even DEATH..you can give up the ghost anytime...ride easy everyone..
Meet Newt Jones aka "THE WIDOWMAKER," is another great name that's added to the list or better still compared to the likes of The Earp Brothers ,Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, Doc. Holiday, Billy The Kid etc. You will be introduced to a variety of different characters who made the west what it was in that time period.
The author also lays out explanations and descriptions of the different situations people had to live through and do the best they could trying to survive.
Native Americans were being herded on to reservations while others escaped to the mountains e.g.White Mountain Apaches, Geronimo and his people lived in the mountains of Mexico. The Apaches were also hunted down by the Mexican government because they raided both sides of the border..genocide..
With all the historic moments, Newt Jones, did whatever was necessary to make a few coins for his essentials. Never thought he was the better man, but he never underestimate anyone or anything..not even DEATH..you can give up the ghost anytime...ride easy everyone..
April 16, 2024
Продължаваме с серията за Нют на Когбърн. В предната книга Убиеца се беше заканил да не стъпи повече в Мексико, но когато старата му дружка Матилда го намира защото внукът и е отвлечен от банда апачи, няма как да откаже да помогне. Това ще ни поведе на приключение с апачи, мексикански бандити, корумпирани служители на закона и самият Джеронимо.
Отново легенди, история и измислица се преплитат в симпатично приключение с мирис на барут.
Послесловът с историческите подробности ми беше безкрайно интересен и доста напоителен. Да не кажа, че ми беше по-интересен от самата книга.
Отново легенди, история и измислица се преплитат в симпатично приключение с мирис на барут.
Послесловът с историческите подробности ми беше безкрайно интересен и доста напоителен. Да не кажа, че ми беше по-интересен от самата книга.
February 21, 2022
Starts strong and finishes strong, but everything else reads like a first draft--as if the author took the time to polish the first and last chapters but neglected the pages in between. A decent story with a sturdy enough plot, just not terribly well executed, despite the obvious research that informs the historical parts. My guess is the author was still learning his craft, as his most recent novel, Smoke Wagon, is much tighter.
September 19, 2019
Another Great Brett Cogburn Read
I have thoroughly enjoyed following the exploits of Widowmaker Jones. Brett really makes his characters come alive. I couldn’t put the book down. A great read. Can’t wait until the next Widowmaker Jones Book comes out!
I have thoroughly enjoyed following the exploits of Widowmaker Jones. Brett really makes his characters come alive. I couldn’t put the book down. A great read. Can’t wait until the next Widowmaker Jones Book comes out!
January 19, 2020
I'm impressed
For detail and the feel of truth this is one of the best old West books I've read.
At times it felt a bit slow with some overthinking by the main character, but taken as a whole I recommend it.
For detail and the feel of truth this is one of the best old West books I've read.
At times it felt a bit slow with some overthinking by the main character, but taken as a whole I recommend it.
Read
August 7, 2020Not a great western but I liked the plot
May 24, 2021
Great Western
Some historical authenticity told without romance of the Western legend. I am searching for more of the Widowmaker series as I finish this review
Some historical authenticity told without romance of the Western legend. I am searching for more of the Widowmaker series as I finish this review
May 2, 2023
Alright, not raving like I did with the previous Cogburn books I've read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews