U.S Deputy Marshal Earl Crawford had just entered the office after returning from a typically Texan assignment where bullets flew like dirt in a twister. He hadn’t even hung his hat when the boss approached him about an even more dangerous mission, but only if he chose to accept the job. Normally, he wasn’t given the choice, but in this case, even though he could have turned it down, he knew that he had to go. He would have to return to East Texas to track down a killer who had brutally murdered a young woman and her young son. What made it impossible to turn down was that murderer had been the dead woman’s husband and father to the boy. He was also Earl's brother.
Most biographies start with birth and then roll through the years as they drift by but that would bore me to death, and I lived through it.
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
It was a good premise, but the story just didn’t develop very well. On the up side, it was one of the more wholesome (barring some course humor that didn't land) and upright westerns in the genre (which seems to be a rare thing these days) ... and of course I am a sucker for happy endings. The main problem is the lack any real tension in the plot, made so much worse with the mechanical narration. Characters are flat and extremely predictable. World building is poorly researched (US Marshal … a federal agent … is not able to remove a locally elected sheriff because you don’t like the way he does his job). In short, the story didn't connect at all and it went on nearly two hours after resolution of the primary conflict. By the end, I was actually a tad irritated with how the main character was presented, mostly because I know it could have been better.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I can't say enough about the many CJ. Petit books that I own. Each and every one is a travel back in time experience that leaves me wanting more. The stories are so well written and leave no cliff hangers or loose ends that make you wonder about the outcome for each character in each book.AGAIN BRAVO!!!!! BRAVO !!!!!!😊😊😊😊
This is my fourth of Petit's books I've read and I intend to read them all! Beyond excellent, his books are the best action western novels with a wholesome message for young people that I've read since L'Amoure. Simple, straightforward, flowing from one chapter to another with life lessons and a unique finishing of the characters story. Recommend for all readers!
5 STARS for this action packed old western era story of a man who had went off to war but when it was over he didn't return home; he returned to his state & entered the US Deputy Marshall Service; which he had to go to training camp for. His headquarters was roughly 21/2 days or so ride from his parents ranch. Earl had personal reasons why he had not returned to even see his Mother. Walking into the office, Earl was told the Marshall wanted to see him, so he knew it was important he just got in & hadn't even wrote up his report yet. Marshall Tom told Earl there had been a horrible brutal murder of a woman & her young son & he needed a Deputy to go after the murderer. However, only 1 deputy. Then, he told Earl, the murderer was his brother, Claude, he had been identified and if he didn't want to go because he thought he couldn't hold up the law he would understand. Earl said I want to go and bring him in and probably about the only one that can find him in his hideouts. Gunfights, FISTFIGHTS, a whore being hung by a rope for sex, and other things that happened in the old west is worthy of the read. However, no rape, but the caviler way brother Claude treated his mother & father is terrifying, the way he treated the ranch family at dinner they were robbing was terrifying and just plain blackhearted. The difference is shown in the actions of the brothers throughout the story & that makes it a pleasure to read. One thing is interesting is how Earl feels the many women see him. A really good laugh is when you get to find out why Earl & (a new friend) were laughing because of Earl's comment about why he left a $2 tip; it is certainly very funny, anybody see any similarities to today. Hahaha!
Father of two sons, but decides to choose the son who was a bully and lazy man who mistreated his wife and son. Constant domestic strife, and the father closes his eyes to the bruises, black eyes and the generalized everyday beatings that this poor woman and her son were subjected to. Earl Crawford whose now a United States Deputy Marshal, was away from home for twelve years because of the way his father treated him. His father never called him son, only acknowledge him with his birth name "Earl". Well his older brother Claude Crawford went rogue after he murdered his wife and his son and then had the audacity to hook up with some gunnies who were bad boys. The United States Marshal Service was a strong group of men, who tried to up hold the law in a lawless land where even the Sheriffs of some towns were just as bad as the men they were suppose to protect their respective residents. Lots of twists and turns and it also reveals the outcome of supporting, protecting a child with the knowledge that there's something mentally wrong. The father of Claude Crawford was doing his best to protect this son's actions and tried placing the deaths on some unknown felons who broke into their house and murdered his daughter-n-law and grandson. Earl hunted down his brother for murder and bank robbing, attempted murder. This author portrays real life situations with an old western twists..different people, but still same situations....jellybeans always helps...
This is one of his better books. Good action all the way through. Two in love finally brought together to face the challenges first apart and then together. The deputy Marshall (Earl) just doing his job the best he can still holding to his high standards. Jessie struggling though her life from an enstranged husband finally meeting the deputy Marshall again after a terrible event. Earl is assigned the job of bring in the law breakers.in the process of completing his mission becomes a hero and legend. He also finds the one. every now and then I find a book that I can't put down and read even when it's not the time I would normally read a book. In the end the story of love is wrapped up beautifully in the last sentence of the book.
This was another truly amazing book by this Author. I have it another 5stars because it absolutely the best of the hundred plus books I read each year. Tons of action and suspense together with great romance along with a touching ending. I am 72 and a past rancher of over 50 years and found this western along with other books by this Author among my very favorite. Thanks.
I had previously read this book and was ever better the second time reading. I enjoy reading books about the old west. I have never read a book by C J Petit that I have not enjoyed. He has become one of my favorite authors. In my opinion you can't go wrong reading one of his books. I look forward to each new book.
Consistently good reading. Parents of older teenaged boys could introduce their youths to awesome stories about the early history of the young America, the Civil War and the expansion of railroad, and most noteworthy, an introduction to intimacy and morality between men and women!
Petit is a master story creator and teller of tales. This epic tale of family challenges, bad seed, and lost hope... where all is interwoven and repaired. A real good story line, western violence, the code of the west, and romance, mixed in with more than a few tense situations.
This story of love courage and real life struggles is a good way for anyone to see how to work hard be a good honest person to have a good, and prosperous life. The people are so relatable as we can see some of ourselves in their strugglers. I enjoy al! Of C.J. Legit stories. Cannot wait for more.
I really enjoyed this story, what a talent this author has! I was impressed with the perfect kick too! The ending brought me to tears and left me wondering if it was true history, if so or not it was, like all of his books I have read so far, one of the best Western book ever!
This was the best book I have read in a long time. It kept me intrigued all the way through. Many surprises but also easy reading to keep interested and not wanting to put it down. Found myself reading till way late or the battery going dead on kindle. Just plain love this book.
U.S. Deputy Marshal Earl Crawford takes on his latest case and this one is personal. He has to hunt down his brother, who has murdered his wife and child, while also returning home for the first time in twelve years. Good book, that moves at a nice pace, as Earl looks to complete his job and finds love and happiness.
The narrative was enjoyable to say the least. However the audible and print text versions are somewhat incompatible. Mostly I follow the “whispersync” format when reading most kindle books. This was not possible with Hopewell as the two versions were very much different.
This book telling of the exploits of a Deputy United States Marshall was one of C. J.'s best I've read. The main character had substance and charisma with sex appeal I could visualize as in his other books. The story made me wonder if it is about a real Marshall. I'm sure those men had to be larger than life to survive. Well written was certainly enjoyed.
This is the best one so far. Looking forward to the next one. So far I have about ten in my library. Love a good western tale that includes romance. I have also discovered a lot about guns.
I enjoyed the way the story developed from a very good action tale about a very competent US Marshal who really knows how to take care of business to a very poignant love story that begins and ends with devotion and love.
This story was about a Marshall who helped save allot of people in Hopewell he also put some bad people in jail. But most of the time he was after his brother who had killed his wife and son. He also found the love of his life. I recommend this book.
I have never been disappointed when reading any of Petit's novels. This novel is about a Deputy U. S. Marshall who never gives up when chasing criminals. It is filled with plenty of action and suspense. I look forward to reading more from him.
This is a five star Romance. I really love 💘 the way this story touch my heart. This is the first Western that have a Virgin male in it. He was the marshall. I believe this is a must read. Please keep writing romantic western , I really enjoy them.
This is a great story with lots of excitement. It also tells how we wait for that special person. Those that have found that special person are the lucky ones. Another great read and I will also recommend C.J. Pettit to everyone I know.
Another very good book by Mr.Petit. I have enjoyed every one of his books that I have read, just about half of them so far & am still reading. Each one is unique in its own way & always am anxious to start the next one..
Sometimes you never know when you'll find the one you're meant to spend the rest of your life with. For Earl , it was when he was courting her sister. One of the best stories by one great story teller.
Soul touching stories. Always manage to cry at the end. l love this authors ability to reach way down and bring emotions to the surface. Off to find the next edition. Thank you for adding sparkle to my life.
A great novel and possibly based on a true story! It did at least seem like the story of these two people was destined to be, from way back, before Earl became a U.S. Deputy Marshal!
These western love stories are packed full of action. Just a good flowing story that is easy to read. A clean ( no harsh words) story. Read these if you enjoy stories about life.