Cold-Blooded

Hell's Half Acre #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

USA Today bestselling A sheriff fights back when terror takes over his Texas town . . .Bestselling Western writers William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone introduce lawman Jess Casey, a rode-hard, stubborn Texas cowboy with a knack for laying down the law—with a very fast gun . . .One day to live. Seven days to die.Sheriff Jess Carey and his oddball band of sidekicks have pulled off the impossible, taming Hell's Half Acre, the most lawless town in Texas, infamous for murder, mayhem, prostitution, and every random act of bloodshed imaginable. Now the no-good politicians in Austin have decided it's cheaper to dump hordes of criminals on Jess Carey's town than to hang 'em. In one dreadful week it seems as if the gates of Hell have burst open. Freed outlaws, gunslingers, bandits, rapists, desperados, drifters, and miscreants are roaming Hell's Half Acre—and Jess and his deputies are running out of bullets fast. As the fighting rages, some ruthless, powerful men see their chance to kill Sheriff Jess Carey and take the town for their own . . .

Genres: Westerns

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2015

About the author

William 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.

Reviews

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great W.W. Johnstone book – the second in a series. I remember hearing about Hell's Half Acre in north Ft. Worth when I was younger. I grew up a little west of Ft. Worth, but heard a lot about the town because I had relatives living there.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

"JESS CASS NEVER SAY DIE"

A bit of the paranormal mixed in this western adventure. Lots of action, keeps you wanting more. Very enjoyable a good plot, great characteristics characters who you feel a kin ship to There's even mention of Jack The Ripper, one of the soiled doves was returning to London, England and she would become his fifth victim. This western has a lot going for it; you feel like your there with the people of Fort Worth, Texas..
Hell's Half Acre, it reminds me of people who live in the bottoms or cross the tracks..makes you think, how hard and violent life was in the west, and they were considered civilized. Also gives you input about the infamous Huntsville Prison..a touch of prison reform..was in the air also, how to convert convicts into meaningful contributors to society..

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy all if the Johnstine books. I especially love the "Hell's Half Acre" series. It is about the historic red-light district of Fort Worth, Texas, which existed from the 1870s until the early 20th Century. Growing up near Fort Worth, I heard tales about Hell's Half Acre many times. It is enjoyable to read the Johnstone books about this historic area.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, like the first one of the series, surprisingly a good read. Like I mentioned before, with the new author taking over for the late Mr. Johnstone, the books were more of a silly comedy type western book. Obviously these books are over the top at times but they have been a good western read, a delight.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The South lost the war and it seems the North lost its humanity. Major Ford Talon was one of the many prisoners after the war that the big wigs thought would be good to experiment with by dumping in Ft. Worth. Sheriff Jess Casey, was not too thrilled with this. They join forces to try to keep the convicts from taking over the town.

[crystal register · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great author


When you see William Johnston , you know it is a good book. This one has enough action for any western reader. I felt as though I was in hell’s half acre and could smell the gun smoke.

[Chuck Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

raw

This is about as raw a western that I have ever read. Characters are fairly well developed. The story line was developing as you read it, came to some surprising elements as it reached the climax.

[NANCY WADE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting western tale about a lawless town and the men who risk their lives to change that. Well written, gritty characters and lots of action.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dunn has heroin, kidnaps pretty Destiny so Short signs over saloon, Sheriff Jess constantly on the run.

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, this was just standard fare. I'll finish the series though to see where things end.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant! A very fun read. Lots of action and excitement, the Hell's Half Acre books contain a myriad of colorful characters - the good, the bad, the questionable. No spoilers, but at one point, my jaw actually dropped and I would have whooped aloud had it not been 5 in the morning. I am very much looking forward to more book in this series.