The Devils Waltz

by Ethan J. Wolfe

Likeable but deadly outlaw Jack Posey is serving a long stretch of hard labor at Yuma Prison in Arizona when his fortunes turn for the better when his older brother Dale pays him a visit. Dale is a United States Marshal and his visit isn’t sociable. Dale is there to offer Jack a deal approved by the governor. Jack’s old gang now led by Jack’s former number two man Tom Spooner has become the most wanted outlaws in the west. Dale is authorized by the governor to offer Jack a full pardon in exchange for helping to bring Spooner and the gang to justice.

Genres: Westerns

263 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2018

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started to read this very enjoyable western novel this morning and finished it by mid-afternoon.
It was well-written with a fast moving plot, interesting characters and plenty of action.
Synopsis-Jack Posey is in Yuma prison when his brother, U.S. Marshall Dale Posey , arrives with an offer of a full pardon if Jack offers to help his brother find and capture an outlaw bank and train robber and indiscriminate killer, Tom Spooner. Jack was once a compadre of Spooner, but quit the gang when he realized that Spooner had become a man who too much enjoyed killing. Jack accepts his brother's offer, and the story begins.
As the novel unfolds, the main characters come to vibrant life as they ride in pursuit of Spooner. Mr Wolfe knows his country, describing the hard westen landscape from Arizona, to Mexico to Wyoming, using history and some historical figures, including Jane Canary, Belle Starr and others in cameo appearances . There are hints of "The Magnificient Seven" in a Shoot-out in a Mexican village, not to mention other memories of past western novels, but who cares. Legends abound and facts are often based on them, and if they are used to make a good story even more entertaining, then it's a plus for the reader.
Recommendation: I seldom read westerns, but this one caught my eye as a much- needed change from my usual fare. I will read more of Mr. Wolfe's novels, and I recommend that you do, too.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short western novel. Not to be confused with several other books with the same title. Jack and Spooner were outlaws. Jack went to jail while Spooner became more violent and ruthless. Jack's brother became a Federal Marshall and negotiated a pardon for Jack if he helped capture Spooner. The brother gets injured and Jack is determined to complete the mission on his own. There's a few more details but it's not a complex story. A quick lite read.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hadn't read a western for awhile so I decided to try this one. Poor choice! Lot's of violence. A stupid story and very doubtful results in gun battles. The book got less believable as it went on. After a struggle, I finished it.

[Kelly Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was engaging enough, and the plain language fit the genre, but sometimes the references to both famous outlaws and contemporaneous inventions got tiresome. It felt like there was a huge pressure to pack in as many as possible.

[Christopher Lutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Works well enough as a quest for retribution and redemption. It did feel a tad all over the place in what style of western it wanted to be however. Basically an amalgamation of many western storylines over the course of Posey’s journey.

[Vicki Edkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story.

[Joyce Haivala · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abandoned