A World of Hurt

Wilkie John Western #1

by Tim Bryant

 “If you appreciate a good story and good writing, grab anything Tim Bryant writes and prepare to be hooked and fully entertained.”—Joe R. Lansdale In Texas, every man has his price. For a young man of seventeen, Wilkie John Liquorish has lived one sorry life. From his ill-fated stint in the U.S. Army to a back-breaking job as a gravedigger, Wilkie just can’t seem to catch a break. His latest gig—working a cattle drive from Mobeetie, Texas, to Fort Worth—is no exception. The food-poisoning death of a chuckwagon cook has everyone spooked, and the fear spreads like a disease. Wilkie barely makes it out alive. But when he shows up in Fort Worth, he has another kind of death waiting for him—in the unlikely form of Gentleman Jack Delaney . . . A fancily-dressed bounty hunter from New Orleans, Gentleman Jack is ready to nail and hang young Wilkie as soon he arrives in town. He claims the boy is the most wanted outlaw in Texas. If Wilkie can manage to outsmart, outrun, or outgun this not-so-gentle man, he just might go down in history. Or swing from a tree. Or both . . . THERE ARE A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE OLD WEST.THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

Tim Bryant published his first novel DUTCH CURRIDGE in 2010, and followed it with three more in the series: SOUTHERN SELECT (2013), SPIRIT TRAP (2014) and OLD MOTHER CURRIDGE (2016). He was named one of the Top Five Texas Authors of 2014 by BookPeople in Austin, TX. Tim's novel CONSTELLATIONS was released by Behooven Press in April of 2015. His first Wilkie John Western, A WORLD OF HURT is released by Kensington Books in December, 2017.

Tim also writes and records music, having released albums under his own name, 2Take Tim, Othy and with the international band Ramshackle Day Parade.

He says his heart lives in New Orleans, his head in East Texas. He currently resides with his head and visits his heart whenever possible. He has two kids and two ex wives. He loves them all.

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read westerns but this one caught my attention because of all the vitriol it gets because the storyline is not a typical Louis L'amour formula western. Less than 30 pages into this book I totally understood why some people hate this book. Interestingly enough, 30 pages into the book I almost gave up myself but continued anyway. By page 50 I was a Wilkie John fan. He is not at all what you expect and as the story unfolds he is significantly more complicated and interesting than one would expect from the first few chapters. Turns out those early chapters are significantly important to the plot so hang on! Wilkie is not a hero or an anti-hero, he's a guy that is just trying to get by in the old west without getting killed.

My only complaint is "broken twig syndrome." The term was coined when "The Deer Hunter" came out. In that novel, like this one, the main character keeps getting into impossible situations and suddenly "a twig snaps" and changes the entire situation in a fantastic way. I have the same complaint about Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code" and we all know how popular that book and movie are.

One complaint aside, I thought I was going to have to get a new prescription for my glasses because I couldn't read this book fast enough.

[Scott Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

What we have here is the very interesting story of one Wilkie John Liquorish. One chapter follows his life in the present and the next chapter follows his past until the two story lines meet. To be so young and have so much visited upon you - a failed cattle drive, a stint in the U.S Army, a hanging, and still have a sense of humor about it all. It's hard to review this book and not give out spoilers but I will say if you enjoy Western Literature and are looking for something different this book is for you. Wilkie's voice is pure and even though I didn't like all his choices I got to understand why he did what he did. There is a sequel coming out June 2018 and it should be areal page turner!

[Judy Pancoast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read Westerns, but the Joe Lansdale blurb had me curious. What I got was a great story filled with twists and turns and lots of genuine surprises. A World of Hurt features a very unusual protagonist who makes me want to follow him into other stories. A fun vacation read! I recommend and look forward to Tim Bryant’s other stories about Wilkie John!

[Dave Cruickshank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just got me nowhere. The story went around and around. I don't know why I even bothered

With finishing it. I could probably write a better story than this one. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

[Christine Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very strange tale!

Hollywood, Zane Grey. and Louis Lamour have probably molded my idea of a good western? This did not fit that model. but may have been closer to reality? Why would anyone want to follow the adventures of a main character who kills everyone who upsets him?

[Scott Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book just as good as the first time I read it!

[Jack Stanley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this one.

[Nancy Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love an antihero? Then this is the book for you!