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Will Tanner #4
Evil Never Sleeps
Johnstone Country. Frontier Spirit Lives Here.
The bestselling masters of the American West add a deadly new twist to the epic saga of U.S. Marshal Will Tanner. This time, the hunter becomes the hunted . . .
EVIL NEVER SLEEPS
He's the most notorious cattle rustler in all of Texas. His name--Jebediah Cotton--strikes fear into the hearts of every rancher in the territory. So it's more than a little strange that someone would shoot Cotton's youngest son in the back. Whoever did it is either a coward, a fool, or a crazy man. Whoever did it must die. Even if he's a U.S. deputy marshal named Will Tanner . . .
So begins not one, but two of the deadliest manhunts in frontier history. As Will Tanner sets off into Oklahoma Territory in pursuit of godless bank robber named Parson McCoy, Jebediah Cotton sends his five remaining sons and cold-blooded brother-in-law after him. Will has no idea he's being stalked. But when there are this many players in the game, a U.S. deputy marshal has two choices: kill them all or die trying . . .
The bestselling masters of the American West add a deadly new twist to the epic saga of U.S. Marshal Will Tanner. This time, the hunter becomes the hunted . . .
EVIL NEVER SLEEPS
He's the most notorious cattle rustler in all of Texas. His name--Jebediah Cotton--strikes fear into the hearts of every rancher in the territory. So it's more than a little strange that someone would shoot Cotton's youngest son in the back. Whoever did it is either a coward, a fool, or a crazy man. Whoever did it must die. Even if he's a U.S. deputy marshal named Will Tanner . . .
So begins not one, but two of the deadliest manhunts in frontier history. As Will Tanner sets off into Oklahoma Territory in pursuit of godless bank robber named Parson McCoy, Jebediah Cotton sends his five remaining sons and cold-blooded brother-in-law after him. Will has no idea he's being stalked. But when there are this many players in the game, a U.S. deputy marshal has two choices: kill them all or die trying . . .
- GenresWesterns
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 29, 2018
292 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 21, 2022
Will Tanner is assigned to transport Billy Cotton back to Texas where the Rangers have a warrant for his arrest. Alvin Greeley beefs with Tanner for his record of killed criminals under his care, and is upset he’s not taking Billy back since he was his prisoner. However, Will is convinced he’s innocent; on the way Billy is shot and killed.
Tanner suspects Alvin Greeley as the shooter, in an attempt to discredit Will Tanner. Tanner confronts him, and ultimately kills Greeley in self defense. Afterward, Dan Stone sends him on a mini vacation to Texas to visit his ranch.
Jebediah Cotton (Billy’s father) and Luther Treadwell are planning to avenge Billy’s death, thinking Will Tanner is the one responsible. Meanwhile, Will is tracking two outlaws (Slick Towsen and Elmo, gang also consisting of Preacher McCoy and Lon Jackson) who killed a white man and an Indian.
Lon challenges Slick to a duel and kills him prematurely. Will runs up on them and arrests Lon and Elmo, but Preacher escapes. Tanner later meets Cal[vin] and Cleve Berry, who run a ferry while tracking Preacher, who is held up at Sartain’s, Elmira Tate’s hideout. Will tracks Preacher to her hideout, but he’s long gone. He tracks him past Scully’s outpost when the Cottons and Treadwell’s ambush him, but he convinces them Alvin Greeley killed Billy and that he’s innocent.
Will continues his search toward Kansas and runs into Oscar Moon. While in Kansas, he reaches out to Dan Stone, who replies and says to get back to Fort Smith ASAP. He does after not finding Preacher, and grabs Elmo and Lon from Jim Little Eagle and takes em back to Arkansas. He visits Perley on the way back, but his cabin is abandoned. Elmo says that Preacher’s alias is Gaylord Presley, and Tanner is determined to find him back in Kansas. Will runs into Sam Black Crow.
Will tells Sophie he might leave the marshal life to settle down, and later she kisses him and says she’ll be his wife if he returns. Meanwhile, Preacher is in El Dorado and kills the owner of a whorehouse and intends to renovate it with his $20k. Tanner tracks him there but gets shot and Preacher escapes. Oscar Moon shows up and they both start tracking preacher.
They find Preacher in a cabin with the Treadwell’s and Cotton’s. They release their horses and set up a trap for Preacher. Will takes him back, but Preacher tries to kill him just before arriving at Fort Smith. Tanner kills him, and Moon is back looking for the money Preacher stole, and finds it
Will gets back to Fort Smith and asks Sophie to marry him. Finally !
Tanner suspects Alvin Greeley as the shooter, in an attempt to discredit Will Tanner. Tanner confronts him, and ultimately kills Greeley in self defense. Afterward, Dan Stone sends him on a mini vacation to Texas to visit his ranch.
Jebediah Cotton (Billy’s father) and Luther Treadwell are planning to avenge Billy’s death, thinking Will Tanner is the one responsible. Meanwhile, Will is tracking two outlaws (Slick Towsen and Elmo, gang also consisting of Preacher McCoy and Lon Jackson) who killed a white man and an Indian.
Lon challenges Slick to a duel and kills him prematurely. Will runs up on them and arrests Lon and Elmo, but Preacher escapes. Tanner later meets Cal[vin] and Cleve Berry, who run a ferry while tracking Preacher, who is held up at Sartain’s, Elmira Tate’s hideout. Will tracks Preacher to her hideout, but he’s long gone. He tracks him past Scully’s outpost when the Cottons and Treadwell’s ambush him, but he convinces them Alvin Greeley killed Billy and that he’s innocent.
Will continues his search toward Kansas and runs into Oscar Moon. While in Kansas, he reaches out to Dan Stone, who replies and says to get back to Fort Smith ASAP. He does after not finding Preacher, and grabs Elmo and Lon from Jim Little Eagle and takes em back to Arkansas. He visits Perley on the way back, but his cabin is abandoned. Elmo says that Preacher’s alias is Gaylord Presley, and Tanner is determined to find him back in Kansas. Will runs into Sam Black Crow.
Will tells Sophie he might leave the marshal life to settle down, and later she kisses him and says she’ll be his wife if he returns. Meanwhile, Preacher is in El Dorado and kills the owner of a whorehouse and intends to renovate it with his $20k. Tanner tracks him there but gets shot and Preacher escapes. Oscar Moon shows up and they both start tracking preacher.
They find Preacher in a cabin with the Treadwell’s and Cotton’s. They release their horses and set up a trap for Preacher. Will takes him back, but Preacher tries to kill him just before arriving at Fort Smith. Tanner kills him, and Moon is back looking for the money Preacher stole, and finds it
Will gets back to Fort Smith and asks Sophie to marry him. Finally !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
Evil Never Sleeps is another exciting book by William W Johnstone. I enjoyed it and give it five stars.
March 11, 2024
A Good Western
July 18, 2022
"I liked it!" - 3 out of 5 star rating.
Very good wild west content, as expected from the Will Tanner series and extremely talented author William Johnstone. This one is actually very much so a 3.5, but so far Powder Burn (book #3) is the best in the series. While Evil Never Sleeps is good, it is not equal or greater than Powder Burn... so giving this guy a round down to reflect accordingly. Again though, this is damn good old west material, don't like the 3 misrepresent that.
This is a prison transport gone wrong, murder mystery who's who, with more coffee love ballads, and there is even a perfectly executed romance found here that put a big biscuits, bacon, and cowboy stew eating grin on my face as I read it.
The Will Tanner series is a whole lot of wild west fun. Book #4 continues to deliver.
Very good wild west content, as expected from the Will Tanner series and extremely talented author William Johnstone. This one is actually very much so a 3.5, but so far Powder Burn (book #3) is the best in the series. While Evil Never Sleeps is good, it is not equal or greater than Powder Burn... so giving this guy a round down to reflect accordingly. Again though, this is damn good old west material, don't like the 3 misrepresent that.
This is a prison transport gone wrong, murder mystery who's who, with more coffee love ballads, and there is even a perfectly executed romance found here that put a big biscuits, bacon, and cowboy stew eating grin on my face as I read it.
The Will Tanner series is a whole lot of wild west fun. Book #4 continues to deliver.
March 14, 2021
WILL AT HIS BEST
Another saga where Will goes out to arrest bank robbers and killers. This time he goes with heavy thoughts about being a Marshall and perhaps marrying. He seems to always bring back prisoners dead and this causes a problem for him with another Marshall who is jealous of Will's success. This and his chasing and arresting a couple of bank robbers makes for a fantastic adventure with an added love intrigue.
Another saga where Will goes out to arrest bank robbers and killers. This time he goes with heavy thoughts about being a Marshall and perhaps marrying. He seems to always bring back prisoners dead and this causes a problem for him with another Marshall who is jealous of Will's success. This and his chasing and arresting a couple of bank robbers makes for a fantastic adventure with an added love intrigue.
December 11, 2018
The master lives on. Johnstone novels have carried on the tradition of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour and “Evil Never Sleeps” continues that tradition.. Anyone in need of a quality western novel need look no farther. I received an advanced digital copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2021
Another great adventure for Will Tanner
This is the fourth book in this series that I have read and enjoy them all. Will Tanner is a Deputy Marshall that you will root for as he goes on one adventure after another.
This is the fourth book in this series that I have read and enjoy them all. Will Tanner is a Deputy Marshall that you will root for as he goes on one adventure after another.
November 26, 2023
Will has a tough time
Will really has a tough time in this story, shotguns blast to the back, smacked to the head, long hard traveling and really smart bad guy. Great story and a funny ending.
Will really has a tough time in this story, shotguns blast to the back, smacked to the head, long hard traveling and really smart bad guy. Great story and a funny ending.
September 19, 2025
I enjoyed this book, very easy to follow along (audio), enjoyed hearing of the territories Will was in and hearing of the U.S. Marshall’s office and of Judge Parker ( the famous hangin’ judge) that was/is in Fort Smith, Arkansas was happy of the ending!
June 6, 2018
Second book in a series, excellent well written story. Plan to purchase the next one.
July 31, 2018
Will tanner
Nuf said. Heckuva law man, a darn good tracker, a man to ride the river with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.
Nuf said. Heckuva law man, a darn good tracker, a man to ride the river with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.
September 21, 2019
Anther great episode with Will Tanner, on to #5 with Will and Sophie....
September 23, 2020
A fast paced western of a good hearted, honest lawman.
A story about Will Tanner a deputy US Marshall , a man who is quite serious about being a lawman. The
A story about Will Tanner a deputy US Marshall , a man who is quite serious about being a lawman. The
February 10, 2021
Enjoyed the read. I am a little bit annoyed at the times he makes poor choices, but understand that is his character and he's still kind of new to the game.
November 21, 2024
Will Tanner faces off against Preacher’s gang of bank robbers and murderers, cutting a bloody trail from Texas to Kansas and back again.
Overall, a quick and entertaining read.
Overall, a quick and entertaining read.
June 5, 2018
I love the characters in this book. Especially Jebediah who will stop at nothing to chase down the US Marshall that killed his son.
July 7, 2018
5 stars again for a Johnstone book! Whether it's cattle rustlers against the law or mountain men against dishonest land grabbers, you can always count on a good story and exciting action in a Johnstone book! Your only dilemna is which one to read next!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews