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Joe Noose #1
Noose
Introducing a bold new Western series from Eric Red, the acclaimed author and writer of such blockbuster films as The Hitcher, Near Dark, and Blue Steel.
MEET JOE NOOSE. A GOOD BOUNTY HUNTER WITH A BAD ATTITUDE.
In the cutthroat world of bounty hunters, Joe Noose is as honest as they come. Which isn't saying much. Just look at his less-than-honest colleagues. They framed Joe for a murder they committed. They made sure Joe's face wound up on a wanted poster. Now they're gonna hunt Joe down and collect the reward money. There's just one problem: Joe Noose thinks it's his bounty. It's his reward. And it's their funeral . . .
MEET JOE NOOSE. A GOOD BOUNTY HUNTER WITH A BAD ATTITUDE.
In the cutthroat world of bounty hunters, Joe Noose is as honest as they come. Which isn't saying much. Just look at his less-than-honest colleagues. They framed Joe for a murder they committed. They made sure Joe's face wound up on a wanted poster. Now they're gonna hunt Joe down and collect the reward money. There's just one problem: Joe Noose thinks it's his bounty. It's his reward. And it's their funeral . . .
- GenresWesterns
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 31, 2018
34 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Eric Red
51 books110 followersEric Red is a Los Angeles based novelist, screenwriter, and film director. His novels, an edgy Y/A book called DON’T STAND SO CLOSE and a dark fantasy called THE GUNS OF SANTA SANGRE and its sequel THE WOLVES OF EL DIABLO are published in hardcover, trade paperback and digital editions by SST Publications. Two other novels, a science fiction thriller called IT WAITS BELOW, and a mystery crime thriller called WHITE KNUCKLE are published by Samhain Publishing. The first two of his Joe Noose Western novels, NOOSE and HANGING FIRE, are published in Mass Market Paperback and digital editions by Kensington Books and Pinnacle Books. The next two Joe Noose Westerns, BRANDED and THE CRIMSON TRAIL, will be published in 2021.
Mr. Red directed and wrote the films COHEN AND TATE for Hemdale, BODY PARTS for Paramount, UNDERTOW for Showtime, BAD MOON for Warner Bros. and 100 FEET for Grand Illusions Entertainment. His original screenplays include THE HITCHER for Tri Star, NEAR DARK for DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group, BLUE STEEL for MGM and THE LAST OUTLAW for HBO.
His published horror and suspense short stories have been in Cemetery Dance magazine, Weird Tales magazine, Shroud magazine, Dark Delicacies III: Haunted anthology, Dark Discoveries magazine, Mulholland Books' Popcorn Fiction, among others.
He created and wrote the sci-fi/horror comic series and graphic novel CONTAINMENT from SST Publications and the horror western comic series WILD WORK for Antarctic Press.
Visit his website at www.ericred.com.
Mr. Red directed and wrote the films COHEN AND TATE for Hemdale, BODY PARTS for Paramount, UNDERTOW for Showtime, BAD MOON for Warner Bros. and 100 FEET for Grand Illusions Entertainment. His original screenplays include THE HITCHER for Tri Star, NEAR DARK for DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group, BLUE STEEL for MGM and THE LAST OUTLAW for HBO.
His published horror and suspense short stories have been in Cemetery Dance magazine, Weird Tales magazine, Shroud magazine, Dark Delicacies III: Haunted anthology, Dark Discoveries magazine, Mulholland Books' Popcorn Fiction, among others.
He created and wrote the sci-fi/horror comic series and graphic novel CONTAINMENT from SST Publications and the horror western comic series WILD WORK for Antarctic Press.
Visit his website at www.ericred.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 30, 2018
This book is the kind to enjoy when in between more weighty and lengthy books. This is a pulp style western that moves at blinding speed. There is never a dull moment. It often goes a bit over the top as pulps often do. It is not Western Literature in the sense of Lonesome Dove, The Ox Bow Incident or The Virginian or even Zane Grey but it does have a dash of Louis L'Amour mixed with The Shadow, Operator 5, and The Spider thrown in for good measure. It's hard to believe that Joe Noose could survive the punishment he received while being chased by a gang of 12 killer bounty hunters through the mountains and forests of Western Wyoming but I guess it is possible. After all Hugh Glass crawled 100 miles after being clawed by a bear and John Colter ran naked and barefoot for 150 miles to escape from the Blackfoot Indians around the same neck of the woods. Don't think so hard just enjoy the ride.
March 17, 2019
My daughter bought me this book, since we both like Eric's horror / thriller movies.
My first take on it is that I usually don't particularly care too much for westerns, except Bonanza.
After reading it, in between writing my next thriller novel, I found it was very well done.
I won't give anything away, but I will say this, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy.
My first take on it is that I usually don't particularly care too much for westerns, except Bonanza.
After reading it, in between writing my next thriller novel, I found it was very well done.
I won't give anything away, but I will say this, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy.
August 20, 2018
I received this book from Goodreads.
A run of the mill western involving a bounty hunter named Joe Noose. Noose just apprehended Jim Barrow for the thousand dollar bounty when the Butler Gang rides up and murders the unarmed man in cold blood. They take the body at gun point and head for the nearest town Hoback, Wyoming to collect the reward.
Noose follows, planning on raising a stink with the marshal over the unlawful killing on an unarmed man.
When they all get to town they settle down to wait for marshal Sugarland in the bar and exchange veiled threats. The marshal arrives and words are said, when Frank butler figures that the conversation is going against him he shoots the marshal dead before Noose can even think of going for his gun.
A quick pow and the barman is dead too.
With the last witness dead, and it's his word against twelve men, Noose makes the only choice he has and runs.
Deputy Bess Sugarland runs towards the sound of gun shots and finds her father full of holes with the fleeing figure of Noose a distant speck in the distance. She connects the dots with the help of those big bounty hunters and places a staggering reward for Joe Noose.
Dead or Alive.
The chase is on, and it's Joe Noose against twelve blood thirsty killers.
Thirteen when you count deputy Sugarland.
I gave Noose two stars because it was predictable and sexist. There is only two females in this book and they both have firm bottoms and perky breasts, and are as terribly written as they are stupid and helpless. Every man that isn't Noose is either a bad guy or dead.
A run of the mill western involving a bounty hunter named Joe Noose. Noose just apprehended Jim Barrow for the thousand dollar bounty when the Butler Gang rides up and murders the unarmed man in cold blood. They take the body at gun point and head for the nearest town Hoback, Wyoming to collect the reward.
Noose follows, planning on raising a stink with the marshal over the unlawful killing on an unarmed man.
When they all get to town they settle down to wait for marshal Sugarland in the bar and exchange veiled threats. The marshal arrives and words are said, when Frank butler figures that the conversation is going against him he shoots the marshal dead before Noose can even think of going for his gun.
A quick pow and the barman is dead too.
With the last witness dead, and it's his word against twelve men, Noose makes the only choice he has and runs.
Deputy Bess Sugarland runs towards the sound of gun shots and finds her father full of holes with the fleeing figure of Noose a distant speck in the distance. She connects the dots with the help of those big bounty hunters and places a staggering reward for Joe Noose.
Dead or Alive.
The chase is on, and it's Joe Noose against twelve blood thirsty killers.
Thirteen when you count deputy Sugarland.
I gave Noose two stars because it was predictable and sexist. There is only two females in this book and they both have firm bottoms and perky breasts, and are as terribly written as they are stupid and helpless. Every man that isn't Noose is either a bad guy or dead.
September 30, 2018
I liked it quite a lot. Really interesting characters. A unique writing style. Good action. My only complaint is that it felt a little too long to me. I felt like it could have been shortened in some places. Overall, though, quite enjoyable.
April 8, 2019
I'll admit that I don't read Westerns very often, almost never. So, I'm probably not a great judge of the genre. But in terms of judging a book...this one simply isn't very good. It's very linear, in that this happens and this happens and then this happens, with no red herrings, branches, subplots or anything to break up the straight, obvious path of the plot. It's essentially one long chase/gun battle.
Further, there is no grey in the characters to make them interesting. The bad guys are BAD GUYS (often even referred to as the bad men). They murder, and rape, and abuse their horses, and have poor hygiene to boot. The good guys are GOOD GUYS. They're honest, and heroic and clean. There are exactly two women in the book. They both have pert titties and lush bottoms...and not much else, certainly not any notable sense. Even Bess, who is supposed to be strong and brave is oblivious to the obvious and reduced to a simpering child in need of rescue by the end.
Then there is the writing. Mechanically it's fine. But it grated on my nerves. The characters were almost never called by name. They were 'the cowboy,' 'the bounty killers' (Yes, bounty killers, not bounty hunters. Wouldn't want us to forget they are THE BAD ONES), 'the female marshal' (Yes, female marshal. Not just marshal because wouldn't want us to forget that she's female most of all.), 'the female criminal' (Yep, she's female too.), etc. etc. The river is never just the river. It's the Snake River every time it's referred to. Never-mind that I'm not likely to have forgotten which river it is or expect it to have changed. The horse is given an oddly anthropomorphized POV. The whole book is repetitive, using the same words to describe things again and again. And Red has a strange attachment to couples in his adjectives. No one is a big man. He's a big, broad man--two adjectives and a noun, over and over again.
Further, there is no grey in the characters to make them interesting. The bad guys are BAD GUYS (often even referred to as the bad men). They murder, and rape, and abuse their horses, and have poor hygiene to boot. The good guys are GOOD GUYS. They're honest, and heroic and clean. There are exactly two women in the book. They both have pert titties and lush bottoms...and not much else, certainly not any notable sense. Even Bess, who is supposed to be strong and brave is oblivious to the obvious and reduced to a simpering child in need of rescue by the end.
Then there is the writing. Mechanically it's fine. But it grated on my nerves. The characters were almost never called by name. They were 'the cowboy,' 'the bounty killers' (Yes, bounty killers, not bounty hunters. Wouldn't want us to forget they are THE BAD ONES), 'the female marshal' (Yes, female marshal. Not just marshal because wouldn't want us to forget that she's female most of all.), 'the female criminal' (Yep, she's female too.), etc. etc. The river is never just the river. It's the Snake River every time it's referred to. Never-mind that I'm not likely to have forgotten which river it is or expect it to have changed. The horse is given an oddly anthropomorphized POV. The whole book is repetitive, using the same words to describe things again and again. And Red has a strange attachment to couples in his adjectives. No one is a big man. He's a big, broad man--two adjectives and a noun, over and over again.
November 29, 2018
I like Eric Red, I like westerns. put the two together? Bam! Instant purchase!
Good guy bounty hunter Joe Noose is framed for the murder of a marshal by bad guy bounty hunter Frank Butler and his band of cutthroats. From there, the rest of the novel is one long chase, with Noose hoping to make it to the Jackson Hole marshal to exonerate himself before Butler brings him in dead.
The novel is a lot of fun, but at times the action is too cartoony. Horse and rider make a 100 foot jump into a rushing river, for instance. And I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy, but I'm pretty sure the barbed wire back then wasn't sharp enough to behead someone. It wasn't razor wire.
I think the book would have benefitted from toning down some of the more outrageous action scenes, or cutting them altogether and maybe using that space for more characterization.
But I did finish the book and am planning on picking up the second.
Good guy bounty hunter Joe Noose is framed for the murder of a marshal by bad guy bounty hunter Frank Butler and his band of cutthroats. From there, the rest of the novel is one long chase, with Noose hoping to make it to the Jackson Hole marshal to exonerate himself before Butler brings him in dead.
The novel is a lot of fun, but at times the action is too cartoony. Horse and rider make a 100 foot jump into a rushing river, for instance. And I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy, but I'm pretty sure the barbed wire back then wasn't sharp enough to behead someone. It wasn't razor wire.
I think the book would have benefitted from toning down some of the more outrageous action scenes, or cutting them altogether and maybe using that space for more characterization.
But I did finish the book and am planning on picking up the second.
August 31, 2020
Author Eric Red has quite an impressive resume, having written the screenplay to the classic thriller, The Hitcher, the groundbreaking vampire movie, Near Dark, and the wonderfully original werewolf film, Bad Moon. So it was no surprise that Noose was mighty enjoyable as well.
I had expected the story to move in a darker direction, especially when the main villain took out a tobacco pouch made of the dried human skin of a female breast, but Red unfortunately never again moved toward that type of darkness. He stayed fairly traditional with the story but still kept it interesting with solid characters and believable dialogue. A few action sequences were a bit over-the-top and not very realistic, but it was a fun ride and set up a fantastic opening for a sequel. Count me in for more!
I had expected the story to move in a darker direction, especially when the main villain took out a tobacco pouch made of the dried human skin of a female breast, but Red unfortunately never again moved toward that type of darkness. He stayed fairly traditional with the story but still kept it interesting with solid characters and believable dialogue. A few action sequences were a bit over-the-top and not very realistic, but it was a fun ride and set up a fantastic opening for a sequel. Count me in for more!
August 20, 2018
There's a new sheriff in town and his name is Eric Red. I absolutely loved this book. Joe Noose is not your average western hero... he's a fresh face in an old genre. He's a bad ass bounty hunter with a heart of gold and a love for his horse, Copper. The book is an action packed adventure set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After being accused of killing a US Marshall, Noose is on the run from the bounty hunters that framed him and the Marshall's daughter. Guns blaze against the background of the Tetons as Noose must survive incredible odds and prove his innocence. Eric Red weaves a masterful tale with cinematic storytelling. If you enjoyed films like Tombstone, Unforgiven or True Grit... you will LOVE Noose!
August 27, 2020
Modern day horse opera in the vain of those old movie serials of the 30's and 40's. This is pretty much action scene on top of action scene. It does stop off time to time to form a plot. Then it blitzes into more action. The problem I had with this was that the action was pretty predictable and a touch generic for a western. There was some nice parts to this that kept me reading though. Book two of the series is set up in the epilogue.
Noose is a tough but honest bounty hunter who is bringing in a outlaw. Bandits kill the criminal and takes him away from Noose. The disgruntled bounty hunter follows the gang into the next town and pokes at them until they kill a Marshall and blame Noose. They get a bounty on his head and they track him for the reward. Many gunfights ensue.
Noose is a tough but honest bounty hunter who is bringing in a outlaw. Bandits kill the criminal and takes him away from Noose. The disgruntled bounty hunter follows the gang into the next town and pokes at them until they kill a Marshall and blame Noose. They get a bounty on his head and they track him for the reward. Many gunfights ensue.
October 5, 2019
Joe Noose, a bounty hunter, has his prey in his rifle’s crosshairs. He wants to take Jim Henry Barrow in alive, capturing him peacefully. Frank Butler and his gang of 11 ruthless bounty hunters are after Barrow too, and they don’t play by the rules. The bounty posters usually say dead or alive. Butler, if he has a choice, would rather take the fugitive in dead. “Reward’s the same either way,” he says.
Eric Red begins Noose’s story with Noose thinking, “A lone wolf is an easy target.” Noose is referring to Barrow, but the phrase is especially poignant throughout the novel as Butler and his gang stalk Joe Noose. Butler believes 12 against 1 are easy odds to victory. Noose, while a lone wolf, is no easy target.
Noose and Butler have a lifechanging face-to-face confrontation in the bar in Hoback, Wyoming. The US Marshal and his daughter, the Deputy Marshal, become intimately involved in the dispute between the bounty hunters.
Butler sweettalks the Deputy Marshall after her father is killed, framing Noose. The hunt has turned around – now the law and the 12 bounty hunters chase Noose. Butler is determined to kill him too.
In the end, Noose proves himself wrong. A lone wolf is not an easy target.
I highly recommend this novel to all who enjoy westerns, twists and turns, vivid descriptions of beautiful scenery, and conflicts between good and evil.
Eric Red begins Noose’s story with Noose thinking, “A lone wolf is an easy target.” Noose is referring to Barrow, but the phrase is especially poignant throughout the novel as Butler and his gang stalk Joe Noose. Butler believes 12 against 1 are easy odds to victory. Noose, while a lone wolf, is no easy target.
Noose and Butler have a lifechanging face-to-face confrontation in the bar in Hoback, Wyoming. The US Marshal and his daughter, the Deputy Marshal, become intimately involved in the dispute between the bounty hunters.
Butler sweettalks the Deputy Marshall after her father is killed, framing Noose. The hunt has turned around – now the law and the 12 bounty hunters chase Noose. Butler is determined to kill him too.
In the end, Noose proves himself wrong. A lone wolf is not an easy target.
I highly recommend this novel to all who enjoy westerns, twists and turns, vivid descriptions of beautiful scenery, and conflicts between good and evil.
April 18, 2020
I usually do not read Westerns, but I did find this book interesting with it's unexpected twists and turns. Most of the gunfights are pretty graphic and quite gory. Joe Noose is a bounty hunter who is framed for a murder he did not commit. The mean Butler gang of twelve men are after Noose for the wrongful bounty put on him. Joe Noose is a tough cowboy with a checkered past, but he also has a inner sensitivity that appealed to me. I do look forward to his next book, which comes out in February, 2019. It is the next book in this series.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
January 11, 2022
Honestly, going into this one, I knew it would be a pulpy, improbable thriller. Look at that cover, it's a guy holding his gun...But I also knew going in that I would enjoy it. It was written by Eric Red who penned some fantastic movies, The Hitcher, Near Dark, Blue Steel, and Body Parts among others. So I knew I was in good hands. And I wasn't disappointed. It has a cool under pressure lead character with a silly name (Joe Noose), and everyone but Noose and his main nemesis Frank Butler are impossibly stupid. But...this was a fun, turn your brain off book to read between heartier fare and I can't ask for more from Mr. Red.
July 23, 2019
A six guns blazing start to a new series. Packed full of more incredible shootouts and western action than can be found in several other books put together. All in the epic Wyoming landscape of majestic mountains and wide open plains.
Joe Noose, an honest bounty hunter, is framed for the killing of a US Marshal in order for Frank Butler and his gang to collect the subsequent bounty on his head. Butler is the leader of 12 of the baddest killers to ever ride the West - but when they take on Noose they may find 12 to 1 means they are the ones outnumbered.
Joe Noose, an honest bounty hunter, is framed for the killing of a US Marshal in order for Frank Butler and his gang to collect the subsequent bounty on his head. Butler is the leader of 12 of the baddest killers to ever ride the West - but when they take on Noose they may find 12 to 1 means they are the ones outnumbered.
September 13, 2018
I'll be honest and say I didn't think I was going to like this book as much as I did. I didn't think westerns were my kind of thing, but it was a very exciting story through and through. Noose as a protagonist is a character I found myself rooting for, and I despise Butler, which of course was the point. Also Copper is fantastic, what a wonderful horse.
I do suggest giving this book a try if you think you might like it.
And I suggest Mr. Red use a few more commas next time.
I do suggest giving this book a try if you think you might like it.
And I suggest Mr. Red use a few more commas next time.
August 24, 2019
Had no idea one of my favorite 80s screenwriters was writing paperback westerns until last week. It reads like a violent western paperback published by Pinnacle Books in the 70s, so very fitting the current version of Pinnacle published this. Most of Red's horror and crime genre films like The Hitcher, Near Dark and Blue Steel played like westerns anyway, so maybe this is what he always wanted to write. I will read more!
February 15, 2019
Well-plotted and lots of action.
December 21, 2020
The cover really speaks to you, doesn't it? In many ways the book lives up to the cover. More Louis L'Amour than Larry McMurtry, it is a pulp fiction Western with lots of violent deaths.
Joe Noose is a bounty hunter who brings culprits in alive. Not all bounty hunters want to bother with the "alive" part, and a group of twelve bounty hunters follow Noose. When Noose finds and captures the bank robber, they charge in. Killing the bank robber and taking his body in for the bounty.
Noose follows them into town. The bad guys end up killing a U.S. Marshall then frame Noose for the murder. Now, Noose has a bounty on his head and twelve men in pursuit.
Uh oh. For Noose to save his own life and to get justice, a lot of bad bounty hunters are going to have to die.
Action packed.
Kindle Unlimited
Western. 2018.
Joe Noose is a bounty hunter who brings culprits in alive. Not all bounty hunters want to bother with the "alive" part, and a group of twelve bounty hunters follow Noose. When Noose finds and captures the bank robber, they charge in. Killing the bank robber and taking his body in for the bounty.
Noose follows them into town. The bad guys end up killing a U.S. Marshall then frame Noose for the murder. Now, Noose has a bounty on his head and twelve men in pursuit.
Uh oh. For Noose to save his own life and to get justice, a lot of bad bounty hunters are going to have to die.
Action packed.
Kindle Unlimited
Western. 2018.
May 29, 2020
Solid western, nice to see someone still writing westerns in an older school style. It's written plainly but does have a lot of action. The characters are well formed and you do seem to care about them. Do think there is a major plot mishap but I can let it go, the backstories are done quickly and dont hamper the action. Though I think it could have lost a few pages and be fine. More like a 3.5 but round up cause some of the low rated reviews are from reviewers who flat out said they don't like westerns...seems silly that they would review one.
Recommend for western fans just to celebrate that there are still good guys vs bad guys shoot em up westerns being written now.
Recommend for western fans just to celebrate that there are still good guys vs bad guys shoot em up westerns being written now.
October 10, 2018
A True Western story.
October 6, 2021
One of those rare novels that once you pick it up, you cannot put it down until the end.
Superb.
Superb.
January 31, 2024
it sure is a western
June 27, 2024
I liked the chapters from the pov of the horse 🐴
August 5, 2025
Good western adventure, basically a long chase through the west with an interesting ending! I recommend!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews