Right between the Eyes

Rattlesnake Wells, Wyoming #3

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Johnstone Justice. What America Needs Now.

A lawman with a past. A gunman with a grudge. A blood-soaked massacre just waiting to happen. Welcome back to Rattlesnake Wells, Wyoming . . .

THIS TOWN AIN'T BIG ENOUGH

In a wild frontier boomtown like Rattlesnake Wells, it's hard to know who to lock up, who to let out, and who to gun down. But as town marshal, it's Bob Hatfield's job to separate the sinners from the saints--or at least keep them from killing each other. Now there's a new boy in town. He's fresh out of prison. He swears he was wrongfully convicted of embezzling from his boss at the local mine. He wants to clear his name and reclaim the woman he loves. Hatfield wants to give the boy the benefit of the doubt. But when all hell starts to break loose--escalating from vicious saloon fights to violent shootouts--Bob knows there's more to the story than a little bad blood between townsfolk . . .

Someone is gunning for him. Somewhere in Rattlesnake Wells, an enemy from Hatfield's past is waiting to make his move. And sometimes, there's only one way to deliver justice: right between the eyes . . .

Genres: Westerns

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2017

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

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable! I haven’t read a western before. I’ve read books with a western setting and about the Gold rush, but not a pure western. Rustlers, gunnies, varmints of all type. Very reminiscent of the cowboy movies I watched as a child and a refreshing change from the urban fantasy and police procedurals I tend to go for. Apparently I chose well for my first western. Johnson is considered one of the best!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Hatfield the marshal of Rattlesnake Wells has a past that caught up with him. Will he manage to keep it a secret from the townspeople? Right Between the Eyes by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the third book in this series and it is one of the best written since William passed away. We have a convicted felon returning and people believe he wants revenge, but was he guilty? We have a range war going on and a journalist for the new newspaper printing bad things. How will this end? Well read the book and you will find out: I had a great time reading it.

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this one in the series took a back seat compared to others in the series- less action and adventure and more dialogue and background concerning Hatfield’s past. Truthfully, the man has already carved himself out a great reputation that stands on its own merits, but some from his past with an ax to grind will stop at nothing to try to destroy a life of another. Can this matter ever be settled for once and for all? Or does the buck stop here?!

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though William Johnstone is famous for series like The Mountain Main, Preacher, The First Mountain Man, Maccallister, Luke Jensen, Bounty Hunter, Flintlock, and Those Jensen Boys, he is also well-loved for the many stand-alone Westerns (and short series) he wrote. Right Between the Eyes (Pinnacle 2018) is the third in the Rattlesnake Wells Wyoming trilogy but a stand-alone story that can be read without having read the first two. We meet Sheriff Bob Hatfield, a Wyoming sheriff who is honest, hard-working, remarried after the death of his wife, and wants nothing more than to live in peace, doing a good job, keeping the citizens of his town safe. But he has a secret past that threatens to be exposed. Wen two ranches come to blows over rustling, one hires a gunslinger who remembers Hatfield when he had a different name and a wilder job, one that might explain why this law-abiding sheriff has a faster gun than most guns-for-hire.

Every good western I've read includes elements of good vs evil, damsels in distress, valued horses, bad guys trying to cause trouble, survival based on wits, a range war, gunfights, a wild untamed saloon that is the town's gossip center, working girls, someone who’s greased lightning with his gun, and lots of trouble. This book covers about two-thirds of those (the rest can easily be found in other Johnstone novels) and introduces the town newspaper, a piece I don't see in many other Westerns.

All in all, this is a highly-satisfying book with a great ending. If you like Westerns and haven't read Johnstone before, go get this one!

--received free from NetGalley in return for an honest review

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right Between the Eyes is book three from the Rattlesnake Wells, Wyoming series. I thought this book was great. I give 4 1/2 stars.

[Dennis F. Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right Between the Eyes

A mystery cowboy story that will certainly keep you turning b the pages. Marshal Bob Hatfield has his hands full with a .mysterious killer and two ranchers on a course certain to cause mayhem and destruction. Most of it fueled by an over zealous journalist bent on making his mark in the wild and solely West. You will enjoy this story as you have surely e noted this author's previous novels. So "Giddy Up."

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took forever for me to get through this. The beginning was slow and it seemed like the main character, Bob, already knew everything that was going on. Even tho he did, he didn't do a single thing about it until the end. I didn't find this book very satisfying.

[JB Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first western I've ever read, at least, once my youth. Enjoyed it. Thought it was a little on the slow side... but I expect maybe that's just the way this genre is written. We'll soon find out... this book has propelled me to want to read more westerns!

[Lisa]

My first western book! I was a little hesitant about trying a western but I am so glad I did. Loved it! Great characters, vivid storytelling. I can see why Johnstone is such a popular author for this genre.

[J.A. Boulet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly satisfying. It is more than just a Western. It has some mystery in it which took me by surprise! A page turner for sure. I prefer JA Johnstone's writing style rather than William's style. She's much more engaging emotionally and develops characters with much more depth.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving- good storyline- good read

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

It finished with all ends pretty disappointingly tidied up.

[Sherrie Saint · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great escape into the old west. I loved this trip to Rattlesnake Wells. Lots of action and adventure.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rattlesnake Wells, Wyoming. The perfect name of the perfect setting for another 5 star Johnstone western. Meet Bob Hatfield. Rattlesnake's town marshal and keeper of the peace. He's kept busy chasing down the bad guys while trying to keep the good guys walking the fine line between good and bad. I always enjoy a Johnstone western. As long as they keep writing them, I'll keep reading them.