Badman’s Pass

by R.W. Stone

Badger Kershaw was becoming a familiar figure on the frontier after the War between the States. Riding an Appaloosa with Lobo, his dog-wolf hybrid, often by his side, he was feared by most outlaws on the dodge on whom there was a bounty. It was not a savory profession, perhaps, but Kershaw was honest about what he did. Frontier lawmen for the most part were accustomed to dealing with Kershaw. When the fugitive was willing to surrender—which was less frequent than it might be thought—Kershaw would bring in an outlaw alive, but it was not an option he encountered very often. Generally it was one man against another, but in what would possibly be Badger Kershaw’s greatest feat, the odds were quite different.

Colonel Benjamin Grierson had been Kershaw’s commanding officer during the War between the States. When, years after the war’s end, Grierson’s daughter was one of the four women seized in a train hold-up and taken prisoner, Grierson appealed again to the man who had once served under him to rescue the women from the outlaw gang. Kershaw surprised the army when he chose to do the job entirely alone, despite the incredible odds against him.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Audiobook

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2018

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading a good western story. Until last year I was feeling as if there was no interest in westerns or new authors coming up to replace the old. Then I discovered a number of new authors on Amazon which encouraged me to seek out some more new western authors. In my hunt, I discovered R. W. Stone. Stone is a veterinarian who lives in Florida. Apparently, he has been a life-long fan of western stories. He states that a few years ago he started writing for his own enjoyment and was encouraged to publish his writings. I found he has a classic western writing style and like L’Amour he puts quite a bit of description about the land and customs of the West into the story.

This story opened with a massacre of an Indian village by white men (not Army). Then the story jumps to a young man returning to the Dakotas after serving in the Army during the Civil War. All during the story I kept wondering what the opening had to do with the story of the young man. I was almost getting annoyed when Stone tired it all together. I wished the story had been longer, but I did enjoy it and was left wanting to read more about Badger. I will definitely look for more books by R. W. Stone.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is almost five hours. Ramiz Monsaf does a great job narrating the book. Monsaf is an actor and audiobook narrator.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great classic historical western. He’s a Bounty Hunter who always tries to bring the ”wanted” in fairly, but the ”wanted” don’t play fair, or by any rules, ’cept their own. Helping get the job done, is his wolf-dog, Lobo. Smart and loyal. This is a story within a story, and I loved it! Audio version was such an enjoyable listen! If you are a fan of this genre, check this one out. I’ll be looking for more by both author and narrator.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Audiobooks Library 📚: entertaining story with great narration

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good western, that I listened to on Audible. This bounty "man" is called Badger, and he has the patience and skill to be a tracker of humans. If you are a fan of westerns, and have given up finding new writers that can fill the bill -- try R. W. Stone

[Roberto Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine story, very entertaining and clever throughout. It took a long time to understand the title. Actually didn't quite get it so it threw me on a loop having an expectation from the title I to the reading. It is written in a way you really wish you lived along those times. Fun book 👍

[B.L. Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific western. I enjoyed it very much. The half-wolf / half-dog is a great addition to the story as well.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you could possibly desire in a western, and it's a damn good read. I couldn't recommend it more.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badger Kershaw, a former soldier, and part-time bounty hunter when he ran across an outlaw on the trail. He had a ranch in the foothills of the Medicine Bow Mountains. There was also a wolf-hybrid dog that followed him around wherever he went. His local watering hole was an ugly, dirty little town called Cooper’s Crossing. Badger received a note from a Major who had saved his life when in service. The note asked him to track down a gang that had robbed a train and kidnapped four women. One was the Major’s niece, the others were engaged to officers from the fort. They wanted their women back. Badger owed the Major, so he pretty much had no choice. The story continues with the account of Badger’s experience. I enjoyed the tale and highly recommend it.