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Will Tanner #5
Dig Your Own Grave
Johnstone Country. Keeping the West wild. U.S. Marshal Will Tanner is one hell of a manhunter. But this time, he’s chasing six men across three states with one gun and no backup. This isn’t justice. This is a suicide mission . . . DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE It starts with a prison break in Missouri. When notorious bank robber Ansel McCoy busts out, he teams up with five other outlaws. Then he and his gang rob a bank in Kansas. Now they’re crossing state lines into Oklahoma Indian Territory. And that’s where U.S. Marshal Will Tanner steps in. Other marshals from Kansas and Missouri have already lost the trail. Which means Tanner has to go it alone. Deep in the wilderness. Outnumbered and outgunned. One good man against six blood-crazed killers. Even if he manages to survive the elements and find McCoy’s hideout, it’s not just the end of his search. It’s his funeral . . . Live Free. Read Hard.
- GenresWesterns
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2019
344 people are currently reading
98 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 18, 2021
I really enjoy the author's writing style. This book once again features the deputy marshal Will Tanner and his tracking and aresting desperate criminals.
March 22, 2019
This one was actually the best in the series, the characters are evolving and the plot is thickening. I want to know what will happen to Will. Is there going to be a wedding? Is he going back to ranching? If you like westerns where the good guy is good and the bad guy is bad you could do so much worse than reading this one. I also have to thank #Netgalley #KensingtonBooks For letting me read #DigYourOwnGrave
June 5, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
This is only the second Johnstone(s) book that I've read (despite a history of enjoying western fiction) and for an action-packed western I enjoyed it.
Will Tanner is a U.S. Marshall out of the Oklahoma Territory. He is highly skilled at tracking and hunting down criminals. But this time Tanner is chasing six hardened killers across three states. He's out of his territory and without back-up - but these men killed a friend of his and he's not going to let them get away if he can help it. Back home, however, he's got a girl pining for him to come back and settle down - to take up ranching (a much safer occupation). Will Marshall Tanner survive the hunt and return home to his girl? Will he return with or without the men he's been tracking?
This is a good, old-fashioned western - meaning the good guys are good and the bad guys are really bad and you pretty much know how it's all going to end, but it's the experience of the adventure that makes it worth the read.
As a rough, tough, western hero, Will Tanner stands tall among men. Author Johnstone does as much as possible to make Tanner human (he doubts himself and manages to get caught unaware once), but he's still nearly super-human, tracking and arresting an entire gang single-handedly. Well, mostly.
Tanner is a great character and a delight to follow ... which is good since we don't really get to know anyone else in the book except superficially.
The story does get just a little repetitive, though Johnstone does try to break up the action with a few scenes with some of the minor characters, and it works to some degree, but since we don't really get to know them, we tend to be more eager to get back to the main story.
The ending was a little bit of a surprise to me ... not what I had anticipated ... but I like being surprised (as long as it fits well within the established story, and this does). Overall, and enjoyable western read.
Looking for a good book? Dig Your Own Grave by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is a great beach read western and well worth reading for fans of the genre.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is only the second Johnstone(s) book that I've read (despite a history of enjoying western fiction) and for an action-packed western I enjoyed it.
Will Tanner is a U.S. Marshall out of the Oklahoma Territory. He is highly skilled at tracking and hunting down criminals. But this time Tanner is chasing six hardened killers across three states. He's out of his territory and without back-up - but these men killed a friend of his and he's not going to let them get away if he can help it. Back home, however, he's got a girl pining for him to come back and settle down - to take up ranching (a much safer occupation). Will Marshall Tanner survive the hunt and return home to his girl? Will he return with or without the men he's been tracking?
This is a good, old-fashioned western - meaning the good guys are good and the bad guys are really bad and you pretty much know how it's all going to end, but it's the experience of the adventure that makes it worth the read.
As a rough, tough, western hero, Will Tanner stands tall among men. Author Johnstone does as much as possible to make Tanner human (he doubts himself and manages to get caught unaware once), but he's still nearly super-human, tracking and arresting an entire gang single-handedly. Well, mostly.
Tanner is a great character and a delight to follow ... which is good since we don't really get to know anyone else in the book except superficially.
The story does get just a little repetitive, though Johnstone does try to break up the action with a few scenes with some of the minor characters, and it works to some degree, but since we don't really get to know them, we tend to be more eager to get back to the main story.
The ending was a little bit of a surprise to me ... not what I had anticipated ... but I like being surprised (as long as it fits well within the established story, and this does). Overall, and enjoyable western read.
Looking for a good book? Dig Your Own Grave by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is a great beach read western and well worth reading for fans of the genre.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2019
Title: Dig Your Own Grave
Series:Will Tanner #5
Author: William W.Johstone
Pages: 308
Netgalley
Genre : western
Date book comes out: Mar 26, 2019
book synopsis:
Johnstone Country. Keeping the West wild.
U.S. Marshal Will Tanner is one hell of a manhunter. But this time, he's chasing six men across three states with one gun and no backup. This isn't justice. This is a suicide mission . . .
DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE
It starts with a prison break in Missouri. When notorious bank robber Ansel McCoy busts out, he teams up with five other outlaws. Then he and his gang rob a bank in Kansas. Now they're crossing state lines into Oklahoma Indian Territory. And that's where U.S. Marshal Will Tanner steps in. Other marshals from Kansas and Missouri have already lost the trail. Which means Tanner has to go it alone. Deep in the wilderness. Outnumbered and outgunned. One good man against six blood-crazed killers. Even if he manages to survive the elements and find McCoy's hideout, it's not just the end of his search. It's his funeral . . .
My thought
rating: 5
Recommend this series: yes
Would I read more by this author: yes
For those who don't know I'm a big fan of William W.Johnstone and J.A.Johnstone. Wither its horror or their westerns .Each of their stories has characters that you either love or hate and in this case Will Tanner is one of those characters that you fell in love with. The story comes to live the more you read it, and just like their other books so does the places, and the people , it's the type of book that makes you forget how bad of a day you might have had . There are other remembereral characters that you also grew to love , and there's even one character that reminded me of a whiny brat , because of the way she acted towards Will. So if you love fun fights, bank robberies, and just plain adventure then you have to pick this series up and read it .With that said I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.
Series:Will Tanner #5
Author: William W.Johstone
Pages: 308
Netgalley
Genre : western
Date book comes out: Mar 26, 2019
book synopsis:
Johnstone Country. Keeping the West wild.
U.S. Marshal Will Tanner is one hell of a manhunter. But this time, he's chasing six men across three states with one gun and no backup. This isn't justice. This is a suicide mission . . .
DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE
It starts with a prison break in Missouri. When notorious bank robber Ansel McCoy busts out, he teams up with five other outlaws. Then he and his gang rob a bank in Kansas. Now they're crossing state lines into Oklahoma Indian Territory. And that's where U.S. Marshal Will Tanner steps in. Other marshals from Kansas and Missouri have already lost the trail. Which means Tanner has to go it alone. Deep in the wilderness. Outnumbered and outgunned. One good man against six blood-crazed killers. Even if he manages to survive the elements and find McCoy's hideout, it's not just the end of his search. It's his funeral . . .
My thought
rating: 5
Recommend this series: yes
Would I read more by this author: yes
For those who don't know I'm a big fan of William W.Johnstone and J.A.Johnstone. Wither its horror or their westerns .Each of their stories has characters that you either love or hate and in this case Will Tanner is one of those characters that you fell in love with. The story comes to live the more you read it, and just like their other books so does the places, and the people , it's the type of book that makes you forget how bad of a day you might have had . There are other remembereral characters that you also grew to love , and there's even one character that reminded me of a whiny brat , because of the way she acted towards Will. So if you love fun fights, bank robberies, and just plain adventure then you have to pick this series up and read it .With that said I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.
July 11, 2019
I've only been a Johnstone fan for a few years. My Uncle turned me on to these series when I was looking for something else to read. I've now read many, many Johnstone books. I could easily say they are some of my favorite books. The back stories in these books are always well developed and true to life. While fictional, the characters run into nonfictional characters often. The characters are always honest to a fault, giving the description "good guys" a new meaning. In the course of living their lives they frequently meet members of other Johnstone families. The stories mesh together to give the reader a wider look at life during these eras. And of course, there's always plenty of "shoot the bad guy" too. Pick any Johnstone western and start reading. You'll be hooked, just like I was.
July 19, 2022
"It was okay." - 2 out of 5 stars.
While a 2 seems a bit harsh, I am comparing this entry to the four (4) books to the left of this. From this perspective, this is by far the weakest entry in the Will Tanner series (with book #3 so far being the best so far).
More prisoner transports than you can shake a stick at, marriage versus work/duty dilemma, and your as expected old west content is found here.
This isn't a bad wild west book by any means, but like I said out the Will Tanner's... this one was 'just okay.' By no means however grounds for quitting the series. Hoping the last two Will Tanner's that remain pick up the pace.
While a 2 seems a bit harsh, I am comparing this entry to the four (4) books to the left of this. From this perspective, this is by far the weakest entry in the Will Tanner series (with book #3 so far being the best so far).
More prisoner transports than you can shake a stick at, marriage versus work/duty dilemma, and your as expected old west content is found here.
This isn't a bad wild west book by any means, but like I said out the Will Tanner's... this one was 'just okay.' By no means however grounds for quitting the series. Hoping the last two Will Tanner's that remain pick up the pace.
March 8, 2021
WILL GOES IT ALONE
Here the series takes a little twist as Will has asked Sophie to marry him and a wedding is planned but Will is still a Marshall and must take off leaving Sophie mad and hurt. This affects Will in his job which gets very complicated as he single handedly takes on a group of criminals in spit of orders to just locate and wait for backup. Hard to put this one down.
Here the series takes a little twist as Will has asked Sophie to marry him and a wedding is planned but Will is still a Marshall and must take off leaving Sophie mad and hurt. This affects Will in his job which gets very complicated as he single handedly takes on a group of criminals in spit of orders to just locate and wait for backup. Hard to put this one down.
September 15, 2020
Will Tanner stories are getting a bit repetitive. Will is making typical literary choices that are intended to just make the story more exciting, but really just end up making him look silly and arrogant (like taking on a whole ranch).
Still good basic western.
Still good basic western.
February 10, 2021
I enjoy the Will character and the wandering drifter that helps him out at times. Glad he was a part of the book. This is the last GraphicAudio of the Tanner series, so that's a bummer as there is 1 more novel written. Maybe it will eventually be added to the Graphic Audio library.
January 12, 2023
The life and times of US Deputy Marshall Will Tanner who can do no wrong. Kind of a slow story. Not a story where it would keep me up at night wanting to finish. Boring in most areas, interesting in some.
November 25, 2024
Will Tanner goes after Ansel McCoy (Bowdry?) and his gang of bank robbers, chasing them from Texas to Missouri and back again.
I think this story has had the most teeth in the series so far. Ansel is a fun villain and I enjoyed following his journey from the beginning.
I think this story has had the most teeth in the series so far. Ansel is a fun villain and I enjoyed following his journey from the beginning.
April 1, 2019
Dig Your Own Grave is the exciting fifth installment to the Will Tanner series. I enjoyed it, giving it four and a half stars.
May 31, 2019
Dug it.
September 23, 2019
Finished Dig your Own Grave #5 in a great series of Will Tanner, hopefully more to come...
May 6, 2021
Reread.
June 17, 2023
Another good western read by this author. The only thing when reading the series you have a lot of exact same scenarios and moments from previous books. If you read it alone then it will be better.
April 14, 2022
Will Tanner is sent on an impossible mission to track and bring to justice Ansel Beaudry and his gang. Will disassembles the gang, killing them off by ones and twos, until he’s left with just their leader, Tom.
Will employs the help of old friend Oscar Moon, who’s notorious for walking both sides of the law. Sadly, he’s shot and killed by Tom at one of the hideouts he led Will to. Enraged, Will is determined to bring justice to his friend’s death.
Ansel returns home to a family he’s burned his bridges with to hideout from the lawman, until he decides he might take the ranch over from his old man and younger brother. Will Tanner tracks him and kidnaps him without the others noticing.
His father, knowing the money Ansel had, sets out to find him to take it for himself. When he finds Will and Ansel, a shootout takes place, killing Ansel and himself, along with his younger son. Sheriff Joe McCauley (Denton, Tx) came to the aid of Will, who he’d just met that evening.
Sheriff Dan Stone half heartedly scolds him for following the gang into Texas, disobeying his orders to leave it to the Rangers if it came to that. Will shrugs it off and heads back to Ruth Bennett’s to clean up and see his fiancé.
Will’s engagement to Sophie has been strained due to his consistent absence from home throughout the whole book. When he returns from his weeks long mission, she still professes her love for him.
Will employs the help of old friend Oscar Moon, who’s notorious for walking both sides of the law. Sadly, he’s shot and killed by Tom at one of the hideouts he led Will to. Enraged, Will is determined to bring justice to his friend’s death.
Ansel returns home to a family he’s burned his bridges with to hideout from the lawman, until he decides he might take the ranch over from his old man and younger brother. Will Tanner tracks him and kidnaps him without the others noticing.
His father, knowing the money Ansel had, sets out to find him to take it for himself. When he finds Will and Ansel, a shootout takes place, killing Ansel and himself, along with his younger son. Sheriff Joe McCauley (Denton, Tx) came to the aid of Will, who he’d just met that evening.
Sheriff Dan Stone half heartedly scolds him for following the gang into Texas, disobeying his orders to leave it to the Rangers if it came to that. Will shrugs it off and heads back to Ruth Bennett’s to clean up and see his fiancé.
Will’s engagement to Sophie has been strained due to his consistent absence from home throughout the whole book. When he returns from his weeks long mission, she still professes her love for him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2019
In the awesome style that has always been eye catching, author William W. Johnstone's adventurous stories continue to live on through the work of J.A. Johnstone. In the 5th story of the United States Deputy Marshall Will Tanner, the escape of prisoner Ansel McCoy, a notorious bank robber, is the beginning of a deadly manhunt. With the help of five outlaws, McCoy robs a bank in Kansas and leaves death and destruction in his wake. The life of Marshall Will Tanner is put on the line when he is the only one to go after the outlaws. A story well written with lots of adventure and edge of the seat suspense, I can't wait to see what more the future has in store!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews