Ransom's Law

by David Johnson

Exhausted from trying to balance all the areas of your life? Then you’ll appreciate Roscoe Ransom’s maimed in World War I, a sharecropper, the town sheriff, and the widowed father of his eleven-year-old son, Junior. Oh, and Roscoe is an alcoholic. His angry and numbed life is suddenly upended when a black man in their tiny community is murdered. Junior longs for his father’s love and attention to fill the void left by the death of his mother, but the person who fills that has come to fill that role is the next-door neighbor, Willow Muscadine, a Cherokee Indian woman. Willow sees Junior trying to locate the killer that his drunken father can’t, or won’t, find, and she decides to watch over him and protect him from his own enthusiasm. The more questions Junior asks, the more dangerous the situation becomes for him, Roscoe, and Willow. When the threats turn deadly, will it be enough to shake Roscoe from his misery in time to save them and find redemption? Or will his personal demons once again win until he’s lost everything and everyone who cares about him? Best selling author, David Johnson, has once again produced one of his trademark “books with heart” and spun a tale that will have you rooting for the underdogs and hoping that good will triumph over evil.

Genres: Historical Fiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2018

About the author

David Johnson has developed a reputation as a writer of "books with heart." His books feature strong, unforgettable characters from humble backgrounds who have to grapple with the unexpected turns of everyday life.

He is the author of the riveting "Tucker" series, one of the best-selling series on Amazon. The series has collected over 5,000 reviews, averaging 4.7 stars, and sales of the books will soon approach 500,000 copies.

Toby, his next book, following the Tucker series, is a story about a dog, a woman who has gotten lost in addiction, and a hermit who has hidden from his past for decades.

The Woodcutter's Wife, a Civil War era, historical romance, was his next book. It is a story of love lost and love found.

And his newest release is The Last Patient. A story of secrets, resentment, regret, and redemption.

David maintains a very busy life outside of writing. He's a full-time Marriage and Family Therapist, is Director of a community chorus that performs all across the Southeast, performing 15 shows a year. He maintains a blog: www.thefrontwindow.wordpress.com . He's been married for 44 years, has two daughters and six grandchildren.

He would love to hear from you. Send him a note to davidjohnsonbooks@gmail.com and join him on Facebook - David Johnson, author

Reviews

[sniksnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about massive winter storms here in the Deep South, you can read until your eyes close with fatigue. That is, provided you’ve fully charged your Kindle, phone and rechargeable battery on your emergency lamp, have on hand 2 fully filled butlers of hot coffee, and have your chickens all snug in their coop. I can’t read without my strong, Dark Roast Louisiana Community coffee! We were without power for 8 hours. With those items, a pile of blankets and quilts (inside house temp got down to 36 degrees Fahrenheit), a little dog and a little cat buried beneath the covers beside each hip, who cares if the weather is frightful. 😊
REVIEW: First book of a 5 book series, Ransom.
In Depression era rural America, alcoholic WWI veteran and sheriff Roscoe Ransom struggles to solve the murder of a black man while battling his demons. His 11 year old son, Junior, and wise Cherokee neighbor, Willow, step in to investigate, leading the trio on a perilous path to justice, redemption and healing family wounds amid racial tensions. Junior’s perspective explores themes of racial injustice, moral courage and coming of age experiences.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, I have read all of his books, he is an excellent writer, this book had me not wanting to put it down

I have read other books of his and loved them, that Tucker Series was really, really good. Will be waiting for more to come out, wish he would hurry up, can't wait.

[antoinette gabriels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story

David Johnson has written another incredible story that I will surely read again. The Ransom family is broken and flawed but the love they have for each other is so heartwarming.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading all the wonderful reviews,I honestly don't know what else to add. David Johnson captures his readers interest from beginning to end.

[Gail A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Johnson iis an amazing author that did not disappoint in writing this novel, Ransom’s Law. Set In times of racial unrest, hate crimes, unlikely friendships between black and white and Indian all trying to survive in a small racist town filled with corruption. The author is brilliant and creative once again in developing characters that are so easy to love so easy to hate and so real that it is like they are all in your own life. Roscoe, the town sheriff is a struggling alcoholic since his time in the war and his wife's death, and his son Junior that had to grow up way too soon and deal with the heartbreak and fear of his father's alcoholism, while working the farm. Junior finds solace and hope in their neighbor Willow, an Indian, and a healer and spiritual guide all face many tragedies of living in a town filled with racism and hatred, secrets and fear. The author is also brilliant in how he brings truth to light and healing and acceptance but not without great cost and not without great loss. The author's ability to tell the stories of wounded souls trying to survive, continuing to love and fight for justice overwhelms me every time I read one of his books and this book is no exception. Thank you David Johnson for your brilliance in writing and and giving me hope and faith in humanity.

[Connie S. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom's Law

Mr David Johnson is a wonderful writer. The first time I read his book "Tuckers Way" I fell in love with his writing ability. His characters pull you in and the story is wonderful. To me it's right up there with "To Kill a Mockingbird" or " Tom Sawyer". Ransom the town sheriff and his son Junior are share croppers in a small community. Their neighbor Willow is Indian and she is very wise and interesting. A black man in the town has been murdered and because his father drinks too much Junior feels he's not doing his job to find the killer so he steps up to find him. Willow sees what Junior is doing and using her indian wisdom helps him. Truly a great story with many lessons learned.

[Rosemary Rowlette- · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Johnson writes exceptionally memorable, heartwarming books and Ransom's Law is all that and more. It is one that will have you thinking about it long after you have read it! I found this story to be riveting, I could not put it down! It pulled me in from the beginning until the very end! I didn't want it to end! Ransom's Law is about the murder of a black man in a small town that is harboring many secrets. Sheriff Ransom and his 11 year old son, Junior are caught right in the middle of it all, their very lives are threatened when the sheriff starts investigating the murder. This book will make you laugh and cry, it a story of hope, love, and forgiveness. I highly recommend reading this author's other books.

[TRENA LAMORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Oh, I absolutely loved this book!! It had a little bit of everything in it and many wonderful lessons about everything!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does David Johnson do it? I am mesmerized by every story he has written. Ransom's Law is a great addition to his list of literary hits. I love how he includes people of all backgrounds and races in this story and the injustices they sometimes face. It is a reminder that we all need to work to live peacefully together.

[CONNIE FRAME · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

Thank you sir for another great read, it's the wee hours of the morning and I could not stop turning pages. This book was a suspenseful and well written story. But it also reminded me of some very important lessons that we forget sometimes. I look forward to reading more from you Mr Johnson. I've read the Tucker series and a few others, so far this is my favorite.

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This book was told in a straight forward, heart touching manner. I loved the true-to-life characters. And the awesome message.

[D.K. Ricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I truly enjoyed this story of the Ransom Family. Their struggles, their love, and Family commitment to doing the right thing, no matter the consequences.!

[Nolabeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the character development as well as the story line.

[Anita L. Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading, "Ransom's Law" by author David Johnson. I look forward to reading more of David Johnson 's books.

[judy petiton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I am a fan of this author. He writes as if he himself had experienced some of the hardships of the people that he writes about.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I love this book ,that time period is so interesting.I loved the thought provoking lessons.A good read,looking forward to the next one,but I have to let this one soak a while.

[Connie Crawford-Koonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

This story is a hard read, the sensitive issues that come forward from so long ago are still present in today's world,sadly
Definitely have recommended to all my reading friends.

[alfred rusenstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read your series of books in two days. They are very entertaining and have life lessons written in where you don't feel like your being preached to. But definitely get Mr. Johnson's thoughts and words of wisdom across.

Entertaining. I like the way Mr. Johnson gets his words of wisdom across and the religion and God presented so it doesn't sound like your being preached to. Would recommend all his books to my friends and anyone who asked my opinion.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird" and this book was very reminiscent of that classic tale. Junior Ransom is a typical 11 year old boy being raised by his widowed father, Roscoe. Roscoe was wounded in WWI and came home a damaged man. When his wife and unborn child die, Roscoe falls into a whiskey bottle every night and Junior doesn't really know how to cope.

When a black man is brutally murdered in their small town, Roscoe, as Sheriff, tries to find out who killed him. However, people in town have a different idea. Hints of KKK involvement, infidelity, hatred and poverty all figure into this story. Junior is determined to help his father find the murderer.

The book is full of racial tensions, poverty, former soldiers with PTSD, friendship and love. Will love be able to bring Roscoe and Junior back together or will Roscoe's demons drive them further apart? This book was very poignant as it explores the atmosphere surrounding the murder as well as Roscoe's personal battles. I laughed, I cried and finally, I cheered as I listened to the book.

The author does a great job in character development and the story progresses at a slow pace while still keeping the reader's interest. The narrator, Gary Bennett, was perfect and added a lot to my enjoyment of the book. I know that this book will stick with me for a long, long time. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom's Law
: David Johnson

This is the first time that I've listened to this author, but it won't be the last.

This novel is a historical fiction set after WWI. Roscoe Ransom returns home injured and drowning his pain with whiskey. His eleven year old son wants his dads love and attention. Roscoe is a share cropper and the town's sheriff. Roscoe's wife died and he has to raise Junior on his own.

The town is filled with all kinds of characters from many ethnic groups, not to mention the KKK.

The inter-actions of the characters will have the listener loving some while despising others. The story flows along with a few twists that keep you intrigued. The ending was satisfying.





The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Gary Bennett's voice is a good choice for this genre.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Ann Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this author, his characters, their strengths and weakness stay with me. Told thru the eyes of Junior who loves his father intensely, is protective of him despite his drunken abusiveness and is alternately hopeful for and despairing of his dad ever sobering up. Jr. and his dad, who is also the town sheriff, are share croppers and poor, he has a devoted dog and a very wise, strong and helpful neighbor and a pal who bring some stability to his hard life. Dad has a friend, who served along side him in WWI, with brain damage from the war, Jr.'s dad has PTSD, the friend babbles nonsense but has occasional moments of lucidity. There is bigotry, klan activity, a town 'loose woman' who runs a restaurant, an arrogant land owner, shootings, a kidnapping secrecy, everything revolves around the murder of Jr.'s pal's uncle. Very colorful, memorable characters and events fill this book.

[Vivacity · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't checked out this author, now is the time!

The great depression is the backdrop for this well woven tale, and murder has occurred in a small southern town. The sheriff is just a drunk, and the darkness at the heart of this town testers. Did the KKK kill this black man? Did his own community rid themselves of a bad man? How will the sheriff's 11 year old son get all the farm work done, investing as a fly on the wall, and keep his dad sober enough to do his job? With the help of his Cherokee neighbor, Willow, and his exceptional dog, can one boy be so much to so many? Is the town even worth saving, when suspension and prejudice seem to have poisoned everyone? This story will suck you in and leave you guessing!

[Kris Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom’s Law and Ransom Lost by David Johnson
I was introduced to David Johnson’s writings by reading Ransom Odds, the third book in this series. Although I was able to follow along, I was curious as to what I missed by not reading Ransom’s Law and Ransom Lost.
I am glad that I went back and read these two books. By reading these two books, I was able to get a better understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. I am highly impressed with the author’s ability to get so much subtle history into the story. Life was different back then. People were not always friendly with each other. But stories like this are heartwarming by showing what a little love and understanding can do.
Definitely a good series to read!

[Gina Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's ironic that it's still happening today......

WW I has ended and Roscoe Ransom lives in the back hills of Kentucky farming in this small town where he is a drunken sheriff, there is the murder of a black man, racial discrimination of a black family, the KKK, and a native American women. There is all kinds of secrets and plots in this storyline that makes it a good read. Sounds like the year 2020 instead of 1919!! This storyline takes place almost 100 years ago but the attitudes and hate of the people in this world made me think the timeline of this story could be today. That's too ironic.

[rhonda granquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! In a small town in the South, is Roscoe Ransom, the towns sheriff. He was maimed in WWI and was an alcholic, and was trying to raise his 11 year old son by himself. Willow, a Cherokee Indian, was his neighbor and trying to help Roscoe with his son and his drinking. The townspeople doesn't take to the 'romance' between Willow and his concern about the black people.
A black man was murdered and Roscoe has promised the black community that he will do everything he can to find the murderer. Not pleasing to the townspeople.

[Melissa F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a disappointment!
I actually enjoyed reading this book but unfortunately the author had to take a misogynistic approach to the ending. Everything these rotten scoundrels did was blamed on a woman. They were all sneaking around with her but In the end the men are portrayed as poor fools who had been bamboozled and then no choice but to do her bidding or else have their infidelities exposed. Does the author wish us to believe that men are that weak and brainless? And if they are, why are they still considered the stronger of the sexes?
Story as old as time! What a disappointment!

[henry smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A time period when the country was in depression. Poverty tram-a from the was. A lot of conflict. KKK was at a peak. People were full of hate and turned against one another. No trust. Just fear of survival. Violence and the urge for power were dominant but truth came through. Survival and unity prevailed with a man son and few friends. A community brought together by truth. Very well written. The characters are great. They overcame and love prevailed times were hard but good overcame evil. Great book.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story that kept me turning the pages but...there was something missing that I couldn't put my finger on. There wasn't an "excitement" per se... even in the moments that were supposed to be. And the constant use of the "n" word when the main character was best friends with a black boy, took away the feeling of genuineness. I don't care what era the story was set in. We don't live there anymore, so to write a new FICTIONAL story that consistently refers to that word and attitudes...well, let's say it just doesn't cut it anymore. I won't read the sequels to this.

[Edward Allstot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

I thought Ransom's Law by author David Johnson was terrific. Eleven-year-old Junior, the main character, really looks up to his father (Roscoe Ransom) and thinks he is the best. Roscoe is back from World War I and has also lost his wife, leading to a drinking problem. Junior has another problem after overhearing some news of a local murder. This novel was captivating, absorbing, and warmhearted, and the characters were grand. Narrator Gary Bennett was perfect.

[anita rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to describe the depth and qua!ity of this author.

This story describes the journey of the soul. Goodness overcomes evil. How forgiveness of others enables people to forgive themselves. How love and acceptance brings out the inner beauty of mankind. I felt delighted and elevated and wish all readers would read this wonderful story.