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Western Justice: Three Western Writers - Three Mystery Novellas
Looking for a great new mystery series? You’ve come to the right place. Three western writers begin their journeys with tales of wide-open skies, death in the dust, Native American mysticism, greed, lust, friendship, and honor. Law enforcement agents and Native American players partner and sometimes clash on the unpredictable path toward truth and justice. R. Lawson Gamble - THE DARK ROAD - Zack Tolliver is a newly minted FBI agent assigned to the Four Corners Indian Affairs FBI liaison team on the Navajo Reservation. Raised in eastern suburbia, he is dropped into a strange land and culture where he is immediately assigned to a missing person case that may have links to sheep mutilation and a murder. A total novice in all areas of his experience, he must rely on the Navajo men with whom he is partnered, one of whom will one day become his best friend and mentor. This novella is a prequel to the Zack Tolliver, FBI, Mystery Series. Mark Reps - NATIVE ROOTS – Zeb Hanks is a modern lawman, but he had to start somewhere. This two-part novella explores Zeb’s roots as a young man and his early law enforcement career as a border patrol agent and Tucson policeman. A mysterious beating, illegal immigrants crossing the border, and a brush with the jaded world of politics mesh together to teach Zeb the meaning of justice, western style. This novella is a prequel to the Zeb Hanks Mystery Series. Felix F. Giordano - MISSING IN MONTANA - Axe Killian was a Knuckle Dragger, ex-military now undercover FBI with a Harley, an attitude, and a secret. When he stumbles upon a five-year old cold case abduction, his past coaxes him to accept the assignment. As he closes in on the missing, mixed-blood Blackfeet teenage girl, she would not only change who he was, but who he would become. This novella is an introduction to the Jim Buchanan Series, set in Montana.
- GenresWesternsHistorical
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2018
460 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Mark Reps
38 books48 followersMark Reps has been a writer and storyteller his whole life. Born in small town southeastern Minnesota, he trained as a mathematician and chiropractor but never lost his love of telling or writing a good story. As an avid desert wilderness hiker Mark spends a great deal of time roaming the desert and other terrains of southeastern Arizona from December to May. A chance meeting with an old time colorful sheriff led him to develop the Zeb Hanks character and the world that surrounds him. Mark returns often to SE Arizona for inspiration, information and to maintain the general feel of the area, learn its history and understand the local residents.
When Mark started writing he became pen pals with Tony Hillerman who offered up tips, criticism and ideas on some of his early novels. His books are often compared with the Longmire television series and books by Craig Johnson.
Mark’s most recent project is the eighth installment of the ZEB HANKS series, NATIVE DESTINY which launched in the spring of 2018. He is working on a Zeb Hanks Novella which will be distributed free to subscribers. Books nine and ten (and likely beyond) are planned at a pace of one per year through 2020. Welcome to the series!
Signup for new releases and free content: http://eepurl.com/b6_7m-/
Find out more at:
facebook.com/ZebHanks
www.markreps.com
@markreps1
Many thanks to the many wonderful, loyal readers out there! Feedback is always welcome and Mark tries to respond to every request and question. If you read and enjoy the books, please review them on Amazon and Goodreads.
When Mark started writing he became pen pals with Tony Hillerman who offered up tips, criticism and ideas on some of his early novels. His books are often compared with the Longmire television series and books by Craig Johnson.
Mark’s most recent project is the eighth installment of the ZEB HANKS series, NATIVE DESTINY which launched in the spring of 2018. He is working on a Zeb Hanks Novella which will be distributed free to subscribers. Books nine and ten (and likely beyond) are planned at a pace of one per year through 2020. Welcome to the series!
Signup for new releases and free content: http://eepurl.com/b6_7m-/
Find out more at:
facebook.com/ZebHanks
www.markreps.com
@markreps1
Many thanks to the many wonderful, loyal readers out there! Feedback is always welcome and Mark tries to respond to every request and question. If you read and enjoy the books, please review them on Amazon and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2021
One out of three
I chose to read WESTERN JUSTICE, three western writers - three mystery novellas Mark Reps Felix F. Giordano R. Lawson Gamble, because it is free and the description was interesting.
First is THE DARK ROAD by R. Lawson Gamble. It is by far the best of the three. It is in fact a pretty good story of a rookie FBI agent sent to a Navajo Indian reservation as his first duty assignment. The supernatural intrudes into his investigations of animal mutilations, murder, a missing person and the theft of various valuable artifacts. The writing is good but for the author's inexcusable, ludicrous descriptions of firearms used in the story.
Let's match Mr. Gamble's description of a "Remington 223 gauge" rifle by altering his F-150 truck engine description a little - "started up the 450-volt 3.5 CC EcoBoost engine." That vehicle description makes as much sense as his firearms descriptions.
Second is NATIVE ROOTS By Mark Reps. This is just not very good writing or plotting. This is a story of an abused son of a petty criminal who grows up to become a law enforcement officer. Among other plot holes, the main character's juvenile deliquent brother simply disappears from the story without explanation. At the end of this novella is a piece called "Native Roots Reading Guide." I don't really know what to make of its presence. It reads something like a book report or summary.
Third is MISSING IN MONTANA By Felix F. Giordano. The daughter of a sleezy, child abusing politician disappears. Kidnapped by a cult the poor girl isn't really any worse off than she was at home. Not that her life with the cult is wholesome fun and games. At least the cult cures her incurable fatal disease. She is missing for some five years while the law enforcement agencies and officers in this story emulate the Keystone Cops and Inspector Clouseau. During the first search of the Cult's property, the girl was in a large cave:
"Yeshua Goyathlay turned to Ruthie and Simon. “Come with me now, we will go to the cave.” He got up and left the throng. The three of them walked with torches ablaze past the numerous shacks that served as housing for the congregation and through a trail cut into the pine forest below Marmot Mountain. After a few miles in, the trail gradually ascended the lower half of the mountain. The 300-foot graded path ended at a sizable cave entrance."
Apparently the law enforcement officers with search warrants never noticed the cave during the initial search or subsequent searches. The ending is both unbelievable and silly. The author also doesn't seem to know the proper usage of bring and take.
One 3 or 4 star story. Two 1 or 2 star stories.
I chose to read WESTERN JUSTICE, three western writers - three mystery novellas Mark Reps Felix F. Giordano R. Lawson Gamble, because it is free and the description was interesting.
First is THE DARK ROAD by R. Lawson Gamble. It is by far the best of the three. It is in fact a pretty good story of a rookie FBI agent sent to a Navajo Indian reservation as his first duty assignment. The supernatural intrudes into his investigations of animal mutilations, murder, a missing person and the theft of various valuable artifacts. The writing is good but for the author's inexcusable, ludicrous descriptions of firearms used in the story.
Let's match Mr. Gamble's description of a "Remington 223 gauge" rifle by altering his F-150 truck engine description a little - "started up the 450-volt 3.5 CC EcoBoost engine." That vehicle description makes as much sense as his firearms descriptions.
Second is NATIVE ROOTS By Mark Reps. This is just not very good writing or plotting. This is a story of an abused son of a petty criminal who grows up to become a law enforcement officer. Among other plot holes, the main character's juvenile deliquent brother simply disappears from the story without explanation. At the end of this novella is a piece called "Native Roots Reading Guide." I don't really know what to make of its presence. It reads something like a book report or summary.
Third is MISSING IN MONTANA By Felix F. Giordano. The daughter of a sleezy, child abusing politician disappears. Kidnapped by a cult the poor girl isn't really any worse off than she was at home. Not that her life with the cult is wholesome fun and games. At least the cult cures her incurable fatal disease. She is missing for some five years while the law enforcement agencies and officers in this story emulate the Keystone Cops and Inspector Clouseau. During the first search of the Cult's property, the girl was in a large cave:
"Yeshua Goyathlay turned to Ruthie and Simon. “Come with me now, we will go to the cave.” He got up and left the throng. The three of them walked with torches ablaze past the numerous shacks that served as housing for the congregation and through a trail cut into the pine forest below Marmot Mountain. After a few miles in, the trail gradually ascended the lower half of the mountain. The 300-foot graded path ended at a sizable cave entrance."
Apparently the law enforcement officers with search warrants never noticed the cave during the initial search or subsequent searches. The ending is both unbelievable and silly. The author also doesn't seem to know the proper usage of bring and take.
One 3 or 4 star story. Two 1 or 2 star stories.
December 4, 2018
The novel Missing in Montana was not really a good one, to many flaws, coincidence and a story with a lot of wholes about this cult above the law.
This Novel gets just a 1 star, the other two would get 3 stars !
This Novel gets just a 1 star, the other two would get 3 stars !
November 9, 2020
The first two books are interesting and I wonder what happens next. The last story about this cult is a bit over the top and didn't enjoy it .
October 30, 2018
Western Justice: Three Western Writers -Three Mystery Novellas - a review by Rosemary Kenny
An exceptional trilogy of Western tales of rough justice, carried out by strong Sheriffs in small towns and the nearby Reservations, where Native justice is
often a community or Council Elders' prerogative.
First is The Dark Road by R Lawson Gamble, whose MC is FBI Zack Tolliver, called in to liaise with local Agent Ben Brewster at the small town of Elk Wells.
Working with Sergeant Jimmy Chaparral, Zack investigates the case of a missing man, before being sidetracked into another investigation of mutilated sheep, also on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Into the mix comes a stake-out that leads to an accusation of murder being made against Chaparral, of the murder of an unknown man, (whose body is found near where Zack fell asleep as they were on lookout for the sheep-killer) and finally the discovery of looted artefacts and their source in abandoned cave-dwellings in an isolated arroyo.
Who is the real killer? Who is responsible for trading in the stolen artefacts? Who is the dark figure Zack alone sees high on the cliffs above Ashkii Nez's hogan?
A fascinating tale, full of action, suspense and wild Western Justice - you'll love it!
Native Roots by the excellent author Mark Reps is the middle volume in the trilogy and shows the development of Zeb Hanks' character as he grows up and learns some of life's tough lessons. The law-abiding, good moral example set by Sheriff Jake Dablo balances out Zeb's father's violence and criminal behaviour. Zeb is also shown developing a sense of the importance of Nature and the Natives' dependence on and reverence to it. These lessons will stand him in good stead when as future Sheriff he'll have cases to solve both off and on the Reservation. Zeb's mother, Marta and Aunt (who works for Jake Dablo and later for Zeb as Sheriff) are both strong independent women, able to overcome hardship through widowhood or domestic abuse. Both of them give Zeb and his brother a loving family life after the abuses of the past.
This wonderful novel, Native Roots links all the Zeb Hanks novels, in the Small Town Sheriff, Big Time Trouble series, through characters who appear in old and new stories. It's a good way of tying them together and makes them engaging on many levels. Why not get them all and have a Western Justice binge?
Last in the Western Justice trilogy is a different kind of tale, that still ties in with the eponymous theme that links all three. Missing In Montana by Felix F Giordano tells of an ex-Army Ranger turned crusader-on-a-Harley, 'Axe' Killian, who assists FBI Special Agent Manny Costa with the cold case of a missing teenage girl, whose father is now Governor of Montana. Set five years later, the trail now leads from the 'Old-Fashioned 4th of July Fair' in the town of Taylor, onto the nearby Navajo Reservation and thence to a ranch in the wilderness, where a cult, 'Children of the Big Sky' is led by ex-criminal Solomon Child, now calling himself Yeshua Goyathlay - Geronimo's real name - and claiming a Christ-like heritage.
What is the truth behind Philppa Ross' abduction and where is she now? Who are Ruthie and Simon and how are they involved in revealing the truth? Where do Axe and Eden Child go at the end of the book - and who/what do they expect to encounter there?
Missing in Montana is the conclusion to three eye-opening stories in an outstanding trilogy, Western Justice, which are also three examples of true grit, integrity and loyalty, by three amazing authors. Get your copy today and tell all your friends - Yee Hah, they'll love it too!
An exceptional trilogy of Western tales of rough justice, carried out by strong Sheriffs in small towns and the nearby Reservations, where Native justice is
often a community or Council Elders' prerogative.
First is The Dark Road by R Lawson Gamble, whose MC is FBI Zack Tolliver, called in to liaise with local Agent Ben Brewster at the small town of Elk Wells.
Working with Sergeant Jimmy Chaparral, Zack investigates the case of a missing man, before being sidetracked into another investigation of mutilated sheep, also on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Into the mix comes a stake-out that leads to an accusation of murder being made against Chaparral, of the murder of an unknown man, (whose body is found near where Zack fell asleep as they were on lookout for the sheep-killer) and finally the discovery of looted artefacts and their source in abandoned cave-dwellings in an isolated arroyo.
Who is the real killer? Who is responsible for trading in the stolen artefacts? Who is the dark figure Zack alone sees high on the cliffs above Ashkii Nez's hogan?
A fascinating tale, full of action, suspense and wild Western Justice - you'll love it!
Native Roots by the excellent author Mark Reps is the middle volume in the trilogy and shows the development of Zeb Hanks' character as he grows up and learns some of life's tough lessons. The law-abiding, good moral example set by Sheriff Jake Dablo balances out Zeb's father's violence and criminal behaviour. Zeb is also shown developing a sense of the importance of Nature and the Natives' dependence on and reverence to it. These lessons will stand him in good stead when as future Sheriff he'll have cases to solve both off and on the Reservation. Zeb's mother, Marta and Aunt (who works for Jake Dablo and later for Zeb as Sheriff) are both strong independent women, able to overcome hardship through widowhood or domestic abuse. Both of them give Zeb and his brother a loving family life after the abuses of the past.
This wonderful novel, Native Roots links all the Zeb Hanks novels, in the Small Town Sheriff, Big Time Trouble series, through characters who appear in old and new stories. It's a good way of tying them together and makes them engaging on many levels. Why not get them all and have a Western Justice binge?
Last in the Western Justice trilogy is a different kind of tale, that still ties in with the eponymous theme that links all three. Missing In Montana by Felix F Giordano tells of an ex-Army Ranger turned crusader-on-a-Harley, 'Axe' Killian, who assists FBI Special Agent Manny Costa with the cold case of a missing teenage girl, whose father is now Governor of Montana. Set five years later, the trail now leads from the 'Old-Fashioned 4th of July Fair' in the town of Taylor, onto the nearby Navajo Reservation and thence to a ranch in the wilderness, where a cult, 'Children of the Big Sky' is led by ex-criminal Solomon Child, now calling himself Yeshua Goyathlay - Geronimo's real name - and claiming a Christ-like heritage.
What is the truth behind Philppa Ross' abduction and where is she now? Who are Ruthie and Simon and how are they involved in revealing the truth? Where do Axe and Eden Child go at the end of the book - and who/what do they expect to encounter there?
Missing in Montana is the conclusion to three eye-opening stories in an outstanding trilogy, Western Justice, which are also three examples of true grit, integrity and loyalty, by three amazing authors. Get your copy today and tell all your friends - Yee Hah, they'll love it too!
March 17, 2025
The Dark Road: The Beginning, FBI series #.05 is the first of three prequels in 'Western Justice, Three Western Writers - Three mystery novellas' and is a good introduction to this writer and series. Young Zack Tolliver is an Eastern boy, A New Agent Trainee, or FBI NAT, just stepping into his first real job following his training at the academy and a LONG way from his southern homeland. The Navajo Nation Reservation, the largest Native reservation in the USA, is located in northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, Southeastern Utah, and Southwestern Colorado in the high plains desert and the Rocky Mountains, and for Zack it is a whole new territory, language, and culture to try to absorb and comprehend. He does fairly well at it, though his learning curve is sporadic and he rarely gets to sleep in his own rented motel bed. And for a California boy, R. Lawson Gamble gets the Four Corners area right - he's obviously spent time in America's great beyond. Already a follower of the Hillerman family of writers, Ron Chappell, Mark Reps, B.B.Griffith, and Darrell Bryant, I was pleased for the introduction to these two new-to-me authors. (I'm already all caught up on Mark Reps. Love that guy!) This was a tale I enjoyed despite the bit of woo-woo involved, and is a series I will pursue.
REVIEWED on March 16, 2025 at Goodreads, and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BookBub, or Kobo.
Native Roots #.05 in the Zeb Hanks Mystery Series by Mark Reps available at Kindle Unlimited and #2 in the Western Justice: Three Western Writers - Three Mystery Novellas, is a fairly short introduction into the life and career of Zeb Hanks in and around his home state of Arizona, in two parts. We are with him in his small southwestern town in Arizona as a youngster 30 years ago, making his way among good and bad guys, whites, Mexican and Indian kids, and his friend and Mentor Sheriff Diablo. and again as a grown man, working first in a mine to get a little experience and a new truck, and then a couple of years in the Border Patrol - USCBP for training and experience, working a time with the Tucson Arizona PD, again for the experience, before joining his hometown Safford, AZ PD, his ultimate career goal, working under his lifetime friend and supporter Sheriff Diablo. A good tale, with personable characters, a well-hidden, intense mystery, well-defined environment, and realistic, professional police action. This is a series I am pleased to recommend to friends and family.
It was this novel that helped me 'find' Mark Reps. This whole series is really special. I thoroughly enjoyed my binge read of Reps. And through him, I found this book and these other two western writers...
REVIEWED on February 12, 2025, at Goodreads. On February 13 at AmazonSmile, but not available for sale or review at BookBub, B&N, or Kobo.
Missing in Montana, a novella from the Jim Buchanan Series and #3 in Western Justice: Three Western Writers, Three Mystery Novellas/. I did not make it far into this novella before I gave it up. Too dark for me - child molestation and religious extremism turned me off pretty fast.
Did not Review 3/17/25
REVIEWED on March 16, 2025 at Goodreads, and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BookBub, or Kobo.
Native Roots #.05 in the Zeb Hanks Mystery Series by Mark Reps available at Kindle Unlimited and #2 in the Western Justice: Three Western Writers - Three Mystery Novellas, is a fairly short introduction into the life and career of Zeb Hanks in and around his home state of Arizona, in two parts. We are with him in his small southwestern town in Arizona as a youngster 30 years ago, making his way among good and bad guys, whites, Mexican and Indian kids, and his friend and Mentor Sheriff Diablo. and again as a grown man, working first in a mine to get a little experience and a new truck, and then a couple of years in the Border Patrol - USCBP for training and experience, working a time with the Tucson Arizona PD, again for the experience, before joining his hometown Safford, AZ PD, his ultimate career goal, working under his lifetime friend and supporter Sheriff Diablo. A good tale, with personable characters, a well-hidden, intense mystery, well-defined environment, and realistic, professional police action. This is a series I am pleased to recommend to friends and family.
It was this novel that helped me 'find' Mark Reps. This whole series is really special. I thoroughly enjoyed my binge read of Reps. And through him, I found this book and these other two western writers...
REVIEWED on February 12, 2025, at Goodreads. On February 13 at AmazonSmile, but not available for sale or review at BookBub, B&N, or Kobo.
Missing in Montana, a novella from the Jim Buchanan Series and #3 in Western Justice: Three Western Writers, Three Mystery Novellas/. I did not make it far into this novella before I gave it up. Too dark for me - child molestation and religious extremism turned me off pretty fast.
Did not Review 3/17/25
January 28, 2020
Three books to keep you entertained. Two of the books very well written stories involving American Natives. One I had already read but it was good enough to read it a second time. Characters that you will relate to and remember for awhile. The last book in involved with a cult and it keep me reading all day neglecting what I should have been doing. 3 well written books, 3 different writers.
October 29, 2018
Great intro to three new writers
I love mysteries and these are three terrific ones! Set out west and with lots of interaction between law enforcement and Native American character, the action is plenty!
I love mysteries and these are three terrific ones! Set out west and with lots of interaction between law enforcement and Native American character, the action is plenty!
November 5, 2018
I enjoyed each of the books, I've read all of Mark Reps books and loved them. I now have two more authors to enjoy. I think you will enjoy all three books they hold you interest and have some different endings.
November 4, 2019
Western Justice
Unfortunately I'm only remembering the last story and it was too much stuff to brainwash someone to the ways of a cult. I didn't read it all but glanced to the parts I was most interested in.
Unfortunately I'm only remembering the last story and it was too much stuff to brainwash someone to the ways of a cult. I didn't read it all but glanced to the parts I was most interested in.
November 1, 2020
Three tastes for your enjoyment
I knew of Mark Reps. I love his blend of mystery / with a great blend of native Americans. His stories keep me reading at a great pace
I had never read R. Lawson or Feel!is F. Giordano I will make it a point to include them in those I read
I knew of Mark Reps. I love his blend of mystery / with a great blend of native Americans. His stories keep me reading at a great pace
I had never read R. Lawson or Feel!is F. Giordano I will make it a point to include them in those I read
March 3, 2019
Good
This series is one that shows how people in the FBI and police on Indian reservations work together to justice.
This series is one that shows how people in the FBI and police on Indian reservations work together to justice.
March 7, 2019
Really enjoyed it.
January 10, 2020
3 excellent novels
3 authors, 3 novels, 3 enthralling trips to places you've probably never been.
I highly recommend this book and am off to find more by these authors.
3 authors, 3 novels, 3 enthralling trips to places you've probably never been.
I highly recommend this book and am off to find more by these authors.
February 12, 2020
Brings back memories of my childhood in the Southwest. Held my interest and made me a bit homesick. Good fun read.
August 30, 2020
Western Justice.
Well it was different. Why did they not do something to her Dad? He was certainly not fit to lead the people of his state.
Well it was different. Why did they not do something to her Dad? He was certainly not fit to lead the people of his state.
September 12, 2020
Pretty good.
December 27, 2022
While not as much a feel of home for me as Tony Hillerman, I would definitely give the first book in each of these series a try.
Read
August 3, 2020The first 2 were well - written and edited/proofread well. The 3rd was not!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews