The Devil's Boneyard

Ben Savage, Saloon Ranger #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

At the Lost Coyote Saloon, you can bet your bottom dollar that some lowlife will try to cheat you, beat you, or defeat you. But bar owner Ben Savage won’t let a few bad customers ruin a good time. And he’s got the guns to prove it . . .JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. HOTTER THAN HADES.DRINK WITH THE DEVIL Located in the bullet-riddled heart of Texas, the Lost Coyote Saloon in the town of Buzzard’s Bluff, is a magnet for drifters, grifters, and outlaws on the run. That’s why the bar’s manager, the beautiful Rachel Baskin, is glad the new owner is Ben Savage. A former Texas Ranger with a fast draw and low threshold for trouble, Savage knows how to keep the peace. But when  notorious hellraiser Malcolm Hazzard is released from prison—and heading to Buzzard’s Bluff to kill the local sheriff—the whole town knows the lawman doesn’t have a prayer. There’s only one way to stop a devil like Hazzard. It’s hard. It’s mean. And it’s Savage . . . Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2020

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

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Savage, a semi-retired Texas Ranger, just wants to be left alone to run his bar in the small town of Buzzard’s Bluff. When three outlaws show up to gun down the local sheriff they end up stealing Ben’s horse. That was the worst mistake they could have made. Now Savage is on their trail for vengeance. Entertaining classic western action and adventure that ranges from Navasota to Waco and Austin.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnstone's The Devil's Boneyard (Pinnacle Books 2020), Book 2 in the Ben Savage Saloon Ranger series, is another good story in this series, my current favorite in the Johnstone Universe. Outlaws shoot the Sheriff in Ben's small hometown of Buzzard's Bluff and then escape on Ben's horse, Cousin, because he is not only handy but speedy. That's their first mistake because it assures them that Ben will chase them until he catches them. Ben's had Cousin for, well, a long time. Stealing this horse is like kidnapping a member of Ben's family. He dogs their trail until he catches them, recovers Cousin, not knowing that these particular outlaws also stole $20,000 from a local bank. He captures whoever remains of the outlaws (they resisted arrest), recovers the money, and leaves the rest to the US Marshall's. But, as things often work in the Old West, the last remaining outlaw escapes with the money and again, with Cousin. Ben doesn't care about the money but once again, he's not giving up his horse.

I’m sad to have finished it this in record time. Now I have to wait for the next. Highly recommended.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great classic western, well developed characters. Fast paced and witty writing, with just a touch of humor, easily envisioning to dusty Wild West in my minds eye as I read this great story.

Retired Texas Ranger, Ben Savage is a force to be reckoned with....especially if you steal his horse, ”Cousin”. There’s good guys, outlaws, bank robbers, horse thieves, a underhanded-greedy sheriff, and oh, a special woman who is Ben's business partner back in Buzzard’s Bluff at a saloon called the Lost Coyote. Yes, Ben does indeed have his hands full, especially when a couple of the wrong types of fellas come to town to try to even a score with the town’s Sheriff, Mack. But they should of followed the rules and took off their guns, before trying to get something eat. Now all heck is gonna break loose!

What an enjoyable read! If you like Western genre, then you won’t be disappointed in this one. I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel approach to the standard hero. A Texas Ranger who becomes a saloon owner but still does some rangering. It's actually really good although in this one I think he spends not enough time in his saloon. I think the parts where he is in his new hometown are the funniest and the best. I understand that if he is going to keep up his ranger status he has to move about. Still it is a western and I like those. I have to as usual thank #Pinnacle #Netgalley and #KensingtonBooks for giving me this copy.

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pleasant, fast-paced, well-plotted western with a string of criminals and plenty of action. Some of the dialogue is witty, and the descriptive writing puts the reader in the scenes. This is a traditional style western with interesting characters that is at heart a crime-suspense story.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a well written western. Those that have lines between the good guys and the bad guys but the lines sometimes get crossed. They are set in communities that rely on the bravery of a few men to keep their home and families safe. The back stories are authentic, people moved west to get away from something or to run towards something, the journey was grueling and often deadly so it was not for everyone. Yes, I'm describing the Johnstone books. The only reason to read the jacket synopsis on a book with a Johnstone author is to see which of their famous characters is telling this story.

THE DEVIL'S BONEYARD features Ben Savage, former Pinkerton agent, former Texas Ranger, current bar owner and a man not afraid to protect what is his. A bank robbery concludes with the shooting of the sheriff and the theft of Ben's horse, both actions sure to cause Ben to act. The book is set in the Texas desert and the chase a long one, so the action will keep coming until the last bad guy bites the dust and Ben's horse is back in the stable.

Pick any Johnstone series and they are an entertaining read. Each book can be read as a stand alone but the stories are so much richer if you've been following the characters as they settle the west.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book of the Ben Savage series. He is suppose to be a retired Texas Ranger and is now a saloon owner in the town of Buzzard's Bluff, although he doesn't spend much time there in this book. Fortunately he has a female partner in the ownership of the saloon who runs the day to day operation so he can continue his duties as a Texas Ranger in this story. A lot goes on with his horse getting stolen twice, a bank being robbed of $20 grand with lots of people wanting that money. Of course if the main character of the book, Ben Savage would keep his mouth shut over telling people about it, that would have stopped a lot of trouble he had. There is a crooked sheriff from the town of Waco, escaped prisoner, two murdered US marshal deputies, a old church building being a "hide out" for outlaws. Pretty good story. But two things I wondered about. Ben Savages throws a lite lantern in the river? WTH? Slim Dickens name is used in the book. Name is very close to the great Slim Pickens don't you think?

[Ron D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Solid Western

I read both books in the Ben Savage series. I think Ben is a solid, decent character; but lacks the drive of most regular men. He apparently has no interest in female companionship; which makes him a unicorn. The other characters, which are plenty; seem real to life. Both plots are action packed and keep you engaged in the story line. The scene settings are a little light for me. I could have used more both in town and in the country. I would consider reading a future book in the series.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What wonderful old style Westerns

All of William, and J.A Johnstone’s books I have read are like an c.1940’s Republic Studio western. In your minds eye you see the black and white images crime busting Sheriff, Marshall, range detective doing their job with 6 guns blasting. Highly recommend.

[Eric Troup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first book, but still a solid read.

I’m not sure why, but this book didn’t hold my interest as well as the first in this series. I still enjoyed it; just not quite as much. Maybe the author felt similarly; far as I know, there’s no third book.

[Barry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

As usual the book has been a great read. From the very beginning I was involved with the characters in the story. It was captivating and interesting to follow the story. It is a great story.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale

A fast-paced action tale with many twists and turns to keep you guessing. The storyline is so different from what you'd expect but kept the pages turning. Well I'm off to read the third book in the series.

[Charity Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Boneyard: A Ben Savage, Saloon Ranger Western by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone was a Great Fireside Read!

There was no shortage of small-town charm, colorful characters, or shootouts.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great enjoyable read, I'm waiting for the next book on the series of Ben Savage.....

[Margean S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Boneyard and hope to see some more of Ben Savage!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed catching up on the next book from the Ben Savage, Saloon Ranger series. The second installment The Devil's Boneyard does not disappoint and deserves five stars.

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical Johnstone book. A slow, ponderous opening, then an exciting ending. A fun read.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savage

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first book in the series, I really did enjoy it, a pleasant surprise. I like a good western read to fall back on after reading my more serious books.

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoy westerns, I generally find Johnstone's westerns to be a tad too formulaic. This one had twists and turns I was not expecting. So it was better than most.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s such a great series, I can hardly wait to start the next book. Ben Savage is a semi-retired Ranger and half owner of a Saloon in Buzzard’s Bluff, Texas. He hangs around the saloon, helps the local Sheriff when needed, and takes off to do some Ranger work when trouble calls. We love a great western in this household and this book is perfect. There are gun battles, bank robbers, and along the way, nice people. Thanks for an excellent storyline.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-11 I enjoyed this western series. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Hoopla app