Hell on the Border: The Bass Reeves Trilogy, Book Two

The Bass Reeves Trilogy #2

by Sidney Thompson

2022 Oklahoma Book Awards Finalist for Fiction from the Oklahoma Center for the Book
2021 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist for Western Fiction 
2021 American Book Fest Award Finalist for Historical Fiction


Set in 1884, Hell on the Border tells the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves at the peak of his historic career. Famous for being a crack shot as well as for his nonviolent tendencies, Reeves uses his African American race to his strategic advantage. Along with a tramp or cowboy disguise, Reeves appears so nonthreatening that he often positions himself close enough to the outlaws he is pursuing to arrest them without bloodshed.

After a series of heroic feats of capturing and killing infamous outlaws--most notably Jim Webb--and an introduction to Belle Starr, Reeves finds himself in the Fort Smith jail, charged with murder. This second book in the Bass Reeves Trilogy investigates what really happened when Reeves made the greatest mistake of his life on the heels of his greatest achievements.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Fiction, African American

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2021

About the author

The first two novels in THE BASS REEVES TRILOGY--FOLLOW THE ANGELS, FOLLOW THE DOVES (2020) & HELL ON THE BORDER (2021)--inspired the 2023 Paramount+ miniseries LAWMEN: BASS REEVES (produced by Taylor Sheridan & starring Golden-Globe nominee David Oyelowo, Dennis Quaid, and Donald Sutherland). I was a Creative Consultant with the show. Book Three, THE FORSAKEN AND THE DEAD, was published in 2023. This bestselling trilogy has received numerous honors for preserving whitewashed cultural history.

Though enslaved for the first 22 years of his life, Bass Reeves rose to epic heights as the most successful and feared lawman in the Old West. The trilogy narrates his life story.

My other books include a middle-grade novel, KUDZU'S ENORMOUS NEW LIFE, which features a cast of animal characters and an autistic boy who live on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta. Margaret McMullan, author of Where the Angels Lived and How I Found the Strong, said, "Think E.B. White and Beatrice Potter. Kudzu’s Enormous New Life will be a classic." The book was nominated for the 2022 Mississippi Institute of Arts & Letters Book Award for Youth Literature, was a finalist for the 2021 American Book Fest Award for Children's Fiction, and was a 2023 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner for Animals/Pets, Middle Grade Fiction, & Special Needs/Disability Awareness.

In addition: YOU/WEE: POEMS FROM A FATHER (2018) and SIDESHOW: STORIES, winner of Foreword INDIES Silver Award for Short Story Collection of the Year (2006).

I earned an MFA in creative writing at the University of Arkansas and a PhD in American literature/African-American narratives at the University of North Texas, and now teach creative writing and African-American literature at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written historical fiction based on the life of an African-American deputy marshal in the Old West. We go from story to story of his experiences hunting down wanted men. We spend some time with his family at home too.

I will say Bass aggravated me some for taking too long to respond to gunfire or lethal individuals. It cost two horses and a sweet puppy their lives just because he was so slow to act. I can’t stand animal abuse so I am not completely enamored of the marshal, no, not 100%.

I also found his mind meanderings and mouth mumblings with God and about God frustrating. Is it God, is it fate, is it nothing at all? What should I do? Why is there a sudden cloud over the moon? Why did I miss my shot? What is God saying by that? Is he breaking my gift at shooting accuracy to tell me something? To humble me? Drove me crazy.

Nevertheless the story is very good. Four stars.

This is Book 2 of a trilogy. I had not read Book 1 but was still well able to follow the plot. You may want to read Book 1 first though for continuity.

[Marlin Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell on the Border, the second book of Sidney Thompson's The Bass Reeves Trilogy, is a powerful continuation of the story Thompson began with Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves. Both novels are historical fiction at its finest, examining the past and indirectly commenting on the present. In some ways Bass Reeves, who was a Black lawman in the late 1800s, is a larger-than-life figure, and histories of his life have been written, but it's Thompson's job as a novelist to present him as a complex and flawed character. When Reeves is jailed for the murder of another Black man, a friend to Reeves, there are no easy answers to explain what happened, neither legally nor morally and spiritually within Reeves. Thompson takes us where historians can't, into the mind and soul of the character, and he does so with keen insight and rich language. I can't wait to read the final book.

[Heidi Cephus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell on the Border continues the story of the lawman Bass Reeves, which Thompson so told elegantly in Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves. This second book of the Bass Reeves Trilogy captured my interest from page 1 and did not disappoint. In Hell on the Border, Thompson balances Reeves' superhuman accomplishments with a reminder that Reeves is, in fact, human after all.

[Julie Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Enjoyed the second book of the Bass Reeves trilogy by Sidney Thompson. Compelling story that keeps your interest. Can’t wait for the third book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graciously received a free copy through good reads.

I didn't read the first book, but don't feel like I needed to. This book starts out with a great story of Bass trying to catch wanted men and hooked me from the beginning. For black history month, this is a great read of one of the first black US marshals.

It did leave on a cliffhanger because there is a book 3, but I couldn't wait to find out so I'm glad I was able to google him to find out what happened.

[Lone Star Literary Life]

Reviewed by Si Dunn for Lone Star Literary Life.

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hell on the Border: The Bass Reeves Trilogy, Book Two is a riveting journey into the life of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, skillfully set against the backdrop of 1884. At the zenith of his historic career, Reeves's reputation as a crack shot with nonviolent tendencies becomes a strategic asset, particularly given his African American heritage. The novel compellingly explores Reeves's ingenious use of disguises and his ability to position himself close to outlaws without instigating violence. With a series of heroic feats, including the capturing and killing of infamous outlaws like Jim Webb, Reeves cements his legacy. However, the narrative takes a gripping turn as Reeves finds himself in the Fort Smith jail, charged with murder. This second installment in the Bass Reeves Trilogy delves into the complexities of Reeves's character, investigating the events surrounding his greatest mistake on the heels of his most significant achievements. Rich in historical detail and expertly woven storytelling, Hell on the Border stands as a finalist for prestigious awards, showcasing its exceptional contribution to the realms of fiction, western, and historical literature.

[Dacy Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marked improvement over Thompson’s first book in the Bass Reeves trilogy, this book has Bass as a US Deputy Marshal, hunting down several fugitives in Indian Territory. He accidentally kills his cook in Chickasaw Nation, then sits in jail for a charge of murder as the book ends. This murder happens about 10 miles from where my family lives in Garvin County, so I will check it out sometime. I enjoyed Sidney Thompson’s pace in this book, keeping it interesting and presenting asides that make you picture what life is like in those days in a place as lawless as 19th Century Indian Territory.

[Kent Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to the legend of Bass Reeves, deputy US Marshal when we lived in Arkansas. He lived in the town of Van Buren, about a mile or so from our house back in the late 1800s. His stories, as told by Sidney Thompson, are so rich and inspiring- even though we know so little about him. Read this 3 book series and Bass Reeves will be on your mind when the next black history month comes around.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only marginally better than the first book. In that audiobook, I pitied the Black narrator because of how often Thompson uses the n word. I thought Thompson overdid it, for all my love of historical authenticity, no matter how ugly. In this audiobook, apparently the publishers insisted that the narrator say "n word" instead of the actual word. It sounds ridiculous.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. This one ended in a cliffhanger, but luckily, I have streamed the tv series, so I am not panicking. It starts about 10 years after the first book ended, so we gradually learn through flashbacks what Bass has been doing in those 10 years. Looking forward to reading the last of the series.

[Alan Spinrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as volume 1. The book is disjointed and proceeds fitfully and redundantly. The story of Reeves, now as more of a bounty hunter than deputy sheriff, remains interesting though there is a huge gap between volume 1 and volume 2.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping book two would follow the ending of book one. There appears to be decades between the two with no connective tissue. No explanation of how he got from the last moments of book one to a prominent lawman.

[Brian Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made a quick read of this on a two-day camping trip. Well written, well-paced, and left me looking for the next book in the trilogy.

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right after the civil war a black sherrif, who is very quick with his guns, is followed by men seeking his life. Very action packed.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remind myself that it’s historical fiction but find looking for details that are true keeps me interested. Excited to learn what happens to Bass in the 3rd book.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating life, Bass Reeves. Tough read, this second book in the trilogy, with so much angst. I would have liked to read more about his man hunting adventures and prowess.

[Jeanie Lydick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series.

[EggSalad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not finish.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been 4 except for the cliffhanger ending

[Peter Nielsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Bass Reeves trilogy gives you a look into the middle of his life as a
deputy marshall.

[Kirk Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good second act to a great first. Mired by some abrupt back and forth time changes, it still ended spectacularly. Looking forward to the third act finale.