The Knack

by Will Astrike

THE KNACK SynopsisFrank Bass is a U.S. Deputy Marshal on leave from his district in El Paso, Texas, when he's asked by an old friend in Cheyenne to investigate a brutal rape and beating of a young girl in Torrington, Wyoming. Bass agrees to travel from Cheyenne to Torrington with the girl's beautiful Aunt Sally Bloom, and during that trip, their friendship becomes romantic, and eventually, a loving relationship develops. During the story, Bass explains the origin of the Buffalo Robe he carries with him and how it has become a symbol of his notoriety. Colorful characters come and go adding humor and insights into prairie life in the 1880s. Crooked lawmen and a particularly villainous rancher round out the cast of The Knack. The conclusion is unexpected, satisfying, and a lead-in to the next story in the Buffalo Robe Bass series. ReviewsMeet Buffalo Robe Bass, the Crocodile Dundee of Wyoming Territory. But wait…his lady friend, Sally Bloom, is every bit his match. This sleuthing pair make The Knack an entertaining debut mystery that brings the Old West back to life, keeps you guessing until the last page, and leaves you hoping that Bass and Bloom and company will soon ride again. –Margaret Coel, New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Child.The Knack. Just when we need a new hero, up rides Deputy Marshall Frank Bass—a.k.a., Buffalo Robe Bass, “probably the most famous lawmen there is.” Turns out author Will Astrike’s Bass has “the knack,” not only for gently wooing a formidable woman—his companion, Sally Bloom—while carefully guarding her reputation; but Bass can and will perform righteous deeds like dispatching three outlaws in one fiery encounter. And how does he distract the bandits? By telling them a joke.The reader has to admire Astrike’s courage as a writer for tackling the Western genre in his debut novel. It requires a keen eye for period detail ranging from saloons to saddles, as well as a landscape artist’s sense of place. Astrike’s The Knack is set in Eastern Wyoming in the late nineteenth century, and as a writer who lives in Wyoming and writes about the West, I can honestly say he nails lock, stock, and barrel. Speaking of new heroes, when you think Will Astrike, think early Elmore Leonard. - Gregory Zeigler - Author of The Jake Goddard and Susan Brand Thrillers“Deputy Marshall Frank Bass is handsome and sexy, every woman’s dream man! And Sally Bloom is his perfect match. Together they ride the Wild West, making sure the bad guys are brought to justice. Astrike’s attention to detail and historical accuracy is impeccable. Readers will find themselves absorbed in the West of the late 19th century, and the suspense of what happens next will keep them turning the pages well into the night.” - Pamela Dehnke, Author of The Diary of An Extraordinarily Ordinary Woman Fabulous! I’ve always enjoyed cinematic Westerns. But, I’m a newcomer to Historical Western novels, and the Knack was an outstanding introduction to the genre for me. Astrike has a knack for bringing characters to life and providing them colorful personalities, enthralling interactions, and realistic and well-developed motives. The main character, Bass, is a bad-a**, with a fun whit to boot. Astrike’s attention to historical accuracy and detail drew me right into another time. - Glade WI enjoy mystery novels and love stories. Having not read much in the Western genre, I was pleasantly surprised how The Knack gripped me from the first page. I felt like I was there in the 1880s with Bass and the other vivid characters. As the mystery kept me in suspense and the love story developed, I found that I also learned a little on each page about life on the Wyoming frontier. The Knack is a thoroughly enjoyable read. - Peter F.

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2020

Reviews

[Barry Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unnecessary profanity

I read a lot, several books every week, many of them about the old west, mountain men, rangers and so forth.
There are many of these Western authors that I've read every book they have written, some well more than a hundred books.
I thought I would check out this new author, Will Astrike. The stories sounded interesting.
But one thing I will not tolerate is an author using the Lord's name in profanity.
Besides, it adds absolutely nothing to the story.
So I have learned to search through the books I purchase prior to reading them, as I did with this book. Sadly it is filled with profanity using God's holy name.
As I've said in other reviews, I'm sure many characters in the old west used plenty of profanity but it is completely unnecessary in a book.
Mr Astrike you have lost a reader even before reading the first page.
I know for sure that many readers agree with me, this profanity is not needed and not wanted.

[Elizabeth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knack

The Frank ' Buffalo Robe ' Bass series book one. I loved this character. He's everything you would want your hero to be. The storyline is great too! Keeps you reading wondering what will happen next. This is the first first book I've read by this author, I'll be looking for more.

[Scott Vestal · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st time reading this Author!

I loved the complex story..and I had no idea who actually harmed the little girl. I sure did enjoy the characters of The Deputy Marshall...who would not fall for Sally! Great read

[Charles Bussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

So, US Deputy Marshall Frank Bass, an interesting fellow and a good man, but not someone you want to get sidewise with. This is a new twist on the western story but it works. An excellent read that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. I look forward to the next in this series.

[Geraldine E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

many stories in one

This book could seem tedious to some, however, each event is a well told story on its own…bringing to fruition the ending which is a melding of the saga…I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

[Joseph A. Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth it

Twists and turns enjoy as able a and glad I read i rtf. Truly enjoy a d!the and hope y

[carolyn s muckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean up hour books NO More cuss WORDS

Why do you have to use the F word in your book all the time ? Loved the story just good clean and funny .if it

[Bill Pupkis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this 1st, then the next 2.

This is a series of 3 books. All very good reads. Sufficient detail to understand who is the characters are and where it all happens. Enjoy...