The Fires of Blackstone

Buck Trammel #4

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

The fourth action-packed historical Western from national bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone featuring Buck Trammel, former Pinkerton-turned-Wyoming Territory lawman! Keeper of the peace, enforcer of the law, Buck Trammel has faced every kind of killer, outlaw, and prairie rat that’s crawled from the depraved depths of America’s western frontier—with a quick draw and a clean conscience … “King” Charles Hagen is dead. The empire he carved out of Blackstone, Wyoming, by hook and by crook now lies in the hands of his children. Caleb Hagen has long stood in his father’s shadow, ambitiously plotting, and ready to stake his claim. Young and impetuous Bart Hagen plans to expand the family legacy across the nation. Debora Hagen’s ruthless nature believes the time has come for a queen to reign over the Hagen kingdom. Only Adam, their estranged brother, has a different plan. His vengeance against their father requires him to tear down everything “King” Hagen ever built, even if that means shedding family blood. But none of the siblings reckoned that bloodthirsty crime honcho Lucien Clay was prepared to send a murderous pack of gunslingers against them all for control of the territory. Blackstone has been ruled by lawlessness long enough. The town is Buck Trammel’s jurisdiction. And he will protect it as judge, jury, and executioner … Johnstone Country. Where the Sun Never Sets on Justice.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 26, 2022

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

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buck Trammel is back trying to keep the peace in Blackstone in The Fires of Blackstone by William W. Johnstone and J. A. Johnstone. The whole clan of Hagen is gathering for a court hearing about the will that gave Adam all his fathers holdings. Buck is trying his hardest to balance right and wrong but he is offered a new job in Laramie and if he takes it hell will descend on the little town. This is a great little western with both action and humor. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and #Pinnacle that gave me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #FiresOfBlackstone #BuckTrammel #WilliamWJohnstone #JAJohnstone

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent series so far. This one was pretty good, but not quite 4 stars. Lots of repetitive narration about being careful, taking it easy, watching your back, etc. We get the point.

However, this did not detract too much from a solid story, and pretty involved with many characters at play, with Sheriff Buck Trammel caught in between.

Buck's so-called friendship with Adam Hagen, who has been around since the 1st book continues to be a thorn in the flesh. The Hagen family, those estranged from Adam, have lawyers and guns-for-hire to see that their estate is rightfully theirs in Blackstone. Meanwhile, the wealthy to do, but no good Clay Lucien in Laramie also has a part to play in this western soap opera.

This story actually had less gun-play and more working 3 sides of a story. The title has some relevance obviously, but a lot of the action takes place in Laramie.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Westerns are not my cup of tea, but I did find it pretty good to not put down. It is part of a series with the recurring characters in Blackstone and Laramie, Wyoming in the 1880s, but you can follow it without having to read the others. Buck Trammel is a lawman with his sense of justice and knows how to keep people in check. Of course, his work is cut out for him when the Hagan family is out for blood in contesting their father's will when the black sheep Adam Hagan is left everything in their empire. What follows is blackmail, murder for hire, an assassination, a wild trial, and a shootout. There was a lot of action to keep the story going. The Hagans are nasty and even Adam doesn't have clean hands. Would I continue the series? No. But it was a fun summer read.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buck is the Sheriff of Blackstone which is a short distance from Laramie, Wyoming. His best friend is a wealthy man, but is a liar, cheat and dishonest, but he is a loyal friend. He forged a will from his father which disinherited the remaining siblings. Buck upholds the law and to get him out of Blackstone, the family has him appointed Sheriff of Laramie. The former Sheriff became the U.S. Marshal but he is assassinated while leaving City Hall. Buck is seeking a murderer and His best friend is in court because the rest of the family is contesting the will. The problems will merge and it is a wild ride. Thankfully, this is not a shoot them up Western. It is exciting and plenty of twists and turns.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it just me or has there been some retconning in the last two books? Adam was originally the eldest child and now he's not? Adam gave Buck his nickname when originally Buck barely knew him before he had to rescue him and back then everyone was already calling him Buck? I don't mind -- the story about how Adam named him Buck was sweet -- but I'm surprised.

It's still an enjoyable story and I love the Buck-And-Adam show. ❤️

[William M. Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't get caught in ripoff book 5

You can download book 5 with prime for free, but in the middle it wants $6.40 for the rest of the book. I was enjoying the series but don't like getting trapped in games like this. No integrity. Don't take the trap. If I wanted rip offs I wouldn't have paid for prime!!!

[William Crisp]

One of his best.

Not sure exactly wrote this Buck Trammel series, but it is a cut above the average Johnstone novel. The plot, character development and flow of the story are very good. A solid recommendation to read this book and the series.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

This series has so many twists ait figuredout thend turns it's likea spinning top. The minute you think you've got it figured out it changes direction, excellent reading.

[Roy Mims · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buck Trammel,

The story was not easy to followed alone as, Will Tanner story in the previous four book. I founded it a common thing for wealth families plot for power when there a large estate at hand. Over all I enjoyed the reading.

[Wanda Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was a very incredible book about Buck and Adam trying to claim his family home and businesses from his entire family. A murder is added to the mix.

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

I enjoyed reading this book. Lots of action. Hard to put the book down. Would recommend to everyone. Can't wait for the next book.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fast-paced story. The first 45% of the story was slow, but it did finally pick up to be more interesting.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series!

Love this series, the author has created a collection of the best sheriff stories in it! The ending was perfect!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refreshing,

Hadn't read a western in a while.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-16. Boy Howdy. This is an action packed adventure, filled with villains, cowboys, lawyers and judges. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Hoopla app.