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Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter #1
Trouble By Any Name
Jacob Payne, bounty hunter, is on the trail in the Arizona Territory.
The town of San Adrian has been taken over by an outlaw, a wife-murderer, and violent man who won't succumb to Jacob's usual methods.
He must protect the sheriff's widow, the townspeople, and himself all while unmasking this despicable character.
If you love traditional westerns, with noble men fighting for what's right, you're going to love Jacob Payne.
This novella is 15,000 words and can be read in one sitting!
The town of San Adrian has been taken over by an outlaw, a wife-murderer, and violent man who won't succumb to Jacob's usual methods.
He must protect the sheriff's widow, the townspeople, and himself all while unmasking this despicable character.
If you love traditional westerns, with noble men fighting for what's right, you're going to love Jacob Payne.
This novella is 15,000 words and can be read in one sitting!
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
310 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 14, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this Western novella. Found it to be unique in that justice can prevail with intelligence and town cooperation instead of always at the end of a gun barrel. Satisfying ending. 👍
April 8, 2020
The new sheriff of San Adrian is ruling the town with an iron fist. But what his deputies and the nervous townsfolk don't know is that the man posing as sheriff is a man on the run from the law, wanted for the murder of his wife. It's up to bounty hunter Jacob Payne to expose the outlaw for who he is in Trouble By Any Name by author A.T. Butler.
Yup. I had a hankerin' to read me a Western.
Yup. Jacob Payne's story gets violent at the climax. Even so, I found it to be the easy and unsurprising but entertaining read I needed for some relaxation. The pace is good for its novella (or novelette) length, like an episode of a TV show instead of a movie. There's a vague point or two where the story would make more sense with a little explanation, but it isn't the biggest deal. Some mild colorful language pops up here and there, but there's nothing R-rated.
Now, the style does get to be a bit much in places where the drama heightens, with the men's glaring and growling and such, but the read wasn't too corny for me overall. There are also a few errors (such as the word "snuggly" where it should say "snugly," and a couple of places where the author gets the characters' names/identities mixed up), but I was only mildly distracted by that.
Yup. I intend to read more in the Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter series.
Yup. I had a hankerin' to read me a Western.
Yup. Jacob Payne's story gets violent at the climax. Even so, I found it to be the easy and unsurprising but entertaining read I needed for some relaxation. The pace is good for its novella (or novelette) length, like an episode of a TV show instead of a movie. There's a vague point or two where the story would make more sense with a little explanation, but it isn't the biggest deal. Some mild colorful language pops up here and there, but there's nothing R-rated.
Now, the style does get to be a bit much in places where the drama heightens, with the men's glaring and growling and such, but the read wasn't too corny for me overall. There are also a few errors (such as the word "snuggly" where it should say "snugly," and a couple of places where the author gets the characters' names/identities mixed up), but I was only mildly distracted by that.
Yup. I intend to read more in the Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter series.
October 6, 2018
Classic Western Tale
This is so much like the classic television western, 'The Restless Gun'. In fact, that late 1950's series was written by and starred John Payne and I wonder if that is a coincidence. The story does not have overtly graphic violence or sex. And our hero rides off into the sunset after doing so much more than what was necessary. The whole story has the feel of the classic western. The characters are all written to be real people with honest motivations and emotions. The plot is tight!. I am excited to read more of these stories. I bought this book and this is my honest review.
This is so much like the classic television western, 'The Restless Gun'. In fact, that late 1950's series was written by and starred John Payne and I wonder if that is a coincidence. The story does not have overtly graphic violence or sex. And our hero rides off into the sunset after doing so much more than what was necessary. The whole story has the feel of the classic western. The characters are all written to be real people with honest motivations and emotions. The plot is tight!. I am excited to read more of these stories. I bought this book and this is my honest review.
June 1, 2021
Good short story
Well written and interesting. Seems a little unreal the way Jacob went about catching the bad guy. Maybe it could happen.
Well written and interesting. Seems a little unreal the way Jacob went about catching the bad guy. Maybe it could happen.
May 12, 2021
This was my first Western. Being a novella this book is a really fast read -or listen to if you're using audiobooks from chirp or other audiobook websites/apps.
For the price and how short it was, I figured why not use this as a stepping stone into the world of westerns that I have been thinking about reading.
It played out like any other western movie I saw growing up or John Wayne movie. It was quick it was fast and it was enjoyable, remind me of Gunsmoke abet with being a bounty hunter and all.
For the price and how short it was, I figured why not use this as a stepping stone into the world of westerns that I have been thinking about reading.
It played out like any other western movie I saw growing up or John Wayne movie. It was quick it was fast and it was enjoyable, remind me of Gunsmoke abet with being a bounty hunter and all.
October 1, 2021
Butler weaves his own details around the tropes of classic Westerns, creating an engaging tale of frontier action and clear morals.
While dropping off his latest bounty with the authorities, Jacob Payne hears a rumour a man matching the description of a wanted murderer has been seen in nearby San Adrian, Arizona; unfortunately, it also says he’s the sheriff. As soon as Jacob reaches San Adrian, he’s certain he’s found his man; but with no evidence and even those residents who’ve got on the new sheriff’s bad side unwilling to get involved, how can he bring him in?
This novella echoes traditional westerns: there is no extended introspection over whether the new sheriff is the wanted man or not; instead, he appears shortly after Jacob’s arrival flanked by disreputable types, reacts to Jacob with petty threats and falsehoods, and—just to be certain it is clear—has a beard that doesn’t quite hide a distinctive scar; equally, Jacob as a hero, doesn’t hide why he’s in San Adrian or that he’s seen through the new identity; so, the plot proceeds in the narrow space between the sheriff not wanting to risk his hold on the town by openly acting against Jacob without cause and deciding Jacob is enough hassle to be worth doing something drastic.
As befits an archetypal contest between white and black hat, the novella is filled with tense face-offs, fast-paced action, and straight speaking. While creating a real sense of danger, the violence is not gratuitous and the language is clean.
Butler’s prose is plain but sometimes tends to the descriptive: characters do not merely see what is outside, they turn around, look out of the window, and see. Depending on reader preference this might create a distracting sense of over-explaining or evoke the lingering pans and cutting back and forth between faces from classic shows and movies.
Jacob is a simple—but not simplistic—protagonist, who is not stupid but approaches situations with directness and decency rather than deviousness or expediency. However, he is not preachy, and, while the moral thing usually works out, it does also make things harder, so he is unlikely to irritate those readers who prefer the heroes aren’t perfect.
The supporting cast are equally clear classic Western tropes: the bullying villain, the thuggish lackeys, the idealistic youth, the chaste young widow, and the honest townsfolk in need of a hero to save them. Although possessed of personality beyond the stereotypical, most will probably—like people the hero met in last week’s episode—not stick in the reader’s mind.
Overall, I enjoyed this novella. I recommend it to readers seeking a fast-paced tale of a decent man bringing a villain to justice.
While dropping off his latest bounty with the authorities, Jacob Payne hears a rumour a man matching the description of a wanted murderer has been seen in nearby San Adrian, Arizona; unfortunately, it also says he’s the sheriff. As soon as Jacob reaches San Adrian, he’s certain he’s found his man; but with no evidence and even those residents who’ve got on the new sheriff’s bad side unwilling to get involved, how can he bring him in?
This novella echoes traditional westerns: there is no extended introspection over whether the new sheriff is the wanted man or not; instead, he appears shortly after Jacob’s arrival flanked by disreputable types, reacts to Jacob with petty threats and falsehoods, and—just to be certain it is clear—has a beard that doesn’t quite hide a distinctive scar; equally, Jacob as a hero, doesn’t hide why he’s in San Adrian or that he’s seen through the new identity; so, the plot proceeds in the narrow space between the sheriff not wanting to risk his hold on the town by openly acting against Jacob without cause and deciding Jacob is enough hassle to be worth doing something drastic.
As befits an archetypal contest between white and black hat, the novella is filled with tense face-offs, fast-paced action, and straight speaking. While creating a real sense of danger, the violence is not gratuitous and the language is clean.
Butler’s prose is plain but sometimes tends to the descriptive: characters do not merely see what is outside, they turn around, look out of the window, and see. Depending on reader preference this might create a distracting sense of over-explaining or evoke the lingering pans and cutting back and forth between faces from classic shows and movies.
Jacob is a simple—but not simplistic—protagonist, who is not stupid but approaches situations with directness and decency rather than deviousness or expediency. However, he is not preachy, and, while the moral thing usually works out, it does also make things harder, so he is unlikely to irritate those readers who prefer the heroes aren’t perfect.
The supporting cast are equally clear classic Western tropes: the bullying villain, the thuggish lackeys, the idealistic youth, the chaste young widow, and the honest townsfolk in need of a hero to save them. Although possessed of personality beyond the stereotypical, most will probably—like people the hero met in last week’s episode—not stick in the reader’s mind.
Overall, I enjoyed this novella. I recommend it to readers seeking a fast-paced tale of a decent man bringing a villain to justice.
June 3, 2021
A pleasure to read.
A good Western is coming increasingly harder to find as so many of the newer authors fill their pages with profanity. This author proves that it is unneeded to tell a good story. I'll be glad to recommend this book to my friends. And I will be following this author to see what else is coming.
A good Western is coming increasingly harder to find as so many of the newer authors fill their pages with profanity. This author proves that it is unneeded to tell a good story. I'll be glad to recommend this book to my friends. And I will be following this author to see what else is coming.
February 9, 2025
Diverting Enough
A straight-forward mini-adventure featuring a bounty hunter in the Wild West.
The story lacks action and the majority of the plot twists fall flat as the reader isn’t informed of their previous development: the ‘bad guy’ of the story has already done his bad-guy stuff by the time the bounty hunter stumbles into the situation and abruptly decides to rectify it. It is a haphazard way of writing, and leaves the readers unable to invest in the outcome (which itself is anticlimactic). The reader simply doesn’t care about the characters much because they aren’t depicting as doing the things that are mean to engender any emotion; the only ‘bad guy’ move the bad guy even makes is to slap around a saloon owner. The reader finds out as the story progresses of the actions of the ‘bad guy’ but this would have best been presented by showing, not telling.
On the character development side of the secondary and tertiary characters, the writer does a much better job; within the short amount of space given to this story, the reader can easily sympathize with several of the characters, from the wildly dressed older inn-keeper to the recently-widowed aunt of a young deputy. The writer could have fleshed these characters out more and perhaps added more dimensions to the main protagonist along the way. As it is, Jacob Payne is a square-jawed heroic archetype of the rugged Wild West loner who drifts into town, does good deeds and then leaves, which is fine but given this is many reader’s first exposure to this character, a little more backstory (not to mention an actual shootout!), wouldn’t have gone amiss. All in all, a passable story with just barely enough meat on the bone to make readers give another instalment a chance.
A straight-forward mini-adventure featuring a bounty hunter in the Wild West.
The story lacks action and the majority of the plot twists fall flat as the reader isn’t informed of their previous development: the ‘bad guy’ of the story has already done his bad-guy stuff by the time the bounty hunter stumbles into the situation and abruptly decides to rectify it. It is a haphazard way of writing, and leaves the readers unable to invest in the outcome (which itself is anticlimactic). The reader simply doesn’t care about the characters much because they aren’t depicting as doing the things that are mean to engender any emotion; the only ‘bad guy’ move the bad guy even makes is to slap around a saloon owner. The reader finds out as the story progresses of the actions of the ‘bad guy’ but this would have best been presented by showing, not telling.
On the character development side of the secondary and tertiary characters, the writer does a much better job; within the short amount of space given to this story, the reader can easily sympathize with several of the characters, from the wildly dressed older inn-keeper to the recently-widowed aunt of a young deputy. The writer could have fleshed these characters out more and perhaps added more dimensions to the main protagonist along the way. As it is, Jacob Payne is a square-jawed heroic archetype of the rugged Wild West loner who drifts into town, does good deeds and then leaves, which is fine but given this is many reader’s first exposure to this character, a little more backstory (not to mention an actual shootout!), wouldn’t have gone amiss. All in all, a passable story with just barely enough meat on the bone to make readers give another instalment a chance.
March 2, 2018
JACOB PAYNE, BOUNTY HUNTER
Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter tall in height with wide shoulders that carry his load and yours if need be. He helped Sheriffs in small towns acting as their deputies to help track and capture wanted men. Fast moving action soaked and let's throw in detective work , asking questions, making inquiries about wanted men. Staking out the killer pretending to be someone else, when he was wanted for murder in Virginia.
Jacob Payne reminds me of Jess Williams, Jacob also gave the bounty money to the Sheriff's widow of San Adrian, whose husband was gut shoot/murdered by the pretending murdering Sheriff Jeremiah Horne aka Jeremiah Blanchard who immediately assumed the murdered Sheriff position. Great short novella, enjoyable if you like fast moving westerns...
Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter tall in height with wide shoulders that carry his load and yours if need be. He helped Sheriffs in small towns acting as their deputies to help track and capture wanted men. Fast moving action soaked and let's throw in detective work , asking questions, making inquiries about wanted men. Staking out the killer pretending to be someone else, when he was wanted for murder in Virginia.
Jacob Payne reminds me of Jess Williams, Jacob also gave the bounty money to the Sheriff's widow of San Adrian, whose husband was gut shoot/murdered by the pretending murdering Sheriff Jeremiah Horne aka Jeremiah Blanchard who immediately assumed the murdered Sheriff position. Great short novella, enjoyable if you like fast moving westerns...
May 19, 2021
I enjoyed the story and the old-fashioned decency displayed. I did note a few small phrases that I never heard before 1970, so I doubt they'd have been around in the "wild west" era, but I think they'll pass.
Jacob rides into town and soon declares to the wanted man his intention to bring him to justice. I'm suspending belief to accept that capturing a desperado could be such a quick affair, but it seems most of the bad guys were decent sorts at heart -- unlike the paid thugs you're apt to find these days.
This is a quick read, not delving deeply into the characters. The hero's smart and fearless; the villain's a mean old snake. Still, it was interesting enough to leave me wondering where Jacob's next adventure will take him.
Jacob rides into town and soon declares to the wanted man his intention to bring him to justice. I'm suspending belief to accept that capturing a desperado could be such a quick affair, but it seems most of the bad guys were decent sorts at heart -- unlike the paid thugs you're apt to find these days.
This is a quick read, not delving deeply into the characters. The hero's smart and fearless; the villain's a mean old snake. Still, it was interesting enough to leave me wondering where Jacob's next adventure will take him.
November 27, 2022
Quick reading (or listening) novella about a bounty hunter in the Old West. His target has appointed himself as sheriff in a small town, now paralyzed by fear. Jacob needs to come up with a plan to capture the outlaw because the phony sheriff has surrounded himself with a bunch of deputies.
Interesting story about a brave, clever bounty hunter. I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator has a deep, manly voice, so appropriate for the main character. And he does multiple voices for the other characters.
I was provided with a copy of the audio book. This is my honest review.
Interesting story about a brave, clever bounty hunter. I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator has a deep, manly voice, so appropriate for the main character. And he does multiple voices for the other characters.
I was provided with a copy of the audio book. This is my honest review.
November 4, 2019
A Smart Western Hero!
I do not read a lot of westerns but I really enjoyed this one. It was well written with no fillers, just the story. It reminded me a little of Richard Matheson's westerns and a little of the Lone Ranger. Jacob is a bounty hunter who travels the West seeking justice. Jacob knows how to manipulate people and plans how to capture outlaws rather than just going in guns blazing. A fast and fun read.
I do not read a lot of westerns but I really enjoyed this one. It was well written with no fillers, just the story. It reminded me a little of Richard Matheson's westerns and a little of the Lone Ranger. Jacob is a bounty hunter who travels the West seeking justice. Jacob knows how to manipulate people and plans how to capture outlaws rather than just going in guns blazing. A fast and fun read.
May 14, 2019
An ATB. Western Adventure (JPBHB. -1)
ATB. has. penned a western novella about a bounty hunter, Jacob Payne, who will go to any lengths to capture of Milk the most wanted men in the west. However, just because he chases the garden criminals doesn't mean he won't collect an insignificant criminal when that person crosses his path. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
ATB. has. penned a western novella about a bounty hunter, Jacob Payne, who will go to any lengths to capture of Milk the most wanted men in the west. However, just because he chases the garden criminals doesn't mean he won't collect an insignificant criminal when that person crosses his path. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
July 18, 2021
A. T. Butler writes classic westerns.
This one has the usual tropes:
The hotel, saloon, livery stable, a crooked sheriff, a beautiful young widow and Jacob Payne, the bounty hunter.
In Chapter 8 p. 44 the author mixes up his sheriffs. Not sure I buy young Timothy Brady agreeing to be beat up.
This one has the usual tropes:
The hotel, saloon, livery stable, a crooked sheriff, a beautiful young widow and Jacob Payne, the bounty hunter.
In Chapter 8 p. 44 the author mixes up his sheriffs. Not sure I buy young Timothy Brady agreeing to be beat up.
January 1, 2022
I don't read a lot of Westerns - a quick check confirmed that the 'Balum' series by Orrin Russel was the last one, and that was eight months ago.
"Trouble By Any Name" introduces bounty hunter Jacob Payne. He's on the trail of killer Jeremiah Blanchard, (aka Sheriff Horne, the newly installed sheriff of San Adrian).
One oddity stood out. After a standoff with Deputy Barnes, Jacob notes, "“As long as I’m a bounty hunter, I’ll be on the lookout for those blue eyes staring out at me from a wanted bill." I could be wrong but I always thought those posters were black and white.
He disposes of the dastardly Sheriff in short order, just not in quite the way you would expect.
It's too short to really judge but it's interesting enough to continue to the next book, "Danger in the Canyon."
2.5 Stars.
"Trouble By Any Name" introduces bounty hunter Jacob Payne. He's on the trail of killer Jeremiah Blanchard, (aka Sheriff Horne, the newly installed sheriff of San Adrian).
One oddity stood out. After a standoff with Deputy Barnes, Jacob notes, "“As long as I’m a bounty hunter, I’ll be on the lookout for those blue eyes staring out at me from a wanted bill." I could be wrong but I always thought those posters were black and white.
He disposes of the dastardly Sheriff in short order, just not in quite the way you would expect.
It's too short to really judge but it's interesting enough to continue to the next book, "Danger in the Canyon."
2.5 Stars.
June 1, 2023
Penny Pulp Fiction
Fast and enjoyable read. Reminded me of the old Weekend Westerns. Bounty hunter. Bad guy. Struggling widow. Subdued townsfolk. Confrontation. Shoot out. heart of gold. Just about covers it.
Lovers of The old western series, and L'amour readers will like this.
Fast and enjoyable read. Reminded me of the old Weekend Westerns. Bounty hunter. Bad guy. Struggling widow. Subdued townsfolk. Confrontation. Shoot out. heart of gold. Just about covers it.
Lovers of The old western series, and L'amour readers will like this.
October 2, 2023
Situada no faroeste estadunidense, esta narrativa quebra o estereótipo de terra sem lei normalmente retratado por outros textos, mostrando que a lei deve ser para todos, e que assassinos não devem ficar impunes, muito menos tomar a lei nas próprias mãos. Eu goste, me lembrei de minhas leituras de Tex, as revistas em quadrinhos que meu pai amava.
June 14, 2024
A Grabbing,Thrilling Story!!!!😉😉
Remarkable achievement this book!!! I was gripped steadily as I was reading and could not stop!! I read it right through to the end!!! The characters were really good 👍and well portrayed!!
I would recommend this book to all of you and my friends!!!!🤗
The 5Star rating was well deserved!!😃😃😃😃
Remarkable achievement this book!!! I was gripped steadily as I was reading and could not stop!! I read it right through to the end!!! The characters were really good 👍and well portrayed!!
I would recommend this book to all of you and my friends!!!!🤗
The 5Star rating was well deserved!!😃😃😃😃
June 13, 2018
I loved this novella. It was fast-paced, packed with action and I couldn't put it down. I have already downloaded the second book in the series. I was sent a free copy of this book for review by Voracious Readers Only.
August 27, 2018
A Good Book By Any Name
Jacob Payne embodies the Old West. A.T. Butler puts him right where he needs to be. With good guys, bad guys, and wrongs that need righting, this story is an easy reading great start to what I expect will a great series.
Jacob Payne embodies the Old West. A.T. Butler puts him right where he needs to be. With good guys, bad guys, and wrongs that need righting, this story is an easy reading great start to what I expect will a great series.
October 6, 2018
Novellas are too short
I enjoyed the story and the planning Payne out into exposing Sheriff Horne. The problem with novellas is that they contain all the facts of the story, but leave so many questions. I look forward to reading more stories by this Author.
I enjoyed the story and the planning Payne out into exposing Sheriff Horne. The problem with novellas is that they contain all the facts of the story, but leave so many questions. I look forward to reading more stories by this Author.
January 5, 2022
Being a novella, this was a very quick read, but a surprisingly good storyline. A wandering bounty hunter is also a Good Samaritan. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next one of the series. Recommended.
March 26, 2022
This story is in the Zane Grey class. Maybe a bit Louis L'Amour. No blatant sex, or gory violence. You get a sense of the old west small town that no longer exists. A very enjoyable read. Recommend for everyone interested in a "good old western" story.
February 20, 2024
The Hunt For A Killer
Good story! Well written and hard to put down. Outnumbered and outguned Jacob fights to clean up the town that outlaws have taken over and take down the killer he's after. A short story well worth reading. I would definitely recommend it!
Good story! Well written and hard to put down. Outnumbered and outguned Jacob fights to clean up the town that outlaws have taken over and take down the killer he's after. A short story well worth reading. I would definitely recommend it!
June 13, 2024
Very good read
This book reminds me of some of the”old westerns” that were written/ printed years ago. Good overall character development and good story detail. Look forward to reading more from this author.
This book reminds me of some of the”old westerns” that were written/ printed years ago. Good overall character development and good story detail. Look forward to reading more from this author.
February 21, 2025
Enjoyable
A good read. Strong characters with a good storyline. The writing is done well and keeps the reader's attention. Worth reading and getting to know the character for later stories.
A good read. Strong characters with a good storyline. The writing is done well and keeps the reader's attention. Worth reading and getting to know the character for later stories.
June 7, 2025
Quick read
First time reading this author. Old fashioned western, so violence is a given. I enjoyed the whole good vs bad theme though. Would read more by this author. Very quick read. Entire story spans 2 days. Sweet ending.
First time reading this author. Old fashioned western, so violence is a given. I enjoyed the whole good vs bad theme though. Would read more by this author. Very quick read. Entire story spans 2 days. Sweet ending.
September 26, 2018
Wonderful western tale!
I enjoyed my read of A T Butler's Trouble By Any Name. I especially enjoyed how the towns people aided in bringing down the outlaw. Recommend highly!
I enjoyed my read of A T Butler's Trouble By Any Name. I especially enjoyed how the towns people aided in bringing down the outlaw. Recommend highly!
January 13, 2019
Great Read
Jacob Payne is a bounty hunter and one of the best. When he goes after a murderer, posing as a Sheriff, he may have met his match.
Jacob Payne is a bounty hunter and one of the best. When he goes after a murderer, posing as a Sheriff, he may have met his match.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews