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Silent Justice #2

Justice Returns

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To reach the future he desires, he must unlock the past he can’t remember.

Justice heads to a wild Colorado boomtown to uncover his forgotten life and track down the powerful crime boss Ruble Cochran.

But in Leadville, nothing is simple. Every answer leads to new questions, and Justice faces Cochran’s gang, including the mysterious killer known only as The Dragon.

Can Justice take down a crime syndicate, uncover his past, and find a way to marry Nora Eckert?

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2022

1153 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

John Deacon

26 books43 followers

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5 stars
3,524 (72%)
4 stars
1,056 (21%)
3 stars
199 (4%)
2 stars
36 (<1%)
1 star
16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
Profile Image for Fred  Barnes.
107 reviews14 followers
November 16, 2025
THIS SECOND BOOK IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST WHICH IS SAYING A LOT. A GREAT WESTERN NOVEL

☆☆☆☆☆

Justice Returns: A Classic Western Series with Heart (Silent Justice Book 2) by John Deacon is not only a great western action thriller that will keep you involved in the storyline from the very beginning. The characters are well developed and you'll just love the determination of the Bullard family to bring justice to the west at a time where the criminals are around every corner and in every shadow waiting to pounce on those who stand in their way to take from the weaker people whether it's their money, their land, and the virtues.

This second book is brings some answers to just who Justice is after the lost of his memory after attacked left for dead by ruthless killers in the first book. After dying and brought back to life by being struck by lightning and nursed back to health by Nora, Justice is in search of his past and who and what he is. In doing so, Justice learns he does have family members and that he along with his dad and brother are bound and determined to bring justice to those who need to be put six feet under so they don't continue to harm the innocent. Their form of justice is quick and deadly as well deserved.

In addition to taking out the blight of society, Justice has to deal with his love for Nora and Eli that adds to his resolution to find his past and who he is in order to move forward with his desire to pursue his true feelings for Nora.

This is a great western that can be enjoyed by all. If you're into westerns, action adventure thrillers, or romance with heroes that define the term of what a true hero is, this book and series is for you. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Laur.
718 reviews125 followers
December 29, 2025
I’m inhaling The Silent Justice Series in one sitting!! So good!!

The man called Justice must find out and know his past before he can proceed with the future! Plenty of action- a great story line!

Not really a stand alone although the story does refer to events from the 1st series that are important. Recommended to start with book #1.

Another 5 Star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ winner!
Profile Image for Kristine.
3,430 reviews52 followers
September 29, 2023
4.5 Stars 🌟

This is the second book in this series and we follow the male MC Justice as he decides that he needs to try to discover who he was in the past - before his accident/murder that took away all of his memories of his past.

Again, this book is extremely easy to just immerse yourself in and I can all but picture the places, characters, and events that are happening in this tale. Justice discovers that he was more than just a "simple" man and his capture was more than just a coincidence. Now he is determined to find out "who" was behind the order that changed his life.

This story is full of rich descriptions of the towns and cities of the Old West. Then there are the secondary characters which are also fleshed out very nicely. The setting is very descriptive and is a great back drop that really helps to create the total picture.

As in the first book, there is tons of action - lots of gun fights, bad guys and drama.

I'm ready for book 3 :)
Profile Image for Mark Fidler.
250 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2023
This was another fun western novel in the Justice series. I loved the first book, but only liked this one. It felt a little repetitive at times, and Justice's original family was not as likable as Nora and her son were in the first book. I rarely read or listen to sequels because they tend to be formulaic. This did follow a similar formula. Not sure I will listen to book #3, but then again, I might one day feel like an old fashioned western with classic heroes and evil villains.
Profile Image for Jon Svenson.
Author 8 books112 followers
January 31, 2023
In book two Justice goes to Leadville to find Cochran, along with some answers to his past. Had he been married? Did he have family? And so on. He finds those answers and a lot more.

Once again the editing is excellent. It's a short book and a quick read but a lot of fun along the way. Justice is who he is, and he isn't going to change for anyone. Which might cause problems for him now. Meanwhile, the bad guys have someone special in their employee who throws needles to great effect. This adds to the challenge Justice faces in hunting down Cochran.

Of course, just like in NCIS, Justice wants to know the name of the person who's leading the operation. Cochran is a target for sure, but he's small fry compared to the leader. I've already picked up book three to find out what happens next.

Recommended. 5/5*
Profile Image for Rita.
176 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2023
justice finds out

Justice is finding out about himself and his life also what he does foe a living suprises himself from automatic reflexes of his body and mind to dangerous situations and can speak many languages as well
he finally finds out his real name and that he's single but has a father and a brother. but then goes to a town and finds everyone seems to know him? He loves Nora and her son Eli and wants too marry her and live with them on the ranch. But finding out about his Pa and the line of work he's been doing puts the puzzle of his life somewhat together but causes many other questions and challenges.
70 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2024
Engaging, endearing and energetic

I am greatly impressed and enjoying this series. The writing is engaging and the characters drive the story. Yes, it is a tried and true concept used by multiple authors, but not in this setting, not with characters demonstrating an unusual mix of integrity, courage, morality and grit. This type of story arc with the components just listed is interesting, engaging and it is easy to cheer for the victories and groan for the wounds.

It is a recommended “Read it!” from me.
Profile Image for Darren.
373 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2023
Hey there book lovers! It is your old pard, Ninetoes, rounding up a review of John Deacon’s Justice Returns (Silent Justice Book 2). I got my cowboy hat on, coffee in my system so let’s do this!

Spoiler alert, I am still in a Western mood. Those of you who follow this blog will probably be saying “No! Really?” Really.

Justice returns in book 2 of the Silent Justice series, and he is on the trail of his past and the men who killed his father. He ends up in Leadville, Colorado, and is on the radar of crime boss Ruble Cochran. It turns out that Cochran is on Justice’s radar as well. Along the way, Justice learns his name, and pieces of his past fall into place. He finds his brother and cousin who tell him about the Silent Justices and their mission. They are not hired killers, they are the hammer of justice. This becomes evident when a neighbor of the Bullard’s has not been heard from. Justice and his cousin go to investigate. A shootout ensues, and one of the gang is writhing on the ground. He is soon killed by Justice’s brother. The brother tells his cousin “Dragging these women through a trial to relive the horrors that were done to them is not justice. This is.” or words to that effect.

This one is another fast-paced book. It can easily be read in an evening. It took me three hours between two nights of reading to finish it. The writing is smooth, the action lightning fast, the heroes are relatable, and the bad guys are detestable.

One of the problems I had with this was that things went too well when I felt like the rug should have been pulled out from under the main character. Yes, he experienced pain and is not superhuman, but in the essence of everyday life, things that should have gone to hell in a handbasket were handled with an “Aw shucks.” attitude.

All in all I give this 4 bookmarks out of 5.

Happy reading.
Profile Image for Jeff Tankersley.
899 reviews12 followers
February 27, 2025
The sequel to Deacon's "A Man Called Justice" (my review #92), "Justice Returns" (2022) picks up where the prior book ended, the lawman now with some clues about his prior amnesia-forgotten life on the hunt for those who killed him just before he was brought back to life by a lightning strike.

The conspiracies and family history and former love that Justice finds double down on the lightly-delivered and comic-book style pattern set by the prior book but too far for this reader. I found it more of an eye-rollingly dramatic and over-the-top soap opera plot than a good western. Specifically, his conversations with that girl go on and on in a repeating spiral of tropey prose, and the hidden money and influence available to these Silent Justices left me looking forward to reading a different book. Sparse action sequences break up the narrative but are not written very well.

Verdict: Not as fun as the first in the series, "Justice Returns" falls victim to lengthy dialogue and exposition sequences that read more informational and blocky than tense, authentic, or exciting.

Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
June 11, 2022
Wow

I don't think I have read a book as good as this series in a long time and I r
Sad all the t
Ime.you see I'm mostly held risen negative a hard life and taking care of my brother who was during of liver falure. He was 6-6 when he died at the age of 62 that was in 2007. I went tho breast Cancer had 16 limp nodes removed and that was due to a doc who fixed me a medicine that caused the cancekr. Then in 2017 I had to have a ilistomy due to a birth defect.I was born a twin and the twin didn't develop and I got all of her intestion s . after the cancer surgery I lost all my te!wth due to the radiation. I can't afford the cost of the teeth implants. So I probably won't live to much longer. All I enjoy doing is reading.I have 3 kindle books so I can have it read to me.I have a eye problems. Thank God for some of the new technology but not all. I think Facebook and tweeter is evil to our children ,slot of bad things comes from them being on Facebook .that's one thing that should be ban to our teenager's. Thank u for hrs of e!enjoyment. Can't wait till next book.
105 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2023
Wild, Wild West

Like I said in my review of the first book in this series, it reminds me, in part, of the old series "The Wild, Wild, West," except it's definitely a cowboys, horses, and guns, western, not a somewhat steampunk genre.

The concept of silent justices is pretty cool. Sort of reminds me of "A Team," where the team is hired to right wrongs that our (so called) justice system can't touch.

I'd rate this PG-13. There's no language; only sexual references to "soiled doves" and "using women." There is guns, violence and killing as should be expected in a western.

I recommend this book.
(Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription.)
14 reviews
July 21, 2025
The sequel to the series is so enjoyable! If you’re a fan of westerns, I would highly recommend! What’s significant about this book is that you finally learn about the main characters identity and his backstory which helps understand the character development that he goes through with each chapter of the story. It’s hard to switch from the name justice to Jake Bullard, but I think that’s part of the experience the author intended for the reader. The ending is very fulfilling as he propose his marriage to Nora, but it makes me wonder what’s gonna happen in the next two books as he gets closer to finding the antagonist, can’t wait for the next books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
58 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2022
Book 2 in this series: Justice has come far in his time with Nora and Eli! He is also collecting bounties one by one on the team that ambushed him.
Justice still has gaps in his memory and certain events slowly start to open his past to him! He has done well in securing the short- and long-term finances for Nora and Eli, yet his feeling grow more deeply for them!
His visons take him to Leadville, CO. A boomtown full or corruption and also missing keys to his past! In this book the characters come from all walks of the spectrum from Miners to High and Mighty Corrupt Saloon Owners to one who thought Justice loved and came back for her!
This book read faster then Book 1, I am not knocking book 1 in anyway, this had more non-stop page turning elements. All centered around who Justice really is, what he does and where he is from!
The scenes are depicted so you see the action before you! As if you are watching this unfold on TV. Our author Mr. John Deacon has a nice Trilogy going here! I am anxious for the Third installment as you should be as well! I am not sure this can be continued further, albeit another fourth tale could be continued as our Characters ride off into the Sunset!
I highly recommend this Series and will check out Mr. J. Deacon’s other offerings! Enjoy as I know you will!

Chuck Mercik

Profile Image for Bob.
556 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2022
Don't Like Review Options

I've read both books and recommend them both.

I tried to just give the book a 5 star rating and move on (I have a personal commitment), but the "system" wouldn't let me do that. Wouldn't just post the rating. Thus the short rating. Then the " system" wouldn't allow that because of to few words. So I'm taking the time to address the "system".

SYSTEM, your customer service sucks.

OK, so this review won't be posted.

I'll continue to read books, and when I have the time, I'll use at least 20 words.
1,452 reviews12 followers
July 15, 2022
With a badge melted into his chest due to a lightning strike that literally started his heart beating once again after finding no pulse, he rode toward a new fight for justice. His Pa was killed, and he looked for clues he might have left behind as to whom he fought, what was his Pa’s last job and finding the guilty man. You gotta love a guy who wants to fight for the widow who owns land; help the woman he knew to leave the floor above the saloon and get a new life; and adhere to the code of integrity he swore to. Loved the book as I loved his justice. This author makes me smile!
33 reviews
August 1, 2022
I read the first book in this series and came away thinking Justice was a savy, intelligent lawman, especially after he and the Cattleman's Association overthrough the Tucker dynasty with solid planning and collaboration. But, it was disappointing to see how he was thwarted so embarrasingly when he confronted Cochran at the opera. He also said he would never be taken so unaware by the Dragon again. That was followed by an ill planned attack on Cochran's place in Santa Fe. He had not learned anything about the Dragon.
994 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2023
5 STARS, GUN SHOWDOWNS, KNIVES, LOVE

John Deacon, certainly earned each of the 5 STARS here ! This is his new Series #2 , Silent Justice Book 2 which is a real bullets flying, blood spurting, & knives stabbing & slicing kind of western. The cold bloodedness of the old west is in fine shape in the description of the locations, the area residents & transits, & especially in the saloon drinking establishments & bordellos. The book has an exceptional blurb that gives a person a great view of this book. Recommend Recommend
304 reviews
May 4, 2025
Justice or vengeance?

The first book hooked me with the story and the action sequences. This second one really delves into Justice out who he really is. We get to know what he is and why he is what he is. I enjoyed how the author brought family into it. The action was as good as advertised. My one complaint is that this second book gets him in and out of situations with almost unbelievable ease. I think this is on purpose and really has me curious about the final book. A 4.5 out of 5 rating.
110 reviews2 followers
June 20, 2022
Two good western stories

I very much enjoyed the first two books in the series, looking forward to the next one. Both were well written, good characters and kept my attention til the end.

A bit of a different spin with the 'silent justices', still not sure what I think of that. But I liked the books and hope to see more from Mr Deacon soon.
Thank you

PS very very seldom 5 stars, takes extroidinary book for me. Yous are very good
Profile Image for Chris Prine.
29 reviews
June 23, 2022
Justice

In starting the first book by Mr. Deacon, it started kind of slow but as I kept reading, it got to the point that I couldn’t put it down.
Now I have just finished the second reading and can’t wait to start the third.
I have spent most of my life as a Law Enforcement officer and was raised around horses and cows and I love anything that has to do with cowboys and the West.
9 reviews
June 9, 2022
Great series!!!

I really enjoyed this series so far. I love reading westerns and by far this is my favorite. The author keeps you riveted to his books. Once I start one I can't put it down, which is not good for me because I don't get anything done. Do yourself a favor and get lost in John Deacon's books.
149 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2022
Justice is served

Justice's story continues and he discovers that his name is actually Jake. He is a Silent Justice. They are men who step in to help victims of violence by tracking down the bad guys and killing them. The story is violent, but also shows Jake is a good man helping people in the wild west get justice. I am eager to read the next book in this series. Enjoy!
224 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2022
Justice finds his family and his real name

As in Book 1, the pace is non stop action as Justice pursues the man & organization that killed his dad who he finds out was also a Silent Justice. Our Hero also finally meets Doc, boss of Silent Justice. Then ask Nora to marry him before heading to Mexico on another mission. You will love Book 2.
6 reviews
July 20, 2022
loved

Please keep writing. You are the best of the western writers. In fact, I don’t want to read any more of other authors work on the west. Not true. I love reading about the Wild West. And will continue! But, your character, Justice, is the best written, most fulfilling of all of them. And, I hate typos and poor punctuation. You’ve done a better job than most!
Profile Image for Big,Jon.
36 reviews
November 24, 2022
I was just a bit disappointed..

Not as good as the 1st book for me I could see he didn't spend as much time didn't quite have this right feeling.. the second book, it's still a good story though And for an inexpensive book not a lot of pages it was good I like a short story anyway..
51 reviews
September 28, 2023
Justice?

John sure loves a love story. Nora and Justice are in for a long engagement and a lot of action along the way. We learn about Matt and Pa and the ranch in Texas. Jake makes an appearance and there are a lot of mysteries cleared up including an old girl friend and a cat. Enjoy!!
212 reviews
November 6, 2023
A year

I read the first book a year ago got the other two and read the second book, just now I was so afraid to read the second because I like Justice Nora and Eli…The tension was great and the adventure is outstanding.I will not wait a year to read the third , Sir you are one good writer..every detail down to the meals..which says so much about a person.
9 reviews
February 16, 2024
smiling

“The Hill Country” is only an approximate location. You described it beautifully. I am really enjoying this particular series. It’s different from Heck and Hope. Could there be an algorithm for writers? You are so talented. Keep writing and spinning your yarns for Jesus.
21 reviews
March 28, 2024
Is this the beginning of the fbi or secret service or another special ops?

Very interesting concept of a spy like story. Not quite cia or covert ops cowboy still but I surly like it. Seal Team Eight in the making or 007s of the west! Justice gets it done. Honest and intriguing you will want more of Justice.
328 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2025
Justice has no memory after a gun fight' and he dies from his wounds. Lightning strikes all around him and a bolt hit him in the chest embedding his badge into his chest but restoring life to his heart. Now he is in Leadville, Colorado to try to find the man behind his injuries. The town's people know him, especially the bank manager.
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