Deputy Jaxson Gray has found the fresh start he needed in small-town Montana. In Luna Declan, he finds something he didn’t even know he craved. Wary of getting too close, he backs away, only to become enmeshed in a local investigation that brings his past and present crashing together. Because whoever killed town matriarch Vi Mullen knows about an older crime that implicated Jaxson. Luna has heard the rumors swirling around Jaxson, but there’s a connection between them that makes her determined to clear his name. As the local hairdresser and a trained investigator, Luna knows a lot about her neighbors. But as she and Jaxson get closer to the truth, they realize that someone has secrets they’re willing to kill—again and again—to protect…
A Buckhorn, Montana Novel
Book 1: Out of the Storm Book 2: From the Shadows Book 3: At the Crossroads Book 4: Before Buckhorn Book 5: Under a Killer Moon Book 6: When Justice Rides
B.J. Daniels started her life in Houston, Texas, before her family moved to Montana at age five. She grew up in a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon near Big Sky and later on Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone. Because of her love for Montana, most of her books are set there. Born into a storytelling family, all she'd ever wanted to do was write stories. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book, ODD MAN OUT. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award for romantic suspense. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, two Springer Spaniels. When she isn't writing, she quilts, boats and. makes rope/fabric baskets. She always reads, loving to lose herself in a good book.
If you’re ever near a little town in the middle of Montana named Buckhorn, better stear clear. For a small town it has more than its fair share of gossip, drama, and dead bodies. I liked Luna and how inquisitive she is. I didn’t like how Jaxson lied to her from the beginning. I halfway forgave him because he’s a hot cowboy. I’m shallow. The murder investigation went on forever and I wondered if the culprit would ever be found. I loved the description of Montana’s landscape and wide blue skies. Instead of Buckhorn, maybe try Bozeman! Thanks to HTP and NetGalley for the advance read.
Talk about twists and turns. Boy does this have them. One body leads to discovering another one. The two main characters are right in the middle of both murders. So romance, danger, surprises and great characters make this one hard to put down.
When Justice Rides by B.J. Daniels A number of backstories popped up throughout the book which actually sounded more interesting than the story of Jaxson and Luna. The story seemed to be disjointed and confusing at times. Fans of Ms. Daniels Buckhorn series are sure to enjoy this latest addition.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book
WHEN JUSTICE RIDES by B.J. Daniels, Buckhorn, Montana, Book 6
What a finish for this series! Vi Mullen, the town’s most hated woman has been a thorn in everyone’s side since the beginning of the 6-book series of Buckhorn Montana, is found MURDERED!
In WHEN JUSTICE RIDES, Vi Mullen’s death reveals more than the discovery of a decades-old murder, but exposes a shrewd killer, too many suspects who wanted Vi dead, and the twist and turn of the plot. Caught in the middle is Deputy Jaxson Gray, a man desiring a fresh start but trapped by a secret that could destroy him, and Luna Declan, who risks her life to find the truth to prove Jaxson's innocence.
It has been a wild ride, but it’s time for B.J. Daniels’ Buckhorn to ride into the sunset to make way for a new nail-biting adventure. I received this copy from the author, and this is my honest review.
Jaxon Gray, Luna Declan and Vi Mullen - main characters. Good story, likable characters. Abby Craden was the narrator but some of her interpretations were way over the top. . . so much so I had to mute some of the words! It was a little grating on the ears.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me in suspense all the way until the end. The ending was better than I thought it would be. I am grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.
The author hit the ground running in this romantic suspense story and didn't slow down until it was all over. The story opens as Johnny, a young delivery driver, all but stumbled over the dead body of store owner Vi Mullen. I was impressed with his presence of mind as he avoided panic and kept it together long enough to call the local marshal. That didn't last long as he began to worry about the killer coming after him.
Next, we see Luna, a local hairdresser, and occasional private investigator. She takes a phone call from her investigator dad, who has cautionary words for her about Deputy Jaxon Gray, the young man she's just started dating. The things he's told her about his past are complete fabrications, which stuns Luna and makes her want to get at the truth. Without a word to Jaxson or anyone else, she closes her shop and heads to his hometown, looking for answers.
The acting marshal, Ken Yarrow, and Jaxson arrive at the murder site to investigate. Ken is a man who believes that he is better than he is and looks down on Jaxson as an inexperienced rookie. He has his opinions, and not much interferes with them. He doesn't take well to Jaxson's observations, shutting him down hard. Because of the circumstances of the murder, a piece of the floor had to be cut out to remove the body. Ken and Jaxson were shocked to discover another mummified body under the flooring. Jaxson feels his world start to crumble around him as he recognizes the second body.
This began a complex investigation into two murders, seventeen years apart. I ached for Luna, who was hurt, angry, and feeling betrayed by the lies she uncovered about Jaxson. She thought there was a connection between them, and now she doesn't know how she can trust him. It's especially disappointing because it seems so out of character for the man she knows. With the discovery of the second body, Jaxson knows it's a matter of time before his connection to her comes out. He also knows he should have come clean with Luna long ago, and now it may be too late.
I liked Luna and understood her wariness about trusting Jaxson. She also wanted to trust her instincts, which told her he was not guilty of murder. I was happy to see Jaxson tell Luna everything, including things she didn't uncover on her own. She is determined to find the truth and leaves no stone unturned in that pursuit. Jaxson tries to get her to back off, but she is stubborn about finishing what she started. Neither she nor Jaxson expects the complicated family issues that come to light.
At the same time this is happening, Jaxson is also involved in interviewing possible suspects in Vi's murder. The problem is that she was not well-liked by the people in town, thanks to her abrasive and frequently cruel attitude. There were many people with the motive and opportunity to kill her. Additionally, Vi's estranged twin sister, Vera, showed up in town on the day of the murder, accompanied by Vi's ex-husband, Axel. Vera is Vi's sole heir and a nasty piece of work herself.
There were multiple twists to this investigation, with one person, then another, looking like likely suspects. Every new lead uncovered created more questions. Then one unexpected clue started unraveling the whole story, including a surprising link between the two murders. Luna found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in the desperate killer's web. She did a great job keeping her head, hoping her message to Jaxson would reach him in time. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. The ending was neatly wrapped up with a couple of karma-driven surprises.
I liked the relationship between Jaxson and Luna. He cared for her but didn't feel right getting too close without telling her the truth about himself. Once that obstacle was gone, I liked seeing their connection grow. They are equally protective of each other, and Luna wants to see Jaxson's questions about his past answered. I did not expect the surprising answer to one of those questions and the effect it would have on Jaxson's future.
B.J.Daniels hits a homerun in her 119th book, in her 7th book of the Buckhorn Montana series. The town’s residents are in shock when they hear that the longtime resident and owner of the general store is dead, she’s been murdered! Solving the murder case won’t be easy since most of the town could have done it, nobody liked Vi Mullens and Vi didn’t like most of the town. As the town’s people put it, she kept her hate board full of NSF checks and notes to refuse credit on the locals. It was a wall of shame even though each one paid their unfortunate action. Acting Marshal Kenneth Yarrow and Deputy Jaxson Gray have been assigned to solve this murder with a long list of suspects. Deputy Jaxson is new in the area and has been getting the local gossip from the hair salon owner since he arrived and acting Marshal Ken has his opinion of the locals. The local café is where all of the locals hang out to gossip, Marshal Ken is adding to his list of suspects. As the long list of suspects are worked, it becomes harder to isolate who might have murder Vi. Each person had their own reasons for wanting her gone, but to kill her, that’s the question. Salon owner Luna Declan is full of information since her clients pour out their souls to her, like in a confessional. Luna’s dad is a retired insurance investigator and Luna has pickup lots of her dad’s skills. She and Deputy Jaxson are teaming up to help solve this murder while acting Marshal Ken is trying to keep the deputy out of the info loop. Acting Marshal Ken wants to show the locals that he should have been elected Marshal. Constant twists keep the reader guessing who the murder or murders could be. Was it a robbery gone wrong or revenge for her hateful attitude towards others or to keep her silent? You’ll enjoy this book as each character comes to life with their personalities. When Justice Rides
When Justice Rides is the sixth book in B.J. Daniels' excellent Buckhorn, Montana series, and this murder mystery/romance has more twists and turns than a big bowl of spaghetti, so although it can be read as a standalone, many of the characters were introduced in earlier installments of the series, so I suggest reading the series in the order the books were written. It gets 4.5 stars rather than 5, from this reader, for one reason, I wish the ending hadn't been quite so abrupt, and that there had been an epilogue.
The novel starts with a huge whodunit, as the local package delivery guy stumbles across the dead body of Vi Mullen, owner of the Buckhorn general store and a woman disliked by almost everyone in town. It's a gruesome scene, and since hardly anyone is mourning her death, almost everyone in town is a suspect--and leave it to Deputy Jaxon Gray to find out that Vi isn't the only victim at the general store, and that discovery might cost him everything, his job, the girl he's seeing, hairdresser, Luna Declan, and possibly also his freedom, because he has loads of secrets, and he recognizes the second victim immediately. That's all the info I'm sharing, since I don't do spoilers.
As mysteries go, this one certainly kept me guessing until the very end because there's no shortage of possible suspects in Buckhorn, Montana, and, as the novel progresses, there are even more secrets to be revealed, more crime victims, and more shifty characters exposed, and Ms. Daniels has crafted one brilliantly written mystery inside a mystery inside a mystery. It certainly kept me wondering and worried, and I'm happy to recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
I love this series and the way the author is able to keep all the characters interacting from book to book with each new story and new characters coming to town. The reader can actually visualize the town of Buckhorn and see the people as they go through their lives and the author zeroes in on one of those characters and introduces the reader to them through the story one is reading. I was 'there' when Luna Declan came to Buckhorn and all the while the little town has had different marshals patrolling the area. This story focuses on another one of those travelling marshals as there is a terrible and violent murder in Buckhorn (caustic and unpleasant Vi Mullen, General Story owner and town founder descendant, is brutally murdered) that Deputy Marshal Jaxson Gray is assigned to solve alongside Acting Marshal Ken Yarrow. I love the way each character is developed. In our lives we each have our own little personal dramas day to day that we must deal with while at the same time dealing with friends, another of our daily stories, and family, yet another daily story! So do all of B. J. Daniels' characters. It is this talent that brings her stories to life!
Deputy Jackson Gray came to Buckhorn, Montana for a fresh start
Luna Declan is the towns hairdresser with a background investigations.
This is the story of a murder of the towns, matriarch Vi Mullen. This case will be hard to solve as Vi didn’t have many friends in Buckhorn. She seem to be fighting with just about everyone. When removing Vi’s body from the crime scene, another body is found.
Two cases, one new one or cold case!
Jackson is shocked when he looks in the hole in the floor. His past may have just caught up with him. Does he tell his new boss or keep it under his hat?
Luna has fallen for Jackson and the hard way. As an investigator she has determined to clear Jackson’s name.
This is a highly intent story with a budding romance.
It’s a real page turner. This is the sixth book in the Buckhorn series. But can definitely be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to B.J. Daniels and Christine Conlee for this ARC.
Another superb book by B.J. Daniels! I love the thoughts of the multiple characters that we get to see through the book. This is standard in Daniels' books. It's so interesting compared to just one character's point of view! Deputy Jaxson Gray is called to a murder scene only to discover that when the body is removed, another body is discovered! THAT body hits him squarely in the chest because it involves his past and he doesn't know what to do! Now his boss has two bodies to deal with and Jaxson doesn't want to divulge his connection to the second body! His "somewhat" girlfriend, Luna is going to help him investigate because she wants to clear his name and hopefully, have a future with him. As usual, there are many twists and turns so stay tuned - it'll keep you guessing until the end! I love all the Buckhorn books! The characters are quirky and never fail to keep investigators on their toes!
Jaxon Gray is a sheriff deputy and Luna Declan is the local hairdresser. It seems Vi Mullen has been murdered and she owns most of the town and is known for being a mean person. The list is long on who would or could have killed her. The acting Sheriff is out of his league and doesn't appreciate Jaxon's help. Jaxon has secrets about Buckhorn and came to town years ago searching for a girl that had ran away. When they take the floorboards up in Vi's store; the girl is buried under the floorboards. Vi has a twin sister and she shows up on the morning of the murder and of course she is a suspect now too along with Vi's ex-husband. Luna has the towns ear by being the hairdresser and hears everything. She knows Jaxon is hiding secrets and now knows he knew the dead girl. Who did the killings? This is a great book to tie up the loose ends on the town of Buckhorn and I have read all the books and loved each one!
Another in the Buckhorn, Montana series, in which Deputy Jaxson Gray is looking to prove himself in Montana. When he encounters Luna Declan, local hairdresser and amateur sleuth, he realizes he could use her help when an old woman in Buckhorn is killed and a second body, mummified, is discovered under the floorboards of the woman's store. Jaxson knows who that second body might be and it scares him--his own past coming to haunt him more directly than before?
Luna wants to find out not only where Jaxson's father might be, but who that woman is and why she was in Buckhorn many years earlier. And how is that related to Vi's murder and then the attempt on the life of a local delivery man who might have seen the killer.
What neither Luna nor Jaxson realize until almost too late is why Luna may also be in danger and whether he can protect her. How this all plays out leaves other questions unanswered. Perhaps in yet another tale in this series?
When Justice Rides by B.J. Daniels is the perfect romantic suspense novel with a twist of Cowboy style added. I love all the character both big and small. The small-town and its residents were quirky and hilarious. They all added extra drama and juicy details to the story. The blame game and the self-doubts along with murder victims adding up...makes for an interesting read indeed. The title suits perfectly. The town people have to wait as justice rides through their town. Everyone will be held accountable. Family secrets and drama come out of the woodwork. I never saw some of it coming. B.J. Daniels knows how to keep me in suspense and hook me in with the bubbling romance and final outcome. The ending is priceless. Overall, this is another favorite tale of mine written by this queen of romantic suspense.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Deputy Kenneth Yarrow Acting U.S Deputy was called to the small town Buckhorn to answer a 911 call at the General Store.
Deputy Jaxson Gray When Jaxson is called to meet Acting U.S Deputy Yarrow to answer a 911 call at the General Store.
Luna Declan Hairdresser Johnny Berg Delivery Driver Amy Franklin Missing girl
Jaxson just want to clear his name of something he did not do. Then he can start a life for himself Luna Delcan. Luna had found out stuff on Jaxson. He kept things from and lied to her. But his first priority was solve the 911 call.
Will they find who murdered Vi Mullen and Amy Franklin? Also who tried killing Johnny Berg?
B. J Daniels wrote a fantastic story with great characters. I recommend this book. It was a fabulous read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Buckhorn matriarch Vi Mullins has been murdered, but who did it? Everyone in town has had arguments with her at one time or another, but someone hated her enough to kill her…with an ice fishing spear that had her pinned to the floor. Jaxson Gray is a deputy with a past he is trying to forget about, but as Acting Marshal Ken Yarrow & the coroner were having the floor cut away to remove her body, down in the hole lies another body…one Jaxson recognizes, one he had wondered where she had disappeared to. Now there are two crimes to solve & Jaxson knows he could be a suspect. This book was a mystery from the very first page to the last…definitely a must read!
the last book in the buckhorn series and it a good one who killed vi mullens well everyone she knows is a suspect because everyone hated her..but things go crazy when the morning vi is found dead her twin sister vera shows up after being gone for years and shes here meeting no other than her sister ex axel..to add to the crazyness when they cut vi out of the floor in the general store they find another body from 17 years before who is the deputys ex girl friend who went looking for his lost father and thats just the start of it but i never seen the ending coming or the murderer once again bj daniels has written an amazing series
Jaxson Gray shows up in Buckhorn as part of the police force. Of course, like many other non-natives, he shows up with deep dark secrets. With the Marshall away on his honeymoon, Acting Marshall Ken Yarrow is in charge; a task that makes him a bit "too big for his britches." Yarrow also ends up in charge of a major crime; the death of Vi Mullen. With everyone in town a suspect, Jaxson and Ken begin their interrogations. This leads Jaxson right into the heart of Luna Declan. Luna, a hairdresser in Buckhorn, also does a little PI work with her father. It is up to her to save Jaxson from being blamed for this crime.
This book has so much going on that you won't want to put it down because you might miss something.
She will keep you on your toes trying to figure out everything that is going on in the book. What happened to Amy and O.H? Who killed Vi Mullens? Will Jaxson and Luna have a happy ending or will they even get together because she doesn't trust him? Will Acting Marshall Ken Yarrow have a happy ending?
Check out the book I really enjoyed. B.J. Daniels has given us another awesome book.
In Buckhorn, Montana, the roots of its inhabitants run deep - and so do the grudges. B.J. Daniels' When Justice Rides (A Buckhorn, Montana Novel Book 6) is a testament to this, as the renowned author of suspenseful stories weaves an intriguing tale of revenge and retribution. With her signature style of captivating storytelling, Daniels delivers a gripping narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
This was a great read! It didn't require a lot of thinking, the reader enjoyed the characters, the story and the plot. The author made it easy for the reader to start with this book and not miss out on anything in the story from the previous books. A great read in a great town. Don't hesitate to add this one to your TBR list and start reading it today!
A double murder one from almost 17 years ago under the floor boards and one recently. Could they both be related, or are they just a coincidence. These two love birds are trying their best to move forward, but their are so many secrets buried between them. Can she be an example and forgive him as she provides that same advice to a budding bride that is in the same situation?
An enjoyable, light read. More mystery than romance, it still pulls the reader in. There are a lot of threads woven together - people and places - and it really helps to have read the previous books in the series. They murder mysteries are intriguing. Well done.
Audiobook: This was my least favorite of the series. I do not know if it was the narrator switch, but the tension and chemistry were lacking. I didn't get any spark between the two main protagonists, and the mystery was not as riveting as the other books.
This was a very interesting murder mystery, Vi has been murdered a well known unliked person in Buckhorn, That's not the only murder though another body was found under the floorboards. Deputy Jaxson has several issues he is trying to solve and he wants Luna as well