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Sidewinders #4
Mankiller, Colorado
Famed for The Last Gunfighter and Mountain Man sagas, master storyteller William W. Johnston joins forces with J.A. Johnstone to let loose a pair of the most unforgettable, trouble-prone, hard-fighting cowboys the West has ever known--who are about to step in the biggest hornet's nest in Colorado Territory. . .
A Good Name--For A Very Bad Town
Bo Creel and Scratch Morton have a lot of experience with the they've been breaking it most of their lives. But now the drifters are down to their last dime, and they accept the best job they can get in a boomtown called Mankiller. Their boss is a drunken sheriff named Biscuits O'Brien. Their tin stars are mighty pretty. And they start to take their new job seriously--until they're standing between a cunning clan of killers and the town's cowering citizens--with the killers outnumbering the cowerers. The only hope for a besieged town, Bo and Scratch now have a chance to become real heroes--that is, if they don't get their heads blown off the minute they stick their snoots out of the door.
A Good Name--For A Very Bad Town
Bo Creel and Scratch Morton have a lot of experience with the they've been breaking it most of their lives. But now the drifters are down to their last dime, and they accept the best job they can get in a boomtown called Mankiller. Their boss is a drunken sheriff named Biscuits O'Brien. Their tin stars are mighty pretty. And they start to take their new job seriously--until they're standing between a cunning clan of killers and the town's cowering citizens--with the killers outnumbering the cowerers. The only hope for a besieged town, Bo and Scratch now have a chance to become real heroes--that is, if they don't get their heads blown off the minute they stick their snoots out of the door.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
57 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,392 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 15, 2022
This is a great series. In this instalment, the two saddle tramps Boe and Scratch, find themselves down on there luck. They end up whitnessing a bank robbery and catching and killing the robber which earns them an easy grand. With this newly found wealth they light a shuck for Man Killer Colorado where there had been a receant gold boom. There they end up becoming law men and cleaning up the brothals, saloons and body houses in the tipical saddle tramp style. I highly recommend this book.
March 26, 2015
Really like the Sidewinder Series, about Bo Creel and Scratch Morton. This one is the fourth in the series, feel this is one that William wrote most of it, and just left the Ghost Writer to polish it off.
Bo and Scratch get jobs as deputies, then free the town of Mankiller from an evil patriarch that started the town and runs the town with an iron fist.
You could read this as a stand alone but you'll probably end up buying the first three in the series, along with five thru eight and of the newer series. It's one of two that are really good. If you're curious, the other series, is the Sixkiller series.
I only mention this because William's a legendary author in the Western genre, his estate has continued on writing books under his brand. Not everything they publish is even remotely close to his writing style, or the same quality his books were and it would be better to start with his books.
Bo and Scratch get jobs as deputies, then free the town of Mankiller from an evil patriarch that started the town and runs the town with an iron fist.
You could read this as a stand alone but you'll probably end up buying the first three in the series, along with five thru eight and of the newer series. It's one of two that are really good. If you're curious, the other series, is the Sixkiller series.
I only mention this because William's a legendary author in the Western genre, his estate has continued on writing books under his brand. Not everything they publish is even remotely close to his writing style, or the same quality his books were and it would be better to start with his books.
September 28, 2018
Scratch and Bo are middle-aged drifters. Intent on mining for gold in Colorado, they enter the lawless town of Mankiller, where they are robbed. The only way they can earn enough money for a grubstake is to become deputies under the worthless drunk of a sheriff. But Lucinda, owner of the best café in town, talks them into it. The town is held hostage by its property owners, who consider themselves above the law. And Scratch and Bo are intent on bringing law to Mankiller, hoping they don't get killed in the process.
Johnstone has written over 130 books. So you can be assured of a light and pleasant read. I loved the characters in this traditional western. It's a welcome change-of-pace from the heavier books, a mini-vacation that is well worth the escape.
Johnstone has written over 130 books. So you can be assured of a light and pleasant read. I loved the characters in this traditional western. It's a welcome change-of-pace from the heavier books, a mini-vacation that is well worth the escape.
May 12, 2017
Another fine tale
About trouble finding Bo and Scratch. If you've been reading this series you know what I'm talking about. If not, you need to start with the first one. Bo and Scratch are two hombre's who always, through no fault of their own, or so they would have yo believe, find trouble . And that's where the fun begins.
Out of all the author's many fine characters these two older gents, with the creaky joints, are my absolute favorites.
About trouble finding Bo and Scratch. If you've been reading this series you know what I'm talking about. If not, you need to start with the first one. Bo and Scratch are two hombre's who always, through no fault of their own, or so they would have yo believe, find trouble . And that's where the fun begins.
Out of all the author's many fine characters these two older gents, with the creaky joints, are my absolute favorites.
April 22, 2023
This is a typical Sidewinders story: fast-paced, lots of action, and even some humor thrown in the mix. Bo and Scratch are likable protagonists and I plan on reading the rest in the series.
The author excels at action scenes, and there’s plenty of ‘em!
The story has a few nods to RIO BRAVO and/or EL DORADO—including a drunk sheriff—but that’s fine by me, as I consider them two of the greatest westerns ever filmed.
This book is well worth a read. A good time all around.
The author excels at action scenes, and there’s plenty of ‘em!
The story has a few nods to RIO BRAVO and/or EL DORADO—including a drunk sheriff—but that’s fine by me, as I consider them two of the greatest westerns ever filmed.
This book is well worth a read. A good time all around.
September 7, 2023
A wild exciting tale
Another great story with all the fast-paced action you could want wrapped up in a unique storyline that keeps you guessing what is coming next. The main characters, Bo and Sratch, are full 5hrottle action from the beginning to the end.
Another great story with all the fast-paced action you could want wrapped up in a unique storyline that keeps you guessing what is coming next. The main characters, Bo and Sratch, are full 5hrottle action from the beginning to the end.
December 18, 2017
Outstanding!
This is a truly great story! It is another example of how good wins over evil. Just and reason this author is my favorite.
This is a truly great story! It is another example of how good wins over evil. Just and reason this author is my favorite.
April 13, 2018
The law.
Bo and Scratch have helped the town's people to get law and order in mankiller. Also helped the sheriff to get off the booze.
Bo and Scratch have helped the town's people to get law and order in mankiller. Also helped the sheriff to get off the booze.
February 4, 2020
Great book
Another great western book by the Johnstones. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys westerns. I love the Sidewinders Series.
Another great western book by the Johnstones. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys westerns. I love the Sidewinders Series.
March 30, 2023
Continue
To enjoy these two honorable, feisty and indomitable old cowboys! Nothing like a GOOD WESTERN for a good read. May "The Good Guys" always win!
To enjoy these two honorable, feisty and indomitable old cowboys! Nothing like a GOOD WESTERN for a good read. May "The Good Guys" always win!
December 10, 2016
It's like potato chips. OK read, but not much substance.
June 2, 2010
Bo Creel and Scratch Morton arrived in the gold rush town of Mankiller, intent on finding their fortunes. They immediately run afoul of the Devery family, a clan of rednecks that had founded the town. Actually they owned the land the gold was found on but were to lazy to work it themselves. So they got, legally, half of everything dug, not to mention half or more of the legal businesses in town.
The pair were robbed of money, weapons, horses, equipment, and left to die in a hog pen. They just barely made it out alive.
Broke, they took a job offered by the few honest citizens, deputied to the alcoholic Sheriff installed by the head Devery. They took the job seriously and began to clean up the town. When they shot a Devery and arrested him and his two cousins people began to get hope.
Of course, the murderous Deverys weren't going down without a fight.
The pair were robbed of money, weapons, horses, equipment, and left to die in a hog pen. They just barely made it out alive.
Broke, they took a job offered by the few honest citizens, deputied to the alcoholic Sheriff installed by the head Devery. They took the job seriously and began to clean up the town. When they shot a Devery and arrested him and his two cousins people began to get hope.
Of course, the murderous Deverys weren't going down without a fight.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews