Timber Gray

by Ronald Kelly

After his family is killed by a pack of rabid wolves, Jefferson Gray survives the horrid disease himself, with the aid of a Cherokee medicine man. But, unfortunately, he can not banish the hatred that dwells within him. An animosity toward dangerous game, particularly timber wolves.Fifteen years have passed. Timber Gray is known throughout the western territories as a seasoned tracker and a man who can conquer any threat for the right price, be it grizzly, mountain lion, or, his specialty, wolves. But can Timber tackle his greatest challenge… a pack of fifty wolves led by the legendary Cripplefoot? Such insurmountable odds, combined with an approaching blizzard and a band of renegade bounty hunters, would seem to be certain death to most men. But, to Timber Gray, it is only another reason for staying alive…

Genres: Horror

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2010

About the author

Ronald Kelly was born and raised in the hills and hollows of Middle Tennessee. He became interested in horror as a child, watching the local "Creature Feature" on Saturday nights and "The Big Show"---a Nashville-based TV show that presented every old monster movie ever made ---in the afternoons after school. In high school, his interest turned to horror literature and he read such writers as Poe, Lovecraft, Matheson, and King. He originally had dreams of becoming a comic book artist and created many of his own superheroes. But during his junior year, the writing bug bit him and he focused his attention on penning short stories and full-length novels. To date, he has had thirteen novels and twelve short fiction collections published. In 2021, his extreme horror collection, THE ESSENTIAL SICK STUFF, won a Splatterpunk Award for Best Collection.

He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What and enjoyable book.

I usually don't read many westerns, and after reading this one, I am wondering why. Timber Gray was a well written straight forward revenge type story of a man, Timber Gray, who's family was killed by wolves and he himself was bitten by a rabid wolf. Jump forward fifteen years and Gray is hired to hunt down a pack of wolves Woh have just killed a bunch of cows and a cowboy working the ranch.

I have to give Kudos to Mr. Kelly in his story telling talents to move the story at a break net pace and including so many fascinating elements of life after the civil war. Human live was cheep. Animal life was cheaper.

Mr. Kelly is able to embed us into the life of the character and take us through adventures in avalanches, gunfights, and a bit of affection. An all around good read.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an different type of western, as it is just a little adventure tale of a wolfer (a man who is hired to hunt down wolves) named Timber Gray who is hired by a cattleman to hunt down a pack of about fifty wolves that killed one of the cattleman's hired hands and some of his cattle. Timber Gray has been hunting wild animals for hire since a rabid pack of wolves killed his wife and only child. This is what drives him to this profession and is also what he needs to overcome to be free one day. Let's just say Timber works out his problems as he hunts down this pack of wolves.

This was a fun and entertaining read. It flowed smoothly and was easy to read. But there was nothing super special about this story, it's just a nice read and set in a nice setting: a western. I liked it.

[Terry Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Ronald Kelly since his Zebra horror days, and his traditional western is just as good as his horror. Timber Gray is a quick read with memorable characters and it flows well. He makes you feel an affinity for Cripplefoot even as Timber slays wolves left and right. I liked the "coming to terms with yourself" ending.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just cool. Definitely my kind of book. Good strong lead character, wolves, cowboys, gunslingers and hunters
What more could you want