Black Crossing

by C.K. Crigger

A woman's revenge and a man's honor meet on a collision course... Isaac Gilpatrick witnesses the killing of old Marshall Blodgett, and when his mother Ione is threatened with death--or worse--he is intimidated into remaining silent. But the guilt he carries wears at Isaac's nerves until he can bear it no longer and vows to put the information into the new marshal's hands. Unfortunately, Marshal TJ Osgood arrives in town too late. He finds Isaac silenced for good after a crooked judge ordered him hanged. Now, with an under-aged deputy and a hound dog as his only allies, Osgood must sort out the truth, protect the bereaved Ione Gilpatrick, and bring a rough bunch of backwoods timber thieves to justice. That is, if Ione doesn't beat him to it... Western

Genres: Westerns

Nook

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

C.K.Crigger, a native of the Inland Northwest, lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, dog, and reclusive cat. She is the author of eight published novels, some of which cross genres. Her short fiction story, Aldy Neals Ghost, was a 2007 Spur Award finalist, presented by Western Writers of America. BLACK CROSSING,a novel of the American West published by Amber Quill Press, is her newest work. It is the recipient of the 2008 Eppie Award in the Historical/Western category."

Reviews

[Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly quick read featuring interesting characters and lots of action.
Black Crossing is C.K. Crigger's homage to an old story theme: a stranger comes to a town run by crooks and cleans things up. The main protagonist in this case, Marshal TJ Osgood, reminds me somewhat of Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone. TJ Osgood is a late middle age lawman with a checkered past and a history of alcohol abuse, and the town's big man (basically a local lord and a nasty crook) thinks that will make him easy to control. Big mistake, that.
The story takes place in a small town in the Idaho timber country. There are several unsavory characters (in addition to the Big Bad) including a nasty gunslinger and some brutal lumberjacks. The townspeople are generally cowed, but Osgood finds allies in an unassuming deputy and his dog and in Ione Gilpatrick a widow and grieving mother (and one tough cookie). The action starts almost as soon as Osgood arrives in the small timber town and really never lets up. Everything happens over a span of just a few days. We get gunfights, physical attacks, bushwhack attempts, kidnapping, and timber rustling. What's not to like?
Pretty good book.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat story of a courageous marshal trying to get justice for a widow's son who was railroaded and hanged by a crooker judge bought off by a wealthy timber baron. The widow, Ione Gilpatrick, obsessed woth her son's death is bent on gathering evidence that will clear her son's name and convict his killers. This story will hold your attention right up untl the end and make you a fan of the author.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting Western thriller.

A classic story of a powerful man takes control of a logging town and becomes the mayor as well as controlling and using the lumber jacks to do his dirty work and crimes.

[Elizabeth West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Crossing

Western full of drama with romance hinted at. A page turner that keeps you wanting to know what iis going to happen next.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Justice is served. This Western brings colorful characters. The new Marshall challenges the mayor and finds a romantic interest along the way

[Wadenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Expected; A Great Read

This is a story that will keep you mindful of where you laid down the 'book', when you just had to take care of some important business.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story!

I really enjoy this author! This one had me a little worried that something would happen to change the perfect ending!

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE INNOCENT

Intrigue, who done it and why. A lawman possibly on his last chance of setting things right. A mother whose sixteen year old son was hanged because he knew who had ambushed the previous Marshall. The innocence paying the price set on them by a notorious town mayor. Every page holds a lot of action; you won't put this adventure down until you've read the entire book. Keep your Lucifers dry and enjoy yourselves

[Book Utopia · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.25 stars. A solid entry into the genre, with a rustic realism to its characters and a quiet intensity to its pacing that keeps it going along. I ended it with a smile on my face, and more than interested in seeing more of these folks.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story

I came across this by chance and I am glad I did. It is a very good ,fast paced with believable characters and story line. The main people sound real and believable short of a few minor details. I would recommend it

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed this story after I was into it for a while. Will be looking up more titles from this author.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, i enjoyed reading it.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book

One never knows quite what to expect when reading a book by an author you don't know.
Now I know and will be watching for more.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun western with fun characters. Lighthearted.

[ctrothschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice shootouts

I enjoy reading good westerns and this was a good one for sure! Liked the Marshall character and all thee others.

[Sherron L Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A western almost a love story

Well told easy reading western. Boarders on being a love story of a Marshall and a mother who's son is hung. How they go about clearing the sons name. Interesting intense and sweet.