What do you think?
Rate this book
Texas Vigilante
Ellie Taine thought she had put away her guns for good. A year ago, a band of outlaws had raped her and murdered her husband. With the aid of an aging rancher, she had exacted her deadly revenge. Now that the bodies were buried, she had hoped to start her life over as a rancher herself.But she hadn't counted on Angel Ware. Having sprung himself from prison, he now wants revenge on Lane Tolbert, the man who put him there, a man who now works as a hired hand on Ellie's ranch. Thirsty for blood, Angel tracks Tolbert to Ellie's ranch, wounding him and kidnapping his daughter Laurie.
Childless herself, Ellie doesn't want to lose the girl that she had grown so close to. She knows that by the time the law can react, Laurie could be dead. Reluctantly, but knowing what is at stake, Ellie resolves to once again saddle her horse and load her guns, prepared to exact the only justice she can rely on.
Childless herself, Ellie doesn't want to lose the girl that she had grown so close to. She knows that by the time the law can react, Laurie could be dead. Reluctantly, but knowing what is at stake, Ellie resolves to once again saddle her horse and load her guns, prepared to exact the only justice she can rely on.
- GenresWesterns
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
59 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Bill Crider
241 books236 followersTaught English at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Tex., and went on to become the chair of the Division of English and Fine Arts at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Tex.; prolific writer of mystery, science fiction, western, horror, and children's books, not to mention short stories, articles, reviews, and blog posts; perhaps best known for his Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 5, 2018
Ellie Taine takes matters into her own hands when escaped convict Angel Ware invades her Texas ranch, shoots everyone in sight and kidnaps his young niece to spite his sister. Ellie and the US Marshal ride out in hot pursuit of Angel and his gang of desperado's leading to an inevitable confrontation in an abandoned church. Angel Ware is a vicious killer no doubt but he's never been confronted with a fearless frontier widow who knows how to use a gun. This fast moving western is lean and mean with the righteous Ellie Taine leading the way.
June 20, 2019
The sequel to the outstanding revenge classic Outrage at Blanco is just as captivating, telling the story of Ellie Taine, the avenger in the first book, now threatened by a psychotic escaped prisoner named Angel Ware who is looking for revenge against those that Ellie loves the most. Ellie now knows what achieving revenge can do to a person, and the shift in perspective is a nice touch. The late Bill Crider was a marvelous author, a master craftsman of writing, and the short novel is perfectly paced with many memorable characters and dialogue. The last third of the book is relentless and impossible to put down. It saddens me that there will never be another Ellie Taine book. This book, and well as OUTRAGE AT BLANCO, are both highly recommended.
April 11, 2015
I received this ebook free from the publisher through NetGalley.com. I give it 4 and 1/2 stars(rounded up to 5). It is a crisp western set in 1880s Texas. It was an easy read--2 days for me. Ellie Taine is a widow running a ranch when a group of escaped convicts kidnapped the daughter of her foreman. She goes after them with the girl's mother, because the father was shot during the kidnapping.
This book is a sequel to a previous book by Crider, Outrage at Blanco, which is now on my to be read list of books
The writing reminds me of westerns written by Elmore Leonard. I learned about this author from my GR friend Col. Thanks Col!
This book is a sequel to a previous book by Crider, Outrage at Blanco, which is now on my to be read list of books
The writing reminds me of westerns written by Elmore Leonard. I learned about this author from my GR friend Col. Thanks Col!
August 30, 2018
I needed some light reading and this book fit the bill perfectly. It has lots of action, bad guys who are awful and the main character is a woman who has survived soul-destroying experiences and has come out tough, but not hard. I finished this book in a couple of days and really enjoyed it. I can recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good western yarn.
December 5, 2023
Texas Vigilante: An Ellie Taine Thriller by Bill Crider
210 Pages
Publisher: Brash Books
Release Date: September 14, 2014
Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, 1880s, Texas
The book is set in Blanco, Texas. Ellie owns the farm since her husband’s death. Lane Taylor along with his wife, Sue, and young daughter, Laurie, live and work on the farm. Angel Ware is an escaped prisoner. He and two other prisoners get away from their guards and escape. He wants to find his sister, Sue to get revenge. Lane’s brother, Brady Taylor, is a Texas Ranger. He is on the trail of the prisoners. While the two other prisoners distract the farm workers, Angel takes Laurie. Ellie is fond of the child and is not afraid to go after the men who took her.
The book has a fast pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Each of the characters has a strong show of personality whether for good or bad. If you like historical fiction or Texas themed books, you may enjoy this book.
210 Pages
Publisher: Brash Books
Release Date: September 14, 2014
Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, 1880s, Texas
The book is set in Blanco, Texas. Ellie owns the farm since her husband’s death. Lane Taylor along with his wife, Sue, and young daughter, Laurie, live and work on the farm. Angel Ware is an escaped prisoner. He and two other prisoners get away from their guards and escape. He wants to find his sister, Sue to get revenge. Lane’s brother, Brady Taylor, is a Texas Ranger. He is on the trail of the prisoners. While the two other prisoners distract the farm workers, Angel takes Laurie. Ellie is fond of the child and is not afraid to go after the men who took her.
The book has a fast pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Each of the characters has a strong show of personality whether for good or bad. If you like historical fiction or Texas themed books, you may enjoy this book.
April 10, 2018
More Ellie Please
This second tale about this Blanco, Texas lady makes me hope there’ll be a series of several more. She is the perfect heroine. I’ll be on the lookout for her.
This second tale about this Blanco, Texas lady makes me hope there’ll be a series of several more. She is the perfect heroine. I’ll be on the lookout for her.
November 2, 2014
Originally published in 1999 by Dell Books, Texas Vigilante is a sequel to Outrage in Blanco. Some of the events of the first book are mentioned in Texas Vigilante and, by necessity, in this review so you have been warned.
It has been a few months since Ella Taine took over Jonathan Crossland’s ranch after he died. These past months have not been easy. Ranching in Texas is difficult things were such that she had to go into debt to a bank in San Antonio. She didn’t like doing it, but she had and so far things are holding together. She has good help and that includes Lane Tolbert. She recently hired him as he was desperately in need of a job to support his wife, Sue, and his very young daughter. Ellie cares about Lane and his wife a lot, but she absolutely adores Lauire. That smart and beautiful little girl is the daughter Ellie never had and her presence is almost like she is her own child. One of the real pleasures is sitting down and reading with her.
Mr. Crossland had an office with a small library of books by authors such as Irving, Cooper, Melville, Hawthorne, Shakespeare, and others. Laurie is not quite ready for Shakespeare, but the other books she can handle. Their latest read features a skinny school teacher by the name of Ichabod Crane and a certain headless horseman. Neither Ellie, Laurie, or the others on the ranch have any idea that a real life horror is about to be visited upon them thanks to a prison escape and a certain prisoner bent on revenge.
Following the very good Outrage at Blanco isn’t easy, but Bill Crider does it masterfully in Texas Vigilante. Like in the preceding book, the theme of revenge is again a major part of this western as are the choices folks make as they move through life. Ellie is, by necessity, not as much a part of everything as in the first book, but she makes herself well known in a novel that cracks with a gunshot every few pages. A mighty good western, Texas Vigilante is a good one and quite the sequel to “Outrage at Blanco.
Texas Vigilante (Ellie Taine Book Two)
Bill Crider
http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
Brash Books
http://mysterythrillerbooks.com/
September 2014
ASIN: B00KAJX6BQ
E-Book (also available in paperback)
304 Pages
$2.99
Using funds in my Amazon Associate account I picked this up to read and review awhile back.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
It has been a few months since Ella Taine took over Jonathan Crossland’s ranch after he died. These past months have not been easy. Ranching in Texas is difficult things were such that she had to go into debt to a bank in San Antonio. She didn’t like doing it, but she had and so far things are holding together. She has good help and that includes Lane Tolbert. She recently hired him as he was desperately in need of a job to support his wife, Sue, and his very young daughter. Ellie cares about Lane and his wife a lot, but she absolutely adores Lauire. That smart and beautiful little girl is the daughter Ellie never had and her presence is almost like she is her own child. One of the real pleasures is sitting down and reading with her.
Mr. Crossland had an office with a small library of books by authors such as Irving, Cooper, Melville, Hawthorne, Shakespeare, and others. Laurie is not quite ready for Shakespeare, but the other books she can handle. Their latest read features a skinny school teacher by the name of Ichabod Crane and a certain headless horseman. Neither Ellie, Laurie, or the others on the ranch have any idea that a real life horror is about to be visited upon them thanks to a prison escape and a certain prisoner bent on revenge.
Following the very good Outrage at Blanco isn’t easy, but Bill Crider does it masterfully in Texas Vigilante. Like in the preceding book, the theme of revenge is again a major part of this western as are the choices folks make as they move through life. Ellie is, by necessity, not as much a part of everything as in the first book, but she makes herself well known in a novel that cracks with a gunshot every few pages. A mighty good western, Texas Vigilante is a good one and quite the sequel to “Outrage at Blanco.
Texas Vigilante (Ellie Taine Book Two)
Bill Crider
http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
Brash Books
http://mysterythrillerbooks.com/
September 2014
ASIN: B00KAJX6BQ
E-Book (also available in paperback)
304 Pages
$2.99
Using funds in my Amazon Associate account I picked this up to read and review awhile back.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
February 10, 2016
Texas Vigilante: An Ellie Taine Thriller by Bill Crider is the sequel to Outrage at Blanco. I had not read the previous novel but this one can stand alone. I gave it five stars even though I don't read a lot of westerns.
I was surprised by the cover photo with a woman wearing modern sunglasses since this book was set in the 1880's.
Ellie Taine had been left for dead after the men raped her & killed her husband. She was relentless in hunting them down. She then put her guns away to run a ranch.
A ruthless killer, Angel Ware, escaped from a prison wagon on the way to Huntsville, Texas. He tracked his sister Sue to Ellie's ranch & attacked & took Sue's child with them. Ellie couldn't stand for waiting for the posse so she mounted up & headed after them.
Sue went with her & questioned whether they should have waited for the Marshall. Here is a quote that tells a lot about the type of woman Ellie is: "If you got hurt, what did it matter, as long as you were doing the right thing? And she knew they were doing the right thing."
One of the escaped convicts, Jephson, questioned whether he was doing the right thing. "He even wished, briefly, that he'd done things differently, that he'd done something to help Hob Bowman. But there was nothing he could have done. He'd been chained to Angel then, & he was chained to him now. The chains were different, & you couldn't even see them, but they were there just the same."
One of the members of the posse said "'But it's mighty wet out there.' The other replied: 'Better to be a little wet than a whole lot dead.'"
In the encounter with Ellie, "Angel was taken completely by surprise. He'd never met up with a woman like this one before, a woman who'd just start shooting at you without a word of warning. It was just the kind of thing he would have done." He would have too, but didn't think it was right that a woman would.
I received a free kindle copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review but that did not influence my opinion of this fast moving book.
I was surprised by the cover photo with a woman wearing modern sunglasses since this book was set in the 1880's.
Ellie Taine had been left for dead after the men raped her & killed her husband. She was relentless in hunting them down. She then put her guns away to run a ranch.
A ruthless killer, Angel Ware, escaped from a prison wagon on the way to Huntsville, Texas. He tracked his sister Sue to Ellie's ranch & attacked & took Sue's child with them. Ellie couldn't stand for waiting for the posse so she mounted up & headed after them.
Sue went with her & questioned whether they should have waited for the Marshall. Here is a quote that tells a lot about the type of woman Ellie is: "If you got hurt, what did it matter, as long as you were doing the right thing? And she knew they were doing the right thing."
One of the escaped convicts, Jephson, questioned whether he was doing the right thing. "He even wished, briefly, that he'd done things differently, that he'd done something to help Hob Bowman. But there was nothing he could have done. He'd been chained to Angel then, & he was chained to him now. The chains were different, & you couldn't even see them, but they were there just the same."
One of the members of the posse said "'But it's mighty wet out there.' The other replied: 'Better to be a little wet than a whole lot dead.'"
In the encounter with Ellie, "Angel was taken completely by surprise. He'd never met up with a woman like this one before, a woman who'd just start shooting at you without a word of warning. It was just the kind of thing he would have done." He would have too, but didn't think it was right that a woman would.
I received a free kindle copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review but that did not influence my opinion of this fast moving book.
January 17, 2015
BEFORE you read this book hold on, I suggest reading Outrage in Blanco by Bill Crider, from Brash Book publishers. Outrage in Blanco is a flat out good western novel, a retro read for we older folks yet written in a contemporary style to make a fine intro to westerns for the younger set. Now to Texas Vigilante, which picks up as the reluctant hero of Outrage at Blanco sets out to avenge the foul acts inflicted on those who are close to her. I did say her as this hero is a tough as nails and homely as the keg the nails arrived in smart, cunning, down to earth widow beloved by those close to her. The plot is well laid out. Law enforcement is usually a potbellied sheriff and this at a time when doughnut shops were yet to exist (it really is way back in time). The real law are Texas Rangers, still today revered by law abiding folk and feared by law breakers. A most notable asset is the descriptive landscape, set in the Texas wilderness parts of which exist still to this day. Both books are refreshingly free of the vulgarity of many of today's novels although the vulgarity of today’s novels are likely realistic for today’s world. There is the colorful language befitting the times as “heck”, “gosh”, and “shucks” sneak into the conversations. An enjoyable break from the bestseller booklist of the day offerings, likely to get some readers looking for more Bill Crider while others may find it not their niche. A five star read for this reviewer.
February 5, 2015
Bill Crider has penned a rather traditional western, “Texas Vigilante,” full of revenge, cowards, stalwarts, and strong women. I was somewhat taken aback by the cover, a cowgirl in Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, not the typical face I’d expect from the 1880s, but I was better pleased by what I read.
The sequel to another novel, “Outrage at Blanco,” heroine Ellie Train sets out to bring justice to a band of brutal killers, a skill she learned after she was raped and left for dead in “Outrage.” She is relentless, unafraid, and focused as she seeks retribution once again.
Crider is a skilled writer, leaning towards both westerns and crime novels. He’s won many awards and best book nominations for his some 75 novels, and if thrilling western action is to your liking, this effort will be appreciated. The action is non-stop and realistically presented; the dialogue is crisp and well written. The characterizations are skillfully prepared with the bad guys being bad and the good guys believable and likeable.
There is no need to review the story, it’s been told many times. The book’s appeal is in the writer’s skill. I had some minor discomfort with the seemingly never-ending bad choices made by the protagonists, but the story is carried through this parade of situations, even if some seem contrived. This is a minor complaint, not enough to squelch my enthusiasm for the book.
February 22, 2015
Empat orang narapidana melarikan diri dari penjara dalam perjalanan menuju Fisher Plantation dimana seharusnya mereka bekerja sebagai bagian dari hukuman mereka. Empat orang sipir yang mengawal mereka mati dibunuh.
Angel Wade, psikopat berwajah malaikat, secara tidak resmi diangkat sebagai pemimpin para penjahat kambuhan yang kabur ini. Yang tidak diketahui ketiga rekannya adalah Angel bertekad membalas dendam kepada adik perempuan dan suaminya yang menyerahkan Angel ke Texas Ranger sehingga ia akhirnya masuk penjara.
Yang tidak diketahui oleh Angel adalah bahwa adik dan iparnya, Sue dan Lane, serta putri mereka Laurie telah pindah secara diam-diam ke kota kecil Blanco dan Lane bekerja sebagai mandor di peternakan Miss Ellie Taine, perempuan yang mengguncang Blanco setahun yang lalu.
Full review bisa dibaca disini
April 12, 2015
In the 1880's, Ellie is hiring Lane Tolbert to help her manage the ranch. He needs the work as he needs to support his family -- a wife, Sue and daughter, Laurie. Ellie likes Laurie. Angel Ware is Sue's brother and serving a life sentence for murder. He escapes prison and wants revenge against Sue and all the people who put him in prison. Angel takes Laurie which has Ellie taking up her guns to save Laurie.
This is a story not only of revenge, but also finding strength and courage within one's self. The writing is excellent. The descriptive landscapes are done so well, one can see them. It is fast paced. The author has a new fan as this is my first book I've read by him.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
This is a story not only of revenge, but also finding strength and courage within one's self. The writing is excellent. The descriptive landscapes are done so well, one can see them. It is fast paced. The author has a new fan as this is my first book I've read by him.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
July 15, 2013
Ellie Taine thought the violence chronicled in OUTRAGE AT BLANCO was behind her. But's she's about to have more visited on her by a sleaze named Angel Ware.
Sue and Lane Tolbert worked for her, Lane as her foreman. She adored their ten year daughter named Laurie.
Angel Ware was Sue's brother and a man who'd never been right in the head. He was serving a life sentence for murder until he'd escaped, murdering two guards and two trustees in the process. Ware wanted revenge on all the people who'd put him in prison: his sister Sue, her husband Lane, and his brother-in-law's brother, Cody Tolbert, a Texas Ranger. You see, Ware never considered that his own actions put him in prison. It was always someone else's fault.
Ware and his three fellow escapees, having secured the current location of his family, were headed for Ellie's ranch. As was Cody Tolbert.
And a lot of violence!
Sue and Lane Tolbert worked for her, Lane as her foreman. She adored their ten year daughter named Laurie.
Angel Ware was Sue's brother and a man who'd never been right in the head. He was serving a life sentence for murder until he'd escaped, murdering two guards and two trustees in the process. Ware wanted revenge on all the people who'd put him in prison: his sister Sue, her husband Lane, and his brother-in-law's brother, Cody Tolbert, a Texas Ranger. You see, Ware never considered that his own actions put him in prison. It was always someone else's fault.
Ware and his three fellow escapees, having secured the current location of his family, were headed for Ellie's ranch. As was Cody Tolbert.
And a lot of violence!
February 17, 2015
This book is the second in the series, and I recommend reading “Outrage in Blanco” first. It’s a good introduction to the main character and a refresher course in the western genre. Bill Crider puts his own stamp on traditional westerns by writing about a good gal vs. bad guys. The supporting characters, the Texas landscape, and the superior writing style make this another winner by Crider.
Thank you to Brash Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to Brash Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
March 5, 2015
A story of revenge and violence based in Texas. Good character descriptions making them easy to visualise and a fast moving story. There was rather too much violence for me to say I enjoyed reading it but interesting nonetheless.
September 15, 2010
A solid effort featuring one of toughest Texas females to come along the pike. Ellie Taine's ranch is raided by three outlaws and a young girl who Ellie is fond of is kidnapped. Big mistake.
April 14, 2014
Excellent read, just like the first in the series was and to bad, more hasn't been added to the Ellie Taine series.
November 21, 2014
Really enjoyable novel, great follow up to Outrage at Blanco!! Wouldn't hesitate to read more by this author.
March 19, 2015
Very good read. I read the Brash Books edition which has a totally misleading cover but as always Bill Crider is always dead on!
April 19, 2015
Action thriller based in a western setting. Strong female lead who cleans up in the end. Some suspension of belief to accept all of the plot elements, but an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2017
Surrender, New York, by Caleb Carr
Never let you go, by Chey Stevens
Memory Man, by David Babbaci
The trouble with goats and sheep, by Joanna Cannon
Without Mercy, by Jefferson Bass
Outage at blanco,by Bill Crider
Texas /vigilante, by Bill Crider
Small great things, by Jodi Picoult
Expecting to Die, by Lisa Jackson
IQ, by Joe Ide
You don't want to know, by Lisa Jackson
Faithless by Karen Slaughter
Never let you go, by Chey Stevens
Memory Man, by David Babbaci
The trouble with goats and sheep, by Joanna Cannon
Without Mercy, by Jefferson Bass
Outage at blanco,by Bill Crider
Texas /vigilante, by Bill Crider
Small great things, by Jodi Picoult
Expecting to Die, by Lisa Jackson
IQ, by Joe Ide
You don't want to know, by Lisa Jackson
Faithless by Karen Slaughter
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews