The Legend of Deputy Jim
Reviews
“You’re a hero, Jim, plain and simple. But that ain’t necessarily a good thing either.” The Legend of Deputy Jim is the thrilling story of Jim Edwards, working for the Sheridan County, Wyoming Sheriff’s Department in the 1970s. His tale is anything but normal; day one of his career is already filled with the dangerous involvement of the Wild Wolves, a notorious motorcycle gang. A dispute between law enforcement and outlaws is not all that Deputy Jim finds himself involved in - the ties of the Wolves run deep into their cartel drug suppliers and corrupted politicians on the payroll. Jim struggles to do the right thing, fulfill his duty, be a protector, and come out of a death trap alive as the story climaxes toward a dangerous showdown from the outlaw bikers, particularly Grinder, who want him dead. This action-packed novel will have you on the edge of your seat.
Reading The Legend of Deputy Jim was a pleasure, to say the least. Dan E. Hendrickson has done an incredible job of creating a thrilling story with vivid and relatable characters. Hendrickson has clearly poured passion into his work that comes alive in the characters. I laughed, I sat at the edge of my seat, I worried about the wellbeing of the characters. I found it extremely difficult to stop reading once I started. I became emotionally attached, and the story stuck with me long after I put the book down. The Legend of Deputy Jim truly is a once in a lifetime type of novel, and it is highly recommended
Joshua Soule
Readers’ Favorite
In The Legend of Deputy Jim by Dan E. Hendrickson, readers learn that long before Commander Jacob Edwards became infamous as the Hero of Cozumel by defeating a notorious pirate, his father Jim also faced death many years ago. When Jim was 70 years old, he headed a dangerous escape plan to rescue his family being held hostage in a maximum-security prison. But who exactly is Jim Edwards and what secrets in his past is he trying to keep hidden? In 1974, Jim and his wife Linda and little Jacob arrive in Sheridan Wyoming where Jim takes up his post of Deputy Sheriff. The town has been overrun by a vicious gang called the Wild Wolves, headed by the calculating and callous Seth. After an altercation with gang member and second in command Grinder, Jim's life is now in danger as they plot the most effective way to rid the town of this interfering deputy. Grinder makes it his ultimate goal to eliminate Jim and take his wife for his own warped pleasure. Jim must prepare himself for the biggest battle in his life. Who wants victory more and who is willing to sacrifice the most to get it?
Having read previous books in this series, it was really interesting to learn the background of Jim and his wife and to see the characteristics of Jacob as a child. However, after saying that, this book is so well written and can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. The characters played really well off one another and the dialogue highlighted their personalities perfectly. I loved the relationship dynamics between Jim and Grinder; they were both hot-headed and the battle of wits between them was superb. I also enjoyed the tender moments Jim shared with his wife and son, as they showed another aspect to Jim's personality. The tension was perfectly placed in the storyline and the plot moved continuously forward, so my engagement in the story was never lost. There were some uncomfortable moments throughout, especially the scenes between the Wild Wolves and the young gang, but it made the Wild Wolves' detestable morals that more believable. Grinder was a vile character through and through. I thought the way the author tied all the subplots together with the main plot so effortlessly was fantastic. The ending was powerful and explosive. Another excellent novel from this talented author.
Lesley Jones
Readers’ Favorite
The Legend of Deputy Jim is a work of action and adventure fiction penned by author Dan E. Hendrickson and forms the prequel novel to The Last Enemy Series. Where The Last Enemy focuses on Commander Jacob Edwards, the infamous Hero of Cozumel, this prequel takes us back to the 1970s to explore the tale of Jacob’s father, Jim Edwards. Deputy Jim’s story takes us to Wyoming, to a world where biker gangs caused violence and terror wherever they pulled up. The Wild Wolves are one such gang that gets into an altercation with Jim, resulting in him ending up on their hit list. With a young family to protect, Jim must find the best way to defuse this explosive situation.
This short, sharp prequel has much to offer fans who have already enjoyed the high stakes action and adventurous stories of author Dan E. Hendrickson. I recognize glimmers of Jacob Edwards in the story of his father, but they are marvelously distinctive heroes with different approaches to their problems and their solutions. Jim’s hot-headedness is powerfully portrayed, making him an imperfect and highly relatable hero as his emotional arc and attachment to his wife and child unfold. The villains are drawn with great details, teeming with violent possibilities and dark motivations, and the numerous clashes and showdowns keep the plot moving at a rocketing pace that fans of The Last Enemy series will enjoy. Overall, The Legend of Deputy Jim is a fun and ferocious prequel that certainly whets the appetite for more
K.C. Finn
Readers’ Favorite
The Legend of Deputy Jim: The Last Enemy Series Prequel by Dan E. Hendrickson takes us back in time to 1974, small-town Wyoming, Sheridan where young Jim Edwards, recently married and father of one, is about to embark on his chosen career as a Sheriff’s Deputy in the small town. Wyoming and other states in the region were prey to roving, violent criminal biker gangs in the early ’70s, hell-bent on destruction and the establishment of drug-making and smuggling operations from Mexico and for the infamous Medellin Cartel from Colombia. It is into this volatile world that the father of the “Hero of Cozumel”, Jacob Edwards, walks. Jim’s new job with the Sheriff’s Department starts with a confrontation and physical beating of one of the biker gang’s most feared lieutenants, an ex-special forces operative who goes by the moniker of Grinder. It’s personal now for Grinder as he and the gang plan to murder Jim, rape his wife, Linda, and then kill her and his son. One thing the gang needs to learn is that you don’t threaten Jim Edwards’ family and walk away scot-free.
If you haven’t read any of The Last Enemy Series (I have read all three), it really doesn’t matter when it comes to enjoying this action-packed journey into a time so many of us remember; the '70s. Hendrickson does an excellent job of dropping important little bits of information into the narrative to help any new reader to make sense of the story. Bike gangs, their violence, and the fear they instilled in communities all over the U.S. just by their mere appearance are the stuff of legends and this story is one that will resonate with many who lived through that period. I’ve read all four of Hendrikson’s books now and have watched the author develop and grow as a writer. This story is well-written and flows beautifully. The action is non-stop and makes it very difficult for the reader to put the book down. The character of Jim was well drawn and although he is clearly a brave and heroic figure, we are also privy to his weaknesses. I particularly enjoyed the sweet synchronicities between the stories of Jim and his son, Jacob. Needless to say, they tied this prequel together with The Last Enemy Trilogy beautifully. This is a fantastic read from an author who has much to offer in the action genre. I genuinely look forward to his next offering with excitement.
Grant Leishman
Readers’ Favorite
Having read previous books in this series, it was really interesting to learn the background of Jim and his wife and to see the characteristics of Jacob as a child. However, after saying that, this book is so well written and can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. The characters played really well off one another and the dialogue highlighted their personalities perfectly. I loved the relationship dynamics between Jim and Grinder; they were both hot-headed and the battle of wits between them was superb. I also enjoyed the tender moments Jim shared with his wife and son, as they showed another aspect to Jim's personality. The tension was perfectly placed in the storyline and the plot moved continuously forward, so my engagement in the story was never lost. There were some uncomfortable moments throughout, especially the scenes between the Wild Wolves and the young gang, but it made the Wild Wolves' detestable morals that more believable. Grinder was a vile character through and through. I thought the way the author tied all the subplots together with the main plot so effortlessly was fantastic. The ending was powerful and explosive. Another excellent novel from this talented author.
Lesley Jones
Readers’ Favorite
The Legend of Deputy Jim: The Last Enemy Series Prequel mixes drama with action to create the kind of entertainment readers long for in the genre. The characters are great and elaborately developed. There is something mysterious about Jim and loved how the author allows his personality to unveil, layer by layer, leaving readers with the exciting feeling that there is always something new to discover in this character. The writing is tight, littered with powerful descriptions and dialogues that are well crafted. Themes of family, love, duty, and the fight against crime are among the skillfully and elaborately developed ones. While Dan E. Hendrickson's gift for plot is strong, it is the way this author handles characters that won my heart.
Ruffina Oserio
Readers’ Favorite
The Legend of Deputy Jim begins in 1972 with Major Joe Mason telling the people gathered in the bar of the legend of Deputy Jim. The action begins in Sheridan, Wyoming where there is a problem with the Wild Wolves biker gang. They enjoy killing and raping and causing trouble wherever they stop. Jim quickly becomes the new hero of the town when he becomes a deputy working along with Sheriff Manning and Lieutenant Al Freeburger. Jim’s sole mission, along with the rest of the force, is to stop the gang and they are willing to do anything necessary to accomplish this goal. Along the way, Jim finds out that they are not only a gang of bikers but they are also mixed up with a Mexican cartel and crooked politicians. Jim works to put an end to this situation as well. When one of the bikers, Grinder, begins to look at Jim’s family as a target, that is the last straw and Jim will not stop until the good guys win. Jim’s bravery and unrelenting dedication in putting an end to this problem give him the 'Legend' title.
The Legend of Deputy Jim is action-packed from beginning to end. It bounces back and forth between the actual events and the storytelling in a clear and easy format. It was impossible to put this book down because Dan E. Hendrickson created characters, a plot, and excitement that kept me up well past my bedtime and had me reading instead of doing my household chores. I was never sure what Deputy Jim would do next in his quest to get rid of the bikers and protect his family and his town, but it was always scary and he always had a plan. The Legend of Deputy Jim is a thrilling adventure/hero story that does not disappoint. It is a great book that must be read.
Trudi LoPreto
Readers’ Favorite
The Legend of Deputy Jim by Dan E. Hendrickson is one of those novels where suspense and action color the storyline with incredible turns of events. The plot revolves around Jim Edwards, the seventy-year-old father of hero Jacob Edwards. He recently saved his son and family in Central America, but this was not his first act of courage. Several years before, Jim worked as a sheriff deputy in Wyoming, but there are no records of what he did there. As it turns out, he had some serious trouble with a dangerous biker gang. The bikers not only committed crimes, but they hated Jim personally after he beat one of their members. To get revenge, they threatened Jim's wife and son. Jim is a man with potential, but he has an impetuous nature, so the question is not “if” but “how” he would fight against his enemies.
I enjoyed reading The Legend of Deputy Jim. Past and present have a connection in this exciting novel. Hendrickson writes in an engaging way and represents the hero of the story without sensationalism. Jim is an extraordinary, brave human being who cares for those he loves and whose only flaw is to be impulsive. Jim Edwards is a remarkable protagonist, and we need more characters like him. The narrative is another great aspect of The Legend of Deputy Jim. Hendricksonrepresents a situation that becomes increasingly tense in a way that keeps the reader in suspense. This story is not over until the last page, where the eager reader finds an incredible revelation. The Legend of Deputy Jim is a book that every lover of action and fast-paced stories will like
Astrid Iustulin
Readers’ Favorite
While the action in the book and the confrontations are extremely well written, the plot doesn’t suffer for it. It was truly fascinating to see the villains try smokescreen after smokescreen to hide their illicit activities and for our protagonists to see through them with good detective work. The characters too are well fleshed out with quirks and foibles like Jim’s conscientiousness with money and Al’s wide-ranging network. These traits made the characters feel unique and relatable. Finally, the book is extremely well edited and contained almost no errors that I could identify.
My largest issue with the book was the style of storytelling. While this is partly subjective and explained by the fact that it is narrated by a character many years later, I still felt that there was far too much ‘telling’ and not enough ‘showing’. Traits and incidents are simply told to us instead of being painted as a picture that we can imagine. As a result, I felt that the experience was not as immersive as it could have been. In addition, I felt that the amount of detail provided to readers was sometimes excessive which also affected immersion.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the story and felt a connection with the characters. The plot too was interesting and the action was well written. The issues that I mentioned are minor and subjective and as a result, I don’t wish to reduce the rating because of them. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy action and detective novels with strong plots.
Online Book Club
The Legend of Deputy Jim is a story written by Dan E. Hendrickson. He tells the story of sheriff deputy Jim Edwards, a teenage deputy in Wyoming and his interactions with the Wild Wolves, a local biker gang. By the early '70 s, rapes, shootings, and drug smuggling by various biker gangs with ties to Mexican drug cartels abound throughout Wyoming. The story is told by a former associate Major Joe Mason.
It all began in 1972. Jim Edwards was a boxer. At a young age, his father joined him in a boxing class to control his temper. Now he is a loving husband and father of one. After quitting boxing, he decides to join in the law enforcement. Wild Wolves are a biker gang made up of ex-military who were dishonorably discharged after serving in Vietnam. On a local road, Jim finds Sheriff Manning outmanned by the Wild Wolves before becoming a deputy. Jim helps the sheriff and Grinder, the second-in-command of the gang is arrested. As a result, he becomes a target. Given his work ethic and commitment to the profession, Jim sets out on a mission to put a stop to the bikers' reign of terror. However, when they threaten to harm his family, the situation becomes even more dangerous. The subsequent rivalry culminates in a famous confrontation between police enforcement and the gang, in which Jim Edwards single-handedly destroys an entire gang.
The fact that there were a lot of drama and action in the book appealed to me the most. The scenes are presented so vividly that I was taken back to the 1970s in Sheridan, going down the street and watching the deputy's every move.
The story explores a variety of issues, including conflict and resolution, as well as love and marriage. The author creates and develops a cast of wonderful characters, each of whom gives readers the full movie experience. This is the first book by this author that I've read, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. There is nothing I could hate about this book.
Being flawlessly edited and brilliantly written, I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The author tells the story in a style that is simple to understand. The violent themes and liberal obscene language used in this novel are unsuitable for young people. This is one of those stories that action fans will like. Personally, I think it's a fantastic book.
Online Book Club
At the Rainbow bar; present day, Sheridan county, Wyoming. Major Joe Mason of Wyoming highway patrol tells a legend of the early '70s. The legend of how biker gang crimes were stopped in Sheridan county by sheriff Manning. With the help of perhaps, the two most capable lawmen in the country, sheriff Manning manages to bring down a massive operation of a Columbian drug lord. The self-sacrificing legend behind this is deputy Jim Edwards, father to commander Jacob Edwards of the First responder. Through determination, friendship and love for family, Jim Edwards defeats the most notorious of biker gangs in Sheridan county and then disappears.
Dan E Hendrickson has done it again! This time round with a massive flashback into the mysterious life of Jim Edwards. A past that even captain Tommy Williams is puzzled about. A past buried with one who erased it and only lives in the memory of eyewitnesses. A past that is lost history. A legend; The Legend of Deputy Jim.
I really enjoyed the plot of the story. Written in a very interesting manner, breaking into the present to ease tension built up by all the action packed scenes of the past. The storyline is so captivating that I could hardly refrain from turning the page. The scenes are written in such a vivid manner that I found myself transported back into the '70s in Sheridan walking along and seeing the deputy's every action. This is a masterpiece of Dan E Hendrickson. I was also drawn to the sense of humour exhibited by the author. His ability to make fun of the most mundane of situations is mind-boggling. Also, the ability of the author to evoke emotion in a reader is awe-inspiring. I couldn't help hating the pack leader and his wild wolves gang and their malicious activities. I felt the hatred strongly especially when the wolves attacked innocent teens. Finally, I really liked the author's witty idea to write the story in flashback. I see the whole idea being very brilliant.
On the contrary I feel that the author's use of profane language was way too liberal. It would do the greater justice to the novel if the author would have dispensed with most of the uncalled-for profanities.
Being exceptionally edited and brilliantly written, I can't refrain from giving a perfect rating of four out of four stars to The Legend of Deputy Jim by Dan E Hendrickson. It was a great pleasure and a great thrill to read the book. The legend deservers nothing less than a perfect rating. I recommend this book to a mature audience due to the violent themes and the liberal profane language used which is unsuitable for young audiences.
Online Book Club
In a bar in Sheridan, a small crowd sits to share drinks and catch up when they see a news headline of the hero of Cozumel, Jacob Edwards and his family. Discussing this ‘hero’ leads to a storytelling session on his father, Jim Edwards.
The narrator takes us to the early 1970s when Wyoming is ridden with rapes, shootings and drug smuggling by different biker gangs with ties to Mexican drug cartels. Jim Edwards, a young husband and father of one, was yet to be sworn in as deputy in the Sheridan Sheriff Department when he performed his first heroic act leading to the arrest of some members of the Wild Wolves biker gang including Grinder, the second-in-command of the gang.
After a year of incarceration, Grinder is released. Recognizing Jim, he threatens him and his family. Jim, also a boxer takes on Grinder, humiliating him in front of his comrades thus establishing a vendetta between Grinder and himself. The Medellin Cartel have a plot to increase drug smuggling and production activities in Wyoming and plan to use the Wild Wolves biker gang to cause distractions and at the same time avenge Grinder’s humiliation. Jim shows himself a formidable enemy of the biker gang when his colleagues are kidnapped and his family, threatened.
Reading The Legend of Deputy Jim by Dan E Hendrickson, the prequel to The Last Enemy Trilogy was an absolute pleasure. I found myself gripping the edge of my seat in fear for the fate of the characters. The author succeeded in merging the past and present in such a way that immerses the reader in the story and emotions of the characters. Hendrickson did a great job in incorporating bits of information from the trilogy that help the reader make sense of the story, even without reading the entire series.
The characters are well developed and relatable; Jim is an intelligent man who loves his family with the tendency to be very sacrificial and impulsive. Another enjoyable part of the book is the similarities between Jim's and his son’s (Jacob) stories and personalities that further tie the prequel to The Last Enemy Trilogy. It is an action-filled western story that offers a mix of intrigue, family relations, friendship and syndicated crime.
The book was professionally edited and has very few errors. It however contains some profanities, and I rate the book a four out of four stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an action packed story and has no issues with a few profanities.
Online Book Club
Some years later Major Joe Mason of the Wyoming Highway Patrol is sharing the story of Deputy Jim with his nephew, and other bar patrons in the bar. It all started in 1972, when Jim Edwards was known in the local boxing circuit. After hanging up his boxing gloves he decided he wanted to go into law enforcement. He was promised a job with the Sheridan County Police Department if he finished a criminal justice course and completed the police academy. Before becoming a deputy, Jim finds Sheriff Manning outnumbered by The Wild Wolves on a local road. Jim assists the sheriff, and in doing so he puts a target on his back. The Wild wolves are a biker gang, full of ex-military who fought in Nam, and were dishonorably discharged. Once Jim became deputized, he trained with Deputy Al Freeburger. Al is a legendary law officer and National Guardsman. Joe Mason, tells the story of how Jim and Al stayed one step ahead of the criminal enterprise being run by The Wild Wolves and their associates south of the border.
What I liked the most about the book was that there was a lot of drama, and action. The description of the fights went in depth to the point that I could visualize blow by blow. Also, I felt that you got to know the characters, and each one showed their personality. I loved that Jim was tough, but was soft when it came to his wife and child.
What I liked the least about the book was that there was a mention of a potential character, I felt that he was built up and then dropped. I waited for his appearance in the scene's but it never happened. I felt that so much more could have been done with this particular character. I would have liked to see what he could have added to the drama and action of the book.
I rate this book 4 out 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Legend of Deputy Jim. I feel that Dan W. Hendrickson did an excellent job with writing this novel. I didn't give it three stars because it was really well written, and the thing that I liked least about it was not enough for me to rate it less, because the story told was excellent.
Online Book Club
This is such a great book that I went and purchased the series. This book is on the line of the Die Hard movie series. The author puts the reader in the middle of the action. While the violence is real, it is not over the top in blood and gore. This is one of those everyday hero stories that men will want to be him or at least know what it's like to be in his shoes. Women will want their husbands to be that protective. I am going to binge read the series and keep an eye on this author's work. Wow! I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review
GranJan
Amazon
I loved the Sheridan County, Wyoming setting for The Legend of Deputy Jim. It was great to see how remarkable a shot Jim's wife was, on the shooting range and later as the story escalated to the final confrontation. This prequel is packed with riveting, fast-paced action, likable and quirky characters, and ample plot twists and predicaments that kept me excited to see how it would turn out. The story is well crafted and flows smoothly. Keep writing, Dan! I'm a fan!
Joe
Amazon
This was an amazingly good book. It's is a gripping Tale of Intrigue, action and just life in general. It leaves you turning the pages as fast as you can to find out what happens. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy
Rebecca
Amazon
I thought this was a story based on the wild west shoot 'em up genre. It is not, but it's still a very good book. Jim's life has been pushed around by circumstances. He doesn't complain, just keeps his head down and keeps working. Dan Hendrickson has given us a character to cheer for. He takes care of his family while taking out the bad guys. Obviously the bad guys don't like this.
The book is different as you find out many times that Jim could have taken a different path but always chooses to take the right one, no matter how hard it is. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more about Deputy Jim.
Denice Langley
Goodreads
Excellent Law Man Adventure – Similar to Die Hard Movies
This is such a great book that I went and purchased the series. This book is on the line of the Die Hard movie series. The author puts the reader in the middle of the action. While the violence is real, it is not over the top in blood and gore. This is one of those everyday hero stories that men will want to be him or at least know what it's like to be in his shoes. Women will want their husbands to be that protective. I am going to binge read the series and keep an eye on this author's work. Wow! I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
Janet Graham
Goodreads
The Legend of Deputy Jim: The Last Enemy Series, Prequel is one of those books that draws you in and you just cannot put it down until the end. The storyline is amazingly real, with violence, drama, and intrigue.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I cannot wait for the next one in the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Heather W
Goodreads
First book I have read in this series. If this prequel is any indication of the quality of the other books, I’m ready to jump in. The “old man” obviously passed on some good genes to the kid.
Doug Yonce
Goodreads
In the present day, a small crowd has gathered at the Rainbow Bar in Sheridan County, a tightknit corner of Wyoming nestled against the Bighorn Mountains, to hear the legend of Deputy Jim. The narrator takes the tale back to the early 1970s, when Jim is a young law enforcement recruit with a local reputation as a tenacious boxer and an affable family man. He proves himself early on in a protracted struggle between the sheriff’s department and the Wild Wolves, a violent biker gang with ties to Mexican drug cartels. As the conflict escalates, Jim exposes a widening web of corruption, which includes high-ranking members of the state government. Jim’s attention to detail, inherent toughness, and persistent pursuit of the truth earn him several comparisons to Dick Tracy from his colleagues. The bikers, led by notorious thugs Grinder and Pack Leader, hate to be bested, as do their cartel backers. As a result, they grow increasingly violent—hiding out in the mountains and swooping through town on campaigns of crime and intimidation. But after they kidnap Jim’s colleagues and threaten his wife and young son, they find that they’re up against a formidable enemy. As in any Western worth its salt, this story’s conclusion includes a scene of climactic violence, and it’s an action-packed sequence including several horseback riding officers of the law. In action scenes, Hendrickson (The Last Enemy, 2019, etc.) shows a knack for exciting pacing. Elsewhere, however, he can fall into excessive summary, as when he concludes a section with this passage: “For the rest of the winter of ’73-’74, Jim plays it cool, professional, and low key, but he still does his job very well.” Jim is ultimately an uncomplicated hero—responsible, protective, and brave to a fault—but in a classic, heroic cowboy way, which can be endearing.
A fast-paced, if slightly uneven, Western tale, told in a plain style.
Kirkus
Brimming with the rustic energy of the west, The Legend of Deputy Jim by author Dan E. Hendrickson is a story within a story that will rope you in faster than a rodeo show.
Founded on unusual storytelling exposition, this book details the long-winded legend of Jim Edwards, who begins this story as a superstar athlete and humble young graduate with his eyes on one thing: law enforcement. However, his journey is far from easy, and anything but typical.
Before he even begins his time on the force, Jim has mixed it up with the local biker gang that runs much of the illicit activity around Sheridan County, Wyoming. He leaps into the heart of danger and justice, despite having a young wife and son – Linda and Jacob – to consider.
Quickly introduced to the rougher side of the law, including the sheriff occasionally passing out a beating to those who deserve it, Jim begins to understand what the daily grind of law enforcement really looks like. As always, his intellect, physical abilities, temper and brewing ambition are hard to keep down.
Towing the line between taking informed risks and being reckless with his own life, Jim is a wild card, a bubbling pot of energy who makes for an excellent protagonist. He is a continual thorn in the side of the Wild Wolves Biker Gang, who would like nothing more than to punch his final ticket. The “legend” of Deputy Jim certainly earns its name, as the climactic moments of this book often veer into the unbelievable – tall tales, indeed.
From the heart of biker gang heists to procedural scenes in courtrooms, this story is comprehensive, providing a full picture of Jim Edwards’ time with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department. It never loses its colloquial charm, and the rugged charm of Wyoming is on full display. There is something to be said for an author being thorough, but there are some moments and sections of the book that do feel unnecessary.
The narration is too frequently declarative, often expressly telling what characters are doing or thinking, while at other points, the story progresses more like a novel. This vaguely shifting voice can be distracting, compounded by the dialogue varying in its believability, with some exchanges coming across as authentic, and others reading like overwrought attempts to progress plot minutiae. The inexorable buildup to the final showdown maintains the tension throughout the story, but this tall tale occasionally feels too fictional to be believed.
Although it isn’t always clear why the extended story of Jim Edwards is couched within the bookends of the modern day, the inclusion of young Jacob Edwards in some of the events may offer some explanation, but it’s an odd launch point nonetheless. Generally speaking, the story is engaging, the key characters are vividly depicted, and the lines of good and bad are occasionally blurred, giving readers a bit to think about, even in a book that mainly amounts to some good old-fashioned shoot-em-up fun.
Self Publishing Review
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About
Born in Sheridan Wyoming in 1962 near the rustic Big Horn mountain range, to Carl and Helen Hendrickson. Dan went to school in…
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