Steve “Buck” Trammel is a former police officer in New York and a former Pinkerton agent in Chicago. Now he is a sheriff in Blackstone where he finds himself trying to put out trouble brewing in the town from many directions. With all his attention captured by trying to stop people from revenge or starting an uprising, the last thing Buck needs is his past to catch up to him now, but that is exactly what happens.
Buck cannot help himself when he knows there is going to be trouble, or he hears guns going off; he is one to run to trouble not away. Because of that quality of standing up to troublemakers, his former love interest, Dr. Emily Downs, has left him. If Buck isn’t careful, history may repeat itself but with another woman.
In town, Buck’s former friend, Adam Hagen, is bent on taking over his father’s empire by hook or by crook. With Buck in the middle, Adam is waging war with his father. He utilizes any and all means in the story to get the power he craves. Adam forms a partnership with a man named Clay as both men want power, but neither can really trust the other. Readers then meet a man who appears as a crusader to clean up Blackstone from the vices of whiskey, women and opium. But is he really trying to clean things up, or is there more to him than what he lets the townsfolk see?
The first two books in the series are worth enjoying to understand the character development and overall story that carries throughout the series. The titles are North of Laramie and Bury the Hatchet written by the same authors. While each book has action, there is an overarching plot developing. I have enjoyed each novel and can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book.
I highly recommend visiting the authors’ website and downloading the booklist, especially if you enjoy reading a series in order. (Written by LBJ)