The Range Detectives
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Audible Standard 1-month free trial
The Range Detectives
Buy Now for $21.82
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Narrated by:
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John McLain
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Written by:
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William W. Johnstone
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J. A. Johnstone
Johnstone Country: The good die young. The bad die younger.
From the best-selling masters of Western fiction comes two tough frontier detectives who solve the bloodiest crimes with bravado, brains, and bullets blazing....
Homicide on the range
A killer is on the loose in the Arizona Territory. One by one, Tonto Basin ranchers are being murdered for their livestock - and the Cattle Raisers' Association has hired two range detectives to catch the culprit.
From the looks of them, Stovepipe Stewart and Wilbur Coleman are just another pair of high-plains drifters. But with their razor-sharp detective skills and rare talent for trouble, they're the last remaining hope for one young cowboy who's been arrested for the murders. Stovepipe and Wilbur believe the boy is innocent.
In short order, the trail of clues leads to a secret canyon hideout, and the duo find themselves in the middle of an all-out range war - with the dirtiest gang of cutthroats, thieves, and outlaws the West has ever known....
There's just one mystery left to solve: How will they get out of this alive?
©2016 by J. A. Johnstone (P)2019 Blackstone PublishingContinue the series
A good story, twists and turns
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..but they also include a little bit of mystery: an unsolved murder, wrongly-accused suspects, and an investigation by sleuth/lawmen in disguise ("Stovepipe" Stewart and Wilbur Coleman). The elements of a Police Procedural are most unusual for an Old West story.
The execution is somewhat lacking (the book is almost-parody lighthearted.. about 'Hardy Boys'-level complexity and populated with chuckleworthy caricatures of lawmen & cowboys), but if you're prepared to take it as presented it's passably enjoyable.
As to presentation: Blackstone Publishing provide creditable technical support for a truly praiseworthy reader. John McLain's deep baritone timbre is ideal for the Western genre. He consistently reminded me of Sam Elliot (without as much of the signature Texas drawl).
On top of commendable diction, cadence, and pacing - McLain reads with evident interest and emotiveness. His relaxed and somewhat tongue-in-cheek tone matches the text perfectly.
My one issue with McLain is his inconsistent voice-acting: most dialogue is delivered with mind's-eye believability (his stuttering 'Wilbur' - while obvious comic relief - is incredibly lifelike, for example), but a couple of the chosen character voices are glaringly cartoonish and occasionally cringeworthy.
Taken altogether, I rate 'The Range Detectives' a respectable 7.5 stars out of 10. It's a fun "distraction" at most (don't set your expectations too high).. but if you can get this recording as a 'Plus' selection (included with membership), it's definitely worth a download - ideal for a long drive with the kids. Should they ask for a Credit, however, consider carefully. There are better options available.
[Incidentally: Is the word "leastways" used anywhere in literature besides tales of the American West?]
Intriguing Mix : Formulaic And Unique
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IT'S A GOOD YARN
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