Blood Valley [Paperback]

William W. Johnstone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1988

Lawmen don't last long in the town of Doubtful, Wyoming Territory. The last one quit, another ended up in a hangman's noose, and one more was backshot by the hired guns at the Circle L Ranch. But the town of Doubtful has never seen the likes of the man who's known only as Cotton, who aims to take the badge for $125 a month, save himself a nice chunk of money over the next year, and be on his way. At least, that's his plan. Problem is, Cotton has just stuck his nose in the biggest hornet's nest in the territory. Some of the new homesteaders are stringing wire, and the three large spreads in the area don't like it much. Before Cotton can say "range war!" a passel of hardcases are filling the air with gun smoke and hot lead. But Cotton won't be scared off. He'll see to it that law and order come to Doubtful - because Cotton isn't afraid of dying. And he's not afraid of killing.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Zebra (February 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821722824
• ISBN-13: 978-0821722824
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blood valley. Definately worth a read, December 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood Valley (Paperback)

This story, written in first person narrative, is pulled off beautifully by Johnstone. The young anti hero, Cotton Pickens will have you rolling with laughter and on the edge of your seat with plenty of mystery and excitement. A must read if you read western fiction at all. In the book, Cotton becomes a sheriff in a small cowtown, restores order, finds a girlfriend, foils a take over of the town, stops greedy landgrabbers, kills several night riding farm burners, and keeps the peace while keeping you in hysterics. William Johnstone is at the top of his game with this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true Western claasic, January 29, 2011

By 

T. Conner "aestas" (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood Valley (Mass Market Paperback)

Twenty-eight year old Cotton Pickens wasn't looking for much other than a warm meal when he came to the Wyoming town of Doubtful. But when a shootout with some gamblers shows off his skills with a gun, the residents elect him as sheriff overnight. After accepting the position, Cotton comes face-to-face with a few members of Circle L--led by Big Mike Romain--the gang who roped and dragged the last lawman of Doubtful. Cotton provokes the gang by unhitching the saddle of Rusty and making him drop to the ground, and after a short stand-off, ends up with Rusty as his new deputy. The new deputy informs Cotton of a war brewing amid "The Big Three": Rockinghorse, Circle L and Quartermoon, a trio of ranches that nearly own a million acres between them ... and how only he and Cotton stand against them.

Cotton comes face to face with the range war when nightriders from Circle L attack a farm one night. Crops are destroyed, the house burned down, the husband killed and one of the daughters is raped and murdered. Soon the news spreads that Circle L has hired Jack Crow, a Mississippian gunslinger with a nasty reputation. And this worries Cotton. He cooks up a plan to help control the coming war in Doubtful: new laws banning gunfire and horse riding in town. He also seeks help from any ranch riders who don't want blood on their hands. But will any of his efforts pay off, or will he become one of the causalities of the loudening ranch war?

Blood Valley--originally published in 1988--is full of action, drama, topped off wonderfully with sarcasm and comedy. A true Western classic!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cottin Pickin Great, May 6, 2009

By 

Richard S. Lambert "Richard Scott Lambert" (Orlando,Fl.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood Valley (Mass Market Paperback)

Want a good ole fashion shoot um up western? You found it! With a name like Cotton Pickens as our hero you cant go wrong. Enjoy the Ride!