Customer Reviews

Double the Bounty

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"Wild Bill Hickok may have been more famous than even
he believed. And Brian Fox was no Wild Bill Hickok."

"Brian Fox was a bank and train robber and was wanted in three
states..."


This western book which first saw the publishing light-of-day back in 1987, is now back in print from Leisure Western, August, 2008. I believe it to be the first book of a trilogy, with the second book THE LAWMAN, due to be released from Leisure November 25, 2008.

When your name is Decker and your profession is bounty hunter, your main problem is not so much catching "the legendary outlaw", Brian Fox, it is trying to figure how Fox can be in two separate towns, 100 miles apart, supposedly robbing two different banks at the same time. Eye witnesses swear that is happening, although Decker knows that is impossible. Felicia Wheeler, granddaughter of the editor of the Doverville, Arizona, newspaper has it figured out and is about to tell Decker all about it. The innocent have nothing to fear from "noose" Decker, but the guilty are without hope whether they realize it or not.

Mr. Randisi is among the top western writers riding the range today and DOUBLE THE BOUNTY is another 'crackerjack' traditional western from his prolific pen. This is a western writer and a western book not to be missed.

Semper Fi.

When the Bounty Hunter is on your trail....your days are numbered!

That's wher Brian Foxx finds himself. Supposedly, he comitted two crimes at the same time, yet he's only one man. Even Decker, the Bounty Hunter, can't figure out how this happened, yet according to eye witnesses, it did. Brian Foxx thinks of himself as Wild Bill, and his plan to rob two banks at the same time is genius.

What he didn't count on is Decker finding the posters, and setting his sights on the Foxx clan.

Western adventure by Randisi is always page turning. This time, the quest to escape and quest to capture collide. You know that when surival meets justice, it is never pretty. Truly exciting, this book is sure to thrill.

Tim Lasiuta

Double the Bounty is the first in Randisi's Bounty Hunter series. Decker, the bounty hunter, is on the chase for Brian Foxx, who is famous for robbing two separate banks at the same time, one in Wyoming and the other in Arizona. Randisi's writing style (short chapters, lots of dialogue, and lots of white space) keep the story moving along at a fast pace. Once you start this one, you likely won't put it down before you finish it. While Randisi's westerns lack the ring of true authenticity found in the works of Louis L'Amour, he more than makes up for it in sheer storytelling ability. If you enjoy a well-written, fast-paced western, you will not be disappointed with Double the Bounty.

This is my first encounter with Robert Randisi as a Western writer. I can see where this writer shows a lot of promise;but there are things about this novel that need to be different for me to adopt him as one of my favorites.
Randisi has crafted a very good stotyline,but it could quailfy both as a "whodunit" as a "western".This tends to weaken the story,rather than strengthen it--at least for me. However;it might be the opposite for someone who is a big fan of detective or mysteries.
This writer uses very little in the way of Old West parlance,a very important element in a great western---at least for me. I am always on the lookout for a great line to use in my review title ;something like "Hold on!;we'll give him a fair trial;then hang him in the morning." There was almost none of this from Randisi in this saga.
The story moves right along;and the writer is very adept at breaking it up into 41 chapters;as the story moves back and forth between the Foxx twins and Decker and his adopted companions. In many novels breaking up such a short story into so many,couple of page chapters and blank pages;is simply a method to stretch the words to fill the 180 or so pages that seems to be the requirement for today's "Dime Westerns" that Randisi refers to on pages 31-33 ,with "The Legend of the Hangman" by Ned Buntline. There is good reason for Randisi's use of this structure in this case;and makes the novel very easy to follow.
Another thing I appreciate in a good Old West western is for the writer to include some historical facts ,characters,and other color from these exciting times;some details of the struggles and way of life in these days;and above all,some real good character development.After all,characters is what this period exceelled in. The writing style',of very short thoughts and sentences stands out,even for weasterns;and the bold clear print chosen by the publisher deserves mention and is appreciated.
I ,for one,appreciate good artwork on the covers of these Old West westerns.Too bad the artists aren't given credit.This cover is very good at first glance;but when one finishes the story;you are left wondering whether it is Brian or Brent. A big opportunity of doing something with the twins was missed.
So,having read my first novel by this writer;I enjoyed the story;but feel that the writer has it in him to come up with at great Old West Western;but falls a little short with this one.I'll be looking forward to reading more from him.