Customer Reviews

The Sheriff's Surrender (Ladies' Shooting Club)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was thrilled to see "Ladies Shooting Club Book 1" on the spine of "The Sheriff's Surrender" by Susan Page Davis. I'm not even halfway through this novel and can't wait for the sequel! Gert Dooley is not your typical 1885 gal. Summoned to Fergus, Idaho by her pregnant sister-in-law to help her care for Gert's brother's home after the birth of their child, Gert arrived to find her brother, Hiram, grieving the deaths of both mother and child. Years later, she is still caring for him in his home and business. When Hiram repairs firearms, Gert does the test-shooting, and she has become a superior marksman - make that markswoman.

After the murder of the local sheriff, Hiram's friend Ethan Chapman is appointed as interim sheriff, and Gert is sought by many of the fearful ladies in town for shooting lessons. Gert and Ethan have managed to steer clear of romance, although it's pretty apparent that they care for each other. But now that they are working to protect the town, will they be able to keep their distance from one another?

Oh, what a novel! This book has it all - mystery and suspense, romance, cowboys and horses. WOW! The chapters are short, the story enjoyable, the murder mystery an enjoyable puzzle. There are some parts that seem a bit unnecessary at first, but prove themselves to be more than fluff as the reading progresses. I am thoroughly enjoying this book and can't wait to see what follows

I liked The Sheriff's Surrender, but didn't "love it". I thought the characters were written well and I liked the overall style of this book. At first seeing this book, I thought the story would center around Gert, but that was not so. The plot focused more on the general store owner and Ladies Shooting club, as a whole. And for a romance novel, there didn't seem to be a whole lot at all and the only thing that kept me reading was the murder mystery aspect of the story. Though, I will say, I enjoyed the antics of Ladies Shooting Club and that also made the story more exciting.
Overall, I liked this book, but I probably wouldn't read it again.



*This book was given to me by the publisher in return for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way or influenced to write a positive review*

I really enjoyed this book. I do wish that the book had spent more time helping us get to know Gert better. It seemed like lots of time was spent with the mystery and with Ethan, and less with Gert. My heart went out to poor Milzie! I felt so bad for her and kept hoping that someone would befriend her. The mystery part of this book, I really liked. I was on the edge of my seat at the end of the book when the murderer was found out. I was very pleased with the way the book ended, and if you enjoy a sweet romance with a mystery thrown in, then I believe you will also.

When the sheriff is found dead in his station, another young man of the town is pressed into service and finds himself trying to solve not only the Sheriff's murder's, but others as well. Meanwhile, the town is in an uproar over the ladies of the town forming a shooting club to learn how to protect themselves. From the pastor's wife the the dance hall girls, they are all lining up to learn how to shoot!!!
This was a cute story! I found it an enjoyable light, read and really enjoyed it without a lot of romance in it, just fun story! It would be one that would be something a mom and younger daughter could enjoy together!

Although westerns aren't my usual cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed Davis's first installment in her Ladies Shooting Club series. She sets her scenes without the reader even noticing--no long, drawn-out descriptions; you're just very much there in the moment. I realized halfway through the book that my mental picture of this town was as vivid as if I were watching it on film. And I can say the same about the lead characters. Davis seems to draw the reader to her hero and heroine effortlessly. Don't be fooled, though--that's the mark of a talented writer. She also knows how to write a tight little mystery, allowing her cast of characters to play devil's advocate all the way through. If a question comes to mind while you read, you can be sure it will be addressed by someone at some point in the story. Not a loose thread in sight. Loved it. Highly recommended.

A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. And in the town of Fergus, the ladies have decided that what they have to do is protect themselves after their sheriff is murdered. That sounds reasonable doesn't it? Unfortunately, this decision steps on the toes of the men in the town. So while trying to soothe their ruffled feathers, someone commits a second murder. The "Ladies Shooting Club" becomes more of a want and now a necessity.

Such a great read about relationships between men and women. Those fine lines and finding someone who loves and respect you for you.

I loved this book. Susan Page Davis does a wonderful job setting up this series in this book and while she is setting up and the reader is getting to know the characters,it remains interesting and never drags.

Fergus makes a great setting and I loved learning about the town a little bit at time. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching them grow and change when they were faced with different situations.

The mystery storyline was also superb. Several plausible suspects are given throughout the book, but I didn't feel anything was given away early. It kept me guessing and kept me interested.

The characters were fascinating. From Gert who I really liked to Libby the store owner to Bitsy the saloon owner and her girls, all of the characters add to the story and teach us about understanding and loving others. The characters all have a real feel to them and I can't wait to read more books in this series to get to know them more.

The romance in this is a small part, but it is there and enjoyable. Overall this book was a very enjoyable and feel-good read. This is my first book by Susan Page Davis and I will seek out more of her books.

All three of these books were full of adventure, romance, suspense. I hated to see the end of the series. You simply have to get all three!!! My husband really liked them also. So it is books that both a woman or a man can enjoy. Never a dull moment. My favorite book was the second one.

Gert Dooley is the best shot in town. She came out west after her brother's wife died to help him out with his gunsmith shop. Hiram as stopped talking after his wife's death, and Gert test-fires the guns and does the talking for him. She's known as the best shot in the town.

When the sheriff of Fergus is found dead, the townsfolk vote Ethan Chapman in as interim sheriff until a new sheriff can be elected. Ethan never wanted this job, but he fills in because he can't let the town down.

When the ladies in town discover that the old sheriff had been murdered they go to Gert to teach them how to shoot for protection and they form a Ladies Shooting Club. The men in town want this club disbanded--but then another body is discovered. Ethan turns to Gert and her club to help him find the murderer before he strikes again.

THE SHERIFF'S SURRENDER is the first historical I've read by Ms. Davis, but I am a long time fan of her suspense books. I found THE SHERIFF'S SURRENDER starting out kind of disjointed, in many different points of view, and I got a little confused. But by the time the sheriff was murdered either I'd gotten used to the storytelling method, or the story had tied together some so it wasn't as confusing.

Ethan is a man who loves to serve, but he doesn't like to be in the limelight. He doesn't want to be sheriff, but there is no one else to do it, so he steps up to the plate. I hoped that he would be able to solve the murders and maybe even fall in love in the process. Gert isn't so well developed as a character, but the reader can still identify with her. This is a light, easy read with a fun mystery thrown in to keep the pages turning.

I don't consider The Sheriff's Surrender a romance at all,nor do I consider it a 'Christian' novel just because of the absence of profanity and sex.

However, it was an entertaining read that kept me engaged through the end. I loved the ladies in the story,but most of the men sounded like real sexist jerks,who went ballistic over their females joining the shooting club! The mystery was good,and I never guessed who it was,but I'm one of the world's worst armchair detectives,is why I seldom read mysteries.

Recommended for those who would enjoy a nice 'clean' crime-drama-mystery set in the frontier west.