Last Hanging at Paradise Meadow

The Legend of Stuart Brannon #3

by Stephen Bly

The third book in a continuing western series that captures the gritty textures of Western life while delivering a powerful spiritual message. Stuart Brannon devises a plan to convince the people of Paradise Meadow that an outlaw is lying about his role in a woman's death. In the process, Brannon finds an unusual ally who is going through a different trial.

Genres: Westerns, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Christian

188 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1992

About the author

Stephen Bly (August 17, 1944 - June 9, 2011) authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists. He spoke at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He was the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and served as mayor of Winchester, Idaho (2000-2007). He spoke on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was an Active Member of the Western Writers of America. Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross) and mother of Alayah, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye) and father of Keaton and Deckard. A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms.

Reviews

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really like Stephen Bly. His books are full of old time West adventure, characters, and intrigue. It’s pleasing to read a book that doesn’t have any profanity or sexual activity. It is a violent western, but it wouldn’t have been an old time western if not.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book, well, almost all of this book felt as though the author shouted "Action!" and the characters took him at his word. We have shootings, fires, more shooting, dead men, rescues, more shootings, wounded, bad guys, more shooting, Brannon, and more fire. Talk about action and drama! The bad guys got what they had coming, there was no bad language or scenes I'd skip. Some prayers and talk about God and about getting right with God. It was a fast read.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost city

Stuart Brannon finds Broken Arrow Crossing, a former stage & supply house for miners further up the mountain, turned into a small city of cutthroats, thieves, outlaws, and a few--very few--honest people. The mob is determined to hang the last of the Rutherford thugs after Brannon catches him. Then Brannon must protect the evil Rutherford from the lynch mob. He is successful at preventing Rutherford from being hanged but the worthless man wound up dead anyway. Stephen Bly delivers another excellent read once again.

[Sequoyah Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grew a lot on me the farther into it I got.
It's a pretty classical western. A town run by a power-struck man, the good gunman comes to town and gets involved even though he doesn't want to be.
But then there's a spit-fire Cherokee school teacher and Brannon has a wrestling relationship with the Lord. The themes go deeper than just "save the town" and that I really appreciated.

[Lilly Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing. I am continually amazed at the way Bly portrays strong characters who are full of charisma and effortlessly move the plot forward through action. This is a four star book only because it didn't leave me wanting to immediately read it again.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Stuart Brannon wanted to do was ride into town, deliver something to Peter Mulroney, and finally head back to his ranch in Arizona. Instead he arrives at Broken Arrow Crossing, now renamed Paradise Meadow, to find Peter in jail for a murder he didn't commit and the city about to implode under corrupt leadership. Unable to stand by when there are good people in need of help, Brannon soon finds himself in the middle of the conflict.

A point of view character in this novel is Rose Creek, a schoolteacher of Cherokee descent trying to make her stand in Paradise Meadow. Ever since she spoke out publicly against the town's self-appointed mayor, Rose has been losing students and being pressured to move on. When Peter Mulroney is jailed, he asks Rose to take care of his three children and to try to find Stuart Brannon for help in this unjust situation. When Rose does meet Brannon for the first time they get off on the wrong foot, and she thinks he is a heedless, irresponsible man more likely to add to the problem than aid it.

As the decent citizens in Paradise Meadow begin banding together to fight against Mayor Rutherford, Brannon fears vigilante justice will result. Good people are so upset at the mistreatment they have suffered that they are more set on revenge than doing what is right. Brannon, Creek, and a few others try to remain impartial and hold things together, but as events unfold their lives and safety may just be threatened by the very people they are trying to protect.

When right and wrong turn upside down a lot of bad choices can be made, and eventually any good outcome becomes questionable. This novel puts our humanity into check and reminds us that our values must align with God's or they will lead to destruction. Can Paradise Meadow survive? Eventually the citizens themselves will be the deciding factor.

This third Stuart Brannon novel is full of memorable characters and page-turning action. Riding the trail with Stuart Brannon is never, ever boring!

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart and Edwin revisit the site of the Hard Winter to find it a very changed place. A short errand turns into a stand for God's justice.

**May 2012 edit: I just received the new edition of this book and it looks fabulous! Looking forward to having Stuart Brannon a part of my life for even more years to come. :-)

**Dec. 2014 edit: See the 2012 edition for my full review of this title.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent western. It goes beyond entertainment though, and I'm still processing what I read. This book presents several layers of issues, things to ponder and work out for oneself. For all that, it is still an excellent story with a great plot and well-developed characters.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining series. A kin to Louis L'amour books.
Really enjoyed this adventure. Brandon is the man of every woman's dream.