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Sheriff Ben Stillman #3
Once a Lawman
A courtesan and her client are found dead in the town of Clantick in the Montana Territory. Sheriff Ben Stillman must use his skills from his years as a Pinkerton detective to find the killer before the townsfolk take the law into their own hands.
- GenresWesterns
Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
About the author
Peter Brandvold
193 books136 followersPeter Brandvold has written well over one hundred action westerns under his own name and his pseudonym, Frank Leslie. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has lived all over the West. He currently lives in western Minnesota with his dog. Follow him at Amazon and here peterbrandvold.blogspot.comand here: facebook.com/peter.brandvold.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 14, 2019
Excellent
Not too many Westerns are such definitive mystery stories. I'm happy I ignored the "sexy" description. I very much enjoyed this tale and it wasn't pornish.
Not too many Westerns are such definitive mystery stories. I'm happy I ignored the "sexy" description. I very much enjoyed this tale and it wasn't pornish.
March 1, 2019
Searching
Another suspense filled Western from Brandvold. Someone is killing people in town and since no progress is being made in finding the killer, Sheriff Stillman's job is at stake. A well written Western. I highly recommend this author.
Another suspense filled Western from Brandvold. Someone is killing people in town and since no progress is being made in finding the killer, Sheriff Stillman's job is at stake. A well written Western. I highly recommend this author.
March 4, 2019
This series of outstanding western adventures is definitely habit forming. I am very fortunate having bought these two endeavors by a very outstanding author, who has definitely grabbed my undivided attention. These stories are very heartwarming and descriptive episodes of our old American western folklore adventures. I am looking forward to the next exciting adventure of Ben Stillman and his very heartwarming experiences throughout his many trying endeavors!
Five stars seems so meaningless to a story of this magnitude butt I realize there must be a cutoff somewhere and it does signify the true value of an outstanding portrayal of western adventures. I continue to be impressed with Mr. Brandvoid's analytical presentation throughout this western masterpiece. The characters, and their storylines continue to be overwhelmingly positive throughout
these two superb stories and the camaraderie of the good guys is unsurpassed quality gathering.
I, without hesitation, recommend this compassionate set of historically believable stories, as I have practically been completely mesmerized from beginning to end of these two very heartwarming and descriptive escapades of old western adventures. I will assure you, if you don't read these two books the loss is definitely yours!!!😤
Five stars seems so meaningless to a story of this magnitude butt I realize there must be a cutoff somewhere and it does signify the true value of an outstanding portrayal of western adventures. I continue to be impressed with Mr. Brandvoid's analytical presentation throughout this western masterpiece. The characters, and their storylines continue to be overwhelmingly positive throughout
these two superb stories and the camaraderie of the good guys is unsurpassed quality gathering.
I, without hesitation, recommend this compassionate set of historically believable stories, as I have practically been completely mesmerized from beginning to end of these two very heartwarming and descriptive escapades of old western adventures. I will assure you, if you don't read these two books the loss is definitely yours!!!😤
March 6, 2019
THE DARK SUITED MURDERER
Ben and his Deputy Leon are at their wits end. Someone is going around town murdering its people. The people who were murdered came from different backgrounds, there was the Cadena, a lady of pleasure, who was also a mulatto who kept to herself. The stationary drummer, the Army Sergeant Flaherty, the young farmer Hansel Hagan, and them Deputy Leon was bludgeon in the livery, while chasing the dark clad man who had just jumped from the second story balcony of the bankers house. Oh, the bankers mother was also murdered. All the murdered people died from having their throats cut...gruesome way to die.
Lots of disconnected evidence, in fact, the Sheriff is having a hard time piecing the puzzle together. You'll NEVER guess who the real murderer is, the author has a lot of tentacles floating in the cold wind blowing through town. The plot keeps you on edge throughout the adventure, it's so bad that the town's council held a meeting to fire Sheriff Stillman and his Deputy Leon, and put the town under Marshal Control by the Army until the killer was captured. A good western who done it, which you'll will enjoy..ride easy everyone.
Ben and his Deputy Leon are at their wits end. Someone is going around town murdering its people. The people who were murdered came from different backgrounds, there was the Cadena, a lady of pleasure, who was also a mulatto who kept to herself. The stationary drummer, the Army Sergeant Flaherty, the young farmer Hansel Hagan, and them Deputy Leon was bludgeon in the livery, while chasing the dark clad man who had just jumped from the second story balcony of the bankers house. Oh, the bankers mother was also murdered. All the murdered people died from having their throats cut...gruesome way to die.
Lots of disconnected evidence, in fact, the Sheriff is having a hard time piecing the puzzle together. You'll NEVER guess who the real murderer is, the author has a lot of tentacles floating in the cold wind blowing through town. The plot keeps you on edge throughout the adventure, it's so bad that the town's council held a meeting to fire Sheriff Stillman and his Deputy Leon, and put the town under Marshal Control by the Army until the killer was captured. A good western who done it, which you'll will enjoy..ride easy everyone.
July 10, 2019
I read this one out of order, because I thought it was #2 in the series, but it is #3. No matter as it can be read as a standalone. Sheriff Ben Stillman wants to keep things quiet in this little Montana town, after he and his deputy, Leon, cleaned it up. Then some folks started getting their throats cut and there seems to be no connection between them. But they were targeted victims, so there has to be. It soon narrows down to the fact that it has to be a local, so everyone in town is a potential suspect. If you read the book pay attention. The connection isn't known until late in the story, and minor *spoiler*, Ben's wife Fay is part of the connection, so her life is in danger as well
March 9, 2019
A PB. Montana Westerm
PB. has. penned a Montana Western and does this author like twists in writing his western's. Revenge is a state of mind caused by a loose side of an event that causes the culprit to live in a disjointed mode mentally and physically, but at the same time maintaining a personna. Which causes his or her actions to be over looked. In this western I thought, at the end, that the novel had been written by Author Conan Doyle. This is an excellent read for the genre and is one of the best mystery westerns I have ever read.....DEHS
PB. has. penned a Montana Western and does this author like twists in writing his western's. Revenge is a state of mind caused by a loose side of an event that causes the culprit to live in a disjointed mode mentally and physically, but at the same time maintaining a personna. Which causes his or her actions to be over looked. In this western I thought, at the end, that the novel had been written by Author Conan Doyle. This is an excellent read for the genre and is one of the best mystery westerns I have ever read.....DEHS
March 2, 2020
Good Read
I loved the book’s plot except for all the bloody killing. Was the west really that easy to be bought off by one man? Why didn’t the towns people stand up for the town and community! Thank God for a retired lawman that cared more for justice than his own life. I really was glad to see that he wound up with his first love. If you like action packed books this one is it from page one to the end.
I loved the book’s plot except for all the bloody killing. Was the west really that easy to be bought off by one man? Why didn’t the towns people stand up for the town and community! Thank God for a retired lawman that cared more for justice than his own life. I really was glad to see that he wound up with his first love. If you like action packed books this one is it from page one to the end.
March 10, 2020
A GREAT WESTERN READ!
This is another Great Western Story! There is A LOT of Action from page one through the entire book! The twists & turns in the story are great! This Book is worth your time to read & worth the money to purchase! I am looking forward to next book! Enjoy your ride with this Author & his stories!
This is another Great Western Story! There is A LOT of Action from page one through the entire book! The twists & turns in the story are great! This Book is worth your time to read & worth the money to purchase! I am looking forward to next book! Enjoy your ride with this Author & his stories!
February 21, 2019
A Most Enjoyable Suspenseful Western!
It's not often a western writer is creative enough to blend typical western action scenes so well with surprising twists and turns of horror, violence, abuse and heart-tugging love of family! Brandvold is a masterful story teller.
It's not often a western writer is creative enough to blend typical western action scenes so well with surprising twists and turns of horror, violence, abuse and heart-tugging love of family! Brandvold is a masterful story teller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2019
Excellent Read
I completely got into this book and enjoyed it thru the ending. The book is quite a lot different from the usual western book reads. Wonderful book please enjoy as much as I did!
I completely got into this book and enjoyed it thru the ending. The book is quite a lot different from the usual western book reads. Wonderful book please enjoy as much as I did!
May 14, 2019
Good work; talented writer!
Would have given 5 stars, but religious types must have gotten the author to sell out the realistic frontier dialogue for terms like "son of a buck". Really?!
Would have given 5 stars, but religious types must have gotten the author to sell out the realistic frontier dialogue for terms like "son of a buck". Really?!
January 7, 2020
Great western mystery or who done it.
Great story to read with adventure, romance and mystery. If you like who done it type stories you will love this one. I for one failed to identify the killer.
Great story to read with adventure, romance and mystery. If you like who done it type stories you will love this one. I for one failed to identify the killer.
June 25, 2020
Sheriff Ben Stillman Western
Once a Lawman is book Three in this series by Peter Brandvoid. This is a different kind of western. A murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
Once a Lawman is book Three in this series by Peter Brandvoid. This is a different kind of western. A murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
February 20, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Shows you that all law work back in those times wasn't always guns and shooting.
I received an advance copy for an honest review.
I received an advance copy for an honest review.
March 26, 2019
A Fine Tale!
This is a great book about the old West.. it is well written and edited and has a fine plot. It kept me guessing all the way until the end!
This is a great book about the old West.. it is well written and edited and has a fine plot. It kept me guessing all the way until the end!
May 18, 2019
UPLIFTING!!!
A well written story that makes you feel as if you are there watching it all happen.
I can hardly wait for the next book in this series.
A well written story that makes you feel as if you are there watching it all happen.
I can hardly wait for the next book in this series.
June 7, 2019
A Real Mystery
This book got me. I changed my mind several times about who the killer was and still didn't get it right!
This book got me. I changed my mind several times about who the killer was and still didn't get it right!
March 24, 2020
Really enjoyed this story.
April 2, 2020
Great!!
I'm a western fan thanks to William W Johnstone. This series about Ben Stillman is great!
I got a new western author.
I'm a western fan thanks to William W Johnstone. This series about Ben Stillman is great!
I got a new western author.
March 1, 2021
Great Read!
I probably will read the entire series! I am on the fourth book. I am enjoying reading about this middle age sheriff.
I probably will read the entire series! I am on the fourth book. I am enjoying reading about this middle age sheriff.
May 12, 2021
A great mystery solved
Wow such tragedy, two cruel murders right off. Why was this happening. Two more followed. No clues. What was Ben going to do? Solve it.
Wow such tragedy, two cruel murders right off. Why was this happening. Two more followed. No clues. What was Ben going to do? Solve it.
December 8, 2023
Hidden
Who is the killer?? Cleverly hidden in the skittish town, the killer “stands” to wreak his vengeance!! How did he hide so long?? Interesting view of the evil of men.
Who is the killer?? Cleverly hidden in the skittish town, the killer “stands” to wreak his vengeance!! How did he hide so long?? Interesting view of the evil of men.
March 20, 2026
My wife and I read the whole Sheriff Ben Stillman collection. We loved every story. Peter Branvold is a master at writing exciting westerns.
May 4, 2026
Hard driving action with a mystery that keeps you turning the pages. A must read for Western Fans.
March 15, 2019
Another good read from Peter Brandvold. A killer is loose with a connection to the victims that seems unrelated.
This is currently released as book #2 in the Ben Stillman series.
This is currently released as book #2 in the Ben Stillman series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews