Mobley's Law

Mobley Meadows #1

by Gerald Lane Summers

Federal Governor, Edmund Jackson Davis, has ruled Texas with an iron fist since the end of the Civil War, but must now stand for election against a majority of citizens made up of ex-confederate sympathizers and soldiers. President Grant appoints Judge Mobley Meadows to the Texas Federal Circuit Court and charges him with preventing the situation from getting out of hand. Davis quickly realizes that Mobley is a threat when he overturns the Governor's land reappraisal decree, a source of graft for Davis's supporters, and sends his personal assassin to get rid of Mobley. Mobley and his two deputy marshals, Edson Rabb, a handsome Cherokee Indian, and Jack Anthony Lopes, the illegitimate son of General Santa Ana and the English Lady Madeleine Smythe, are repeatedly attacked on their journey from Waco to Austin. They know Davis is behind the attacks, but they cannot make a case against him. Davis loses the election by a majority of two to one, but arranges for his personally appointed state Supreme Court to overturn the election on a technicality involving a single misplaced semi-colon in the new Texas constitution. He then refuses to leave office or to participate in a trial in Mobley's court. Davis's opponent, Richard Coke, does not accept this decision and with his supporters storms the state administrative building in Austin. Davis's forces counterattack and manage to take back the first floor of the building. A standoff then prevails that can only be resolved by the action of President Grant. Mobley suggests a course of action to the president, that in the end works, but not without Mobley having to compromise his beliefs, his sense of honor, and everything he thinks he stands for.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Amazon, Fiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2011

Reviews

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carpetbagger Justice

After the civil war law needs to return to Texas. This is a great read into a possible history. Fun, fast moving and mesmerizing. A real page turner!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving.

[Jeff Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This book was a good read. Sometimes a little hokie, but stil a fun western romp. I will read the next in the series.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good western tale of men who tried to reenact change in Texas after the Civil War. Appointed as US Federal Court Circuit Judge by President Grant, Mobley used his size and wisdom to civilize Texas injustices. His encounter with Comancheros then with a rancher and his men gave him the opportunity of hiring his first two deputies.
The writing was good and the story was OK but men with integrity,in that time period,wouldn't disgrace decent women, nor would decent women so freely offer themselves.
The ending of the tale left a lot to be desired.
It would have been enjoyable writing had not all the uncalled for and unrealistic sex scenes been thrown in. (They did appear thrown in.)

[Nancy K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should have started with "Once Upon. A Time". Mobley Meadows comes across as a cross between Robin Hood and Peter Pan with a terminal case of nativity. The old west as depicted by Mr. Summers is more like a wild ride through the world of "Alice in Wonderland". I have trouble believing that a hardened traveler like Jack would call anyone "smarty pants". I'm not sure where all the promiscuity fits in.

The author appears to have no concept of active voice versus passive, nor of POV, jumping from one character to another without warning. Too many gimmicks and coincidences get in the way of what could have been a good story. The word "began" is worked to death and took me out of the action.

[Bruce Luyendyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel of sweeping scope with complex characters and an intricate plot. The dialog is unusually well done. I normally don't read westerns (unless "Roughing It counts), but I love history. Summers has woven the plot around historical events, in a manner a bit like Fredrick Forsythe, and as far as I can tell did a good job. It was an enjoyable read and kept me engaged. The only criticism I have is the main characters seem a bit too much larger than life; they could shoot straighter, out ride, and out smart almost everyone else. Does that add value to the story? Some character flaws and missteps would have given the book more depth. Otherwise, well done!

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable western novel about an appointed Federal Judge in post Civil War Texas

[Ken Schloman · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Contains elements of traditional westerns, larger than life characters, plus some humor and sex. Based VERY loosely on the 1873 Texas Governor's election. At times I had the feeling that the story line might be better served in a graphic novel format. Since this is a first novel, I am willing to see how the author develops the Mobley character in the next installment of the series.

[David Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best western since Lonesome Dove. A great, adult western set in Texas post civil war. Mobley Meadows dispenses justice the way we wish the courts did today. Swift. Effective. Compassionate. A fun read with great characters and women who were real women. David Bishop

[Michael]

I am finished with this book but didn't finish it. The main character was believable, but early on he was put in situations that because totally unreal. There was some weird sex in it as well, so that ended it. NO STARS for this one.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the type of book I usually read. It was better than i expected. The book had a slow start and then took off well. Good characters with a decent plot. I found the ending to be a bit soft. May have to check into the next book in the series.

[Dac Crossley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book the customary 50 pages. After page 50, I am I anxious to read more. No I wasn't. I found this to be a slow-moving, "feel-good" story.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Liked the characters and the flow of the book.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a thrilling read that well captures the atmosphere in its well-plotted storyline. The ending seemed to be a little hurried but that did not take away from the book's value.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A western, set in Texas just after the Civil War. Deals with issues that occurred during those violent times. Well developed story, keeps your interest.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty standard adult Western fare. Good story and well written.