The Return

Steve Dancy Tales #4

by James D. Best

It’s the summer of 1880, and Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb is poised to put the gaslight industry out of business. Knowing a good business opportunity, former New York shopkeeper Steve Dancy sets out to obtain a license for Edison’s electric lamp. Edison agrees, under one condition: Dancy and his friends must stop the saboteurs who are disrupting his electrification of Wall Street.

After two years of misadventures out West, the assignment appears to be right up his alley. But new troubles await him in New York City. Dancy has brought a woman with him, and his high-society family disapproves. More worrisome, he has also unknowingly dragged along a feud that began out West. The feud could cost him Edison’s backing … and possibly his life.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

Paperback

First published January 23, 2013

About the author

James Best is the author of the bestselling Steve Dancy Tales: The Shopkeeper, Leadville, Murder at Thumb Butte, The Return, Jenny's Revenge, Crossing the Animas, and No Peace. His contemporary Best Thrillers series includes The Shut Mouth Society, Deluge, and The Templar Reprisals. Tempest at Dawn is a classic novelization of the United States Constitutional Convention. Principled Action and The Digital Organization are nonfiction books. James has ghost written three books, authored two regular magazine columns, and published numerous journal articles. As a conference speaker, he has made presentations throughout North America and Europe. He is a member of Western Writers of America, Western Literature Association, and the Pacific Beach Surf Club. James enjoys writing, film, surfing, skiing, and watching his grandchildren play sports and cavort.

His blog address and contact information can be found at http://jamesdbest.blogspot.com/

James and his wife Diane live in Omaha, San Diego, and New York City. (Close to all the things he loves except skiing. Invitations to a mountain cabins gladly accepted.)

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Dancy and company head for NYC to find and stop cutthroat competitors sabotaging Thomas Edison's electric light project in Manhattan. Steve reluctantly finds himself back in the city for a book tour of his newly published western adventures but is confronted by an old adversary from Leadville bent on revenge. More mystery than western, "The Return" is a wonderfully entertaining read, especially looking at the first four books as an exceptionally captivating 1000 page saga of the 1880's seen through the eyes of Steve Dancy, a memorable protagonist and his equally memorable friends.

[Molly A. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Dancy is a well developed character whose fantastic gunslinging and business acumen are believable. Realistic as well, his faults and foibles render him a greenhorn in the Territories West of the Mississippi. I love that he is a conscientious American who seeks a good living for himself/friends while serving the greater good of all peoples. James D. Best is now on my Favorite Authors lists in all my reading apps. Three cheers for a western series a squeemish lady can enjoy!!!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Solid Four Stars

I consider myself lucky to have stumbled across Mr Best books. This is the fourth book I've read but it surely won't be the last. I'm really stingy with my star ratings and four stars is a high honor in my opinion. This guy is a Writer in the truest sense of the word. On the other hand I'm not so I won't attempt to describe the story except to say I'm a vociferous reader of Western novels and I know good stories when I read them. James Best books, every one so far deserves a four star rating. You might ask why not a five, and the answer is I gave Gone With The Wind five and Lonesome Dove five but that's about the only two so far.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I really enjoyed this novel. It takes place in the mid 1880's. This series started out as a western but kinda morphed into a turn of the century story. Back when the country was starting the change to electrical energy. The author is very good, with a polished story. Loved the characters. Solid book, read it, it's good.

[Natalie Gaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really hope there is yet another book coming in this series. It's been a good western series.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Steve Dancy books by James Best. I've read them all and especially look forward to the next one.

[Lawrence Kopecky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Very entertaining
With great plots and characters, great scenery and lots of action. I love stories about the pinkertons and

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

And still quality

I'm four books into the series and there's not a single disappointing page!
And I've only found one bad word choice. Amazing.

[Bob Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve and his friends stand up to a gangster in Leadville and he leaves. They go to New York to help Thomas Edison with a problem. They again run into the gangster and problems arise. The book details how Edison is trying to light up a portion of New York City, Steve's interaction with his mother and his announcement that Victoria and he are getting married. Good book

[Matthew Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book in a great series

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Another great book in the continuing of this series. Would highly recommend this series to all that enjoys a great western story and a awesome romance.

[Jim Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Darcy's mother was a caution! Very good story, decent plot and good action. I like the "training" scenes. I believe anyone can do with more training.

[Peter Cornell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent, a great read. All of the Steve Fancy books are good, but I think this one is the best.

[Robert Zaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Next

I read one book or story and decide whether to go on or stop. Boehm in Western Stories sent me to Best. Soon I will have read all of both authors books.

[Devin Coryell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 / 5

[Teressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version of this book. I gave this an overall rating of 4 stars.

"A Good Western Thriller w/Strong Characters"

THE RETURN: STEVE DANCY TALES, BOOK 4 was a good historical western. I liked the beginning when Dancy was out west and in fact I was drawn in rather quickly. The first part of the story in Leadville was involving but whenever Dancy and (Virginia) set out for NYC to help Thomas Edison, it meandered a little with his family drama and especially his mother who was high-strung and vile. The trouble that followed him reemerged and the story picked back up with fiery suspense. Overall, I think this is a solid tale with great characters, especially Dancy. I didn't listen to the previous episodes but I would suggest doing so because JAMES BEST is a good author and I feel this is more of an epic where one would want to start at the beginning.

JIM TEDDER has a perfect voice for westerns. He showed great voice inflections and maintained a slow drawl reminiscent of a rugged cowboy. This was the first time I've listened to him and found him to be a talented narrator.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

[Dann Dioses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in the Steve Dancy saga. Steve reacquaints himself with Mrs. Baker, in Leadville, who he had left to run his store. In the process of telling Mrs. Baker that he plans to sell the store, he comes to find out that Mrs. Baker was being shaken down by a local thug out to take money from all the businesses in town. Steve and his partners solve the problem and along with defending his store he comes to find out that Mrs. Baker has her sights set on him, and he also finds he likes that idea. He and his partners sell the store and head off to New York to see Tom Edison. This leads to another great adventure. Someone from the Leadville stand off follows him and wants revenge. So Steve has some battles to face. A killer hiding in the shadows and a mother who does not like Mrs. Baker. He and his traveling companions must find a way to deal with both of these issues along with helping Tom Edison with a few problems of his own. Be ready for love, bullets, knives, and overbering mothers. You will enjoy a page turner of a ride....

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancy and Sharp head back East to try and secure a license from Thomas Edison and, on the way, stop in Leadville to check on their investments. The town is about to be taken over by thugs from NY and they get there just in time to help Mrs. Baker fend them off. (This review assumes you have read previous Steve Dancy books. If you haven't, it might not make a lot of sense.) Captain McAllen also arrives to join in the fun. This is a quick adventure to start the book. Most of the action takes place out east. Virginia (Mrs. Baker) and Steve take a fancy to each other so she sells the store and goes with them. Someone is sabotaging Edison's attempt to fulfill his lighting contracts and Dancy and crew set out to discover who. As with previous books by this author, there is no shortage of suspects. Excellent Western series!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting this mostly in New York City was a refreshing change of pace but with knife attacks, fist fights, Pinkerton plots, and street shoot-outs, it was still very much in keeping with a western.

My only complaint is that I didn't really feel for the romance - I realize it's not a romance novel but any emotion that a main character has, the reader should feel it too and I didn't. It happened too fast without the reader really seeing it develop. One minute, Steve doesn't even like Virginia very much, the next, they're getting married.

Otherwise, this is another enjoyable installment to the series. A quick, light read but sure to entertain with a clever plot and likable characters. Just what I needed after reading a couple of disappointments.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you’re in good hands with James Best. This new “Steve Dancy Tale” is told with the usual economy, clarity, and attention to detail. Best’s characters are fully three-dimensional and spring to life in a few words of dialogue. Best of all, you enjoy their company.

I like Steve Dancy. He’s an Easterner who has adapted in a few short years to the West, where he has interests in the silver mining town of Leadville, Colorado. He comes with a social pedigree that he never flaunts, and he has grown up the son of a firearms merchant. He has a head for business and is a good judge of character...

Read my review at my blog.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting change, getting McAllen to come east to take care of business. We find that he hates crowds but is still the good agent no matter where he resides. We meet Dancy's overbearing mother and her reaction to Virginia and Steve's living arrangements. Sharp is Sharp no matter where he is. Even with McAllen being out of his element in the East he still manages to teach Steve a thing or 2.

An old "friend" shows up and causes problems with our friends and the outcome is quite fun.

As usual this is a well written book and keeps a person interested with the twists and turns.

[J. Michsel Pinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

Picked up the first in series in looking for a good western. This was a great surprise. Good character development and great story lines. This is third in the series and really enjoyed reading each one. Different story line but remained true to the characters in the stories.

[Gracie Mastic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy James D. Best's ability

James D. Best tells a straight forward but exciting story. I like his characters and his story line is realistic. I enjoyed his inclusion of real people and mostly real events in this book. It was a very enjoyable book.

[Sherron L Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadville to New York

This is such a great book it is entertaining and an illuminating way to spend time. There was a pun there read the book and I'm sure you'll get it. I highly recommend this book have a great time reading James D. Best he's an amazing writer.

[Myrna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series is excellent

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating eastern Western. Interesting filled out characters and a detective story to boot. Story takes place in late 19th century New York and involves inventor Edison. Recommended.

[BD Satterthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Book

Enjoyable Book

I thought this fourth book in the Steve Dancy series moved along well and the characters were fun. buy the book you'll enjoy it too.

[Darel Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

on par with the rest of this series

[Brandon somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read

Engaging story with non fictional aspects. If you like old west settings then you should enjoy reading this book in your spare time.