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Jess Williams #4
The Burning
THE BURNING is the fourth in the western series, A Jess Williams Novel. In book three, Jess rescues a nice family of four and escorts them to where they plan on building a new homestead on land they own. In book four, Jess returns to help the family finish building their home and when he gets there, he finds out that all four of them have been murdered and their home burned down to the ground by the three Bolin brothers, Lance, Felix and Burt. Before killing the two children, Jessica and Harold, Burt Bolin does some unthinkable things to them. Jess sets off on their trail, hell-bent to make them pay for what they did.
Along the way, Jess runs into United States Marshal Frank Reedy who asks Jess to detour from hunting the Bolin brothers and help the Marshal deal with a rich rancher, Evan Dwight, who is running out the other small ranchers in the area; and if they don't sell cheap, they end up dead.
Jess again finds himself in a war with dozens of hired guns, but in the end, Jess and Marshal Reedy are still standing, and Evan Dwight ends up in the ground. When that is over, Jess continues on his hunt for the Bolins, and he never stops until he kills every last one of them. To make his job even more difficult, it seems a rich banker from New York City has placed a ten thousand blood bounty on his head because Jess killed his brother, and every hired gun in the west is looking to collect the blood bounty. An exciting, action-packed novel you won't be able to put down.
Along the way, Jess runs into United States Marshal Frank Reedy who asks Jess to detour from hunting the Bolin brothers and help the Marshal deal with a rich rancher, Evan Dwight, who is running out the other small ranchers in the area; and if they don't sell cheap, they end up dead.
Jess again finds himself in a war with dozens of hired guns, but in the end, Jess and Marshal Reedy are still standing, and Evan Dwight ends up in the ground. When that is over, Jess continues on his hunt for the Bolins, and he never stops until he kills every last one of them. To make his job even more difficult, it seems a rich banker from New York City has placed a ten thousand blood bounty on his head because Jess killed his brother, and every hired gun in the west is looking to collect the blood bounty. An exciting, action-packed novel you won't be able to put down.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2012
281 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Thomas
192 books61 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
In 1990 Robert J. Thomas was sworn in as the full time mayor for the city of Westland, Michigan. He served twelve years, making him the longest serving mayor in Westland's history.
While he was mayor he wrote his first book titled, How to Run for Local Office, which has now sold over 25,000 copies worldwide.
He has written and published on Kindle, the Jess Williams Westerns series. Retired, he now lives in Mississippi with his wfe Jill.
In 1990 Robert J. Thomas was sworn in as the full time mayor for the city of Westland, Michigan. He served twelve years, making him the longest serving mayor in Westland's history.
While he was mayor he wrote his first book titled, How to Run for Local Office, which has now sold over 25,000 copies worldwide.
He has written and published on Kindle, the Jess Williams Westerns series. Retired, he now lives in Mississippi with his wfe Jill.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 20, 2023
The Burning
A great western tale full of action and adventure. I loved it! The more books of Robert J Thomas I read the more I like his writing skill and true talent.
A great western tale full of action and adventure. I loved it! The more books of Robert J Thomas I read the more I like his writing skill and true talent.
December 4, 2023
I just began reading this author and I got his name from a fan comments from another author's book. I want to say that this character (Jess Wiliams) is the most realistic, intelligent character I have read in my western books by far. I never had understood why the writers always let the "crooks" get away with continues crimes instead of doing what Jess does and for the reasonable reason - to keep the crooks from doing their evil (how hard is that to comprehend) again! The stupidity of authors who let the crooks be put in jail after they had done horrible things "because its the law"; but never to consider the victims. Thank you Mr. Thomas for your insight which is definitely the same as mine of which I am enjoying this character even though evil people are not usually punished so readily as Jess does. He is great!
June 4, 2019
As with the 3 previous Jess Williams books, I found The Burning to be a fun and exciting read. However, I'm starting to see some fractures in the hero's character. He's becoming colder and almost evil in the way he executes defenseless bad guys without a second thought. I hope Jess doesn't become that which he's hunting. I consider these Thomas books to be my guilty pleasure. especially in the era of Trump. Jess Williams helps me to feel less helpless in the face of that asshole President. The bad guys don't get away with anything.
June 23, 2018
Got stupid
The first three books were very nicely written. I enjoyed the main theme that men that rape and kill for no reason should meet someone like Jess. But I'm not sure that the author any longer has a clue as to what the he'll he's writing. No one that uses weapons would drink like the characters in these latest stories, and handle weapons or trust anyone who drank that heavy watch his back. Sorry but your way off where you started
The first three books were very nicely written. I enjoyed the main theme that men that rape and kill for no reason should meet someone like Jess. But I'm not sure that the author any longer has a clue as to what the he'll he's writing. No one that uses weapons would drink like the characters in these latest stories, and handle weapons or trust anyone who drank that heavy watch his back. Sorry but your way off where you started
July 28, 2017
Still a good story
Fastest gun ever. Bad guys lookout!! Good guys welcome him. He now takes of women too! Can highly recommend this book!
Fastest gun ever. Bad guys lookout!! Good guys welcome him. He now takes of women too! Can highly recommend this book!
September 6, 2017
A good house cleaning.
Another in a series of good westerns. A enjoyable read that is fast action with the good guy winning in the end.
Another in a series of good westerns. A enjoyable read that is fast action with the good guy winning in the end.
May 26, 2018
Although I like the Jess Williams character in general his actions and skills are a bit over the top. Still, there's nothing like a fun western to read.
December 30, 2018
GREAT BOOK!!!!!
I just finished book 4 of this series. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Really hood writing and the action is non-stop!
I just finished book 4 of this series. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Really hood writing and the action is non-stop!
March 17, 2019
I am enjoying these as a relaxing read. I read one every couple of days.
July 8, 2020
Bounty on Jess
Another great story of Jess Williams. Lots of action. Difficult to put down my Kindle. Story of the old west and famous bounty hunter.
Another great story of Jess Williams. Lots of action. Difficult to put down my Kindle. Story of the old west and famous bounty hunter.
July 17, 2021
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
October 15, 2021
Good read
Jess is still hunting and killing men that need killing. He also helps another pair of green horns, and helps Marshal Reedy stop a greed rancher.
Jess is still hunting and killing men that need killing. He also helps another pair of green horns, and helps Marshal Reedy stop a greed rancher.
September 14, 2022
Bad Men Everywhere
I think Jess Williams spends as much on ammo as what he gets on bounties.
But, at last he finally got his bid "treat".
I think Jess Williams spends as much on ammo as what he gets on bounties.
But, at last he finally got his bid "treat".
November 22, 2024
Another great book in the series.
February 10, 2017
Love the old western books. Found this author and already have read the first 4 books. Great!
June 29, 2016
PICK A SIDE
Poor ranchers are duped out their land. The banker is in cahoots with the local banker whose given a commission for every ranch he demands payment of their mortgage, which they can't pay because Mr Dudley sells his cattle below cost causing the small farmer a lower return on the cattle they sell. No profit so no money to pay their mortgage...so Marshall Reedy of the United States Marshall meets up with Jess and ask for his help to settle the matter. Jess is hunting the last Bolin brother, Lance...The ranch problem is settled all the hired killers of Mr. Duluth are now resting in dirt blankets. He finally gets a chance to kill Lance Bolin..bragged about raping the little boy and his sister and making their poor mother watch. Jess is a business man who helps people with their daily lives. He invests his monies to make town's. He would be an entrepreneur, philanthropist in our times. He has a good heart even though he's a man hunter. Jess with his wonderful horses Sharps and Gray who never leave his side....All you cowboys and cowgirls keep your guards up-trust no-one.
Poor ranchers are duped out their land. The banker is in cahoots with the local banker whose given a commission for every ranch he demands payment of their mortgage, which they can't pay because Mr Dudley sells his cattle below cost causing the small farmer a lower return on the cattle they sell. No profit so no money to pay their mortgage...so Marshall Reedy of the United States Marshall meets up with Jess and ask for his help to settle the matter. Jess is hunting the last Bolin brother, Lance...The ranch problem is settled all the hired killers of Mr. Duluth are now resting in dirt blankets. He finally gets a chance to kill Lance Bolin..bragged about raping the little boy and his sister and making their poor mother watch. Jess is a business man who helps people with their daily lives. He invests his monies to make town's. He would be an entrepreneur, philanthropist in our times. He has a good heart even though he's a man hunter. Jess with his wonderful horses Sharps and Gray who never leave his side....All you cowboys and cowgirls keep your guards up-trust no-one.
March 25, 2015
Fast, action filled western read.
Book needed an editor that knows when to use 'then' and 'than'. Other errors as well.
Other Jess Williams novels have ended with a lead in to the next story. This one ends with a cliffhanger. Not fond of authors who use that tactic in continuing stories.
Book needed an editor that knows when to use 'then' and 'than'. Other errors as well.
Other Jess Williams novels have ended with a lead in to the next story. This one ends with a cliffhanger. Not fond of authors who use that tactic in continuing stories.
April 13, 2015
The Burning
These stories just keep getting better. Just bought number 5 and can't wait to get started. Jesus Williams is a cool customer when confronting those murderers and rapists he so diligently tracks down. The slime of the earth who do not deserve the chance Jess so graciously gives them. I recommend this novel to all you cowboy fans. Giddy up.
These stories just keep getting better. Just bought number 5 and can't wait to get started. Jesus Williams is a cool customer when confronting those murderers and rapists he so diligently tracks down. The slime of the earth who do not deserve the chance Jess so graciously gives them. I recommend this novel to all you cowboy fans. Giddy up.
January 21, 2026
Read out of order, but still a great story.
This is a good western story even though the ending left me hanging on for more of the story. I've already read book 5 so I've already downloaded it to see how the scene ends. I'm still amazed that I read western books now.
This is a good western story even though the ending left me hanging on for more of the story. I've already read book 5 so I've already downloaded it to see how the scene ends. I'm still amazed that I read western books now.
November 6, 2014
The man
i'm on book five into this western. I just love the character jess. Great details and lots of humor too, and thank you for finally letting jess have a little pleasure. All work and no play is, well you know
i'm on book five into this western. I just love the character jess. Great details and lots of humor too, and thank you for finally letting jess have a little pleasure. All work and no play is, well you know
January 31, 2014
Good fast read with the usual fast action from cover to cover.
January 2, 2015
Yes, I am still reading this series and will read more.
December 29, 2020
No. 4 in his series, this is another rip roaring western. In this one he introduces his two sawed off shotguns. He has too many errors for a 5 star rating. I counted over 8.
May 11, 2015
Similar
Good book but very sitar to previous book in series. Still an enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series.
Good book but very sitar to previous book in series. Still an enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series.
December 21, 2015
A kind of formula book!
One I continue to enjoy; but just a little less each time around.
One I continue to enjoy; but just a little less each time around.
December 22, 2023
An Average Jess Williams story with an EXCEPTIONAL ending and hook to the next volume.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews