Hard Times: A Coble Bray Western Mystery

by Darrel Sparkman

In the shadow of a deal with the devil, a retired lawman faces a killer's deadly game.

Legendary lawman Coble Bray's world changes when he meets the fiery Maria. Leaving his gunslinger life behind, they settle into a peaceful existence on a small Missouri ranch. But tranquility is a luxury Coble can't afford for long.

When an old comrade, Priest, arrives with news of a brutal murder, Coble's past beckons him back to the badge. The victim was found with a chilling message—a cross and key in her mouth, along with a note addressed to Coble, hinting at the work of a sinister figure connected to an unsolved murder the previous year.

Driven by duty and haunted by the threat of a serial killer, Coble steps into the fray, where his quest leads him to Hard Times, Kansas—a town as foreboding as his circumstances. There, he finds himself alone, playing a perilous game with a murderer who’s always one step ahead.

Can Coble Bray outwit a devilish adversary, or will his final showdown cost him everything he holds dear?

“A Western in the vein of Louis L’Amour.” —Linda Broday, New York Times bestselling author

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Darrel Sparkman is a multi-genre and award-winning author of nine novels, several novellas, over a dozen short stories and has been a feature writer for Saddlebag Dispatches. He is the recent recipient of the Will Rogers Gold Medallion award. Ideas come from a diverse past of serving as a combat search and rescue helicopter crewman in Vietnam and a volunteer Emergency Medical Tech first responder. He has worked as a professional photographer, computer repair tech and was part-owner of a commercial greenhouse operation and flower shop.
Darrel is enjoying semi-retirement and finally has that job that wakes you up every day with a smile.

Reviews

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fellow Western readers, Darrel Sparkman, has been busy; here's the next book in the Coble Bray series.

Darrel Sparkman's "Hard Times" is the latest addition to the Coble Bray series, and it's a riveting tale that captures the essence of the Western mystery genre. In this second installment, Sparkman takes readers back to the rugged landscapes of the Old West, where danger lurks in every shadow and justice is as elusive as a desert mirage. The story picks up with Coble Bray, a retired lawman whose peaceful life is shattered when an old comrade brings news of a gruesome murder. Sparkman masterfully weaves a narrative that is as much about the inner demons of his protagonist as it is about the external threats he faces. The author's attention to detail and historical accuracy paints a vivid picture of a time when law and order were often in the hands of those willing to take up arms.

As Bray is drawn back into a life he thought he had left behind, Sparkman introduces a cast of characters that are complex and authentically flawed. The interactions between them are charged with tension and uncertainty, reflecting the precarious nature of alliances and trust in a world where survival is never guaranteed. The dialogue is sharp and evocative, with each exchange adding depth to the characters and driving the plot forward.
"Hard Times" is not just a tale of good versus evil; it's an exploration of the gray areas that define humanity. Sparkman challenges readers to consider the cost of justice and the sacrifices made in its pursuit. The novel's climax is a testament to Sparkman's skill as a storyteller, delivering a conclusion that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. For fans of Westerns and mysteries alike, "Hard Times" is a compelling read that solidifies Darrel Sparkman's place among the greats of the genre. Get your copy today of this exciting read!

• ASIN: B0D2M87WPJ
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 6/18/2024
• File Size: 4159 KB
• Print Length: 203 pages
• Genre: Louis L'Amour Westerns - Western Fiction Classics - Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction

[James Carden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Times: A Coble Bray Western Mystery a Great Read

Mr Sparkman has done it again. He has spun an exciting Western Mystery that has constant ebbs and flows with a satisfying ending.
The reader is constantly put in a position of thinking what will come next, and when it does, the new piece makes the reader want even more answers, which will lead to a conclusion and a ah hah moment.
I look forward to the authors next book knowing it will be great!

[FredM2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the get go there is much to keep your interest. If you are wanting to figure out who is behind all the deaths you will have your hands full. The book keeps your interest and keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed the read and could not determine who done it. Not until the very rmd does the plot reveal itself. For an interesting enjoyable read pick up this book, you will find it hard to put down.

[Joseph A. Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Really enjoyed this one. Mystery. Action and who done it. Yep well thought out to me so will recommend . Thanks