By All Men's Judgments

by Brad Cotton

Knowing she doesn’t have long to live, Liza Meacham summons local newspaper writer Nathaniel to her bedside to share a story she’s kept to herself for seven decades. It’s the story of a man named Joseph Tilley, a man she came to know quite well. With her granddaughter, Madeline, also by her side, Liza begins to reveal how an innocent Oklahoma farm boy fell into a life of crime to become a notorious outlaw in the early 1920s. Over the following weeks Madeline and Nathaniel begin piecing together the mysteries that remain where Liza’s recollection leaves off. The secrets they uncover may change their lives forever – if they can find their way to the end . . . and to the truth.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2014

Reviews

[A.L. Goulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's been a long time since I've read a great tale that rolled together a little Huck Finn ingenuity, bank robbery and some juicy family secrets into an entertaining page turner. Even though it wasn't a western it was reminiscent of the Louis L'Amour books I loved as a kid. It was full of surprises and imagery that could easily be made into a great film. I especially liked that characters didn't always do everything I thought they would and things didn't always wrap up in a neat bow. It had enough hints of realism to feel like it was real. I can't stand reviews that spoil the plot or retell the synopsis... so all I'll say it read it and enjoy. Well done! I've handed to my husband and this weekend plan to tell my producer friends about it.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a fun read, and very quick to get through. The book's premise is an elderly lady, knowing she is close to her death, wishes to tell a story to a local reporter about past events that she knows about. She changes the name in the story to protect people, so there is some mystery as to who the story is really about. The story, dealing with a series of bank robberies in the 1920s in Oklahoma and Kansas, and the gangs involved as a result of prohibition, is entertaining and fast paced.

Yet, parts of it just felt disjointed, from some of the dialogue of the characters to historical inaccuracies (common phrases that wouldn't have been common in 1920, bank policies in 1920s, etc.), to even the casual flipping back and forth between the 1920s and the 1995, she the lady is telling her story and the awkwardness in the novel's treatment of the reporter and the lady's granddaughter, who lives with her and takes care of her. It's almost like the author wanted to tell a story about 1920s bank robbers, but wanted a mystery, twist element (which there is at the end), so he created the premise of this lady telling the story, but really didn't develop that part of the overall book.

In any event, it was enjoyable to read, but these disjointing factors takes some of the shine away, so to speak.

[Murielle Cyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an American-western story of bank robbers in the 1920's. An elderly lady on her death bed asks a young newspaper reporter, Nathaniel, to write her story while her granddaughter Madeline listens by her side. The grandmother has kept her story secret for seven decades and is now ready to tell it, but insists on using fake names. She describes Joe Tilley's life of crime in the early 1920's with his partner Buck. The two go on a bank robbing spree with a young girl as a side-kick, and their criminal exploits seem to be unstoppable--at first.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel and Madeline form some kind of friendship where they try to find clues that will validate the story which at times appears a little far-fetched. There is a twist in the story which is revealed at the end--although more astute readers will pick up the clues before that.
The framework of the story flips flops between modern times when the story is being told, and the wild-west times of the actual story. A very entertaining read, but I would've liked to see more involvement between the modern characters.

[Bill Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally stumbled on this one when I was skimming through GoodReads and man this was a great read! I may go through it again just to catch a few things that I didn't pick up. This was the first book I've read from Brad Cotton, and I have to say it was well written and thought out. There's plenty of action and twists on as well as a lovable main character and his adventures in this 1920's bank robbery drama. The only drawback for me was the relationship between Nathaniel and Madeline wasn't as developed as I would have liked it. I felt the grandmother/granddaughter relationship was stronger. All in all this was more of a mystery than a drama in that you spend the entire book trying to figure out who Joe was, his secrets, and how it was related to the final days of the lovely Liza Meacham's life. I highly recommend this book!

[Keeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

By All Men's Judgments gives us a look in the 1920’s and also gave a western vibe which I really enjoyed. Well written and full of interesting and unique characters, By All Men's Judgments kept me turning the pages and guessing what would happen next, which I found myself not always getting right!

I haven't read a book like this before and was surprised but how much I enjoyed it as it is not the normal genre I go for. I enjoyed the transitions from the 1920’s to present day and the clear difference in the times.

By All Men's Judgments is an exciting realistic mystery that had me hooked. A refreshing change from my usual read that has persuaded me to read similar genres. I recommend reading it for yourself to explore the world Brad Cotton has created for us to enjoy.

[Maia Stratan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun read! I enjoyed the writing style a lot and the plot twist really got me, but left me with too many questions.
It almost makes it feel like half the story would have had to be made up in order for a woman to have had all of those interactions and abilities, especially in the 1920’s.
Still a great book though.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-told story of good story-telling! It kept the pages turning and even had a couple of good twists at the end.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story but it was a slow read for me. It wasn't a bad book but nothing stood out as particularly great.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written entertaining book. I liked the storyline but I was annoyed
at the fact that some elements of the story were not explained satisfactorily
or at all.