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The Wells Fargo Trail #1
The Dreamgivers
From back of book:
Zachary Cobb came West carrying the bitter memories of the long walk home from Appomattox. The scars the battle left in his soul were a part of life he couldn't put to rest and that time seemed never to cure. Yet the skills developed in battle now serve Zac well as an undercover agent for Wells Fargo.
A series of payroll holdups in the Mohave Desert puts Zac on the dangerous trail of someone who's apparently working from inside the Wells Fargo company. But the investigation that follows leads Zac and the local sheriff, Jeff Bridger, into a confrontation with powerful underworld figures who will stop at nothing for control of the opium trade and the illegal supply of Chinese workers for the railroad.
When Jenny Hays, the young woman who cares for Zac, is unwittingly drawn into the final confrontation, he finds himself facing danger from without and within.
Zachary Cobb came West carrying the bitter memories of the long walk home from Appomattox. The scars the battle left in his soul were a part of life he couldn't put to rest and that time seemed never to cure. Yet the skills developed in battle now serve Zac well as an undercover agent for Wells Fargo.
A series of payroll holdups in the Mohave Desert puts Zac on the dangerous trail of someone who's apparently working from inside the Wells Fargo company. But the investigation that follows leads Zac and the local sheriff, Jeff Bridger, into a confrontation with powerful underworld figures who will stop at nothing for control of the opium trade and the illegal supply of Chinese workers for the railroad.
When Jenny Hays, the young woman who cares for Zac, is unwittingly drawn into the final confrontation, he finds himself facing danger from without and within.
217 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 17, 2021
The Dreamgivers is a clean western book which reminded me of a Louis Lamour novel! The main protagonist Zachary Cobb lost his family during the civil war and went west as a undercover agent for Wells Fargo. Zac accidently learns of the opium trade and illegal Chinese workers (slaves) for the railroad.
October 15, 2023
Enjoyed the book, but felt sorry for Zachary Cobb. He was in the war and lost all his family, so decides not to get close to anyone again. He becomes an undercover agent for Wells Fargo to make it easier not to love Jenny Hays that he is falling for.
During his latest mission though he finds it harder and harder to not feel emotions for people. Two good people die in the book which just made it more realistic than when everything goes easy for all the good people 😩
During his latest mission though he finds it harder and harder to not feel emotions for people. Two good people die in the book which just made it more realistic than when everything goes easy for all the good people 😩
November 17, 2025
I read this many years ago when it came out - 1994 - so I didn't remember anything about it. The book had a slow start, but then picked up and a lot happened. I really like Zach, the main character of the book - and I think series. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 20, 2017
Huuummmm! It wasn't bad. Too much 'guy stuff' when the heroes can be shot kicked, blown up, etc, etc. etc. and live through them all with just a headache and still save the day. Some peripheral people die of course - there has to be collateral damage. That said, it was a decent Western. Clean read.
December 18, 2025
Wholesome Western
This was action packed and had some valuable spiritual themes that I kept thinking about. It had more violence than I am used to but I'm glad I read it.
This was action packed and had some valuable spiritual themes that I kept thinking about. It had more violence than I am used to but I'm glad I read it.
October 1, 2016
Reacher in Western form! As I read this book I kept thinking about Lee Child's books about a man who has unique self-preservation abilities in tough situations, and thinks quickly on his feet to get the upper hand over his foes.
Thus was Zac Cobb, a Wells Fargo agent, employed to capture or kill stage coach bandits. Initially it seemed he lived a solitary life and couldn't involve himself with a personal life because the danger in his job could make some woman a widow, and children fatherless. But as the book progresses we see good friends that help him in his circumstances, including a young boy, a cook, a sheriff, a marshal and some unknown Chinese.
The story is so involved and so complicated that you don't have time to be bored. Loved it!
Stage robbing and opium shipments seems to be making people rich, and are powerful motivators for all kinds of evil in the book. Zac thinks he's set out to find bandits, but soon finds there's a lot more going on in his town and all up the California coast.
Clean book with lots to enjoy including a cast of characters you will enjoy, and a bunch you will hate.
Thus was Zac Cobb, a Wells Fargo agent, employed to capture or kill stage coach bandits. Initially it seemed he lived a solitary life and couldn't involve himself with a personal life because the danger in his job could make some woman a widow, and children fatherless. But as the book progresses we see good friends that help him in his circumstances, including a young boy, a cook, a sheriff, a marshal and some unknown Chinese.
The story is so involved and so complicated that you don't have time to be bored. Loved it!
Stage robbing and opium shipments seems to be making people rich, and are powerful motivators for all kinds of evil in the book. Zac thinks he's set out to find bandits, but soon finds there's a lot more going on in his town and all up the California coast.
Clean book with lots to enjoy including a cast of characters you will enjoy, and a bunch you will hate.
January 7, 2016
I started this series with book four when I was about ten years old. I adored this series and at that time spent months looking for the series. They were very difficult to find but so worth it. Personally, the best books are 2, 4 and 5. I have read and reread this series so many times. Anyhow, this series is fun and engaging. The hero, Zac Cobb, is one of those that fills your dreams and stays with you for your whole life. These books pull at your heartstrings, make you laugh and have you on the edge of your seat. I will never stop rereading this series. My biggest piece of advice is to begin with book four and then back at one. I've passed on this series and only those who started with book four were hooked and had to read the others.
September 15, 2017
My copy is five cassettes. Unabridged read by Jack Garrett same cover./// By all the abuse he took, his name should of been 'Clark Kent'.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews