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The Blood Hounds #1
The Blood Hounds
"You’ve got to find a young woman or prove she’s dead. And it’s a cold trail. That’s why the boss man called for the blood hounds. You’re looking for somebody who’s been considered dead since April of 1867.”Fifteen years after the disappearance of Miranda Wheaton, Pinkerton agents Trace Crockett and Darby Maguire must leave no stone unturned while evading Kansas twisters, surviving Dodge City gunfights, and embarking on a treacherous journey to "No Man's Land," as the two "blood hounds" try to pick up the scent of the missing young woman.Full of adventure, suspense, and romance, bestselling author Ron Schwab's latest Western novel, The Blood Hounds, is sure to deliver a storytelling experience readers won't soon forget!
- GenresWesternsHistorical
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2020
852 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Ron Schwab
47 books193 followersRon Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 14, 2025
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ANY OF RON SCHWAB'S WORKS, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT BOOK & SERIES TO START WITH
☆☆☆☆☆
The Blood Hounds by Ron Schwab is a western that holds true to how a western thriller should be written. The characters are everyday people who are willing to place their lives on the line to protect and defend those who can not protect themselves. They fight for justice with morals that definitely define what and who a hero or heroes are.
Even though this story takes place in the late 1800's, you can easily imagine it taking place at any time frame in history or in the future with a few little changes.
Ron has a way in the way his rights that you find yourself feeling as if you're in the storyline right along with the characters ranging from the good guys to the bad. He writes with a voice that leaves you routing for the good guys and cheering when the bad guys are defeated and brought to justice either in the form of imprisonment or laying six feet under for eternity.
You will truly enjoy the suspense, the twists and turns, the determination to bring justice, and at the sametime the compassion shown to everyone no matter their color, station in life, or their lack of morals. The heroes within these pages are truly heroes.
I really enjoyed this first book in this series, and I am already a good part into book number two. I hope you, too, will find yourself enjoying this book and series.
Quotes:
"When I was twenty, I knew everything. Had all the answers. My fifty-year-old pa was a senile old fool, as far as I was concerned. Then, I found I knew less for sure when I hit forty. Finally, when I came to sixty, I figured out we don't know anything. None of us - not about what matters. We're fooling ourselves if we think we do."
"Think of all this as a new beginning, and always remember it's never too late for a man to be what he might have been. Not till he's dead."
"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
"I'm thinking it's more about how we face what's in front of us, how we live our lifes. If we don't like what we are or what we've done, it's never too late to change."
☆☆☆☆☆
The Blood Hounds by Ron Schwab is a western that holds true to how a western thriller should be written. The characters are everyday people who are willing to place their lives on the line to protect and defend those who can not protect themselves. They fight for justice with morals that definitely define what and who a hero or heroes are.
Even though this story takes place in the late 1800's, you can easily imagine it taking place at any time frame in history or in the future with a few little changes.
Ron has a way in the way his rights that you find yourself feeling as if you're in the storyline right along with the characters ranging from the good guys to the bad. He writes with a voice that leaves you routing for the good guys and cheering when the bad guys are defeated and brought to justice either in the form of imprisonment or laying six feet under for eternity.
You will truly enjoy the suspense, the twists and turns, the determination to bring justice, and at the sametime the compassion shown to everyone no matter their color, station in life, or their lack of morals. The heroes within these pages are truly heroes.
I really enjoyed this first book in this series, and I am already a good part into book number two. I hope you, too, will find yourself enjoying this book and series.
Quotes:
"When I was twenty, I knew everything. Had all the answers. My fifty-year-old pa was a senile old fool, as far as I was concerned. Then, I found I knew less for sure when I hit forty. Finally, when I came to sixty, I figured out we don't know anything. None of us - not about what matters. We're fooling ourselves if we think we do."
"Think of all this as a new beginning, and always remember it's never too late for a man to be what he might have been. Not till he's dead."
"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
"I'm thinking it's more about how we face what's in front of us, how we live our lifes. If we don't like what we are or what we've done, it's never too late to change."
December 25, 2023
This is an excellent start to a 4-part series by Ron Schwab, one I am anxious to finish reading. It is 1872 and we have Pinkerton detectives Trace Crockett and Darby Maguire, in Manhattan, Kansas, No Man's Land in what was later northern Texas, and in and out of Kansas and Texas proper, and this is a fine story. The criminal trail is 15 years Cold and the chances of finding the missing orphaned Miranda Wheaton, granddaughter of ailing old Congrave Wheaton, a girl kidnapped when she was just 2 years old, are minute. Congrave needs to know if his granddaughter Maranda is dead or alive, and if alive she must be found so he can leave her his fortune. His days are very numbered, and he has always felt the search for her at the time of the kidnapping was lax, and he questions the honesty of the local police. Trace and Darby will have their hands full. But with a little help from Audra, they will perhaps get it done.
Reviewed on December 24, 2023, at Goodreads, AmaxonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub.
Reviewed on December 24, 2023, at Goodreads, AmaxonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub.
June 9, 2021
This is a historical fiction story based in America’s old west in the 1870s. All together it is an interesting story with plenty of western obstacles involving both the natural elements and “bad guys”. Two Pinkerton detectives have been tasked with reopening a kidnapping case from 15 years earlier. The wealthy grandfather of the then 2-year-old child wants to verify that the girl is either dead, as presumed in the original investigation, or proved to be still alive. The attempt by the grandfather to pay the ransom shortly after the kidnapping failed to connect with the kidnapers due to the sheriff’s team being spotted by the kidnapers. No further contact was made by the kidnapers, so the girl was presumed to have been killed. The kidnapers were never identified. The grandfather has no other living relatives and wants to be sure that if his granddaughter is alive that his wealth will pass to her upon his death. Now, an anonymous source claims to know what really happened to the girl and these Pinkerton detectives are to find this potential witness and follow-up any concrete clues provided. The characters are well developed and realistic people. The detectives are competent, but not unbelievable fast gun, fast fist characters that defeat all opponents with ease as is often seen in western fiction. As with most westerns, there is gunplay involved in this story as the kidnapers don’t wish to be discovered. So, they attempt to ambush the Pinkertons and end the new investigation.
June 6, 2020
An outstanding western folklore masterpiece by one of the great ones, Mr. Schwab! One exciting excursion after the other! A story you don't want to miss!
Most definitely another five masterpiece by a very prolific western folklore master. Outstanding storylines throughout the entire book and the character selections were absolutely perfectly selected for their commanding assignments throughout the entire series of unending adventures! I will be in pursuit of the next must read stories by Me. Schwab!
Trace, Darby and Audra leaves no stone unturned in their quest for justice throughout this compelling western extravaganza school no punches in their ongoing pursuit of finding a missing and possibly endangered young heiress! You will find enough romantic interludes entwined with the it quest for locating the young lady!
Definitely recommend this compassionately motivated story to all readers, regardless of your reading preference, as each new endeavor brings a little more suspenseful episodes to appease anyone's desired expectations! The Pinkerton agents pull no punches in their unending quest of getting the job done right, and the endearing compassionate storytelling will dominate from beginning to end!!!!😃
Most definitely another five masterpiece by a very prolific western folklore master. Outstanding storylines throughout the entire book and the character selections were absolutely perfectly selected for their commanding assignments throughout the entire series of unending adventures! I will be in pursuit of the next must read stories by Me. Schwab!
Trace, Darby and Audra leaves no stone unturned in their quest for justice throughout this compelling western extravaganza school no punches in their ongoing pursuit of finding a missing and possibly endangered young heiress! You will find enough romantic interludes entwined with the it quest for locating the young lady!
Definitely recommend this compassionately motivated story to all readers, regardless of your reading preference, as each new endeavor brings a little more suspenseful episodes to appease anyone's desired expectations! The Pinkerton agents pull no punches in their unending quest of getting the job done right, and the endearing compassionate storytelling will dominate from beginning to end!!!!😃
October 10, 2021
The Blood Hounds by Ron Schwab is the first of the Blood Hounds series. Briefly, this first novel is similar to watching a TV western such as Gunsmoke compared to an epic western movie like Lonesome Dove. If the reader is looking for a thought provoking novel with a western backdrop such as a Larry McMurtry or Elmer Kelton, you have come to the wrong book. I admit, the book is entertaining, but it is a bit short on anything life learning. In addition, it is a novel heavy on dialogue, but scarce in description such as western landscape or action scenes. Finally, the story attempts to bring about today's politically correct agenda in an 1800's setting. I do admit that there were "Lady Pinkertons," but this was a bit too contrived for my liking.
In any case, the book was engaging and fun to read, but it was nothing earth-shattering that will convince me to read the second book of the series, particularly since the final 8 chapters or so seemed to drag on when the book was more or less concluded simply so it could get the formulated number of pages (whatever that is).
In any case, the book was engaging and fun to read, but it was nothing earth-shattering that will convince me to read the second book of the series, particularly since the final 8 chapters or so seemed to drag on when the book was more or less concluded simply so it could get the formulated number of pages (whatever that is).
August 23, 2024
Old West adventure
I have read a few of Ron Schwab's books. Most were as advertised, old west adventures. Some strayed a bit, but were still a good story; others didn't come up to par. This one was on the still a good story side. The premise of the story about a 15 year old kidnapping was what got my attention. The characters were good and their interactions well done. However, after the kidnapping was solved, things seemed to be rushed. It was as though the author wanted to do a second book, changed his mind and threw a bunch of ideas together. I know there is a second book and would rather have had thus ending spread into the second book and with more depth. However, still a good read and I will read the next installment. A 4.2 out of 5 rating.
I have read a few of Ron Schwab's books. Most were as advertised, old west adventures. Some strayed a bit, but were still a good story; others didn't come up to par. This one was on the still a good story side. The premise of the story about a 15 year old kidnapping was what got my attention. The characters were good and their interactions well done. However, after the kidnapping was solved, things seemed to be rushed. It was as though the author wanted to do a second book, changed his mind and threw a bunch of ideas together. I know there is a second book and would rather have had thus ending spread into the second book and with more depth. However, still a good read and I will read the next installment. A 4.2 out of 5 rating.
March 26, 2021
Solid Western
I’ve read all 3 books in the Blood Hounds series, thus far. I enjoy all the characters, and even the new ones introduced in the subsequent stories. The scene settings work for me; as they are just enough, without slowing the story down. I believe they are paced about right, in terms of timing, dialogue, and action. My only disappointment in the tales are that you don’t get much of peek into the lives of the main characters, either before the story unfolds, of after it wraps up. I personally feel a little cheated on how things are going with them, or what changes are made once the action is over.
I’ve read all 3 books in the Blood Hounds series, thus far. I enjoy all the characters, and even the new ones introduced in the subsequent stories. The scene settings work for me; as they are just enough, without slowing the story down. I believe they are paced about right, in terms of timing, dialogue, and action. My only disappointment in the tales are that you don’t get much of peek into the lives of the main characters, either before the story unfolds, of after it wraps up. I personally feel a little cheated on how things are going with them, or what changes are made once the action is over.
April 25, 2020
The Blood Hounds
Trace and Darby were put together as a pair to find a girl that has been considered to be dead for fifteen years, after all she was only taken when she was two years old. No problem, just another puzzle to find the pieces to put them all in the right places. Piece of cake, right? I guess we need to consider that there has been no sign of sight of her since someone took her from her bed. Does it matter that that Trace and Darby just met today. Well, that's where all the fun and games start, we'll see where they end. Great Read!!!!
Trace and Darby were put together as a pair to find a girl that has been considered to be dead for fifteen years, after all she was only taken when she was two years old. No problem, just another puzzle to find the pieces to put them all in the right places. Piece of cake, right? I guess we need to consider that there has been no sign of sight of her since someone took her from her bed. Does it matter that that Trace and Darby just met today. Well, that's where all the fun and games start, we'll see where they end. Great Read!!!!
May 29, 2020
The Blood Hounds
I really enjoyed this book. Heroes were not beat up to badly and not buffoons like other western I have read lately. Good characters good plot a VERY good read. I bought my copy from AMAZON you should purchase it too, from AMAZON. No I do not receive any consideration from any source whatsoever I just happen to like Amazon. They are easy to buy from and any problems ( if any) are quickly solved. I have purchased over a thousand books and no problems.
WARD AN AMAZON READER
I really enjoyed this book. Heroes were not beat up to badly and not buffoons like other western I have read lately. Good characters good plot a VERY good read. I bought my copy from AMAZON you should purchase it too, from AMAZON. No I do not receive any consideration from any source whatsoever I just happen to like Amazon. They are easy to buy from and any problems ( if any) are quickly solved. I have purchased over a thousand books and no problems.
WARD AN AMAZON READER
September 28, 2020
First time read
This is the first book I've read by this author. I see there is another one available. I will download the sample and see what follows. The author weaves a good tale and creates a good story. The characters are well defined and believable. Have some nice edge of your seat events where you're not sure you won't lose one of the heroes. He has also set the stage for the rest of the story to continue. I know I haven't described the story line. So I imagine you'll just have to download the sample and go for it. It all be worth the time and effort. Enjoy!
This is the first book I've read by this author. I see there is another one available. I will download the sample and see what follows. The author weaves a good tale and creates a good story. The characters are well defined and believable. Have some nice edge of your seat events where you're not sure you won't lose one of the heroes. He has also set the stage for the rest of the story to continue. I know I haven't described the story line. So I imagine you'll just have to download the sample and go for it. It all be worth the time and effort. Enjoy!
April 20, 2020
I can't get away from these books!
I had an person tell me about this author in Nebraska, said he enjoyed his books. Lo and behold one shows up on book bub. Now I'm hooked and every chance I get I'm reading a Schwab book. He has a way of incorporating people from another book that help bring them together. But yet any book stands on it's own without the need for previous books.
I had an person tell me about this author in Nebraska, said he enjoyed his books. Lo and behold one shows up on book bub. Now I'm hooked and every chance I get I'm reading a Schwab book. He has a way of incorporating people from another book that help bring them together. But yet any book stands on it's own without the need for previous books.
July 3, 2020
First book I have read by this author, and I am glad that I found it on Kindle Unlimited! I will be reading more. The story was really good, the mystery and intrigue kept you turning the pages, and the characters were likeable. I look forward to reading the next volume about Trace, Darby, and Audra; and, I sure hope that both of their business ventures are successful. If you like westerns, with good characters and good stories; I would recommend Ron Schwab.
September 4, 2022
I couldn't figure out - and I don't think the author could either - whether this was a western or a mystery. It failed in both.
The dialogue was unrealistic (everyone conveniently confesses guilt and love) and stilted. The plot was so simple this could have been a YA book except for all the references to sex and bordellos. Everything comes together in a wonderful way perfect for the Hallmark Channel.
A good book to skip.
The dialogue was unrealistic (everyone conveniently confesses guilt and love) and stilted. The plot was so simple this could have been a YA book except for all the references to sex and bordellos. Everything comes together in a wonderful way perfect for the Hallmark Channel.
A good book to skip.
June 27, 2024
Trace & Darby, More Than Detectives
Schwab tells one of his best western tales. People with mysterious pasts, kidnapping, robbery, a race across the plains to rescue a young girl, crooked lawmen, assassins at every turn, a dying man’s wish come true, unexpected partnerships with bad guys who learned the truth and an ending right out of a 1950s classic western movie. Don’t miss this new classic tale.
Schwab tells one of his best western tales. People with mysterious pasts, kidnapping, robbery, a race across the plains to rescue a young girl, crooked lawmen, assassins at every turn, a dying man’s wish come true, unexpected partnerships with bad guys who learned the truth and an ending right out of a 1950s classic western movie. Don’t miss this new classic tale.
February 27, 2020
Another great story
Mr. Schwab just keeps churning out great stories with Western settings. This book appears to be the first in a new series, but with a tie-in to his Locke series. Looking forward to seeing what he has in store for his Pinkerton detectives next!
As with most of his books, a couple of evening's reading will get you through the story and wishing there was more!
Mr. Schwab just keeps churning out great stories with Western settings. This book appears to be the first in a new series, but with a tie-in to his Locke series. Looking forward to seeing what he has in store for his Pinkerton detectives next!
As with most of his books, a couple of evening's reading will get you through the story and wishing there was more!
July 20, 2020
Best Western
I loved this book. I'm a little biased here as I really enjoy westerns, but I thought the characters were very relatable in different circumstances. The plot a little unbelievable, especially the relationships develop, but not totally. I look forward to the 2nd book in the series.
I loved this book. I'm a little biased here as I really enjoy westerns, but I thought the characters were very relatable in different circumstances. The plot a little unbelievable, especially the relationships develop, but not totally. I look forward to the 2nd book in the series.
August 3, 2020
Great Read
Another page turner by Ron Schwab. Great action parts, and character development. This book kept you guessing all the way to the end. Ron is a master story teller, and really knows his geography and history of the West. I was really disappointed when the book ended, I wanted to read more stories. I guess I will have to checkout more books.
Another page turner by Ron Schwab. Great action parts, and character development. This book kept you guessing all the way to the end. Ron is a master story teller, and really knows his geography and history of the West. I was really disappointed when the book ended, I wanted to read more stories. I guess I will have to checkout more books.
August 12, 2020
Excellent As Usual🌟
I've read all of his books which are written for adults, and have enjoyed every one. This is no exception. Excellent characters and a well developed storyline combined with plenty of action and a little romance make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. One of my favorite authors!!!👐
I've read all of his books which are written for adults, and have enjoyed every one. This is no exception. Excellent characters and a well developed storyline combined with plenty of action and a little romance make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. One of my favorite authors!!!👐
March 19, 2021
Pinkerton detectives in the Old West hunt heiress kidnapped as a baby. Includes a female Pinkerton detective, and some brothel ladies. Does not focus on sexual relationships but does allude to them. Several killings, mostly bad guys. Good story interesting characters. Female in nontraditional role treated as equal.
March 9, 2022
Dam that was good, good hell it was great
You are a great story teller and writer. I had a hard problem putting your book down and one of problems was my tablet
kept running out of time and charging is not a five minute process so I was able to get some sleep.
You are a very creative story teller and writer. You never lost your reader, also very detailed. Just great
You are a great story teller and writer. I had a hard problem putting your book down and one of problems was my tablet
kept running out of time and charging is not a five minute process so I was able to get some sleep.
You are a very creative story teller and writer. You never lost your reader, also very detailed. Just great
October 31, 2022
Good fun read!
I enjoyed this book very much. I am eager to read the next book in this series to see where this goes. So far though my favorite books are the Old Dog and Day of the Dog. Also loved Accidental Sheriff! The Blood Hounds seemed to go a little slower and I am not sure about this match! Hard to beat Jordie and Jack Wills unknown granddaughter, Sierra in Old Dogs.
I enjoyed this book very much. I am eager to read the next book in this series to see where this goes. So far though my favorite books are the Old Dog and Day of the Dog. Also loved Accidental Sheriff! The Blood Hounds seemed to go a little slower and I am not sure about this match! Hard to beat Jordie and Jack Wills unknown granddaughter, Sierra in Old Dogs.
March 7, 2020
Good book very hard to put down
I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more with these characters that you really like .The three of them each has their own story and blend together wonderfully,Ron please bring these people back alive in a nother adventure
I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more with these characters that you really like .The three of them each has their own story and blend together wonderfully,Ron please bring these people back alive in a nother adventure
March 12, 2020
Loved it! A fast read that kept my attention. I really enjoyed the characters and some of the interaction among them was very moving and thought provoking. The story had some mystery, suspense, action, romance and humor - something for everyone.
March 17, 2020
The Blood Hounds
Enjoyed your book very much. Hope to read more about the blood hounds. Did they get the ranch.did the girls get to be Pinkertons. Did the young girl get her education? Would like to read more about them.
Enjoyed your book very much. Hope to read more about the blood hounds. Did they get the ranch.did the girls get to be Pinkertons. Did the young girl get her education? Would like to read more about them.
March 20, 2020
Liked the team up
This book was unique and interesting. The characters were well placed through out the story and meshed easily with the plot. They left me wondering what happen to them. Maybe another book with the answers.
This book was unique and interesting. The characters were well placed through out the story and meshed easily with the plot. They left me wondering what happen to them. Maybe another book with the answers.
March 20, 2020
Good
This was an enjoyable story without blowing me out of the water. It would have been nice if this had been the start of a series, to maybe fill out the characters even more. Somehow I feel that there is even more stories that each of the MC’s can tell us.
This was an enjoyable story without blowing me out of the water. It would have been nice if this had been the start of a series, to maybe fill out the characters even more. Somehow I feel that there is even more stories that each of the MC’s can tell us.
March 27, 2020
Didn't Disappoint
Ron Schwab is an entertaining writer who truly understand the western genre. With his words you are transported back in time to the Pinkerton era, with a bit of feminism and child abduction front and center.
Ron Schwab is an entertaining writer who truly understand the western genre. With his words you are transported back in time to the Pinkerton era, with a bit of feminism and child abduction front and center.
April 12, 2020
Best one yet
I've been a fan of Ron's since the beginning and he's yet to disappoint me. I love the character's in this story, Trace, Darby, and Audra. I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys.
I've been a fan of Ron's since the beginning and he's yet to disappoint me. I love the character's in this story, Trace, Darby, and Audra. I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys.
April 21, 2020
Enjoyed the book for its depth of detail
Schwab has written a story that deals with relevant detail of situations, that enriches the western story of good guys defeat bad guys. He treats his reader as an intelligent person. Will seek out other books by the author.
Schwab has written a story that deals with relevant detail of situations, that enriches the western story of good guys defeat bad guys. He treats his reader as an intelligent person. Will seek out other books by the author.
May 3, 2020
Good twists and turns
I love a mystery, especially a romantic old west mystery!
Follow our two detectives across the land, through danger and confusion to a final complete resolution.
I love a mystery, especially a romantic old west mystery!
Follow our two detectives across the land, through danger and confusion to a final complete resolution.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews