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Hell and Gone
One hanged man.
Two vanished cowboys.
Three hundred missing cattle.
The Crazy Mountains are devouring everything they see.
Everett Dawson, Montana’s newest Stock Detective, has been sent from Helena down to the Crazy Mountains. Cattle are going missing in the Crazies and Everett is charged with finding these modern-day rustlers and bringing them in.
When he arrives, he finds a hanged cowboy and a heap of questions. Was it suicide or was it murder? Why are cowboys fleeing the Crazies? Far from a simple investigation, Everett's case plunges deep into the mountains' dark past.
Lawrence Jackson, the bad boy who runs the Lazy Twenty Two, was the last man to see the dead cowboy alive. There’s a whole forest fire of smoke swirling around Lawrence, and where there’s smoke, there’s flame... and maybe even murder.
But Everett is drawn to Lawrence, and if he takes the risk Lawrence offers, will Everett find what he craves, or will the Crazies claim their next victim?
Two vanished cowboys.
Three hundred missing cattle.
The Crazy Mountains are devouring everything they see.
Everett Dawson, Montana’s newest Stock Detective, has been sent from Helena down to the Crazy Mountains. Cattle are going missing in the Crazies and Everett is charged with finding these modern-day rustlers and bringing them in.
When he arrives, he finds a hanged cowboy and a heap of questions. Was it suicide or was it murder? Why are cowboys fleeing the Crazies? Far from a simple investigation, Everett's case plunges deep into the mountains' dark past.
Lawrence Jackson, the bad boy who runs the Lazy Twenty Two, was the last man to see the dead cowboy alive. There’s a whole forest fire of smoke swirling around Lawrence, and where there’s smoke, there’s flame... and maybe even murder.
But Everett is drawn to Lawrence, and if he takes the risk Lawrence offers, will Everett find what he craves, or will the Crazies claim their next victim?
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2019
About the author
Tal Bauer
26 books4,684 followersTal Bauer writes breathtaking, heartfelt, and often action-packed gay romance novels. His characters are head over heels for each other and fight against all odds for their happy ending. Nothing stands in the way of love. Tal is best known for his romantic suspense novels, including the Executive Office series, The Murder Between Us, The Grave Between Us, The Night of, and his MM sports romance, The Jock.
Website - www.talbauerwrites.com
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Instagram - @TalBauerWrites
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Website - www.talbauerwrites.com
Amazon Author - http://amazon.com/author/talbauer
Instagram - @TalBauerWrites
Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/f1fd8baec198/talba...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
July 9, 2019
***3.5 - 4 Stars***
My first thought when I read the blurb:
Cowboys!!!! Yippie-ya-yeah!
Actually, this book read like a crossover between Brokeback Mountain, CSI: Montana (okay, I totally made that one up), Lonesome Dove and Black Beauty, with some military sprinkles of Rambo...
And I happen to love all of the above - okay, maybe except for Rambo ;-). What I really like about Tal Bauer is his versatility and with each new book he really proves that he can pretty much write anything. It's not his fault that I'm not a fan of spiritual journeys involving reindeer juice, but that's a different story entirely.
Hell and Gone reminded me of a modern Western with a mystery twist, two well-developed characters and a slow burn romance subplot. There was insta-attraction between Everett and Law, but both guys didn't immediately act on it due to some suspicious facts and their own painful past and that felt pretty realistic to me, just like the HFN-ending did.
Oh, and I'm eternally grateful that the author used cowboy drawl this time instead of heavy purple prose like in his other books. Well, it's there, but turned down a notch. Or two. Or three. ;-)
Ha! And I might have found a new career aspiration for my next life: stock detective! I pretty much figured out the bad guy(s) from the getgo. Or maybe you can blame that on me watching too many Westerns as a kid or reading too many mysteries. ;-)
I have to say, though, that as someone with experience with horses these parts gave me quite some heavy eye-rolls and I would really love to get some kind of epilogue where both guys get their well-deserved HEA.
My first thought when I read the blurb:
Cowboys!!!! Yippie-ya-yeah!
Actually, this book read like a crossover between Brokeback Mountain, CSI: Montana (okay, I totally made that one up), Lonesome Dove and Black Beauty, with some military sprinkles of Rambo...
And I happen to love all of the above - okay, maybe except for Rambo ;-). What I really like about Tal Bauer is his versatility and with each new book he really proves that he can pretty much write anything. It's not his fault that I'm not a fan of spiritual journeys involving reindeer juice, but that's a different story entirely.
Hell and Gone reminded me of a modern Western with a mystery twist, two well-developed characters and a slow burn romance subplot. There was insta-attraction between Everett and Law, but both guys didn't immediately act on it due to some suspicious facts and their own painful past and that felt pretty realistic to me, just like the HFN-ending did.
Oh, and I'm eternally grateful that the author used cowboy drawl this time instead of heavy purple prose like in his other books. Well, it's there, but turned down a notch. Or two. Or three. ;-)
Ha! And I might have found a new career aspiration for my next life: stock detective! I pretty much figured out the bad guy(s) from the getgo. Or maybe you can blame that on me watching too many Westerns as a kid or reading too many mysteries. ;-)
I have to say, though, that as someone with experience with horses these parts gave me quite some heavy eye-rolls and I would really love to get some kind of epilogue where both guys get their well-deserved HEA.
June 30, 2019
Exceptional MM western with a crime mystery twist. I only wish it had more pages.
June 28, 2022
Oh, I liked this quite a bit. I'm always looking for a great Rancher/Cowboy type story and this totally delivered. Montana is one of my favorite places to visit in my head and this is a side of it that was totally new to me. Add into all that a mystery and I was sold.
The first chapter, the setup kept the did he or didn't he alive and all the secondary characters just added to the whodunnit.
I will admit I had an inkling about who did do it and I was mostly right but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the mystery at all.
I liked both Law and Everett and felt a great relief in my heart that they found each other. It may have been a little circumstantial, a little insta, but none of that really mattered to me overall. It all just felt right and I felt all of it fit and I very much enjoyed it.
I do hope Tal Bauer writes more mysteries and I of course would not be averse to more cowboys.
The first chapter, the setup kept the did he or didn't he alive and all the secondary characters just added to the whodunnit.
I will admit I had an inkling about who did do it and I was mostly right but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the mystery at all.
I liked both Law and Everett and felt a great relief in my heart that they found each other. It may have been a little circumstantial, a little insta, but none of that really mattered to me overall. It all just felt right and I felt all of it fit and I very much enjoyed it.
I do hope Tal Bauer writes more mysteries and I of course would not be averse to more cowboys.
July 26, 2024
Another winner from Tal Bauer, this time set in the Crazy Mountains of Montana.
Law (the best damn cowboy in them mountains) and Everett (former military, current Stock Detective) get to investigating cattle theft and murder.
Law isn't above reproach when his lover turns up dead, but Everett, who's no stranger to grief, is drawn to the rugged cowboy.
The first chapter gutted me. What a powerful way to begin the book.
I had my suspicions, which proved mostly correct, but it didn't make the story any less exciting.
The men didn't spend enough time together for me to call the ending a HEA, but it's a hopeful HFN.
Law (the best damn cowboy in them mountains) and Everett (former military, current Stock Detective) get to investigating cattle theft and murder.
Law isn't above reproach when his lover turns up dead, but Everett, who's no stranger to grief, is drawn to the rugged cowboy.
The first chapter gutted me. What a powerful way to begin the book.
I had my suspicions, which proved mostly correct, but it didn't make the story any less exciting.
The men didn't spend enough time together for me to call the ending a HEA, but it's a hopeful HFN.
July 7, 2019
3.5 stars.
Hell and Gone is a Tal Bauer book. Quality is guaranteed, as is flawless writing and engrossing storytelling and creativity. It is not one of my favorite Bauer stories, but I still finished it within a day.
This is Bauer's first mystery, and a western to boot (wink, wink). Although it didn't reinvent the wheel and occasionally felt rushed, it had thrilling moments. Yet despite the fast-paced intrigue, the character development was somewhat sparse and the romantic development was lacking. I also really, and I mean really, dislike the "dead lover" theme, and there are not one but two dead lovers in the story. Everett and Law's relationship seemed primarily informed by circumstance and convenience, especially on Everett's part. The ending is a very tepid HFN, and while it may have been fitting, it wasn't very romantic.
Perhaps it is me and not the book? Perhaps I just wanted a more character-driven story? Because, again, I still finished it within a day. Because, again, it's a Tal Bauer book. My superfan self appreciates everything that he writes and is already looking forward to his next release.
Read for SBTB April - June 2019 Quarterly Challenge: Read whatever you like.
Hell and Gone is a Tal Bauer book. Quality is guaranteed, as is flawless writing and engrossing storytelling and creativity. It is not one of my favorite Bauer stories, but I still finished it within a day.
This is Bauer's first mystery, and a western to boot (wink, wink). Although it didn't reinvent the wheel and occasionally felt rushed, it had thrilling moments. Yet despite the fast-paced intrigue, the character development was somewhat sparse and the romantic development was lacking. I also really, and I mean really, dislike the "dead lover" theme, and there are not one but two dead lovers in the story. Everett and Law's relationship seemed primarily informed by circumstance and convenience, especially on Everett's part. The ending is a very tepid HFN, and while it may have been fitting, it wasn't very romantic.
Perhaps it is me and not the book? Perhaps I just wanted a more character-driven story? Because, again, I still finished it within a day. Because, again, it's a Tal Bauer book. My superfan self appreciates everything that he writes and is already looking forward to his next release.
Read for SBTB April - June 2019 Quarterly Challenge: Read whatever you like.
May 6, 2024
Very enjoyable as always from Tal but I do wish it was longer and we got to know the characters better.
It was very instalove and then everything resolved so quickly. It might just be because I'm in a serious book hangover, but I was hoping for a bit more angst and heartache like Tal usually delivers.
It was very instalove and then everything resolved so quickly. It might just be because I'm in a serious book hangover, but I was hoping for a bit more angst and heartache like Tal usually delivers.
December 2, 2022
😍
I loved it all, the writing, the gore, the romance, cowboys and guns and the suspense. Wow I have nothing to say but one word…
SPECTACULAR 😍
I loved it all, the writing, the gore, the romance, cowboys and guns and the suspense. Wow I have nothing to say but one word…
SPECTACULAR 😍
August 30, 2020
Law and Everett team up to investigate !
This is a fascinating story from awesome writer, Tal Bauer.
Up in the wild Montana territory, we have something horrible going on.
New Stock Detective, Everett, ex Army, solid and fit, is sent to sort it out. He heads out and meets Law, a veteran of cowboy ways, and a big, tough man.
They investigate a hanging and when a shot rings out later, they head that direction, to find another dead man, this one shot in the back.
The suspicions are all about who is killing, who’s cattle rustling, who’s dealing drugs, and more. The sheriff thinks it’s Law, but after some investigating, Everett knows it isn’t him.
So, he and Law ride out on horseback again to find the culprits. They camp, talk, and become interested in one another.
We get the hot, rough, raw and powerful sexy times, we know Tal Bauer can deliver.
The action, discoveries and bad guys are figured out, but there’s a twist I didn’t see coming. Beautiful descriptions, deep inner thoughts, and a captivating plot, keep us engaged.
We get violence, fire, murder and mayhem.
Highly recommended.
Enjoy !
=======
This is a fascinating story from awesome writer, Tal Bauer.
Up in the wild Montana territory, we have something horrible going on.
New Stock Detective, Everett, ex Army, solid and fit, is sent to sort it out. He heads out and meets Law, a veteran of cowboy ways, and a big, tough man.
They investigate a hanging and when a shot rings out later, they head that direction, to find another dead man, this one shot in the back.
The suspicions are all about who is killing, who’s cattle rustling, who’s dealing drugs, and more. The sheriff thinks it’s Law, but after some investigating, Everett knows it isn’t him.
So, he and Law ride out on horseback again to find the culprits. They camp, talk, and become interested in one another.
We get the hot, rough, raw and powerful sexy times, we know Tal Bauer can deliver.
The action, discoveries and bad guys are figured out, but there’s a twist I didn’t see coming. Beautiful descriptions, deep inner thoughts, and a captivating plot, keep us engaged.
We get violence, fire, murder and mayhem.
Highly recommended.
Enjoy !
=======
June 30, 2019
4.5 stars!
Ah, I always love a good Tal Bauer book. He always is able to create such interesting, well written, fun stories. His main couples are amazing 9/10, and Law and Everett were one of those 9, because I adored them.
I do think we didn't quite get enough of them, but that's only because this story was fairly short. I guess I'm just used to full length Bauer books been at least over almost or over 300 pages and a lot of time is spent building the couple up and getting to see them be together. I felt even with not as much time building these two up, that Bauer did a good job of it. But with the mystery needed to be solved we didn't get as much time with them just being together and I wanted more of that.
But other than that I thought these two had amazing chemistry, the sex scenes were ah-mazing, and I felt the growing love these two had for each other. Maybe it would have been nice to see a more solid HFN, but it was only probably a week or two where the main events of the book take place, and then they get together at the end, so we didn't quite get to see them in the full on love stage even though they were getting there.
The mystery was really interesting too and I don't think I've read one like it, at least in M/M romance novels. But I was surprised at times and at other times not, but in a good way. Because I had my suspicions for who the bad people were and some who turned out to be bad I didn't think of and some who were I was like "yep, called it!" so it was fun reading it and unraveling the mystery just as much as it was fun reading the growing romance between Law and Everett.
So overall I loved this, and can't wait for more stories from Bauer. They almost always are ones I love and adore. Two massive thumbs up from me! :D
Ah, I always love a good Tal Bauer book. He always is able to create such interesting, well written, fun stories. His main couples are amazing 9/10, and Law and Everett were one of those 9, because I adored them.
I do think we didn't quite get enough of them, but that's only because this story was fairly short. I guess I'm just used to full length Bauer books been at least over almost or over 300 pages and a lot of time is spent building the couple up and getting to see them be together. I felt even with not as much time building these two up, that Bauer did a good job of it. But with the mystery needed to be solved we didn't get as much time with them just being together and I wanted more of that.
But other than that I thought these two had amazing chemistry, the sex scenes were ah-mazing, and I felt the growing love these two had for each other. Maybe it would have been nice to see a more solid HFN, but it was only probably a week or two where the main events of the book take place, and then they get together at the end, so we didn't quite get to see them in the full on love stage even though they were getting there.
The mystery was really interesting too and I don't think I've read one like it, at least in M/M romance novels. But I was surprised at times and at other times not, but in a good way. Because I had my suspicions for who the bad people were and some who turned out to be bad I didn't think of and some who were I was like "yep, called it!" so it was fun reading it and unraveling the mystery just as much as it was fun reading the growing romance between Law and Everett.
So overall I loved this, and can't wait for more stories from Bauer. They almost always are ones I love and adore. Two massive thumbs up from me! :D
July 17, 2024
Short book, 2 man's men, a burly BIG cowboy, hot sex, what's not to like?
Shelved as 'i-m-a-quitter'
July 9, 2019DNF. Time of death 63%
Couldn't get in to it.
I'm in a serious reading slump. :(
Couldn't get in to it.
I'm in a serious reading slump. :(
August 30, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
He thrummed with a casual kind of arrogance, a rugged fuck you aura pulsing off him that could slap a man silly upon meeting the man.
I was really surprised to see that this book only has 197 pages, because it took me a long time to read it. I’m not going to blame our lovely Tal for it because I was in a massive reading slump when I first started this book. I finished the second half quite quickly when I finally was in the mood for it.
It has the usual amazing writing you can expect with Tal, as well as some nail-biting suspense and action, but the romance didn’t truly grip me like they usually do in his books. It was kinda just there. They had chemistry, but it is definitely not a romance heavy book. More like a subplot that ends in a somewhat open and hopeful way, maybe a mild HFN. There’s nothing wrong with having the romance take a backseat, I just wasn’t expecting it.
The characters were amazing though, and the descriptions of the community and the environment were incredible. It really did feel like I was in the Crazies looking for rustlers and cattle for a moment.
Mountains jutted for the sky, jagged teeth screaming at the sun like a drowning man gasping for air before he was pulled beneath the waves.
It’s strange to have a ‘least favorite’ of anything when it’s your favorite author, but I think this might be it. By no means a bad book, but the bar is set sky-fuckin-high with this guy, lol.
“I been dreamin’ of you my whole life,” he whispered.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Romantic suspense
Former military police MC
Small town
Murder mystery
Whodunnit
Cowboy MC
Western
Size difference
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Character murdered on page (hanged)
Flashbacks to military combat
Mention of the death of SCs (past, hit and run)
Gun violence
Brief mention of past firefight (no MC involved)
Details of murder victim (gunshot wound)
Death of MCs past lovers (off page, detailed)
Grief
Explicit sexual content
Details from military deployment and combat
Penetration without stretching
Graphic murder scenes
Graphic injuries detailed (side character)
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
Vomiting
On-page murder
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 35 and not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 197
Happy ending: Hopeful, slight HFN
Meeting Lawrence was like meeting an immoveable force of nature. He was the mountain, the peak, the steadiness. And Everett had blown up against him, wind-torn and ravaged, a broken thing thrown away, discarded from life and everything he’d hoped for.
Everett was a walking wound, spun so tightly he held himself together through force of will alone. He was a tornado flying apart, but the only thing he was destroying was his soul.
Not a soul in these mountains wanted me, it seemed. And I was desperate for someone, anyone in the world. Spent some nights at the truck stop blowin’ guys just to feel like I mattered for five minutes.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
He thrummed with a casual kind of arrogance, a rugged fuck you aura pulsing off him that could slap a man silly upon meeting the man.
I was really surprised to see that this book only has 197 pages, because it took me a long time to read it. I’m not going to blame our lovely Tal for it because I was in a massive reading slump when I first started this book. I finished the second half quite quickly when I finally was in the mood for it.
It has the usual amazing writing you can expect with Tal, as well as some nail-biting suspense and action, but the romance didn’t truly grip me like they usually do in his books. It was kinda just there. They had chemistry, but it is definitely not a romance heavy book. More like a subplot that ends in a somewhat open and hopeful way, maybe a mild HFN. There’s nothing wrong with having the romance take a backseat, I just wasn’t expecting it.
The characters were amazing though, and the descriptions of the community and the environment were incredible. It really did feel like I was in the Crazies looking for rustlers and cattle for a moment.
Mountains jutted for the sky, jagged teeth screaming at the sun like a drowning man gasping for air before he was pulled beneath the waves.
It’s strange to have a ‘least favorite’ of anything when it’s your favorite author, but I think this might be it. By no means a bad book, but the bar is set sky-fuckin-high with this guy, lol.
“I been dreamin’ of you my whole life,” he whispered.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Romantic suspense
Former military police MC
Small town
Murder mystery
Whodunnit
Cowboy MC
Western
Size difference
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Character murdered on page (hanged)
Flashbacks to military combat
Mention of the death of SCs (past, hit and run)
Gun violence
Brief mention of past firefight (no MC involved)
Details of murder victim (gunshot wound)
Death of MCs past lovers (off page, detailed)
Grief
Explicit sexual content
Details from military deployment and combat
Penetration without stretching
Graphic murder scenes
Graphic injuries detailed (side character)
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
Vomiting
On-page murder
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 35 and not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 197
Happy ending: Hopeful, slight HFN
Meeting Lawrence was like meeting an immoveable force of nature. He was the mountain, the peak, the steadiness. And Everett had blown up against him, wind-torn and ravaged, a broken thing thrown away, discarded from life and everything he’d hoped for.
Everett was a walking wound, spun so tightly he held himself together through force of will alone. He was a tornado flying apart, but the only thing he was destroying was his soul.
Not a soul in these mountains wanted me, it seemed. And I was desperate for someone, anyone in the world. Spent some nights at the truck stop blowin’ guys just to feel like I mattered for five minutes.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
November 20, 2021
4.25 stars from me. Tal Bauer is just full of surprises, and that's what makes him such an outstanding author...he can turn his hand to any genre. His words are crystal clear and so darned descriptive...I almost felt as though I were in the Crazies myself for this particular murder mystery story...ooh, not forgetting those cowboys 😜.
I loved Law and Everett...the only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is that I pegged the bad guys at around 25% and suspected that they'd had some help from a few others...and I was right about that too, and the reasons.
As far as Tal's stories are concerned, His First Time was a piece of pure erotica 😉, and very enjoyable too; A Time to Rise: Second Edition is a vampire/paranormal series and full of historical theories about the Knights Templar and set in Rome; Enemies of the State (Executive Office #1) Special Edition is a series set around the POTUS falling in love with his Secret Service agent and battling a complete loony of a US general who thinks it disgusting that a President can have a male lover, and that the lily-livered people in charge of practically everything in the USA need to be taught a lesson or two; my favourite duo of his stories however are Hush and Whisper which are spy thrillers with some terrific action and pretty awful treachery, and actually feature two of my favourite couples...Tom and Mike and Kris and Dawood.
You keep writing Tal, and I'll keep buying those books.
I loved Law and Everett...the only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is that I pegged the bad guys at around 25% and suspected that they'd had some help from a few others...and I was right about that too, and the reasons.
As far as Tal's stories are concerned, His First Time was a piece of pure erotica 😉, and very enjoyable too; A Time to Rise: Second Edition is a vampire/paranormal series and full of historical theories about the Knights Templar and set in Rome; Enemies of the State (Executive Office #1) Special Edition is a series set around the POTUS falling in love with his Secret Service agent and battling a complete loony of a US general who thinks it disgusting that a President can have a male lover, and that the lily-livered people in charge of practically everything in the USA need to be taught a lesson or two; my favourite duo of his stories however are Hush and Whisper which are spy thrillers with some terrific action and pretty awful treachery, and actually feature two of my favourite couples...Tom and Mike and Kris and Dawood.
You keep writing Tal, and I'll keep buying those books.
July 7, 2019
From the very first book I read from Tal Bauer, he has been a favourite of mine.I fell in love with his his political thrillers but have loved everything he has put out so far in equal measure. This was just more of the same quality of writing just about a vastly different subgenre.
Now cowboys are not something I usually go looking out for. If I happen to chance upon a book on cowboys that interests me, I read it but I don't actively go looking.But this was a Tal Bauer so you bet your ass I requested for it and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.
The writing was great and the pacing fast and intriguing. The first chapter throws you off a bit to the baddies but if you pay enough attention, you could probably make educated guesses to their identity.
Our MCs developed a connection right off the bat even when they didn't know who to trust but it was as authentic as it could be without being rushed and without any premature "I love you's". It was wonderful to read about.
My only issue with this book was that it ended...lol! I wish we had another full chapter of Everett and Law after the whole debacle of them just being together and an epilogue for after they've settled with each other. But wishes and all that...
** This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Now cowboys are not something I usually go looking out for. If I happen to chance upon a book on cowboys that interests me, I read it but I don't actively go looking.But this was a Tal Bauer so you bet your ass I requested for it and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.
The writing was great and the pacing fast and intriguing. The first chapter throws you off a bit to the baddies but if you pay enough attention, you could probably make educated guesses to their identity.
Our MCs developed a connection right off the bat even when they didn't know who to trust but it was as authentic as it could be without being rushed and without any premature "I love you's". It was wonderful to read about.
My only issue with this book was that it ended...lol! I wish we had another full chapter of Everett and Law after the whole debacle of them just being together and an epilogue for after they've settled with each other. But wishes and all that...
** This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
December 26, 2023
12/24/23 re-read, and upon re-read I am bringing my rating up from 4 stars to 5.
Everything I said in my original review below remains true, but somehow this book worked better for me as a re-read. Reading again, already having a grasp of the mystery plot and knowing the romance is an element of the book but not always a primary plot point, allowed me to focus on the finer details rather than finding myself always on edge wondering what will happen next. And, interestingly enough, the romance hit harder for me this time around. I so loved Law and was so happy to see him get his HEA.
__________________________
It's hard to rate a book when you only wanted more but at the same time know that the story (and the romance) worked well as is.
Lawrence is a local cowboy and manager of the Lazy Twenty Two. Everett is Montana's newest stock detective, come down from Helena to investigate missing cattle and a string of known and probable murders. This is a plot driven story. That it is light on the romance will frustrate some, but for me it worked very well.
People come together in stressful times. Though this one may feel a bit instalust or even instalove, I think the way Lawrence and Everett came together made sense for the story. Also, I really appreciated the chapters where we had Lawrence's POV. I'm a sucker for a stoic cowboy who can admit, even if it's just to himself, that he just wants a special someone in his life. And after his experiences in Afghanistan, I was really rooting for Everett's happy ending.
I elect to rate this 4 stars rather than 5 though because I felt the plot was just a little shaky. That is, it didn't read as quite as tight or even quite as engaging as some other Bauer books (see the Noah & Cole thrillers as examples). A cowboy story is a small step outside Bauer's usual. It's a fun book but not my favorite Bauer story. Would I read more Bauer cowboy books though? Absolutely!
Everything I said in my original review below remains true, but somehow this book worked better for me as a re-read. Reading again, already having a grasp of the mystery plot and knowing the romance is an element of the book but not always a primary plot point, allowed me to focus on the finer details rather than finding myself always on edge wondering what will happen next. And, interestingly enough, the romance hit harder for me this time around. I so loved Law and was so happy to see him get his HEA.
__________________________
It's hard to rate a book when you only wanted more but at the same time know that the story (and the romance) worked well as is.
Lawrence is a local cowboy and manager of the Lazy Twenty Two. Everett is Montana's newest stock detective, come down from Helena to investigate missing cattle and a string of known and probable murders. This is a plot driven story. That it is light on the romance will frustrate some, but for me it worked very well.
People come together in stressful times. Though this one may feel a bit instalust or even instalove, I think the way Lawrence and Everett came together made sense for the story. Also, I really appreciated the chapters where we had Lawrence's POV. I'm a sucker for a stoic cowboy who can admit, even if it's just to himself, that he just wants a special someone in his life. And after his experiences in Afghanistan, I was really rooting for Everett's happy ending.
I elect to rate this 4 stars rather than 5 though because I felt the plot was just a little shaky. That is, it didn't read as quite as tight or even quite as engaging as some other Bauer books (see the Noah & Cole thrillers as examples). A cowboy story is a small step outside Bauer's usual. It's a fun book but not my favorite Bauer story. Would I read more Bauer cowboy books though? Absolutely!
July 17, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Hell and Gone is an engaging romantic mystery/suspense that is enriched by Tal Bauer’s incredible ability to bring the fascinating setting to life. The story is twisty and well developed and I never quite got a handle on who was behind it all until the ending reveal. What is clever here is that we know as readers from the first chapter that Carson was murdered, just not who killed him. So while Everett and other law enforcement aren’t sure whether this is a murder or suicide, as readers we know the truth all along, but are watching as everyone sorts things out. I found Everett’s role as a stock detective very interesting, as it is nothing I have ever heard of before. Basically, he works law enforcement for the Department of Agriculture investigating cattle thefts. This is Everett’s first assignment, but he was military police in the Army so he has great tracking skills and I enjoyed watching him work the case and put the pieces together. Things get exciting at the end and it is a well done mystery.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Hell and Gone is an engaging romantic mystery/suspense that is enriched by Tal Bauer’s incredible ability to bring the fascinating setting to life. The story is twisty and well developed and I never quite got a handle on who was behind it all until the ending reveal. What is clever here is that we know as readers from the first chapter that Carson was murdered, just not who killed him. So while Everett and other law enforcement aren’t sure whether this is a murder or suicide, as readers we know the truth all along, but are watching as everyone sorts things out. I found Everett’s role as a stock detective very interesting, as it is nothing I have ever heard of before. Basically, he works law enforcement for the Department of Agriculture investigating cattle thefts. This is Everett’s first assignment, but he was military police in the Army so he has great tracking skills and I enjoyed watching him work the case and put the pieces together. Things get exciting at the end and it is a well done mystery.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
August 12, 2023
Tal can definitely write a cowboy story.
Law and Everett meet under difficult and tragic circumstances. Both want the same thing though. The drug runners and cattle rustlers caught.
This was a fast paced story once it got going. I kinda knew who the bad guy would be from the beginning but it still made for an interesting plot.
The end was just what I wanted and nobody deserved an HEA more than these two characters.
Law and Everett meet under difficult and tragic circumstances. Both want the same thing though. The drug runners and cattle rustlers caught.
This was a fast paced story once it got going. I kinda knew who the bad guy would be from the beginning but it still made for an interesting plot.
The end was just what I wanted and nobody deserved an HEA more than these two characters.
August 12, 2024
I think I’m at a moment in my life where I can’t not love a book by Tal Bauer. I honestly don’t know if I can explain it, the way the books are written just captivate me and this one was no exception.
I’m aware the romance felt a bit rushed and the MCs could have had more interactions but also sometimes you just know I guess?
Overall, I liked it even if I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning.
I’m aware the romance felt a bit rushed and the MCs could have had more interactions but also sometimes you just know I guess?
Overall, I liked it even if I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning.
July 25, 2019
Gangbusters!!!
A 4 Star rating for one of my favorite authors?!
The story was good—don’t get me wrong.
The mystery interesting, although not unsolvable by the reader.
The MC’s—as contrasting as they get and in a good way.
The genre? Go Cowboys and Thriller!!
UST—yes, of course! Tal knows how to WORK the UST!!
Heat? 🔥🔥 Plenty once things got going, which wasn’t until past the 1/2 way mark.
I LIKED THIS! .....BUT...... I did not love it. I’m not sure why, really. I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and can’t come up with a reason. Maybe the fact that I kept putting this down to read other books, maybe because there were absolutely no warm and fuzzies in this book.
One thing that I did love was the amazing presence that the setting—The Crazies, Montana—has in this book! The sense of place really grounded the story for me and helped to lend the air of mystery that a thriller should have!
You like cowboys? Go for it! You like mysteries and unexplainable murders? This is your bag of tricks! You want to see someone come out of a serious PTSD shell? (You know Tal had to throw some military in here! 😂😂). Pick this up. Just don’t expect fluff or declarations of love!
P.S. there is a fantastic HFN!!
A 4 Star rating for one of my favorite authors?!
The story was good—don’t get me wrong.
The mystery interesting, although not unsolvable by the reader.
The MC’s—as contrasting as they get and in a good way.
The genre? Go Cowboys and Thriller!!
UST—yes, of course! Tal knows how to WORK the UST!!
Heat? 🔥🔥 Plenty once things got going, which wasn’t until past the 1/2 way mark.
I LIKED THIS! .....BUT...... I did not love it. I’m not sure why, really. I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and can’t come up with a reason. Maybe the fact that I kept putting this down to read other books, maybe because there were absolutely no warm and fuzzies in this book.
One thing that I did love was the amazing presence that the setting—The Crazies, Montana—has in this book! The sense of place really grounded the story for me and helped to lend the air of mystery that a thriller should have!
You like cowboys? Go for it! You like mysteries and unexplainable murders? This is your bag of tricks! You want to see someone come out of a serious PTSD shell? (You know Tal had to throw some military in here! 😂😂). Pick this up. Just don’t expect fluff or declarations of love!
P.S. there is a fantastic HFN!!
July 11, 2019
This is a little disappointing coming from Tal Bauer.
The first thing that caught my eye and continuously annoyed me was the consistent misuse of the word "hung" to describe a man's hanging. Once could be a typo, but five or six times and it's clear to me the author is just ignorant of the difference. What makes it worse is knowing that several other people helped with the manuscript, and not a single one of them bothered to point out that people are not "hung"...not in this sense, at least.
Aside from that, the story disappointed me. I knew who the masterminds were almost as soon as they were introduced, and I spotted the betrayal twist coming a mile away. Furthermore, I really and truly hope stock detectives are not this incompetent in real life. What type of investigator sits down with a group of cops AND citizens, any one of whom could be involved in the crimes, and just announces everything he's discovered so far? Not even small town cops are that ignorant of investigative procedure.
To top it off, the romantic aspect was rushed, disconnected, and unsatisfying.
This book does not live up to Bauer's previous works.
The first thing that caught my eye and continuously annoyed me was the consistent misuse of the word "hung" to describe a man's hanging. Once could be a typo, but five or six times and it's clear to me the author is just ignorant of the difference. What makes it worse is knowing that several other people helped with the manuscript, and not a single one of them bothered to point out that people are not "hung"...not in this sense, at least.
Aside from that, the story disappointed me. I knew who the masterminds were almost as soon as they were introduced, and I spotted the betrayal twist coming a mile away. Furthermore, I really and truly hope stock detectives are not this incompetent in real life. What type of investigator sits down with a group of cops AND citizens, any one of whom could be involved in the crimes, and just announces everything he's discovered so far? Not even small town cops are that ignorant of investigative procedure.
To top it off, the romantic aspect was rushed, disconnected, and unsatisfying.
This book does not live up to Bauer's previous works.
August 11, 2019
A short read compared to some of Bauer’s other works, and I think the length was right for this one.
I enjoyed the tension, the steam, and the bite-sized whodunnit.
I do think that the MCs took themselves a tad too seriously yet somehow jumped from belligerent sexual tension to soulmates in about three pages at one point.
As usual for Bauer, the action is solid, the MCs are interesting (and hot), and it’s an all-around good read with quality writing.
I enjoyed the tension, the steam, and the bite-sized whodunnit.
I do think that the MCs took themselves a tad too seriously yet somehow jumped from belligerent sexual tension to soulmates in about three pages at one point.
As usual for Bauer, the action is solid, the MCs are interesting (and hot), and it’s an all-around good read with quality writing.
January 16, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed, although I wanted it to be a little longer. It felt a little faster paced than other books by this author. Wish it was a series!
Rerea January 2023.
Rerea January 2023.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 25, 2021For some reason I was convinced this had a historical setting. I didn't get much beyond the sample when sudden mention of cell phones and trucks threw me right out of the narrative. Until then it read pre-technology, old 'justice' style. I mean in a modern setting you don't expect someone to drive a corpse and dump it at the desk of a police station (non-spoiler that's in the sample)
Mr cowboy is far too onery. It really is like an old western. But Mr fresh from the army detective is too earnest though apparently strong and stubborn. Afghanistan will, I think, get frequent mentions.
I was pretty sure of the villain from the very beginning, thought it can't be that obvious, checked the end to find I was right. I don't care the whys or the details; cattle rustling doesn't excite me and the characters felt too caricature to draw me in so no point reading on.
But, I only got a few chapters in, deleted without checking %, the main characters had barely met. This could improve, I maybe being harsh.
Mr cowboy is far too onery. It really is like an old western. But Mr fresh from the army detective is too earnest though apparently strong and stubborn. Afghanistan will, I think, get frequent mentions.
I was pretty sure of the villain from the very beginning, thought it can't be that obvious, checked the end to find I was right. I don't care the whys or the details; cattle rustling doesn't excite me and the characters felt too caricature to draw me in so no point reading on.
But, I only got a few chapters in, deleted without checking %, the main characters had barely met. This could improve, I maybe being harsh.
August 30, 2022
Wanted Never Stay Gone.
Got The Night Of. Hit or miss--
so, Gravity next?
Got The Night Of. Hit or miss--
so, Gravity next?
June 25, 2019
5+ stars! I devoured this book in one sitting. One of the most impressive things about Tal Bauer is his ability to write any genre beautifully and this book is no exception. I was so excited when Tal announced he was writing a cowboy book but I must admit I was intrigued as to how the 'King of Angst and Mayhem' was going to turn his hand to ranchers and cowboys. But as always it is a superbly written, gripping tale with many unexpected twists and turns from start to finish.
'The Crazies were like lost jewels from a crown, emerald forests and sapphire lakes and rivers, gold-gilded pastures specked with riots of wildflowers, fire-red ruby poppies and amethyst lilacs and diamond-white daisies. It was hard to imagine this much beauty in the world still existed'
'The Crazies were like lost jewels from a crown, emerald forests and sapphire lakes and rivers, gold-gilded pastures specked with riots of wildflowers, fire-red ruby poppies and amethyst lilacs and diamond-white daisies. It was hard to imagine this much beauty in the world still existed'
This book is set in the Crazy Mountains of Montana and centres around a sprawling rural community. It's a story of secrets and lies and small town mysteries. Delve a little deeper and some serious crimes appear to be being committed.
'Nothing stayed hidden forever'
Everett Dawson is a stock detective brought in to investigate the local rustling problem and Lawrence Jackson runs the local Lazy Twenty Two ranch and he's the town bad boy making big accusations about murder and crime in their town. I won't spoil any of the story as it needs to be read with fresh eyes to be enjoyed.
"There ain’t no hidin’ from anythin’ up here. No runnin’ away, neither. Your life is just a series of memories passed between people, good or bad. And you live with the consequences for those memories.”
The writing in this book is exceptional. I never cease to be amazed by Tal's words even after all his previously well written and executed books. This story is a little shorter than some of his previous works but still a full length novel. It impresses me that even with less words Tal is still able to tell such an enthraling, magnificent story.
‘Bout the only thin’ that works up here is fire and guns.”
We finally got our cowboy book y'all
July 3, 2019
The writing here is so good, but then it’s Tal Bauer so that’s to be expected. Both MC were intriguing and had very different personalities which is a mega-plus in a dual POV story. And this book has a darkness to it, a heaviness that sits over the words as you read, or maybe it’s just the loneliness and frustration reflected from the remoteness of where these men live and work.
I enjoyed the mystery and working my way through a few red herrings but it felt rushed at certain points-especially the end. At the end of the day I would have liked more from the relationship building between Law and Everett too but I’m not sure it would have really suited the story.
But I was hooked and I read this in a day. I haven’t read the last couple Tal books because I don’t like getting mired in too much politics so this was a nice change of pace.
I enjoyed the mystery and working my way through a few red herrings but it felt rushed at certain points-especially the end. At the end of the day I would have liked more from the relationship building between Law and Everett too but I’m not sure it would have really suited the story.
But I was hooked and I read this in a day. I haven’t read the last couple Tal books because I don’t like getting mired in too much politics so this was a nice change of pace.
November 9, 2021
A fantastic mystery, the best kind of slow build romance as they get to know one another, hot sex scenes that don’t dominate the plot, and a sense of place that had me almost reaching out to touch the tree bark, stroke horse’s manes from my bed. Tal Bauer packs a punch and I can’t wait to read more of his work 🙌🏻✨
January 16, 2024
3.75⭐️ rounded down because the only female character with a name was a horse. This was fine. It had its moments (naked horse riding) but at the end of the day I kinda just like didn’t care lol. Tal Bauer’s writing style didn’t fit a story this gritty in my opinion and I just had trouble making myself read it. That being said, I still enjoyed it at times and the relationship was cute, if a little rushed and instalove-y.
March 1, 2024
Holy fuck! That was such a wild departure from everything I've been reading lately and I needed it! Everett and Law were fabulous. A stoic ex-army type caught up in past tragedy and a hot as fuck cowboy with a hell of a tempter but both haunted by lost loves. I loved their interactions and the sex scenes were nice and spicy! The mystery kept me engaged and the story as a whole will probably stick around in my head for a while.
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