Hell Hole

The Nations, Book 3

By: Ken Farmer

Narrated by: Ken Farmer

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bass Reeves is back! If you're a fan of L'Amour, Kelton, Burroughs and Grey, you'll love Hell Hole - the third novel in the best-selling and award-winning Bass Reeves saga in The Nations. 

US Deputy Marshals, under Judge Issac Parker, The Hanging Judge, patrol the Indian Nations - the most dangerous place in the world in the late 19th century. 

Bass Reeves and his partner, Jack McGann, are tasked to bring in the Griffin gang and clean out the cesspool of outlaws at a town known as Catoosa, the Hell Hole. Judge Parker wants "that bunch of societal paragons of miscreants and malefactors that are gathered there eliminated" and doesn't care how Bass and his men do it.  

"Some call me one thing and some call me another…But mostly they call me Bass Reeves and this just ain't yer day, son." 

They team up with Jack's godson, Texas Ranger Bodie Hickman and track the Griffin gang across half of Oklahoma Territory - recovering two kidnapped young ladies - and then back into the Hell Hole with their orders of "Bring them in alive…or bring them in dead."

©2014 Ken Farmer (P)2014 Ken Farmer

Bass Reeves lives and rides!

If you could sum up Hell Hole in three words, what would they be?

Excellent! Spellbinding! Riveting!

What did you like best about this story?

It is an accurate historical tale of Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshall. After hearing this fine audio rendition of Hell Hole I did some research. This book is on point with his life and times. The blending of so many real persons from the time period is seamless. Descriptions of locations is authentic.

What about Ken Farmer’s performance did you like?

I appreciated how Ken Farmer used his voice to effectively portray so many different characters and carry the narrative along at such a pace the story seemed to flow effortlessly. I would find myself imagining I was Bass Reeves each time he spoke. Yet, felt equally at ease with each of the other voices. The subtle nuances in each character seemed flawless from character to character. Never had to think about who was speaking as each character was distinct unto themselves.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did! Started listening while taking a road trip and ended up continuing well beyond my normal bed time to complete it. A riveting story.

Any additional comments?

I'm hooked! Can't wait for Farmer's next audio book to be released. Hope it's another of his great westerns but would certainly give a listen to the Black Eagle Force series he has coauthored.

Ken brings the story to life.

Where does Hell Hole rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I read the book first but I enjoyed hearing the audible book. The characters are brought to life because of Ken's ability to differentiate several characters that are together at the same time by his use of tone, accent and being able to be that person for a few minutes.

I saw the book differently because it was read the way they intended it to be and not just my imagination. I could clearly tell more about the people portrayed because of the way the voice was done. You feel like you are there with them.

Some audiobooks I have listened to were just read with no feeling or the voices were not done very well. Men trying to do a woman's voice usually don't do it very well. Ken did the women's voices well and each one was different. I wasn't confused about who was talking because he did little things that let me know who they were.

I would rank it a 10.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the way the women did what they could to help themselves and not just wait to be rescued.
The situations and the way they resolved them were sometimes surprising and some were things I don't think I would have considered in that situation.

What about Ken Farmer’s performance did you like?

Ken's performance was very good. His time as an actor helped him immensely. He didn't just read the book, he acted it out with his voice.

If you could rename Hell Hole, what would you call it?

I don't know. Maybe something about thieves or robber's because the reason for what happened was because of money.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to "Haunted Fall's". Downloaded it today.

Ride With Them!

If you could sum up Hell Hole in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, Riveting, and Suspenseful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bass Reeves. He not only overcame obstacles on the way to his position as a US Marshall, he retained his humane approach to all things living.

What does Ken Farmer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice fits the story and moves it along. In other words, I couldn't stop listening.

Who was the most memorable character of Hell Hole and why?

Again, It has to be Bass Reeves. His character represents the best traits found in Indian Territory, and beyond.

Any additional comments?

I'm getting ready to download "Haunted Falls," by the same author, and hope it is just as exciting as "Hell Hole."

Hell Hole

This is the third book in this series. Bass Reeves and Jack Mchann and the other Marshalls track down the bad guys through Indian Territory. In this book we're introduced to Jack's Godson Bodie Hickman . I think he's going to make a good addition. I hope he is in the future books. There is some good characters in this book that you get to know. I love the way Bass Reeves takes care of business. Ken Farmer does a great job writing and narrating this book and series. If my review is any help will you please click on the helpful link below. Thank you.

Disappointed.

What was the usual exciting and enjoyable story from one of my favourite authors was sadly ruined by the very poor production quality. Several chapters have very distracting background noise.