The Reckoning

By: Robert J. Thomas

Narrated by: Jay Emmitt Caudill

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Don't let the prologue of this book fool you; this is a Western novel.

The Reckoning is the first in the series of Jess Williams Western novels written by Robert J. Thomas. Jess Williams is an ordinary young boy with a loving family, growing up in Black Creek, Kansas. That all changes when he comes home and finds his entire family brutally murdered.

Forced to become a man overnight, he vows to avenge his family's savage deaths. He begins to practice with his Pa's Colt .45, and then a stroke of destiny arrives when he discovers a new pistol and holster that mysteriously appears. Jess practices with it relentlessly until he becomes so quick that he is unbeatable on the draw.

He leaves home transformed from a boy to a highly skilled shootist with no reason to live except to hunt down and kill each of the three men responsible for the murders of his family. As he begins his journey, he does so with a pistol and holster that no one has ever seen before - and won't again for almost one hundred years.

©2003 Robert J. Thomas (P)2015 Robert J. Thomas

Amazing Western

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the main character the most. It was easy to relate to him and root for him the entire audiobook. Jess Williams is quite a likable person, but to those that cross him - he is to be feared! The main character comes to life quite easily thanks to the narrator, who creates a voice for him that resonates with the average person - while also maintaining a stand-offish vibe perfect for a loner cowboy. It adds to the mystery of Jess Williams and makes you wonder - what is going on in that guy's head??

Have you listened to any of Jay Emmitt Caudill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first time hearing this narrator, and I am thoroughly impressed. Will be looking for more audiobooks by him.

Any additional comments?

The story is powerful and is an emotional roller coaster. It starts off in the modern-day world, but it quickly becomes a story about the Western days. There is an unexpected twist that ties the past to the present - that's all I'll say!

37 of 37 people found this review helpful

A Spectacular Western

Where does The Reckoning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best Westerns I've listened to so far. I don't normally read books, but I listen to them quite often on my way to work and back. Wouldn't have come across this great author had it not been for this audiobook - very impressed with this story.

Have you listened to any of Jay Emmitt Caudill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This voice artist is quite versatile. Every character had a distinct personality. The entire story was narrated with a style that immediately took you in as a reader and made you feel like you went back in time to those days when Western-style gun fights were common place.

If you could take any character from The Reckoning out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I'd want to hang out with Jess, of course! He was so loyal to his family that he made it his mission to seek justice for them when they no longer had a voice.

Any additional comments?

I would categorize this Western as a revenge fantasy / traditional Western with a modern twist. It's unique in many ways and uses some elements of mystery/fantasy within the story. Great writing, versatile narrating and an all around quality audiobook. Looking forward to the sequel!

27 of 27 people found this review helpful

A bit of Sci-Fi in a Western

This is my first book by Robert J Thomas. I have only recently read some of the new western authors and have found them exciting. They have found different ways of approaching and modifying the old western stories to make them fresh and packed with action.

The plot of this book is a very familiar one for a western. Jess Williams a 14 year old boy is sent to town, Black Creek, Kansas for supplies by his father. On his arrival home he finds his entire family brutally murdered. The author creates an exciting new twist to the old western plot and provides a hook with the sudden appearance of a futuristic handgun and holster that would not be seen again in a hundred years. In the story the reader can feel and sense the character change in the beginning of the book. My only complaint is with the repetition of “Jess will go after the killers” I found it annoying after a bit.

The book is well written, fast paced and action packed a great get away book. The author tried to stay close to the historical facts of the time, except for the gun and holster. Jay Emmitt Caudill does a good job narrating the book.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Violent Justice!

What did you love best about The Reckoning?

When Jess Williams was a boy and cruel outlaws savagely killed his parents and little sister Jess swore to bring the attackers to justice ...his brand of justice. Practicing daily on his fast-draw and accuracy with a mysteriously appearing gun and holster he prepared himself to set out to find his family's killers.

What other book might you compare The Reckoning to and why?

There are similar westerns with slight variations, but "The Reckoning" is certainly credit worthy.

What about Jay Emmitt Caudill’s performance did you like?

His ability to bring the character's personalities to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The sadness of the brutality of the murders of Jess' family and the loss of his innocence.

Any additional comments?

Although I wish there was not so much detailed violence, it shows just how wild and untamed the west was, and how hard it was to enforce the law. How vulnerable small towns and outlying farms and dwellings were at the hands of ruthless men.

I enjoyed the character of Jess Williams, who although showed no remorse for killing the bad guys, had a kindness about him. He performed kind deeds toward those in need, but doled out justice to those who took advantage of those who could not defend themselves.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great book with a surprise

This has a great story with an excellent narrator. Has a surprise ending and I'm looking forward to the next following books.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Author "not very quick on the draw"

I have to agree with another listener that I also realized about halfway through this listen that this book was just a repeat of the previous bar fights in the first half of the book, over and over again. It was predictable and not enjoyable during the last half.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great book

Robert J Thomas is a great author. I have read the entire series of Jess Williams. Thomas has done a good job with this character. He is a killer out for revenge but also a very kind person wanting to give to others

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Just so, so.

I realized about halfway through the book that this was just the same bar-gun fight scene over and over and over. Could barely finish the book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It was a great narration of The Reckoning.

The narraton by J E Caudill was wonderful and his voices had lots of feeling. He had a fantastic book to read and did a creditable job. Would love to hear his rendition of book 2.

Formulaic and repetitious

I would say this is a pretty good book for pre-teens, if it were not for the profanity in the dialogue and the graphic violence. The story is utterly predictable and the prose is repetitious and an unimaginative. The narrator, however, does a good job with what he is reading.

Brilliant

This is a superb western book, I listened to it from start to finish. Excitement while I listened, as though I was watching.