Five Star Review of the McGowan Sagas #! They Rode From Round Rock

[griswold]

By Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
In 1877, things in the West are still wild. Emmitt McGowan, range detective, is working for The North West Cattle Coalition. While traveling to Austin, Texas, for a meeting with the Governor on behalf of his employer, he is bushwhacked, a clear case of mistaken identity. He takes the body back to Round Rock Texas and within days he and his partner, Ben Maxwell, are reluctantly drafted by the association of ranchers located around Round Rock in an attempt to stop a shady local ranch owner suspected of stealing their cattle. Emmitt and Ben are quickly caught up in a tangled web of cattle rustling and murder. There's a range war looming in the near future if they do not find and stop the rustling. Emmitt requests the help of the Texas Rangers to solve the case, and in doing so, desperately hopes to protect the woman he loves, his partner and himself from the bad men out to do them harm...

I found They Rode From Round Rock by Michael Loyd Story to be a very well written and entertaining tale. The cast of characters is thoroughly defined and the dialogue is right for the period. There is danger, suspense, intrigue and a little romance thrown together in an interesting period story as well. The author has included a lot of detail and I found from time to time the volume of this detail and side story slowed the plot a little. However, the action and suspense more than compensated for this and I really enjoyed reading it. Overall, well done.

I give it Five Stars    

Other reviews:

By D. Munro:

A lot of historical content mixed with great characters equals a very enjoyable read. Story has done a great job describing in detail the topography. It reminds me of L'Mour's way of making word pictures and putting you right in the scene. It was difficult to put the book down, but I had to sleep!  I liked this book for the unusual characters and how they inter-acted with the Texas Rangers and how the author mixed actual, historical figures into the story line. Bring on some more like this one! D Munro

By Brian Jefferies: A Good Read
Very good historical novel. Mr. Story is well informed on his Texas history and antique firearms and from one Vietnam serving Marine to another, Semper Fi.

By Maggie:
This was an enjoyable book from a historical aspect and also the history and geography of the locale, namely the environs of the Colorado River Canyon prior to the advent of the Highland Lakes in the 20th century.