Red River Reunion


Fiction - Western
417 Pages
Reviewed on 09/21/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Red River Reunion is a work of fiction in the western, action and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author John Layne. Following the true course of the classic Western novel, we find ourselves in Texas in the year 1877, where lawlessness at the border is rife and ruinous for those trying to make an honest living there. Enter our central protagonists, U.S. Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne, who have sworn to try to uphold frontier law and indeed risk their own lives for the sake of others around them. What results is a powerful tale of honor and trying to find justice in a dark world of wild outlaws and outright villains.

Author John Layne evokes the spirit of the classic Western novel in every single page of this lavish and atmospheric masterpiece. The narration is highly nostalgic and shows that Layne has done his research into the origins of the genre. I also found that the language was well explained in context so nothing would ever become confusing for a newcomer to the fold. There’s also plenty of great character development as we get to know Wes and Lux, understanding their passion for their duty and the methods they use to uphold the law against seemingly impossible odds. All of this makes for a comprehensive Western which delivers everything a fan could ever want from this high-action genre. Overall, I would certainly recommend Red River Reunion to fans and newcomers alike.

Kathryn Bennett

Red River Reunion by John Layne takes the reader back in time to 1877 and introduces you to Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne. They work hard in Texas, risking their lives to do what others can’t; keeping frontier law and defending the border against outlaws. The old west is not an easy place for anyone to live, and it really isn’t easy for a lawman. However, by banding together and keeping a community that helps one another protected, life is not only about survival but the ability to thrive.

I love a good old western story, whether it be a book or a movie. Red River Reunion by John Layne is certainly a good old western story. It is vividly written and the characters seemed to jump off the page for me. Living in Tucson, AZ, I can just picture what old west Texas looked like and can see that spilling across my mind as I read the adventures of these two lawmen. Wes is the kind of guy I could see myself getting along with very easily and, in all honesty, I wish we had more men like him in modern-day society. You will learn about true suffering but also true heroism when reading this book, and I think that is something we all need a little reminding of these days. If you are looking for a read that will entertain and make you think, look no further than this book. I highly recommend it. A really fantastic adventure.

Vincent Dublado

The year is 1877, a time when lawlessness pervades the western frontier. Thankfully, there are men like Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne who are willing to risk their lives in the spirit of peace and order. But defending the weak and deterring bandits along the Red River Border are no easy tasks when facing insurmountable odds of villainy and when nearly everyone owns a gun. Danner’s scruples as a man of the law will be put to the test when a nun gets kidnapped. As no army will risk deploying their units to raid a ruthless bandit camp, it is up to Danner and Payne to rescue the woman of the cloth. In the biggest challenge to his career as a deputy marshal, Danner’s commitment to his sworn duty will be threatened by a fit of insurmountable anger that will make him far more dangerous than the ruthless bandits they are hunting down.

From the same author who brought us Gunslingers, John Layne is back with a new western adventure in Red River Reunion. The historical setting in this story is accompanied by a change in Danner’s moral focus. Red River Reunion is entertaining in its unbridled violence, the laudable grit of its characters, and the vivid illustration of the life and frequent hazards in the early west. John Layne’s direct statement of morality, that is, of giving a dose of one’s own medicine, is well-dramatized in a manner that lets characters with their rifles and revolvers do the talking. The simplicity of the plot proves that Red River Reunion can provide you with good company on a long flight or in any situation conducive to reading.