Cast A Long Shadow: The Big Sky Series, Book 1

Cast a Long Shadow, an e-book assumed published, copyright and written by Kwen D. Griffeth.The reader is introduced to the protagonist, ‘Bad Bobby Trent’, son of a Montana County Sheriff as he is engaged in a fist fight at a popular bar, somewhat distant from the area’s main town of Wapiti. The bar attracted men with occupations such as cowboys, sheep men, roustabouts and similar and the women who enjoyed their company. Bobby was a local, almost legend, star high school athlete who after a short stint in college was a popular Rodeo Cowboy with a devil-may-care attitude and a smile and piercing eyes that women found irrestible. His father arrives, jails him in just one more effort to make him ‘grow-up’ and attain his real potential. Shortly thereafter, a trailer truck suspected of carrying heroin is disabled passing through the area and must stay for repairs. Suspiciously it catches fire which destroys any evidence. The sheriff dies with a gunshot to the head and rumor suggests suicide because he was involved. The story moves into high gear with Bobby pulling out all stops to find his killer and slowly maturing to be the person whom his father believed he could be. Along the way he is helped greatly by a Cheyenne Nation Chief who is an FBI criminal investigation training graduate and now Head of their Police Department as well other members of the nation, an old flame, a young woman police officer and several other interesting individuals. The tale is replete with unexpected twists as Bobby ‘goes-with-the-flow’ of what life offers until finally attaining enough maturity to realize that he still has much to learn.Discussion: This is a most interesting story whose genre defies specific assignment and is filled with fascinatingly described characters. It has a western setting, but should NOT be characterized as a ‘western” per se. Fundamentally, this would appear to be more of a character study where each has a story contributory to the main plot that contains large elements of crime, mysticism, romance and suspense moving inexorably toward a somewhat unexpected finale. It is another well-written, unusual tale by this author that is difficult to put down.

I love Kwen’s writing, I fall in deeply with his well crafted characters, their stories and emotions. I could feel the wind, smell the smells taste the food & felt the emotions. I enjoy his dedication to filling out what his characters are feeling, thinking and the flashes into their pasts that explain their internal conflicts. Sweetness of losing myself for awhile in another world!

Well developed story. Got more not put down able the further I read. The Native American element was very credible.

I like the characters, the setting, the stories. I like that there is no gratuitous gore and explicit sex. The author has a way with words, dialog and description of events and location. I very much enjoy the Native American interaction and learning about some customs and language.But please PLEASE find and employ an editor. The punctuation particularly needs attention but also spelling and word usage. I do try to report them through the Kindle app but it becomes tedious after awhile. The misplaced or missing punctuation caused me numerous times to have to re-read a section to know what was happening. These books clearly have a following and have won awards. They deserve a good editor.

This book surpassed my expectations -> addressing dynamics on so many levels: cowboy culture and rodeo self-confidence, mystique of Montana’s natural bounty, Cherokee customs. Griffeth is a good story teller, giving enough but holding back just the right amount; he paints interesting and believable characters. I am looking froward to reading my 2nd Griffeth novel.

For those enjoy series like Sheriff Longmire, Joe Picket and Nick Drake, this series is right up your alley, or arroyo as the case may be.“Bad” Bobby Trent is a local legend who makes a living as a rodeo bronc rider. When an injury forces him away from the ring, he gets in a fight and his father, the sheriff, throws him in the pokey. Later when the sheriff is murdered, Bad Bobby is forced to grow up in a hurry and, despite not having any law enforcement experience, finds himself in the search for his father’s killer.So begins a series where Bad Bobby the rodeo rider becomes Bad Bobby the sheriff, at least til the end of his father’s term. There is a handful of colorful characters populating the book, located in a small southern Montana town. After reading the first one I immediately downloaded the other two. They’re fun reads so saddle up and enjoy.

Doreen had a good background to get into law enforcement, still it seemed like she had to prove herself with every shift. Taking Bobby to the jail to sleep it off, he still had that killer smile, she remembers when she was in ninth grade. He is trying to figure out life at thirty two, his dad steps in to give him some tough love, by keeping him in the jail. The characterizes are real, the struggles, and there places in life. The author has made this story come to life. One wonders how the changes will be for Bobby, he has a lot to live up to, but , maybe that is what he needs.

Great book, lots of twists and turns. Danger, drugs, rodeo, ranching, Indian heritage and customs - all good! Try it, you should not be disappointed.

This book falls into my favourite genre, small town modern western.Bobby Trent is a rodeo rider currently currently carrying an injury. He is a carefree, live for today kind of guy which doesn't earn him any brownie points from his dad, the local Sheriff. The Sheriff happens a truck being used to carry heroin. This results in the murder of the Sheriff and the burning of the truck and the drugs. This sets Bobby and a good friend who also happens to the tribal chief of police in the Indian reservation in the trail of those responsible. Organised crime bosses don't take kindly to the loss of the drugs or to the interference of Bobby and his friend. An enjoyable read which would have earned 4stars but for amount of information on native American rituals, mysticism ,spirit animals and the like which I felt was intrusive and the absorption of Bobby ,a white man, into that world was unlikely and unnecessary.

I normally just rate books but this deserves more!!!! I really enjoyed it not the normal run of the mill stuff and I was so wrong thinking id got the who dun it !!! Had me chuckling at the attitude of the native Americans I could so hear it all in my head 😂 highly recommend

I felt that the characters were real and that I really was walking through the locations with the people involved. One of two typos in the kindle edition including naming John Doe before we knew his name. I shall look out for more from this author.

Books are a easy enjoyable read, recomended to keep you interested in the story until the end. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I loved the the journey into a country beyond the road I've traveled several times. The characterization in the story is so strong I felt as if I lived the experience through them. Beside that, I did some serious nail biting and the edge of my chair became a normal spot right up to the end of the story.