'Hell's Half Acre: Cold-Blooded' Audiobook Review - A Thrilling Tale by the Johnstone Legacy

COLD-BlOODED

Hell's Half Acre, #2

by William Johnstone

with J.A. Johnstone

GraphicAudio, 2016

★★★★✰

Sheriff Jess Carey and his oddball band of sidekicks have pulled off the impossible, taming Hell's Half Acre, the most lawless town in Texas, infamous for murder, mayhem, prostitution, and every random act of bloodshed imaginable. Now the no-good politicians in Austin have decided it's cheaper to dump hordes of criminals on Jess Carey's town than hanging 'em. In one dreadful week, it seems as if the gates of Hell have burst open. Freed outlaws, gunslingers, bandits, rapists, desperados, drifters and miscreants are roaming Hell's Half Acre--and Jess and his deputies are running out of bullets fast. As the fighting rages, some ruthless, powerful men see their chance to kill Sheriff Jess Carey and take the town for their own...

I recently discovered the GraphicAudio audiobook Hell's Half Acre: Cold-Blooded, which is based on the second installment of the Hell's Half Acre series by the talented duo William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. It’s worth noting that while William W. Johnstone passed away over twenty years ago, J.A. Johnstone, his niece, has carried on his legacy, managing his estate and, possibly, collaborating on story outlines and ghostwriters. If anyone has insights into her role, I would love to hear more!

Now, let's dive into Cold-Blooded. This thrilling five-plus-hour audiobook, adapted and directed by Timothy Lynch, boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Dylan Lynch, David Jourdan, and many more! The characters spring to life with distinct personas, adding depth and energy to the story.

As the second book in the series—though I think we can call it a trilogy since only three books are currently out—I jumped straight into the action without reading the first one. However, I’ve now grabbed a paperback of the first book, and I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of the third. I don’t often listen to audiobooks, but I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish! The unexpected blend of humor, violence, and even a hint of the tiny Jack the Ripper connection kept me hooked.

For a bit of context, Hell's Half Acre was the infamous red-light district in Fort Worth, Texas, known for its wild history from the 1870s until the early 20th century, earning the title of the deadliest real estate on the American Frontier. The story follows Jess Casey, a cowpuncher turned sheriff, who bravely cleans up Hell's Half Acre—drawing the ire of corrupt politicians who want chaos instead of peace, and they unleash a storm of criminals upon the town. But fear not—Jess and his motley crew of quirky deputies are determined to restore order.

The narration is enjoyable, though I found the pacing uneven midway through. There are too many characters, and amidst the chaos, I occasionally struggled to keep track of them. Still, the voice cast brought these vibrant personalities to life—some heroes, some villains, and plenty of morally gray characters. I was even laughing out loud because of their clever performances.

The sound effects were rich and immersive, vividly painting a picture of the Old West. Overall, the production quality was stellar—kudos to GraphicAudio!

In a nutshell, Hell's Half Acre: Cold-Blooded is a rollicking Wild West adventure packed with every Western cliché you can imagine, woven into one thoroughly engaging and unique story. If you're looking for a thrilling ride through the frontier, this one's for you! 

⁓B.J. Burgess