Once Hell Freezes Over

by Peter Brandvold

Book Overview

When a gang of murdering outlaws takes refuge from the cold in a mountain cabin-and takes everyone inside hostage-Sheriff Ben Stillman takes it personally. Because they have his wife, too. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425172481
• ISBN13: 9780425172483
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

My First Brandvold Western

This is my first Peter Brandvold western. From the previous reviews, you know what the book is about, so I won't rehash all the details. To be sure, this is a tough, gritty western, that's got it all - vivid scenery, action, suspense, a bit of romance, and realistic language and dialogue. The story is extremely well told, and grabbed my interest from the beginning, and never let go. The author drew me deep into the story and I felt like I was right there in the snow, and in the cabin, and everywhere else that the story took me. The author used very few wasted words to tell this tale, and I didn't skip or skim over any of the story; I believe I read every single word - it was that good. I won't go so far as to say this is my favorite western of all time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and definitely give it five stars. I didn't quite get the part about Doc Evans and Katherine Kemmett, though. Unless I overlooked something, their part struck me as sort of tacked on, and had nothing to do with the story. I don't say that as criticism, because even their part was very good and interesting. By the way, I wouldn't recommend this book for younger audiences, though, as it has lots of profanity, graphic violence, and a small amount of sexual situations and references. However, all of that stuff seemed appropriate for the story, and not gratuitous. I have to admit that I have a more difficult time dealing with the graphic violence, but hey, these are very bad outlaws in this story - that's what they do.

Strong female characters drive this book

After bringing in a band of horse thieves, Sheriff Ben Stillman wants nothing more than to spend some quality time with his wife. Only thing is Fay isn't home, she went visiting friends and a heavy winter storm has them sitting it out in the Hawley's home. But worse than the storm is the gang of vicious outlaws who need somewhere to sit out the storm too, and come across the Hawley cabin, once inside they take its occupants hostage and aim to kill them all before they leave. Will Stillman learn of the deadly situation his wife, and friends, have found themselves in, and if he does will he be able to get to them in time and free them from their brutal captors? This is the fourth book in Peter Brandvold's Sheriff Stillman series. Here he presents the reader with a number of well drawn characters and the story moves from one group of people to another and back again throughout until nearly all come together for the violent conclusion. In fact Stillman doesn't really have a big part until nearer the end. This time it's Fay who has the leading role, and like most of the women in this book, she comes across as a strong character. The outlaws are pure evil, squabbling over who will have the women first - or the girl child, as one of them is a rapist with a preference for the very young - and then who gets to kill them and the male captives. As time begins to run out you have to wonder how Stillman will save them - if he indeed does. I thought Brandvold's descriptions of the conditions the weather brings were very good and had me shivering along with his characters. Overall a good read and worth a look, recommended.

ANOTHER GOOD ONE!!!!

I think this is the fourth book in the Ben Stillman series. I have read all four and liked them all, some more than others. I think the real hero in this one is really Fay Stillman, Ben's wife. She and several of her friends are being held hostage by a gang of outlaws who plan to kill then all and leave as soon as the snow storm is over. It is the story of their experience with the outlaws and the very quick ending when it all goes down. The back of the book is a little misleading as Ben's wife is not a captive by the time he finds out about what is going on. There is the little play making beween Doc Evans and Katherine Kemmett that might turn into something in the next book. All in all a good western, a quick read and I thing you will enjoy it. Be much better to read them in order. You will get to know the people and hope things turn out alright for all of them.