Product Description

In 1879, Steve Dancy sells his New York shop and ventures west to explore and write a journal about his adventures. Though he's not looking for trouble, Dancy's infatuation with another man's wife soon embroils him in a deadly feud with Sean Washburn, a Nevada silver baron.

Infuriated by the outrages of two hired thugs, the shopkeeper kills both men in an impulsive street fight. Dancy believes this barbarian act has closed the episode. He is wrong. He has interfered with Washburn's ambitions, and this is something the mining tycoon will not allow.

Pinkertons, hired assassins, and aggrieved bystanders escalate the feud until it pulls in all the moneyed interests and power brokers in Nevada. Can the former city slicker settle accounts without losing his life in the process?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6100 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
Steve Dancy is set on experiencing the West. At first glance, he is nothing more than a dilettante Easterner intent on writing a journal about his adventures on the frontier. He's not running away from a hopeless life. To the contrary, he's educated and seems to have enough money for his simple needs. Although anxious to avoid trouble, he can be pushed only so far, and when he chances upon some bad men doing unspeakable things to a woman, he feels he must take a hand. It isn't long before he's caught up in gunplay, which leads him into taking desperate measures, including buying a bank and a hotel, and influencing the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Dancy is a far different man than these Westerners think he is. Wealthy after selling off his Eastern businesses, maybe he should have told them what kind of goods he sold, because he's sure not like any other shopkeepers they know.

This is a fast paced tale with an interesting hero. In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it's reminiscent of a thriller. Sadly, neither of the women in this story were enduring, the older too evil and crass to believe, and the younger far from worthy of the infatuation the hero apparently feels toward her. The motivation seems weak for all the mayhem that ensues. Still, you'll certainly find enough twists and turns to provide an entertaining and exciting story. -- Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine, August, 2008

I have to admit that the Wild West and Western books as a whole are not generally speaking my favorite genre. Most are badly written with a weak plot and lots of Gunfight At The OK Coral scenes. Occasionally though, one is released that breaks the mold and genuinely stands out as a great work of fiction. I put The Shopkeeper in that lofty position.

James Best has carved out a great yarn, his main character and hero is Steve Dancy, a rich New York businessman who for personal reasons has decided to leave the safety of the big city in search of ...? Well he is not quite sure, but he is one of those people that when he sees his quest he will know it.

The plot and characters are well developed, and the story flows. I started this review stating that Western was not my favorite genre, but The Shopkeeper is a different beast. The only aspect I am a little bothered by is the choice of `love interest' in Jenny, I am not sure that I buy into it. I can understand the rationale of selecting a young girl, but I think it might have made for a stronger character if she had been in her late 20's rather than 17. Us damn critics always have to find something to gripe about.

A great book, I do hope that The Shopkeeper gets the readership it richly deserves. -- Simon Barrett, Blogger New Network, June 13th, 2009

Steve Dancy is set on experiencing the West. At first glance, he is nothing more than a dilettante Easterner intent on writing a journal about his adventures on the frontier. He's not running away from a hopeless life. To the contrary, he's educated and seems to have enough money for his simple needs. Although anxious to avoid trouble, he can be pushed only so far, and when he chances upon some bad men doing unspeakable things to a woman, he feels he must take a hand. It isn't long before he's caught up in gunplay, which leads him into taking desperate measures, including buying a bank and a hotel, and influencing the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Dancy is a far different man than these Westerners think he is. Wealthy after selling off his Eastern businesses, maybe he should have told them what kind of goods he sold, because he's sure not like any other shopkeepers they know.

This is a fast paced tale with an interesting hero. In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it's reminiscent of a thriller. Sadly, neither of the women in this story were enduring, the older too evil and crass to believe, and the younger far from worthy of the infatuation the hero apparently feels toward her. The motivation seems weak for all the mayhem that ensues. Still, you'll certainly find enough twists and turns to provide an entertaining and exciting story. --Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine, August, 2008

About the Author
Steve Dancy is set on experiencing the West. At first glance, he is nothing more than a dilettante Easterner intent on writing a journal about his adventures on the frontier. He's not running away from a hopeless life. To the contrary, he's educated and seems to have enough money for his simple needs. Although anxious to avoid trouble, he can be pushed only so far, and when he chances upon some bad men doing unspeakable things to a woman, he feels he must take a hand. It isn't long before he's caught up in gunplay, which leads him into taking desperate measures, including buying a bank and a hotel, and influencing the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Dancy is a far different man than these Westerners think he is. Wealthy after selling off his Eastern businesses, maybe he should have told them what kind of goods he sold, because he's sure not like any other shopkeepers they know.

This is a fast paced tale with an interesting hero. In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it's reminiscent of a thriller. Sadly, neither of the women in this story were enduring, the older too evil and crass to believe, and the younger far from worthy of the infatuation the hero apparently feels toward her. The motivation seems weak for all the mayhem that ensues. Still, you'll certainly find enough twists and turns to provide an entertaining and exciting story. -- Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine, August, 2008

I have to admit that the Wild West and Western books as a whole are not generally speaking my favorite genre. Most are badly written with a weak plot and lots of Gunfight At The OK Coral scenes. Occasionally though, one is released that breaks the mold and genuinely stands out as a great work of fiction. I put The Shopkeeper in that lofty position.

James Best has carved out a great yarn, his main character and hero is Steve Dancy, a rich New York businessman who for personal reasons has decided to leave the safety of the big city in search of ...? Well he is not quite sure, but he is one of those people that when he sees his quest he will know it.

The plot and characters are well developed, and the story flows. I started this review stating that Western was not my favorite genre, but The Shopkeeper is a different beast. The only aspect I am a little bothered by is the choice of `love interest' in Jenny, I am not sure that I buy into it. I can understand the rationale of selecting a young girl, but I think it might have made for a stronger character if she had been in her late 20's rather than 17. Us damn critics always have to find something to gripe about.

A great book, I do hope that The Shopkeeper gets the readership it richly deserves. -- Simon Barrett, Blogger New Network, June 13th, 2009

Steve Dancy is set on experiencing the West. At first glance, he is nothing more than a dilettante Easterner intent on writing a journal about his adventures on the frontier. He's not running away from a hopeless life. To the contrary, he's educated and seems to have enough money for his simple needs. Although anxious to avoid trouble, he can be pushed only so far, and when he chances upon some bad men doing unspeakable things to a woman, he feels he must take a hand. It isn't long before he's caught up in gunplay, which leads him into taking desperate measures, including buying a bank and a hotel, and influencing the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Dancy is a far different man than these Westerners think he is. Wealthy after selling off his Eastern businesses, maybe he should have told them what kind of goods he sold, because he's sure not like any other shopkeepers they know.

This is a fast paced tale with an interesting hero. In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it's reminiscent of a thriller. Sa

Customer Reviews

The Shopkeeper
I just finished reading "The Shopkeeper", and I keep thinking to myself - Wow - that was a really good book. One of the best things about the story is that is not predictable (I'm really tired of many authors "formula" stories where you have it figured out after a couple chapters) And, the author has a descriptive way with words that makes you feel like you're right there witnessing the story. I found myself staying up at night to read "just one more chapter" before I had to force myself to put it down. I'm really looking forward to the next Steve Dancy tale.

A Wonderful Gift!
I chose this book because of the reviews as a gift for an avid Western reader who doesn't troll online or frequent bookstores because of an illness. He received this wonderful gift last Wednesday and finished it on his second day LOVING IT and wanting another "Steve Dancy" book NOW. He'll have to wait for Christmas it appears but thank you James D. Best for a fabulous new character and wonderfully written book from someone who loves his (quality) Westerns. You have brightened someone's days who needed some brightening! His daughter is jealous that SHE didn't give it to him. So, well done Mr. Best... Keep writing!!

The Shopkeeper
As someone who loves history in general, and the old west in particular, I found that this book accurately portrays the time period. It immediately captures the reader and is one of those books that are difficult to put down.
You also find yourself almost living in the period, as if the characters are alive. You identify yourself with them and understand the hardships of living in Nevada during those times.
I am eagerly awaiting a sequel, or at least another book by this author. James Best is truly a talented writer that has done his homework.