Outrage at Blanco

An Ellie Taine Thriller

By: Bill Crider

Narrated by: John Burlinson

It's True Grit meets Gran Torino in a blazingly original crime novel from Bill Crider, an Edgar and Shamus finalist and a two-time winner of the Anthony Award.

On a bloody day in 1887, death came to Blanco, Texas.

Before the sun went down, the livery stable was torched, an outlaw gang robbed the bank, two men were killed, and young newlywed Ellie Taine was raped. One of the dead was the man who planned the robbery - the son of dying, legendary Texas Ranger Jonathan Crossland - the other was Ellie's husband, an innocent bystander.

The dead don't know fear.

Ellie is dead inside. She takes a gun and rides out after the desperadoes, cold-blooded and fearless, determined to kill the men who ruined her life. She's joined by Jonathan Crossland, who only has days left to live...but would rather die in his saddle making amends for his son than rot in his bed. Together, Ellie and Jonathan set out on a mission of vengeance and justice, one that neither of them expects nor hopes to survive.

©1999 Bill Crider (P)2017 Brash Books LLC

Critic reviews

Crider's prose slices through conventions and expectations." ( Booklist)

"In the hands of Bill Crider, noir seems as atmospheric and doomful as ever." ( Publishers Weekly)

A great listen

I read this when it first came out. Loved it then and John really nailed the character voices! Ellie is a believable and realistic western heroine. The kind that truly helped tame the west. She's gritty and yet graceful in her attitude towards life. When something needs doing, best do it yourself. I love Crider's mystery so, but his westerns have a special appeal to me ... the roads are muddy, the women sweat and the bad guy sometimes wins...but gets his in the end.

A gritty western

What did you love best about Outrage at Blanco?

The action and violence was very gritty but it was needed to accomplish what the author was trying to convey.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This was not a nail biter, but definitely a good listen.

What about John Burlinson’s performance did you like?

Mr. Burlinson was spot on with the character narration. I could not imagine anyone better to read a western novel.

Any additional comments?

This is the first time I read a book from Mr. Crider and this won't be my last. I really enjoyed how gritty the story is and the motivation of each character was given. A very well written story.


“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”.

If you want to listen to filth then here you go

I couldn’t get past the first chapter due to the pornographic details and the foul language used in the first 10 minutes of listening. It’s a shame one feels the need for that trash in their writing.