Rating: 
Summary: Odd, disjointed mystery novel
Review: Billy Tree is the hero of Heartland, from a couple of years ago. He's a small-town boy who joined the Secret Service, and became a hero for his actions in a shootout with a lunatic. Unknown to virtually everyone, he completely lost control of himself in the shootout and basically now is a complete coward. He's terrified of guns and confrontations, and will do anything to avoid them, so he's decided to pass his time working as a deputy sheriff in his small hometown. In this second book he goes a long way to avoid things he didn't need to, and gets himself in way over his head when things don't go the way he thinks they will.This book is mostly about a lynching that happened over 50 years before the time the book took place, and the repercussions that result from it, through the years. It involves one whopper of a coincidence, and a lot of misconceptions, mistaken identities, and confused motives. At the end of the book you're still not entirely certain what happened, and it's apparent that the main characters aren't sure either. While the book does have an interesting plot, and some action that keeps it moving, it also can be just annoying. There's a scene where one character repeatedly refers to the "weapon" because saying anything else would give away to the reader something the author wishes to conceal, for instance. Anyway, I enjoyed the book, but not that much, and I think I'd be wary of recommending it.
Rating: 
Summary: Billy Tree - the ultimate anti-hero
Review: He doesn't carry a gun because he's afraid. He quit the Secret Service after killing his partner to save his own skin, an act that causes Billy to lose all self esteem he previously had. He believes himself, perhaps rightly so, a coward, a loser, and a worthless piece of garbage. The reason he doesn't kill himself, i believe, is to rid himself of this burdon he decides is his 'raison d'etre'. Doesn't sound like a pretty good cop (not really a cop, more of an unpaid 'advisor'). WRONG. He still posesses great investigating skills. You kind of like this character in spite of himself: his being funny at the wrong time, telling jokes to relieve pressure situations, talking in his Irish brogue for no apparent reason, speaking to people over their intellectual powers without insulting them. This second book in the Billy Tree series involves the lynching of a black man some 50 years in the past and the repercussions today. Excellent writing - the kind you have to read a bit more slowly than normal to appreciate to gift that David Wiltse posseses.
Rating:
Summary: Billy Tree - the ultimate anti-hero
Review: He doesn't carry a gun because he's afraid. He quit the Secret Service after killing his partner to save his own skin, an act that causes Billy to lose all self esteem he previously had. He believes himself, perhaps rightly so, a coward, a loser, and a worthless piece of garbage. The reason he doesn't kill himself, i believe, is to rid himself of this burdon he decides is his 'raison d'etre'. Doesn't sound like a pretty good cop (not really a cop, more of an unpaid 'advisor'). WRONG. He still posesses great investigating skills. You kind of like this character in spite of himself: his being funny at the wrong time, telling jokes to relieve pressure situations, talking in his Irish brogue for no apparent reason, speaking to people over their intellectual powers without insulting them. This second book in the Billy Tree series involves the lynching of a black man some 50 years in the past and the repercussions today. Excellent writing - the kind you have to read a bit more slowly than normal to appreciate to gift that David Wiltse posseses.
Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: I found Wiltse's The Hangman's Knot a compelling book. Good story, good action, very readable. It stands well on its own, but is even better as a sequel to Heartland. Billy Tree is a complex character, and I found him a realistic sort-of hero. The inter-weaving of the original lynching and the present-day plot made me stop and think about my own family and prejudices. It seems that I got a lot for my money. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Good sequal
Review: I found Wiltse?s The Hangman?s Knot a compelling book. Good story, good action, very readable. It stands well on its own, but is even better as a sequel to Heartland. Billy Tree is a complex character, and I found him a realistic sort-of hero. The inter-weaving of the original lynching and the present-day plot made me stop and think about my own family and prejudices. It seems that I got a lot for my money. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Hangman's Knot
Review: I have been reading thrillers and mysteries for close to forty years, and this book is one of the very few that has actually addressed social issues as well as the usual twisty plot. Astounding and courageous. The character portraits are so real, especially that of the protagonist, Billy Tree, that it makes most of the books in this genre look absolutely hollow. What an excellent book, I recommend it most highly to readers of thrillers and non thrillers alike.
Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2 stars
Review: See storyline above. Though not very original, this latest by Wiltse does in fact tell a good story and creates a greater depth to his protagonist Billy Tree (remember 'Heartland'). Billy seems to stumble around quite a bit in most of the book, missing alot of clues (e.g. the rabid dog) and shaking in his boots every time he sees or hears a gun. This of course gives him the human quality achieved in this novel. Wiltse's descriptions of the area are accurate and almost make you feel as if you're there, describing the heat and humidity, "Like sitting in an oven, wrapped in a wet horse blanket". A good story that is sometimes too wordy, but moves at a steady moderate pace.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting Reading
Review: Since abandoning his terrific John Becker series Wiltse has created another winning protagonist with Billy Tree. Hangman's Knot, the second in this series, has it all. On one level it is a mystery with historical roots, written seamlessly with thorough characterizations and a tight plotline. On another level it is a gentle but firm examination of buried prejudice in a time when everyone realizes none should continue to exist. Billy Tree is a comfortable protagonist - despite his frequent bouts with his own angst. This book doesn't pull any punches as it stays true to its theme. There are no cop outs here. Just a solid story well worth any reader's time.
Rating:
Summary: You won't go wrong with Wiltse
Review: Since abandoning his terrific John Becker series Wiltse has created another winning protagonist with Billy Tree. Hangman's Knot, the second in this series, has it all. On one level it is a mystery with historical roots, written seamlessly with thorough characterizations and a tight plotline. On another level it is a gentle but firm examination of buried prejudice in a time when everyone realizes none should continue to exist. Billy Tree is a comfortable protagonist - despite his frequent bouts with his own angst. This book doesn't pull any punches as it stays true to its theme. There are no cop outs here. Just a solid story well worth any reader's time.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book by Wiltse
Review: The Hangman's Knot by David Wiltse is the exactly what I expected. Wiltse just writes one terrific book after another and this is certainly no exception. I was able to see life through Billy Tree's eyes again, and I've missed the view since reading Heartland. In The Hangman's Knot we learn a great deal about how Billy's personality was created with flashbacks into his childhood. I found these glimpses revealed many clues as to how he thinks and made me adore the character even more. Billy receives a hangman's knot and the adventure begins. It all seems to go back to a lynching held in a nearby town many years ago. The writer's portrayal of current and past bigotry in a small town was told easily as he held the suspense level to a maximum. The story could stand alone, but when you add the beautiful prose and great characterizations, you change what could be a good book to a great one. If you enjoy terrific writing and a wonderful story, I highly recommend you read The Hangman's Knot. If you've not read Heartland, I urge you to read it as well.
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