The Flying Z by Leo W. Banks

Item: The Flying Z
Rating: 4
Author: BaronessMom

Posted June 1, 2023 by BaronessMom in Mystery, Review / 0 Comments

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Flying Z

by Leo W. Banks

Published by Brash Books on August 1, 2023
Setting: Arizona, Mexico and California
Genres: Action and Adventure Mystery
Pages: 267
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Publisher
Goodreads
Get Your Copy at: Amazon

An action-packed, contemporary western crime novel by Leo W. Banks, the critically acclaimed, multiple Spur-Award winning author of DOUBLE WIDE and CHAMPAGNE COWBOYS.

Will Zachary and his dementia-stricken uncle lead an isolated existence running The Flying Z, a struggling, southern Arizona ranch on the Mexican border. Their ordered life dramatically changes when Merry O'Hara, heading cross-country on her way to grad school at Stanford, drives into a ditch on their land...and right into the middle of the war they’re waging against a vicious cartel smuggling drugs across the ranch. Against all odds, Will and Merry are drawn to each other, at the same time they're desperately fighting, out-manned and out-gunned, to protect the ranch and their lives.

The Flying Z by Leo W. Banks is a suspenseful, romantic tale of a family set on keeping tradition and their land against all odds.

Can Will and Merry come to terms with the future of the ranch and their love for each other?

Merry O’Hara

Our heroine is Merry, she comes from sturdy Irish stock, but the question is can she handle the harshness of the borderlands? She is highly intelligent, rides a horse like she was born to do it, and has a high moral compass. Although Merry is drawn to the cowboy and his friends, she isn’t happy about constantly being protected. It actually infuriates her.

I like Merry. She is sweet, caring, stubborn, and sees the good in people. Merry doesn’t back down from hard work or her convictions. I think she will fit in with Will and his friends well.

Will Zachary

Our hero is Will Zachary. He lives by a code of ethics that most have forgotten in this time. Will puts his family first, whether it is his living uncle or their ancestors buried in their family cemetery. His second priority is his land, then his friends. Although, Will is naive when thinking that everyone has the same beliefs that he does. His true friends are there for him and Merry.

I like Will. There aren’t many men like him left. His heritage means a lot to him, and he will do what he must to protect it, but he ensures it is done with honor.

The Story and Mystery

Throughout the story, I kept looking for who would want to betray the Zacharys. Their family has been on this land for a long time. I can’t imagine how hard it is to maintain a ranch this size and the added stress of the cartel running across the land, cutting fences, and leaving a mess to be cleaned up. Yet, Will and his uncle manage to do it, balancing their lives on the border of Mexico and Arizona, crossing back and forth with friends on both sides. Merry’s appearance is almost like fate.

My favorite part is the ancient legend that the Zacharys ultimately believe in and live with daily. There are many good parts; some are sad, some made me mad, and others astounded me, but they had my attention throughout the story.

Four Stars

My rating for The Flying Z by Leo W. Banks is four stars. It isn’t a genre I would typically read, but I enjoyed Mr. Banks’ take on a modern Western. I recommend this book. Give it a chance, and it might surprise you.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Flying Z by Leo W. Banks.

Until the next time,

About Leo W. Banks

In high school, Leo W. Banks worked loading delivery trucks with the Sunday edition of the Boston Globe. In those days, the Sunday paper was really heavy, so he switched from lifting to writing. He graduated from Boston College and earned a master’s degree from the University of Arizona, where he later taught writing. His articles have appeared in the USA Today, Newsday, Miami Herald, National Review, National Geographic Traveler, Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, and many others. He has been a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and, yes, the Boston Globe.

He has written four books of Old West history for Arizona Highways Publishing and co-wrote a book about the Grand Canyon. His book about the saguaro cactus won’t stop selling. He has won numerous journalism awards and today writes a column for True West magazine. Double Wide, his first novel, won the 2018 Spur Awards for Best First Novel and Best Contemporary Western…and was True West Magazine‘s Western Crime Novel of the Year.