Review: 'Trouble at New Barnsley' by James Collins

Yeepee! It’s the weekend, and here I am, venturing back into the realm of Western reviews. Well, sort of. This one’s more of a horror-sci-fi cocktail set against a Western backdrop. Does that still count as a Western? I suppose it does! The book in the spotlight today is Trouble at New Barnsley, the first book in the Legends of the Alchemist Hunter series by James Collins, who also wrote A Joyful Noise. Earlier this year, the author reached out about his work, branding it a 'weird Western.' My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn’t resist the pull to review it, though I’ll admit it took me a tad longer than I planned to get my thoughts together. But here we are!

So, what’s the story about, you ask? It centers around U.S.T.S. Marshal John Fellman, a True Science Marshal and a legendary Alchemist Hunter whose name strikes fear in the hearts of deranged scientists in the West. He’s a cowboy with a mission, bringing judgment to those who tinker with the very laws of nature. When he’s contracted to investigate a string of bizarre deaths at New Barnsley ranch, our intrepid marshal gears up to confront yet another alchemical monstrosity. However, lurking in the shadows are dangers greater than he anticipated. His brainy, firebrand partner, Dell Ginsley, accompanies him as they journey to the ranch nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Just beyond the picturesque facade of the mansion lies a web of deception and sinister threats that could swallow them whole. John and his crew must race against time to uncover the New Barnsley menace before it spreads its malevolent tentacles beyond the ranch.

I was braced for something distinctly peculiar, but little did I know just how far ‘weird’ could stretch. This isn't your run-of-the-mill Western narrative; instead, it dances between the vibes of Wild Wild West and a playful nod to the outrageousness of ‘80s Adult Westerns. Collins’s prose perfectly matched this bizarre landscape; while not exactly literary gold, it fits snugly within the genre. If horror sci-fi Western romp can even be considered a subgenre, that is!

John Fellman is your quintessential hero with a touch of 007 swagger, and I found myself warming up to him, albeit a smidge more to his partner, Dell. The descriptions are rich enough to paint a vivid picture without bogging you down in tedious detail, and the dialogue crackles with liveliness; it’s peppered with quirks that sometimes feel just a shade off-kilter. I caught a few moments where the author leaned a bit too heavily on telling rather than showing, a classic writing misstep. But who am I to nitpick? Perhaps I’m just indulging my inner critic for the sake of it.

All in all, Trouble at New Barnsley turned out to be a rollicking ride. I didn’t fall head over boots in love with it, but I certainly enjoyed the journey. With a blend of action, romance, and a delightful sprinkling of the bizarre, it kept me flipping pages well into the night. Just don’t stroll in expecting a straightforward Western adventure. Remember this is a horror-sci-fi concoction dressed in Western garb. Embrace the chaos and let yourself have fun with it! ╌★★★½✰

Please consider supporting future reviews on this blog by purchasing Trouble at New Barnsley in paperback ^[*] or a Kindle eBook ^[*].

〜B.J. Burgess

Disclosure: I received a free review copy from the author. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. [*]