Last Mountain man #53

 Thunder of the Mountain Man

By

William W Johnstone

and 

J.A. Johnstone

Thaddeus Bolton sees himself as a cattle king. His ambitions are as big as the land and stock he just purchased near Smoke Jensen’s Sugarloaf ranch. Bolton and his family are friendly enough, although in the case of his wife Emmaline, perhaps too friendly. While her husband stakes his claim with plans to spread throughout the territory, she’s set her sights on Smoke. But fending her off is the least of Smoke’s worries when outlaws sweep across the valley on daring rustling raids—hitting every ranch except Bolton’s.

Fearing it’s only a matter of time before his cattle falls prey to the rustlers, Bolton takes the law into his own hands. Forming a band of vigilantes, he tracks down the men he believes are the thieves and hangs them, despite no evidence linking them to the crimes. Then when Bolton’s ranch is actually rustled, his vigilantes go on an even deadlier, merciless rampage.

To stop the escalating violence, Smoke forms his own posse to bring the outlaws to justice—only to discover that Bolton’s plans are sinister and downright evil.

Now Smoke will have to prove Bolton’s corruption…before the entire valley erupts in a blood-soaked range war . . .

Just when it seems the Smoke Jensen saga has ridden off into the sunset, a new chapter thunders in. Smoke’s got fresh neighbors—Thaddeus Bolton and his kin—and with them comes a storm of trouble.

Rustlers hit Bolton’s spread hard, but that’s just the beginning. His wife sets her sights on Smoke, stirring up tension that cuts deeper than any cattle raid. And then there’s Bolton’s daughter, sweet on Cal—or maybe Cal’s the one doing the sweet-talking.

To clean up the mess, Bolton brings in regulators with orders to string up the rustlers. But the truth’s got more twists than a mountain trail, and when the dust settles, it all explodes in a smoke-choked showdown.

Another gripping tale from the Johnstone camp, packed with action, suspense, and plenty of twists. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the story keeps you guessing right up to the final pages when the truth comes crashing down and the schemers are unmasked.

This time, Cal steps into the spotlight, offering a fresh angle that adds depth and variety to the narrative. His expanded role brings a welcome shift in perspective and keeps the story feeling fresh.

Western fans will find plenty to love here—it's a wild ride from start to finish.

This book will be published in Nov. 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the Arc of this story.

Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan

 State of Evil

Mack Bolan #111

(Mike Newton)

(Published 2006)

A call from an old friend sends Mack Bolan to the Congo, armed and ready to extract a young man from cultists calling themselves The Process. Led by a fanatical sociopath who believes his ultimate power lies beyond the divine--but also in the hands of an elite security team of Uzi-wielding enforcers--this self-styled prophet's most recent holy act involved removing all traces of a U.S. congressman's humanitarian visit, including the bodies. Making his way through the jungle with his reluctant charge in tow and hunters on his back, Bolan's instincts kick into high gear, quickly turning the rescue mission into a race to stop the detonation of an atomic weapon before the African cult leader's personal Judgment Day leaves no opportunity for second chances....

Mack Bolan is back in action—this time, deep in the heart of the Congo. His mission: extract a young man ensnared by a deadly cult led by the enigmatic Ahmadou Gaborone. Sounds straightforward enough.

At first, things go according to plan. The target is drugged, rescued, and Bolan makes a clean getaway. But the jungle has other ideas. Pursued relentlessly, Bolan is forced to fight his way through the undergrowth, danger lurking at every turn. Then, just as the extraction seems within reach, the young man drops a bombshell—literally. There's a nuclear device in play.

Bolan doesn’t hesitate.

He pivots back into the fire, launching a kill-or-be-killed mission to stop global catastrophe. As the stakes rise, the young man begins to see the truth: Gaborone was never the savior he believed in. Bolan, however, is the warrior he wishes he could become.

Mike Newton delivers another adrenaline-charged installment that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. As one of the prolific voices behind The Executioner series following Don Pendleton’s original run, Newton has carved out his own legacy in Bolan’s brutal world.

State of Evil showcases Bolan in peak form—relentless, resourceful, and razor-sharp. It’s a fast-paced, high-octane read that fans of the series won’t want to miss.

 Secret of the Malpais

By

Richard Ferber

(Dell 1963)

Cover by Harry Schaare. 

Logan wanted the gold, his wife's brother wanted him gone. But the Apache just wanted Logan dead.  

Logan staggered out of the Malpais, barely alive. His brother was dead—slain by the Apache—and now they were after Logan, accusing him of violating one of their women. He’d abandoned a fortune in gold deep in that cursed land, and he intended to reclaim it.

He found refuge at his brother’s remote cabin, where Angela, his brother’s widow, still waited. When she asked about her husband, Logan gave her the truth: he was gone. Not long after, the Apache came searching for Logan. When they left empty-handed, Angela made it clear—she wanted Logan out of her life for good.

Time passed. Logan gathered a horse, two pack animals, and set his sights once more on the Malpais, determined to retrieve what he believed was rightfully his. But he wasn’t riding alone. Angela joined him, demanding her share of the gold. They weren’t the only ones chasing it. Others lurked in the shadows—greedy, violent men—and Logan soon realized he was trapped between three deadly forces: the Apache, a cold-blooded killer named Moon, and the unforgiving land itself.

This was a fast paced well written story that I enjoyed very much. At a 160 pages, I read it in one sitting, flicking through the pages at a furious pace. Not knowing how it was going to pan out and at least one great twist along the way.  

Published by Dell in 1963 it had great cover art and the book was surprisingly in good condition. I've never read anything by Richard Ferber before but if I come across one of his books again, I'll be sure to read it.  

Sheriff Ben Stillman Series

 Hell on Wheels

By

Peter Brandvold

(Ben Stillman #8)

Get it here!

BEN STILLMAN’S WILD RIDE!

When Sheriff Ben Stillman accompanies Judge John Bannon and friends to a wedding in Sulfur, Montana Territory, he aims to have a nice long weekend of rest and respite from law dogging. But Angus Whateley has other plans. The crazy ex-Confederate has just been released from prison, and he’s out to avenge the hanging of his cattle-rustling sons--hangings ordered by Bannon.

Backed by a gang of the most violent and vicious members of his family, Whateley strikes when the judge takes the stagecoach back home. Soon, Stillman finds himself fighting a wheel-bound war against clan of zealous killers out for bloody revenge...

Hell on Wheels was first published back in September of 2006 by Berkley. Then in 2019 it was reissued by Wolfpack Publishing 

Hell on Wheels delivers exactly what the title promises—relentless action and high-stakes drama. In this gripping installment, Ben Stillman and his pregnant wife Fay are en route to a wedding with Judge John Bannon and his wife. But the celebration turns deadly when Angus Whately, recently released from prison, sets his sights on revenge. Years ago, the judge ordered the hanging of Whately’s sons for rustling—and now Whately intends to balance the scales in blood.

The return journey by stagecoach becomes a gauntlet of violence. Stillman must fight to protect everyone aboard, unaware that the judge and his wife are hiding truths. The tension is razor-sharp, the pacing relentless.

This is classic Peter Brandvold—gritty, well-crafted, and packed with the kind of storytelling fans have come to expect. With 16 books in the Ben Stillman series, I’m already queued up for the next wild ride.

Originally published by Berkley in September 2006, Hell on Wheels found new life in 2019 through Wolfpack Publishing, bringing its explosive energy to a new generation of readers.

 Red Diamond Rustlers

By

Will DuRey

(Published 2019)

Reviewed 2019

Law was a rare commodity on the vast cattle ranges and a man had to fight if he meant to hold on to what he owned. A rancher dispensed his owned justice when he caught those who stole his livestock, but Titus Sawyer lost more than cattle when rustlers raided his Red Diamond spread. Men were killed, too, slaughtered in a dreadful ambush, so, when he summoned his nephew Frank to track down the killers his desire to punish the culprits was deeper than justice; it was revenge.

Loved this book. Always enjoy a western with rustlers and ranchers in it.

Lots of action to keep you turning the pages and cheering for the good guy as he goes along picking up bits of information here and there to bring him closer to the truth.

Will DuRey is a prolific writer for the Black Horse brand and I've read a few of his books and enjoyed every one.

One thing I will say with full disclosure (I used to write for the Black Horse brand) is I think that these westerns are underestimated by some die-hard western readers. I say give them a try, there are a lot of talented authors who wrote these stories. Will DuRey amongst them.

Why not start your Black Horse adventure here?

 Quigley's Way

By

Philip McCormac

(Published 2018)

(Reviewed 2018)

A dying man, Peter Barker asks Sheriff Quigley to deliver a message to his family. Quigley does so, only to find himself the target of range baron Huston McRae, who controls everything in Gila County, including the local sheriff, and doesn't want an outsider nosing around in his affairs. And above all, he doesn't want Quigley helping Noreen Barker, Peter Barker's widow. When McRae's attempted intimidation of Quigley fails, he orders him killed. Quigley sends for his deputy, Murray Fishbourne, and together they take on the local sheriff and the gunslingers McRae sends after them. But as the fighting intensifies, can Quigley and Murray survive?

It starts with a promise to a dying man, and ends in a firestorm of lead.

After the death of a stranger in his town, Quigley promises that he shall deliver the news to his wife in person. What he doesn't understand is just how bad things actually are in the dead man's home town.

A great, quick read. Lots of action that will keep you turning the pages.

Action from the outset which drags the reader along.

An old fashioned good vs evil story which lovers of westerns will thoroughly enjoy.

 The Texas Hill Country

By

William W Johnstone

(J.A. Johnstone)

This story will be published in late Sept. 2025

Introducing a bold new saga from the bestselling Johnstones. This is the epic story of new arrivals in the Old West—a proud family of dreamers in the untamed wilds of Texas Hill Country . . .

They came to America to start a new life. Three brothers and their sister, the Braxton heirs lost everything they had in Europe so they boarded a ship to the Texas coast, hoping to stake a claim in the land of opportunity. They knew frontier life would be hard. But their troubles begin before they even reach Texas. A man is killed on board—a member of the fierce MacLochlainn clan who blame one of the Braxtons for his death. So begins a blood-drenched feud that will haunt and pursue them as they try to build a future in Texas Hill Country . . .

Now a fugitive on the run, the wrongly accused Perry Braxton changes his name and joins the Texas Rangers—waiting for the day his past catches up to him. His oldest brother, Athelston, struggles to build a ranch in Commanche territory while the middle brother Jeremy turns to gambling and running with outlaws. Their sister, Bodie, falls in love with a rugged frontiersman, who teaches her the importance of riding, hunting—and shooting—in a life-or-death game of survival. Each of the siblings have forged a path of their own. But when one of them is in trouble—and a rival is out for revenge—the Braxtons stick together. Because family is family. And blood is thicker than bullets . . .

This story reminded me so much of the early Sackett books from western author Louis L'Amour. Family comes to America to make a life for themselves, runs into trouble, sorts it out. 

The Braxtons lost everything and are forced to leave their home country in favor of greener pastures. Or so they think. However, while on that trip, one of them is accused of murder. Upon arrival the accused escapes and somehow by good fortune ends up signed on as a Texas Ranger under the name Jack Smith.

Meanwhile the rest of his family are headed to the Texas Hill Country where they start a new life building a ranch. But trouble seems to follow them wherever they go and it soon isn't long before it rears its ugly head once more in the form of rustlers. Only this time, they have an ace in the hole. One of the rustlers is also a Braxton. And soon the story is rushing along to its shattering gunsmoke filled conclusion.

Really enjoyed this story. Well Written and fast-paced. Plenty of western action which keeps the pages turning. As stated above it reminded me of L'Amour's early Sackett stories which I loved. In the pages were a great cast of characters and hopefully this will be the start of a great new series. Like the Sacketts I can see each character having their own leading role. 

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Fort Death

Trailsman #374

By

Jon Sharpe

(David Robbins)

Signet, December 2012

When Skye Fargo gets a letter from an old friend and fellow scout, he finds he's not alone. It seems that every sharp-eyed pathfinder worth his buckskins has been asked to Fort Carlson. But it's soon revealed that someone has brought them together for a very special reason--to take them out, one by one...

The request seemed simple enough: head to Fort Carlson and scout for the army against the troublesome Bannocks. But Fargo isn't the only scout there, and it becomes clear that someone wanted them all in one place for a specific reason. Soon, scouts start dying one by one, and it's up to Skye Fargo to identify the killer and stop them before it's too late.

Overall, it was an enjoyable story with a good mix of mystery and action. The characters were well-developed, though if I had a dollar for every time Bear River Tom said "t$$s," I'd be rich. Surprisingly, the book lacked the usual amount of intimacy found in a Fargo story—there was only one scene instead of the usual two or three. Nevertheless, it was a well-written and engaging tale.

I finished this story in just a couple of sittings. It kept me hooked and made me wonder why I hadn't been reading the series more consistently instead of just a few scattered stories over the years. The dialogue was sharp, and the ending was genuinely unexpected.

All in all, a fantastic western tale. Now, I need to go back and read Mountains of No Return.

Faraday Series

 Rails into Hell

A Faraday Western

By

Robert Vaughan

Brent Towns

Preorder here! 

This is my second Faraday book, the first being The Buffalo Train. The other books in this series were written by various authors, including James Reasoner and Robert Vaughan.

Set during the 19th-century railroad boom, these stories delve into sabotage, murder, espionage, and political intrigue tied to the steel rails stretching across the continent.

Faraday’s agents, often undercover, navigate hostile terrain, corrupt officials, and deadly ambushes while safeguarding the railroads' interests.

Each book is a standalone story, unconnected to the others, making it easy to pick up the series at any point.

My first book, The Buffalo Train, is based on historical facts with a good dose of fiction. The Buffalo Train was a real concept, a stunt devised by Joseph McCoy to attract buyers back to Dodge City.

McCoy organized a trainload of live buffalo, elk, deer, and other wild animals to be shipped eastward—reportedly to Chicago—as a dramatic display of the railroads’ capacity and the frontier’s abundance. His goal was to reignite buyer enthusiasm and draw attention back to Dodge City, which had started losing prominence as cattle routes shifted and competition from other cow towns intensified.

This wasn’t just a spectacle—it was strategic marketing. McCoy understood how the romance of the frontier could be leveraged to boost business. By showcasing exotic wildlife alongside cattle, he made Dodge City seem like the vibrant heart of the Wild West, brimming with opportunity and untapped resources.

This premise inspired me, and I ran with it.

Now with the second one, I've returned to what feels like a more classic 50s movie vibe, featuring an undercover agent who used to be a hired gun, a range war, and a murderer determined to derail the railroad's progress.  

Blurb: The railroad’s arrival promised progress, but in Sagebrush Creek, it came riding on a tide of blood.

A surveyor lies dead, murdered to halt the iron rails’ advance. Matthew Faraday knows one man who can uncover the truth—former gunfighter Jack Quade. But Faraday’s reasons aren’t entirely about justice. Trouble’s brewing in the hills: a range war with Quade’s estranged father, Vince, at its heart.

Years ago, Vince Quade disavowed his son. Now Jack must face a father who wants nothing from him—least of all help. But with a killer on his trail and tensions ready to explode into open war, Jack has no choice but to fight on two fronts: mending a broken bond and stopping a murderer before Sagebrush Creek becomes a graveyard.

Will Jack Quade bring peace to a town on the brink—or will the railroad carry him straight into hell? 

Writing the new story was a lot of fun, and I hope it resonates with readers as I intended. I aimed to capture the feel of an old 50s western movie, so fingers crossed I pulled it off. Now, all that's left is to wait for October 14 and see how things unfold. 

Larry & Stretch

Trail Dust

By

Marshall Grover/Len Meares

(Larry & Stretch) 

Larry Valentine and Stretch Emerson, the two trouble-prone Texans, are back in action, diving straight into more chaos and mayhem. This time, their journey takes them to Riggsville, Colorado, to visit Stretch's cousin Sam. Stretch mistakenly believes Sam is a horse doctor, but in reality, Sam Emerson is the town sheriff.

During their visit, a massive stagecoach robbery occurs, with outlaws making off with $100,000. But that's not the Texans' biggest concern. They've been duped into escorting a wagon train to a remote town called Windy Dip. The catch? The cargo consists of 60 women headed for the womanless town.

To make matters worse, one of the women has stolen the outlaws' loot, and now they want it back. What ensues is a wild adventure filled with chaos, culminating in a high-stakes showdown where Larry and Stretch must stand their ground or meet their fate.

Another fantastic Larry & Stretch western, packed with sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and plenty of action, along with their signature dash of humor. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Larry & Stretch story without the obligatory brawl.

I read so many of these during my younger years, but there are still plenty I haven’t gotten to yet—this being one of them. The story feels just as lively as I remember, making it an enjoyable read. I’d guess this book was published in the early to mid-1960s, though I could be wrong.

If you come across one, give it a read. For American readers, the series was published under the name Larry & Streak by Marshall McCoy. I still can’t figure out why the names were changed.

Home Like a Hero

by

Emerson Dodge

(Paul Wheelahan)

First published 1999

Val Tyrone was returning home from Mexico. He had left as a reckless young man but came back matured. However, some things remained unchanged—such as the deep-seated hatred between father and son. 

Other things, however, had shifted. His father was dying, a widowed woman sought to marry him for his wealth, and his oldest brother was after everything. Yet, upon Val’s return, it felt as though nothing had changed, especially the constant conflict with his father. The old man’s disdain for Val only grew when the ranch hands gave him a warm welcome.

Cole Tyrone, however, had a scheme to achieve his goals. He unleashed his unfaithful wife on Val, hoping to ensnare him. When that failed, only one option remained: ensuring his brother was laid to rest. 

Another fantastic Emerson Dodge (Wheelahan) tale, with just the right mix of mystery and scheming by those eager to take advantage of a dying old man. While it doesn't pack the level of action you'd typically expect from a Cleveland Western, it still delivers a solid and enjoyable story overall.

To read an interview with Paul Wheelahan, click here!

 

 1000 Dollar Target

By

Marshall Grover

(Len Meares)

(Big Jim #11)

At showdown time … the big man needed a miracle! Was this to be the last ride of Big Jim Rand? The killers awaited him dead ahead. Another of them rode directly behind him, covering his back. And, inside the disused shack, a desperate woman risked her life to give Jim a fighting chance of survival. Big Jim had become the target for professional assassins because his quarry, the elusive and badly scared Jenner, had posted a bounty on him. As well as the professionals, a trio of inept amateurs invited themselves to the ruckus, injecting humor into an otherwise grim situation

The copy I read of "Big Jim" was published around 1968 (though don't quote me on that). Jim Rand, also known as Nevada Jim in the series published under the name Marshall McCoy in the US, once again rides into a heap of trouble, accompanied by his cowardly yet light-fingered Mexican companion, Benito Espina.

This time, the story follows him as he closes in on Jenner, the man who killed Big Jim's brother and the reason he's riding the vengeance trail.

However, Jenner gets warned, and a $1,000 bounty is placed on Big Jim's head. Five men decide to cash in, but five men may meet their end instead. This could very well be Jim Rand's final ride.

As always with Meares' storytelling, there's a touch of humor mixed with plenty of action. The book is well-written, and the series was quite popular in its heyday. While paperback copies are hard to come by now, Piccadilly Publishing has released some of the stories as ebooks, including this one, ensuring they are not lost to time.

Buy it here!

 Callahan Rides Alone

by

Lee Floren

Published 1977

(Centurion Books)

Ex-Texas Ranger Al Callahan came to Montana to buy into a ranch, but it wasn't that simple. Two men tried to kill and rob him and then his would-be partner turned out to be a woman. Her main rival was another hellcat and that made the situation even worse. What with rustling and murder going on, not to mention a mighty peculiar character who walked around with a pack of wolves as bodyguards, Callahan got to thinking that maybe he should have stayed in Texas. But he had come this far so he might as well go the rest of the way

At first, I found myself a bit lost in this story, but as it progressed, everything fell into place, making for a solid tale. Not the best, but definitely enjoyable. Callahan was lured north under false pretenses to invest in a ranch run by Max Heywood, mistakenly thinking Max was a man, not a woman. From there, chaos ensues. Two men attempt to kill him, a peculiar old man with wolves shows up, he discovers Max has a brother, and learns that Max and Ann Scott, a young woman from the neighboring ranch, absolutely despise each other. Adding to the turmoil, cattle rustlers are targeting the ranch, leaving Callahan in over his head. I think I might have read this book years ago, but I couldn’t quite recall it. All in all, it was a solid entry in the western genre by an author whose work was widely published in magazines, paperbacks, and serials both in the U.S. and internationally.