Preacher & MacCallister

 Fort Buzzard

by

William W. Johnstone

&

J.A. Johnstone

They were innocent men, slaughtered in the Rockies. A party of land surveyors who met their grisly fate at the hands of the Crow Indians—or so it seems. Some folks think the story is a lie. And now it’s up to U.S. Army Lieutenant Ron Stanton to figure out what really happened up there in those desolate, blood soaked mountains. As his guides, Preacher and Jamie McCallister agree to retrace the footsteps of the doomed party—come hell or high water—but first they’ll have to pass through a particularly nasty piece of purgatory known as Fort Buzzard . . .

Fort Buzzard—officially Gullickson’s Fort—earned its nefarious nickname because of the human vultures it attracts. Namely the brutes and brawlers hired by Gullickson to protect his interests. When a nearby trading post is suddenly attacked—and two young women carried off by Indians—Preacher and McCallister smell a rat. The Crows swear they’re not responsible for the attack, the abduction, or the mountain party massacre. Preacher and McCallister believe them—but proving it won’t be easy. This road to justice only leads to more dead ends—and the biggest, bloodiest showdown in Rocky Mountain history . . .

Once again, Preacher and Jamie MacCallister ride straight into danger. This time they’re escorting a group of soldiers sent to uncover the truth behind the massacre of a survey team—supposedly at the hands of the Crow. But nothing about this mission is as simple as it first appears.

Trouble finds them early when they cross paths with a trader and his two daughters. Emma, fiery and stubborn, immediately clashes with Preacher—especially after he tosses her into the river. Her sister Jenny, couldn’t be more different.

Before long, the trading post is attacked, and the sisters are taken captive. Forced to split up, Preacher heads out to rescue the women, while MacCallister and Lieutenant Stanton push on to Gullickson’s Fort in search of answers about the murdered surveyors.

What follows is a double‑barreled burst of frontier action, with both men delivering justice the only way they know how.

The author once again delivers a top‑notch story. The pacing is tight, the writing flows effortlessly, and the characters—especially Emma—keep the pages turning. She may be headstrong and exasperating, but she’s unforgettable. Jenny provides a perfect contrast, adding balance to the cast.

If this truly is the final book in the series (as of 2024), it’s a strong finish. Still, I can’t help hoping there’s more to come. A great read. 5/5