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The Family Jensen #2
Helltown Massacre
The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st Century
Courage was in the blood. A battle was on the land. Three generations of mountain men, bound by a passion for justice, have come together in William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone's towering new saga--as the legendary Jensens fight for one another's lives on the untamed American frontier. . .
One Family. One Cause. One Deadly Mistake. . .
A woman and an iron horse put Matt Jensen in the crosshairs of a man out to reap a fortune with a new railroad through Paiute land. First Cyrus Longacre steals the land. Next he frames Matt Jensen for the murder of a beautiful woman. The final step is to keep Matt's father and grandfather far away from Nevada Territory. . . Preacher and Smoke are otherwise engaged--until some hired killers get their attention. Suddenly, the elder Jensens have a hunch young Matt is in trouble and together they're riding to Paiute country. They have a hanging to stop and a war to three men against a half a hundred. Impossible odds. Unless your name is Jensen.
Courage was in the blood. A battle was on the land. Three generations of mountain men, bound by a passion for justice, have come together in William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone's towering new saga--as the legendary Jensens fight for one another's lives on the untamed American frontier. . .
One Family. One Cause. One Deadly Mistake. . .
A woman and an iron horse put Matt Jensen in the crosshairs of a man out to reap a fortune with a new railroad through Paiute land. First Cyrus Longacre steals the land. Next he frames Matt Jensen for the murder of a beautiful woman. The final step is to keep Matt's father and grandfather far away from Nevada Territory. . . Preacher and Smoke are otherwise engaged--until some hired killers get their attention. Suddenly, the elder Jensens have a hunch young Matt is in trouble and together they're riding to Paiute country. They have a hanging to stop and a war to three men against a half a hundred. Impossible odds. Unless your name is Jensen.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
120 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,054 books1,399 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 15, 2011
When Matt Jensen rode into Halltown, it was to resupply for hunting and fishing in the mountains. He was faintly amused at the sign on the town's edge where someone had marked out the A and painted an E above it.
Helltown.
He didn't realize how prophetic it was.
When he intercedes in a huge man's buffaloing of a pretty young woman and her uncle in the store, he gets on the wrong side of a man named Cyrus Longacre, mainly by refusing to go to work for him.
Longacre was building a railroad line and wanted to cross Paiute land, build a bridge over a gorge, to get to rich ranch lands beyond. But he didn't want to negotiate a deal with the Indians. He was the sort of man who believed if he wanted it, he'd just take it. He was stirring up trouble with the peaceful Indians and the townspeople.
Matt ends up being framed for murder and scheduled to be hanged. He manages to get a telegram out just ahead of that to Smoke Jensen, his "big brother," for him and Preacher, his spiritual grandfather, to come fast.
Longacre gets ahold of a copy of the telegram and sends people out to stop the two men. No easy task as the gun slicks find out.
It's a race for Smoke and Preacher to get through in time and avert an Indian massacre.
Helltown.
He didn't realize how prophetic it was.
When he intercedes in a huge man's buffaloing of a pretty young woman and her uncle in the store, he gets on the wrong side of a man named Cyrus Longacre, mainly by refusing to go to work for him.
Longacre was building a railroad line and wanted to cross Paiute land, build a bridge over a gorge, to get to rich ranch lands beyond. But he didn't want to negotiate a deal with the Indians. He was the sort of man who believed if he wanted it, he'd just take it. He was stirring up trouble with the peaceful Indians and the townspeople.
Matt ends up being framed for murder and scheduled to be hanged. He manages to get a telegram out just ahead of that to Smoke Jensen, his "big brother," for him and Preacher, his spiritual grandfather, to come fast.
Longacre gets ahold of a copy of the telegram and sends people out to stop the two men. No easy task as the gun slicks find out.
It's a race for Smoke and Preacher to get through in time and avert an Indian massacre.
December 7, 2016
I like western novels
In this genre the heroes have real bravery, a need to make things right no matter the cost. I also can respect them because they have manners, and treat women with respect. That's a real hero unlike some of those depicted today that only worry about themselves and apparently missed any training in manners along the way.
In this genre the heroes have real bravery, a need to make things right no matter the cost. I also can respect them because they have manners, and treat women with respect. That's a real hero unlike some of those depicted today that only worry about themselves and apparently missed any training in manners along the way.
November 30, 2021
Just Super Writing And True Cowboy And Indian Novel
I am certainly delighted to give this novel the highest possible rating. Anyone who is familiar with the Jensen family will be in for a treat. As three members come together in this finely written novel. Also multiple plots come together to form a marvelous overall plot.
Thanks,
Don
I am certainly delighted to give this novel the highest possible rating. Anyone who is familiar with the Jensen family will be in for a treat. As three members come together in this finely written novel. Also multiple plots come together to form a marvelous overall plot.
Thanks,
Don
June 18, 2025
thrilling to read. I plan to read all of his books.
but, there are times I feel some disconnects with what I heard before. behavior of native people on his books are more like Europeans or white Americans, rather than native Americans at the time. here's another example from this book. Markova is the feminine version of the name Markov, as far as I know. so, count Markova has to be a female.
but, there are times I feel some disconnects with what I heard before. behavior of native people on his books are more like Europeans or white Americans, rather than native Americans at the time. here's another example from this book. Markova is the feminine version of the name Markov, as far as I know. so, count Markova has to be a female.
May 7, 2020
THE best westerns are authored by William. W. John Stone.
Everything in a western novel that you could possibly ask for. I’ve only read about 20 of them but every one of them have a good story to tell and every one of them is chock full of action.
Everything in a western novel that you could possibly ask for. I’ve only read about 20 of them but every one of them have a good story to tell and every one of them is chock full of action.
May 14, 2019
Good book. Have not read a western in a very long time. Very refreshing to read a shoot em up outlaw/sheriff tale. Story is well written.
October 21, 2019
Great story
The story is absolutely powerful, and the author knows how to keep you interested in the story. It is almost like being there and witnessing all that is happening.
The story is absolutely powerful, and the author knows how to keep you interested in the story. It is almost like being there and witnessing all that is happening.
January 11, 2021
Love this series. Love this author.
January 26, 2021
Great read! Johnstone ways delivers! However on this book which was co-authored, the story split into 3 different stories that was really unnecessary.
August 18, 2021
A goldurned humdinger!
January 3, 2022
Enjoyed this one. I'm not the largest fan of the Jensen family (the older ones), but this one was a good story. Great job GA.
September 1, 2023
Helltown
Matt was caught as a murder suspect and nearly hanged until Smoke and Preacher come riding to save him from the gallows. Another adventurous story about the Indian Ring.
Matt was caught as a murder suspect and nearly hanged until Smoke and Preacher come riding to save him from the gallows. Another adventurous story about the Indian Ring.
March 8, 2021
Second in the family Jensen series. really three stories combining into a 4th story. Lots of action.
September 25, 2016
THEY RIDE AGAIN READY OR NOT
The Jensen's and Preacher are throwing out the varmints. Matt is caught up in Halltown aka Helltown in fact, MATT is in jail accused of murdering one of the town's most prosperous business owners lady friend. So Matt sends a telegraph to Smoke that he needs his help. Meanwhile Smoke's ranch Sugarloaf has been invaded by ruffians, who kill four ranch hands and Lordy they kidnap Smoke's wife Sally for ransom, they are demanding five thousand dollars, and they'll release Sally..I don't know why these scalawags think that Smoke will fall for that old ploy..Preacher is also involved in
a western safari, leading some Washington political, Russian nobility and of course a journalist all hunting for elk, antelope and the depleting buffalo herds..well now we all know what aided in the annihilation of the great buffalo herds...Preacher's friend Hank. whose also accompanied the safari is murdered by some unknown bushwackers...all these unusual attacks
are perpetrated by THE INDIAN RING. We all remember the destruction those crazies did in previous adventures of Preacher and The Jensen's well they're raising that snake again. They've sent assassins out again to ambush Smoke, Matt and Preacher these Washington politicos seem impossible to wipe out. They just keep rearing their despicable heads...again they are beaten down, but who knows how deep the conspiracies run....their main theme seems to be cheat the Indians out of land covered by treaties..
issued by the United States Government..and its
still happening today...no respect..and who cares about a group who now lives on the edges of society..very very sad..society should be ashamed
of themselves...SHAME
The Jensen's and Preacher are throwing out the varmints. Matt is caught up in Halltown aka Helltown in fact, MATT is in jail accused of murdering one of the town's most prosperous business owners lady friend. So Matt sends a telegraph to Smoke that he needs his help. Meanwhile Smoke's ranch Sugarloaf has been invaded by ruffians, who kill four ranch hands and Lordy they kidnap Smoke's wife Sally for ransom, they are demanding five thousand dollars, and they'll release Sally..I don't know why these scalawags think that Smoke will fall for that old ploy..Preacher is also involved in
a western safari, leading some Washington political, Russian nobility and of course a journalist all hunting for elk, antelope and the depleting buffalo herds..well now we all know what aided in the annihilation of the great buffalo herds...Preacher's friend Hank. whose also accompanied the safari is murdered by some unknown bushwackers...all these unusual attacks
are perpetrated by THE INDIAN RING. We all remember the destruction those crazies did in previous adventures of Preacher and The Jensen's well they're raising that snake again. They've sent assassins out again to ambush Smoke, Matt and Preacher these Washington politicos seem impossible to wipe out. They just keep rearing their despicable heads...again they are beaten down, but who knows how deep the conspiracies run....their main theme seems to be cheat the Indians out of land covered by treaties..
issued by the United States Government..and its
still happening today...no respect..and who cares about a group who now lives on the edges of society..very very sad..society should be ashamed
of themselves...SHAME
May 10, 2011
Sitting in jail, staring out the window, watching the gallows raised. Matt Jenson has been accused of a murder he did not commit. He may well be another of Cyrus Longacre’s casualties. But Matt has sent for his adopted father, Smoke Jenson, and the old mountain man “Preacher.” Will they make it in time?
Matt arrives in the settlement Halltown nicknamed “Helltown,” where he discovers that a wealthy rail man Cyrus Longacre is working on invading Paiute land in order to build a railroad right through it. But he knows that won’t come easy so he devises a plot to have the army come and drive them out with the help of his government ties in the “Indian Ring.” But Smoke, Matt, and Preacher have been fighting the cause for years and they don’t plan to stop now!
Helltown Massacre is an epic novel filled with justice, romance, murder, and conspiracy! Travel in time to the old west with the Jenson’s and find out if Longacre can be stopped along with the rest of the Indian Ring once and for all. Will the legendary pair make it in time to rescue Matt from the gallows?
Matt arrives in the settlement Halltown nicknamed “Helltown,” where he discovers that a wealthy rail man Cyrus Longacre is working on invading Paiute land in order to build a railroad right through it. But he knows that won’t come easy so he devises a plot to have the army come and drive them out with the help of his government ties in the “Indian Ring.” But Smoke, Matt, and Preacher have been fighting the cause for years and they don’t plan to stop now!
Helltown Massacre is an epic novel filled with justice, romance, murder, and conspiracy! Travel in time to the old west with the Jenson’s and find out if Longacre can be stopped along with the rest of the Indian Ring once and for all. Will the legendary pair make it in time to rescue Matt from the gallows?
February 25, 2015
This second in the Family Jensen series is a huge step up from the first. The formula of multi-stories threaded into one again works far better. The plotting and writing is also stronger.
The characters are excellent across the board. This required extra effort in that there are multiple stories with very different characters that never interact.
There were a number of hints in the individual stories that consideration may have been to have those stand separate from the overall story.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 of 10 points.
The characters are excellent across the board. This required extra effort in that there are multiple stories with very different characters that never interact.
There were a number of hints in the individual stories that consideration may have been to have those stand separate from the overall story.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 of 10 points.
May 25, 2015
After finishing Helltown Massacre, the Family Jensen series is definitely on my reading list. Liked how Johnstone blended the adventures of all three characters into the kind of family reunion only the Jensen's would hold. The clean-up a helltown kind. The justice served with cold steel kind. If you like gritty westerns, you will like this one.
June 26, 2014
this was the first western I've read, and I have to say I loved it. I grew up watching old western with my dad, and continue watching them today. this book made me feel like I was watching on the whole time.
March 21, 2015
Another great story
I really like the way this series is written. A little bit about what Matt, a little bit about Smoke and the a little bit about Preacher. Then the author brings all three members of the Jensen family together to straighten out another lawless town.
I really like the way this series is written. A little bit about what Matt, a little bit about Smoke and the a little bit about Preacher. Then the author brings all three members of the Jensen family together to straighten out another lawless town.
July 9, 2014
Not a bad book, it's actually four books but don't get that since it's three stories blended together, two short ones and one longer in length.
February 22, 2016
Great action, good story line kept things moving along. Preacher and the Jensen's doing what they do best!
April 1, 2016
Classic Western Book, fun and non-cerebral.
March 27, 2017
Outstanding!
This is an especially good book that is well written with several great plots. This author does not produce any junk!
This is an especially good book that is well written with several great plots. This author does not produce any junk!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews