Rampage of the Mountain Man

The Last Mountain Man #35

by William W. Johnstone (series creator), J.A. Johnstone

LOOKING FOR BOUNTY

Mountain man Smoke Jensen lives by the rules of the frontier. The first rule the strongest survive. But when bad breaks, bad weather and bad bovines back Smoke into a corner, he needs something to go right. Instead, he faces the kind of tough luck only a gun can beat. . .

NOT A BOUNTY OF BLOOD

A contract to deliver 3000 head of cattle might just do the trick. But a renegade Cheyenne warrior uses an early winter blizzard to attack Smoke and his out-gunned cowboys. Too bad it's only the first step in a journey built to test Smoke's mettle, because some people are hunting a payday of their own—for killing Smoke Jensen. Soon the streets of Laramie will run with blood. . .

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Action

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2007

About the author

William 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.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 500 mile cattle drive during winter for Smoke and his crew in order to save his ranch. Most of the action takes place at the very beginning and the end, but it still makes for an interesting read. It just seems these later entries in the series don’t have the heart and soul of the early books.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things are getting pretty tight for Smoke Jensen, so he decides to try a cattle drive right before it snows. He finally rounds up a crew, and is on his way. There's all the usual cattle drive problems, and more problems when they get to town.

Diverting.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good book in my recent "slight" obsession with westerns. This is a book from the middle of a series. I got it because I wanted to try the writer and it's the one my library has. I will now consider buying more of them.

We again here have a gunfighter tale. (I like those). This is not however your typical ride in, fix things ride off into the sunset gunfighter. "Smoke" Jensen is a well known gunman but he's settled down with a beautiful (of course) wife and runs a cattle ranch. Now it looks like a really bad winter could be disastrous for them. They could lose a huge part of their herd. However it turns out that the "Indian Agency" needs a lot of beef for the reservations. The only catch is it's late in the year for a cattle drive...

Well maybe not the only catch. It seems the agency will only buy the first herd to arrive. Then there's also hostile warriors who resent being fed beef on a reservation, outlaws, common rustlers and a rich banker who would really like to be the owner of the first herd to arrive and be bought by the government.

Lots of riding, shooting, horse manure, cattle manure and other "cowboy stuff".

Enjoy.

[Jackie Martello · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up to 3 stars.
I read several of the books in this series previously, bouncing around and not really reading them in order. I have always really enjoyed them.
This was the weakest and frankly the most off putting book I have read so far in the series.
There is a whole extended and celebrated bit (actually at a couple of parts) about whores and prostitution. There’s a strange and disjointed piece about an impromptu “baseball game” that the townspeople turn out for. The language is dirtier, annd the dialogue was quaint and silly.
I finished it, but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it as much as the other ones in the series.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent story by the Johnstones. In order to avoid another harsh winter with no shelter for their cattle, Sally comes up with the idea of moving 3000 head, 500 miles, and selling to the Indian agent in Wyoming at a very good price. Two problems .. they have to be the first ones there, and a greedy fella on that end wants to be there first. It's nice that Sally goes along on this drive and it's a good thing that she can hold her own with a rifle because, as usual, there are gunfights along the way. Very entertaining.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 500 mile cattle drive, a crooked banker, and fast guns for hire mean trouble.

A killing winter forecast threatens losses of 50%. The Cheyenne need beef delivered to the reservation and the first beef to arrive at the Reservation will be bought. Smoke and his wife put together a tough crew who are challenged by weather, renegade Indians, rustlers, and the rigors of a two-month drive through desolate areas. Excellent characters, plenty of surprises, classic old west action, and a trail drive to remember. Well worth the time.

[David Burnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

After looking at the Farmer's Almanac she is convinced another bad winter will happen and it could be worse than the one a couple of years back that caused the ranch to lose over half of its herd. Sally convinces Smoke to make a drive to Wyoming very late into the season with 3,000 cows and she says he is going with him.
Smoke and his boys will go through hell on the drive facing multiple evil forces and losing four good men. This is action-packed and Sally plays a major role in this one where she delivers hell with her gun.

[Jay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good men die and again if the character Smoke Jensen is involved , it is a blood bath. (Frankly, that gets old). They have too many cows to survive the winter so they drive them north to Wyoming late in the season. The wife comes along, with his regular sidekicks, a kid, two brothers, and two former soldiers. An evil banker, a gunslinger seeking revenge, cattle rustlers and the weather figure prominently. Decent but bloody.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

SMOKE JENSEN RIDES AGAIN

Another great adventure featuring Smoke Jensen, his wife Sally. We also get introduced Pearlie, who will eventually become Smoke's number one foreman on his ranch SUGARLOAF.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke

As always another great read by the Johnstone’s. I so enjoy these books 📚 on Smoke and Sally Jensen. Sally can shoot as good as Smoke and she knows how to take care of herself. A really great 👍 read. Thank you for another awesome read.

[Susan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as earlier books. Seemed too simple in places. Still a good story, but not as well developed.

[john johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Smoke Jensen fans, you won't be disappointed. This has all the elements we love. Enjoy!!

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the 35th book of the smoke Jensen series.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Johnstone ... always an exciting time with Smoke and Sally...

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoke Jensen on a cattle drive. Not the best use of the character. The author still manages to fit in some fast gun action.

[Ted Cartier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in the Smoke Jensen series.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick and good read

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Another great story by my favorite author. Great plot with a fine interesting tale of our western heritage. Great job!

[Jamesie (inactive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all got to read it every book that he writes with Smokey in it is so good.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

William W. Johnstone does a fine job once again. In this particular story of the West he's able to seamlessly add characters (or hands in this case) to help on the drive during the winter to deliver an estimated 3000 head of cattle to help feed the Cheyenne Nation. Along the way there are perilous times such as: Native American attacks from a rogue band, rustlers, stampedes, and the winter snow that impede their journey. What I love about the William Johnstone books is that more often times than not he includes historical facts within his work and that occurs in this issue of the Mountain Man series when he mentions, in detail, the Sand Creek Massacre. If you're further interested please look the information up yourself.

I'll leave off a quote that touched me and hopefully has some historical accuracy and truth.

"There is not a thing that lives forever
Except the earth and the mountains." - White Antelope

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rampage of the mountain man by William W. Johnstone
Love the tales of Smoke and Sally. This story finds them on the way to the west to sell some of their cattle before the deep winter sets in.
There are other side stories that do relate to the first one. Love hearing of the Indians and their traditions. Love strategy used while driving the herd.
When the unthinkable happens Smoke takes charge to set things right.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[James M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the better books in the Smoke Jenson series....

[Calvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the better Mountain Man books. Lost interest half way through the story.

[Catherine Klontz]

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