Catfish Charlie

Catfish Charlie #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. BACK IN THE SADDLE. AGAIN.

In this rip-roaring Western adventure, a once-famous Texas Ranger who’s given up his badge and gone fishin’ gets back in the saddle to set things straight—with guns blazin’ . . .

As a former Texas Ranger, Charlie “Catfish Charlie” Tuttle spent the good part of his life catching outlaws. Happily retired in Wolfwater, Texas, he’s content just catching fish—namely Bubba, the wily old catfish who lives in the pond near Charlie’s shack and keeps slipping off Charlie’s hook. He also likes hanging out with his trusty tomcat Hooligan Hank and tossing back bottles of mustang berry wine. Sure, his glory days are behind him. There’s no reason for Charlie to even think about coming out of retirement . . .

It starts with a jailbreak. Frank Thorson and his gang ride into Wolfwater to bust Frank’s brother out of the slammer. First, they slaughter the deputy. Then, the town marshal. Finally, they run off with the marshal’s daughter and no one’s sure if she’s dead or alive. The townsfolk are desperate enough to ask that drunken old coot Catfish Charlie to put down his fishing pole and wine bottles, pick up his Colt Army .44, and go after the bloodthirsty gang. Sure, Catfish Charlie may be a bit rusty after all these years. But when it comes to serving up justice, no one is quicker, faster—or deadlier . . .

Once a lawman, always a lawman. Especially a lawman like Catfish Charlie Tuttle.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published February 20, 2024

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

[papasteve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking story about the “good old days” when a sheriff in west Texas could mete out justice with his yellow boy rifle and six gun. No court of appeals. No delay tactics. Just a bullet giving some stinking bad guy “a third eye he don’t see out of.”

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read for a western good characters in the book retired Lawman brought back out retirement to clean up the town.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting character. Fair storyline. Poorly researched. Mountain lions do not, because they cannot, roar ! There is and never was a brass plated LeMat revolver. No species of American catfish jump out of the water.

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing from this pair.

[Roo · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like old fashion, shoot-em -up westerns, full of outlaws and fast shooting lawmen, you might like this better than I did. Old, out of shape Catfish Charlie and his expartner, Brazos, had some charm but not enough for me to rate this higher.

The story was fine, but the western slang was overused. And the writing was repetitive and too wordy. If something could be said in two words, it was said in ten. I might’ve liked it better had it been a bit shorter. I skimmed through most of it, just to get to the end.

[Turbulent.Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first "western" book I read. I have to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. The plot was great, well constructed and descriptions were well done. The story line with the avenging, and deceitful conspiracy plot of the old west ways, only made my yearn for more. I wish there was a sequel to Catfish Charlie and to see what happened with him and Brazos. This is a great book for an introduction to western novels.

[Darlene Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catfish Charlie and his friend Brazos returned to their former jobs as law men in Wolfwater, Tx. Lawlessness had returned to town after the deaths of their friends who were the law!. Trouble finds these two at every turn they take.

[Mmetevelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept imagining an out of shape Sam Elliott as Catfish.

This was my first book from the Johnstone empire and it won't be my last. Just purely good escapist stuff with good action and a little bit of humor.

[Rachel Santino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good lawman story. This one brings two old Texas Rangers together to clean up town and carry out justice. It’s written by a favorite author of mine, a ghostwriter for the Johnstones. He has a style of writing unique of his own. Happy to have a new series to follow!

[Gerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Fun, quick easy read but IMO, not as good as previous novels. In this novel, a retired Texas Ranger goes fishing and ends up getting involved in making things right once again. Novel needed some editing; wonder why the author or editor did not do some research especially about lions.

[Dirk Grobbelaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lazy ending and not-so-taut plotting prevents me from giving a higher score. Feels a bit like a missed opportunity, because the premise of the story is actually quite promising (and the book has its moments, which is why I am giving it a 3).

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed it very much 9 out 10

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-37. Love love love this western. Great characters and plot. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Western....sort of.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the author doesn't know much about mountain lions. I was laughing at that part of the story on how unrealistic and stupid that was. Otherwise, an okay story to pass the time.

[Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first western I've ever read (need to read a few for a book challenge) and it was fun! I love Charlie but I wish he got the fish. Also I might understand the obsession with cowboys now.

[Robert Knorr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rating

[David Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say Another classic By William W. Johnstone. If you love westerns With underdog Story This is for you.