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The Family Jensen #5
Massacre Canyon
Two outlaw brothers have been leaving a blood-trail on their way to infamy on the western frontier. Until bounty hunter Luke Jensen catches one of the black-hearted Kroll brothers away from his gang. But while Luke is trying to get Mordecai Kroll from jail to justice, he's ambushed by the Kroll gang and taken prisoner. And that draws Luke's own brother Smoke Jensen into the fight, guns drawn. . . Brothers By Blood. Brothers By Battle. With Smoke Jensen comes fire--adopted son Matt and lifelong friend Preacher, who storm into battle to save Luke Jensen from the Krolls. With trigger-happy back-stabbers, cutthroat outriders, and murdering devils joining the fray, the deadly mayhem paints the harsh landscape an unforgiving red--a place where Jensen's enemies go to die. .
- GenresWesterns
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 6, 2014
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,034 books1,436 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 1, 2015
How could I resist being a Jensen myself. The Johnstones are sort of formula writers, which is not a bad thing, but it the books pretty much have the same flavor. This is #5 in the series, but it is the first one I have read. There are a couple of sub stories that don't really move the plot. The ending is predictable, but the means to get there are not, so that compels to reader to keep reading. The girl, Darcy, will likely show up again as it seems she and Matt may have something going. Some circumstances are a bit of a stretch, but they work and move the story along. If you accept the premise that Smoke and his family have lots of luck, stong constitutions, and some uncanny reflexes and accuracy in their shooting, then most of the details are acceptable.
April 9, 2015
I've read other westerns by this author and they have been OK. But this is a characature of a western. The heroes are absolutely stupid and the dialog is lame. "Let's walk into another trap and go out a guns spittin' fire and lead"
May 25, 2019
LUKE JENSEN KIDNAPPED
Another great action packed adventure of the Brothers Jensen, blood or not. It doesn't matter because they stand together including Preacher whose still percolating and as smart and agile as he was in his earlier years. A tab but slow some might say because of his age, which we can estimate is in the early eighties, but that hasn't caused him a problem.
Luke, Smoke, Matt and Preacher are called together because Like had been kidnapped by the notorious Krill Gang. Brother Mordecai Krill has been arrested by Luke Jensen,Bounty Hunter and is now jailed in a Phoenix jail waiting for trail, which will result in his hanging..not a happy ending. Brother Rudolph learned of his brother's capture from the many spies he has planted around the territory. His secondo, Galt, brought him a copy of the 'Harpers Weekly' which had an article about the capture and future sentence of hanging after his conviction. Rudolph wasn't a happy camper about his brother's situation and wanted REVENGE. Which he would obtain by kidnapping Luke, which they did. Smoke was notified about his brother's kidnapping for the exchange of Mordecai whose present home is the notorious Yuma Prison, which I think still exist. Oh well, not a pleasure palace but what prison is. If prison reform was present during the times of these infamous prisons such as Deerfield, Huntsville, Angola and other pits of 'Hell' which still exist, prison reformers would have really had their hands full trying to institute healthy fairness regarding the treatment of prisoners..such as life.
One thing we can say about those Jensen Men, they stick together and distance is nothing not will it hold them back. The call for 'HELP ' and they ride, this includes Preacher a hardy bunch of fighters and shootist.
All you JENSEN MEN AND PREACHER ride hardy, keep the wind and the sun at your backs and keep your powder dry..Ride on
Another great action packed adventure of the Brothers Jensen, blood or not. It doesn't matter because they stand together including Preacher whose still percolating and as smart and agile as he was in his earlier years. A tab but slow some might say because of his age, which we can estimate is in the early eighties, but that hasn't caused him a problem.
Luke, Smoke, Matt and Preacher are called together because Like had been kidnapped by the notorious Krill Gang. Brother Mordecai Krill has been arrested by Luke Jensen,Bounty Hunter and is now jailed in a Phoenix jail waiting for trail, which will result in his hanging..not a happy ending. Brother Rudolph learned of his brother's capture from the many spies he has planted around the territory. His secondo, Galt, brought him a copy of the 'Harpers Weekly' which had an article about the capture and future sentence of hanging after his conviction. Rudolph wasn't a happy camper about his brother's situation and wanted REVENGE. Which he would obtain by kidnapping Luke, which they did. Smoke was notified about his brother's kidnapping for the exchange of Mordecai whose present home is the notorious Yuma Prison, which I think still exist. Oh well, not a pleasure palace but what prison is. If prison reform was present during the times of these infamous prisons such as Deerfield, Huntsville, Angola and other pits of 'Hell' which still exist, prison reformers would have really had their hands full trying to institute healthy fairness regarding the treatment of prisoners..such as life.
One thing we can say about those Jensen Men, they stick together and distance is nothing not will it hold them back. The call for 'HELP ' and they ride, this includes Preacher a hardy bunch of fighters and shootist.
All you JENSEN MEN AND PREACHER ride hardy, keep the wind and the sun at your backs and keep your powder dry..Ride on
February 6, 2024
Well we meet another Jensen in this read, Luke Jensen makes an appearance.
Each character gets their own short story to pull the entire book together. Trouble seems to follow all the Jensens.
Luke appears first in the book, being a bounty hunter he captures a notorious gunman and sends him to prison. However the gunman's brother wants his brother back and captures Luke holding him ransom sending message to Smoke Jensen.
Smoke meanwhile has his own issues to deal with, once solved, he receives a telegram and reaches out to Matt and Preacher for help freeing Luke.
Both Matt and Preacher have their own stories to tell before joining up with Smoke.
Once together the story continues with a prison breakout, trail ride to the hideout and a gun battle beyond belief. The Jensens plus Preacher against 200 gunslingers, okay maybe not 200, but maybe 40 based on Smoke's numbers.
Its not an easy escape by any means, the Jensens get beaten up but find a way in the end to prevail.
No Indian Ring twist in this read just plain old bad guys versus the Jensens, Yee haw.
Each character gets their own short story to pull the entire book together. Trouble seems to follow all the Jensens.
Luke appears first in the book, being a bounty hunter he captures a notorious gunman and sends him to prison. However the gunman's brother wants his brother back and captures Luke holding him ransom sending message to Smoke Jensen.
Smoke meanwhile has his own issues to deal with, once solved, he receives a telegram and reaches out to Matt and Preacher for help freeing Luke.
Both Matt and Preacher have their own stories to tell before joining up with Smoke.
Once together the story continues with a prison breakout, trail ride to the hideout and a gun battle beyond belief. The Jensens plus Preacher against 200 gunslingers, okay maybe not 200, but maybe 40 based on Smoke's numbers.
Its not an easy escape by any means, the Jensens get beaten up but find a way in the end to prevail.
No Indian Ring twist in this read just plain old bad guys versus the Jensens, Yee haw.
April 24, 2025
The main themes in William W. Johnstone's "Massacre Canyon" revolve around familial bonds, loyalty, and the struggle for justice in a harsh, lawless frontier. The story centers on the Jensen brothers, Luke and Smoke, who are drawn into a violent confrontation with the ruthless Kroll gang, led by the infamous Mordecai Kroll. The narrative explores the lengths to which brothers will go to protect each other and the consequences of opposing such ruthless forces. Additionally, the novel highlights the importance of loyalty to friends and family, with Smoke's adopted son, Matt, and lifelong friend, Preacher, joining the fight. The overall atmosphere of the story is one of intense violence and chaos, as the Krolls leave a trail of bloodshed in their wake.
December 1, 2024
This has been the best in the series. Luke captures a notorious game member. The gang leader wants revenge and in a big way, because the member Luke captured happens to be the brother of the leader of the gang, and nobody messes with the Kroll gang. The gang leaders decide to ambush Luke, take him prisoner, and then demand that Luke's brother, Smoke break the prisoner out of prison and return him to gang headquarters. The ambush goes well but the rest of the plan goes to hell when Smoke has Preacher and Matt join him in this adventure.
September 11, 2023
Good story with plenty of action!
This book held my attention from page one. I liked the story and the characters, and the action throughout. I can honestly say I have read way more than 50 of William Johnstones western dating back to the original Preacher, Mountain Man, Eagles, and other great series written by the master himself. This story is written with more of his style than others I have read. This entire series has been great, and I would suggest it to everyone.
This book held my attention from page one. I liked the story and the characters, and the action throughout. I can honestly say I have read way more than 50 of William Johnstones western dating back to the original Preacher, Mountain Man, Eagles, and other great series written by the master himself. This story is written with more of his style than others I have read. This entire series has been great, and I would suggest it to everyone.
December 19, 2016
Another one of those "slap leather" and "light a shuck" kind of Westerns the Johnstones write. When one of the Jensens is in trouble it quickly becomes a family problem with the usual results. Leave to Smoke, Matt, Luke and "Uncle" Preacher to figure a way out of trouble with quick wits and Colts blazing.
September 3, 2019
3.5 stars. The formula Johnstone uses where each of the main characters starts off in their own adventure and are then pulled into the main whoop-em-up provides a nice view into each man's character as well as adding to the action. I admit it, I'm hooked on the Jensen Family and am looking forward to reading more. Which probably explains those three related books sitting in my to-read pile.
December 4, 2018
luke jensen captures one of the kroll brothers and then he gets captured by the other kroll brother and his gang and they want smoke to help him escape and bring him to the hideout and they will let luke go so he ask matt and preacher to help him and then all hell breaks loose. its a great book
March 25, 2022
Massacre Canyon
Very well done. More twists and turns than you could realize. I just don't see how anyone in real life could accomplish such a massacre but those Jenson's did it again.
Very well done. More twists and turns than you could realize. I just don't see how anyone in real life could accomplish such a massacre but those Jenson's did it again.
June 26, 2017
Best book I've read in a long time.
May 8, 2020
Loved the suspense
Friends that like historical western romance and if they are readers of the best writer in JA Johnstone and his uncle
Friends that like historical western romance and if they are readers of the best writer in JA Johnstone and his uncle
October 4, 2022
I really enjoyed the family coming together. Had a good story and enjoyed the ride.
January 16, 2024
In this book we meet the blood brother of Smoke Jensen - a bounty hunter named Luke Jensen.
The action is on point, I loved the book!
The action is on point, I loved the book!
May 28, 2021
One of my favorite Authors. Love that it isn't all sex and filthy 4-letter language.
February 4, 2015
Smoke's older brother Luke joins the series with this volume. He's a bounty hunter by profession and captures Mordecai Kroll who's convicted and sentenced to hang for his many crimes.
Which doesn't set well with his older brother Rudolph.
Luke Jensen is taken and word is sent to Smoke. You break little brother out of Yuma or Luke will be killed.
Smoke knows that both will be killed if he follows through so he sends for Preacher and Matt, arranges a fake prison break, and has them lay back a Mordecai and he head toward the gang's hideout.
Another good western.
Which doesn't set well with his older brother Rudolph.
Luke Jensen is taken and word is sent to Smoke. You break little brother out of Yuma or Luke will be killed.
Smoke knows that both will be killed if he follows through so he sends for Preacher and Matt, arranges a fake prison break, and has them lay back a Mordecai and he head toward the gang's hideout.
Another good western.
January 20, 2016
I read this book some time ago. It is your typical Smoke Jensen Story. Yes we all know they are basically ''recipe'' books and you can predict what is going to happen next. But they are always quick reads and entertaining.
We need more western writers out there and should be happy that these books are being written.
We need more western writers out there and should be happy that these books are being written.
February 29, 2016
A decent read, if a bit disjointed. Some of the scenes were somewhat forced just to get people in the right place at the right time, and if you're a fan of heroes who miss once in a while, get shot or hurt, or are ever seriously in danger, Johnstone's books aren't for you. But it was entertaining and kept my interest.
May 16, 2014
Another great Johnstone western. I love them. This one includes the entire Jensen family plus Preacher, the first Mountain Man.
September 9, 2014
As always; fast action, non-stop from cover to cover.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews