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The Last Mountain Man #40
Strike of the Mountain Man
The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st CenturyIn Colorado Territory, Smoke Jensen is trying to live at peace with the big, beautiful world around him. Then a tinhorn named Puddle enters his valley--and unleashes a hellstorm of a range war.
Then The Shooting Started
Malcolm Theodore Puddle is a 21-year shipping clerk--from way back East. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle, has died and left his crumbling 600-acre ranch to his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle baron is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture. Poor, unsuspecting Puddle is walking into a death trap. Smoke is the not the pitying kind. But any enemy of Smoke's neighbor is his enemy, kill-crazy hired gunmen are threatening the whole valley and good men are dying. Puddle may not be much, but he's all Smoke has--as a take-no-prisoners mountain man and a timid tinhorn make for an army of two...in one hell of a fight.
Then The Shooting Started
Malcolm Theodore Puddle is a 21-year shipping clerk--from way back East. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle, has died and left his crumbling 600-acre ranch to his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle baron is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture. Poor, unsuspecting Puddle is walking into a death trap. Smoke is the not the pitying kind. But any enemy of Smoke's neighbor is his enemy, kill-crazy hired gunmen are threatening the whole valley and good men are dying. Puddle may not be much, but he's all Smoke has--as a take-no-prisoners mountain man and a timid tinhorn make for an army of two...in one hell of a fight.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
236 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,041 books1,395 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 24, 2025
A young man has inherited a ranch—and a whole lot of trouble—in this Western in the New York Times bestselling series.
In Colorado Territory, Smoke Jensen is trying to live at peace with the big, beautiful world around him. Then a tinhorn named Puddle enters his valley—and unleashes a hellstorm of a range war.
Then the shooting started
Malcolm Theodore Puddle is a twenty-one-year-old shipping clerk—from way back East. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle, has died and left his crumbling six-hundred-acre ranch to his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle baron is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture. Poor, unsuspecting Puddle is walking into a death trap.
Smoke is the not the pitying kind. But any enemy of Smoke's neighbor is his enemy, too: Kill-crazy hired gunmen are threatening the whole valley and good men are dying. Puddle may not be much, but he's all Smoke has—as a take-no-prisoners mountain man and a timid tinhorn make for an army of two . . . in one hell of a fight.
Colonel Marquis Lucien Garneau—a Frenchman with a shadowed past, wanted back home for murder and theft—has crossed the ocean to reinvent himself in Colorado. His ambition? To become the most powerful rancher in the territory.
With Deekus Templeton at his side, Garneau begins seizing land by ruthless means. But he’s never faced a man like Smoke Jensen, a rancher quick on the draw and unwilling to yield.
When Humbolt Puddle secures Smoke’s promise to protect his nephew’s inheritance, Smoke stands ready. Garneau, however, has other plans. Templeton unleashes a band of hired gunmen to crush resistance. Only one man has the skill and grit to stand against them all.
This installment in the Last Mountain Man series delivers sharp writing, relentless action, and page-turning suspense. It’s a Western that grips from the first shot to the final showdown, keeping readers hooked until the very last page.
In Colorado Territory, Smoke Jensen is trying to live at peace with the big, beautiful world around him. Then a tinhorn named Puddle enters his valley—and unleashes a hellstorm of a range war.
Then the shooting started
Malcolm Theodore Puddle is a twenty-one-year-old shipping clerk—from way back East. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle, has died and left his crumbling six-hundred-acre ranch to his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle baron is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture. Poor, unsuspecting Puddle is walking into a death trap.
Smoke is the not the pitying kind. But any enemy of Smoke's neighbor is his enemy, too: Kill-crazy hired gunmen are threatening the whole valley and good men are dying. Puddle may not be much, but he's all Smoke has—as a take-no-prisoners mountain man and a timid tinhorn make for an army of two . . . in one hell of a fight.
Colonel Marquis Lucien Garneau—a Frenchman with a shadowed past, wanted back home for murder and theft—has crossed the ocean to reinvent himself in Colorado. His ambition? To become the most powerful rancher in the territory.
With Deekus Templeton at his side, Garneau begins seizing land by ruthless means. But he’s never faced a man like Smoke Jensen, a rancher quick on the draw and unwilling to yield.
When Humbolt Puddle secures Smoke’s promise to protect his nephew’s inheritance, Smoke stands ready. Garneau, however, has other plans. Templeton unleashes a band of hired gunmen to crush resistance. Only one man has the skill and grit to stand against them all.
This installment in the Last Mountain Man series delivers sharp writing, relentless action, and page-turning suspense. It’s a Western that grips from the first shot to the final showdown, keeping readers hooked until the very last page.
July 19, 2019
THE DAYS OF HIS CALAMITY
Ah, a French solder Pierre Mouchette who has gone AWOL, besides stealing half million dollars from th French Army, he murdered Sgt. Anyone Dubois who had accompanied with the money.
Pierre planted his identifications on Sgt. Dubois and burned his face so that they would think it was him an that Sgt. Dubois stole the money and murdered Capitaine Pierre Mouchette.
Now, Pierre Mouchette has assumed alias Colonel The Marquis Lucien Garneau, false name now he has settled in Big Rock, Colorado..
Another despot power hungry man who wants to be the Alpha Male not Smoke Jensen. So Garneau hired gunnies to push out the small farmers and ranchers, and buys their land cheaply. Bullying
arson, and outright integration is what Garneau reeked of. As long as none of the debauchery can be traced back to him, he didn't care. He wanted to eventually own Sugar Loaf, Smoke's ranch which covered more than thirty eight thousand acres. Biggest ranch in that part of the Territory of Colorado.
I don't understand why these fools continue to think they can out gun Smoke. They continue these tactics of trying to ambush him, or they kidnap Sally his wife or someone close to him, it still doesn't work. Smoke Jensen is a man who'll actually give you the shirt off his back(literally speaking). All these such as The Brotherhood of Evil, Dr. Trask, was trying to create an army of Zombies, with transplanted brain tissues from Smoke, have you ever, so that he can take over territories of th United States another man with Napoleonic ideas of take over.
Ah, a French solder Pierre Mouchette who has gone AWOL, besides stealing half million dollars from th French Army, he murdered Sgt. Anyone Dubois who had accompanied with the money.
Pierre planted his identifications on Sgt. Dubois and burned his face so that they would think it was him an that Sgt. Dubois stole the money and murdered Capitaine Pierre Mouchette.
Now, Pierre Mouchette has assumed alias Colonel The Marquis Lucien Garneau, false name now he has settled in Big Rock, Colorado..
Another despot power hungry man who wants to be the Alpha Male not Smoke Jensen. So Garneau hired gunnies to push out the small farmers and ranchers, and buys their land cheaply. Bullying
arson, and outright integration is what Garneau reeked of. As long as none of the debauchery can be traced back to him, he didn't care. He wanted to eventually own Sugar Loaf, Smoke's ranch which covered more than thirty eight thousand acres. Biggest ranch in that part of the Territory of Colorado.
I don't understand why these fools continue to think they can out gun Smoke. They continue these tactics of trying to ambush him, or they kidnap Sally his wife or someone close to him, it still doesn't work. Smoke Jensen is a man who'll actually give you the shirt off his back(literally speaking). All these such as The Brotherhood of Evil, Dr. Trask, was trying to create an army of Zombies, with transplanted brain tissues from Smoke, have you ever, so that he can take over territories of th United States another man with Napoleonic ideas of take over.
October 14, 2023
Smoke stops a train robbery led by a gang led by Deekus Templeton. Two of the gang are killed by Smoke and when one of the members tries to run out on Templeton he shoots him and then runs away. Smoke now has a new enemy, who he will have to deal with later.
Pierre Mouchette is a French Army Officer who robs a payroll and kills his sergeant all while making it look like the dead sergeant did the deed and then Mouchette runs to America and lands up in Big Rock.
Mouchette wants to have the biggest spread in Big Rock, bigger than Smoke's and that is where the trouble begins. Templeton joins Mouchette then the ranchers end up dying or leaving Big Rock nobody can prove there has been any wrongdoing doing but Mouchtte is buying the land as fast as it becomes available.
From there one of Smole's good friends is killed and the beast in Smoke is awakened but can he save Big Rock? Read the book to find out.
Pierre Mouchette is a French Army Officer who robs a payroll and kills his sergeant all while making it look like the dead sergeant did the deed and then Mouchette runs to America and lands up in Big Rock.
Mouchette wants to have the biggest spread in Big Rock, bigger than Smoke's and that is where the trouble begins. Templeton joins Mouchette then the ranchers end up dying or leaving Big Rock nobody can prove there has been any wrongdoing doing but Mouchtte is buying the land as fast as it becomes available.
From there one of Smole's good friends is killed and the beast in Smoke is awakened but can he save Big Rock? Read the book to find out.
May 23, 2018
My first impression was that this was the same old theme of one man buying a ranch with the intent of forcing his neighbors out so that he could buy them out and increase his holdings ... and it is. There is a little difference, tho, with the bad guy first coming on the scene in France. As a French Army disbursement officer he acquires 2.5 million francs meant to be transferred from Paris to Dijon, steals the money, murders and disguises a sergeant so the authorities think it is he that that was killed, goes to Switzerland and exchanges the francs for American dollars and heads for the U.S. His purchase of a ranch is legit, but forcing his neighbors to sell to him is not, and that is the rest of the story. Smoke Jensen and his friends are in the way.
June 9, 2017
9th 9th and a s d eleting is one that is not the case of a great time to get to the bottom of the 3
Check out the new one of those things where the same way that I could not find any other way to do this for you
Check out the new one of those things where the same way that I could not find any other way to do this for you
May 11, 2017
As always a riveting read
July 7, 2017
Excellent Book
July 28, 2019
Enjoy the 40th book of the series.
September 10, 2019
Another great book from Johnstone....
January 6, 2021
Cowboy Story
Great Old Western feel. William Johnstone has the skills of Zane Gray, Max Brand and Louis Lamore. A very Good Read. Santa Mike
Great Old Western feel. William Johnstone has the skills of Zane Gray, Max Brand and Louis Lamore. A very Good Read. Santa Mike
April 8, 2021
Wonderful Read
Great action and characters
Fast read
It is another one of my ultimate favorite book in the series. I love it
Great action and characters
Fast read
It is another one of my ultimate favorite book in the series. I love it
June 13, 2021
Excellent Smoke Jensen story, with mystery, intrigue,, and as always, justice! Tagging this as one of my favorite Smoke Jensen stories!
May 21, 2022
Wasn't overly impressed with this story.
November 22, 2023
Awesome
Love William W Johnstone have not been disappointed yet Looking forward to the next book! 😀 Anyone who likes western adventure will like this book!
Love William W Johnstone have not been disappointed yet Looking forward to the next book! 😀 Anyone who likes western adventure will like this book!
December 9, 2012
Smoke Jensen helps some of the smaller ranchers in the valley when a wealthy Frenchman, Colonel The Marquis Lucien Garneau, starts buying up the smaller ranches. His aim is to be the biggest rancher in the area which means he has to outgrow Smoke's ranch.
His real name is Pierre Mouchette, a French army officer who'd stolen two and a half million Francs, half a million American, and murdered his sergeant, chosen by him for a resemblance to himself, passing him off as himself by burning his face and switching clothes.
Then off to America.
Unfortunately, the smaller ranchers surrounding him aren't willing to sell. He begins a campaign to get those properties any way he can: intimidation so he can buy them cheap, paying taxes where he gets the property for next to nothing, outright murder and kidnapping, though all where he can't be blamed.
One ploy involves murdering the man holding them all together, a rancher named Humboldt Puddle. Smoke hears the shots and comes to the rescue, to late to save Puddle, but in time to kill most of the killers and promise the dying man he'd take his will in and get it to the proper authorities. He's leaving it all to a young nephew back East, Malcolm Theodore Puddle.
When he arrives, after sending a telegram authorizing Smoke to pay due taxes, $200, to keep the Frenchman from gaining control. When the young man arrives, he appears helpless, dressed as a dandy, but there's starch in the boy. Though having never fired a gun, he had boxed before and could handle himself a bit. Smoke would take care of the gun part, drilling him in the use.
It's Smoke, young Puddle, and a few small ranchers against an army of killers.
Quite liked this one and one thing brought a smile to my face. There's a theater in Big Rock where a piano concert happens. It's called the Reasoner Theater and is owned by a man named James Reasoner.
Nice touch
His real name is Pierre Mouchette, a French army officer who'd stolen two and a half million Francs, half a million American, and murdered his sergeant, chosen by him for a resemblance to himself, passing him off as himself by burning his face and switching clothes.
Then off to America.
Unfortunately, the smaller ranchers surrounding him aren't willing to sell. He begins a campaign to get those properties any way he can: intimidation so he can buy them cheap, paying taxes where he gets the property for next to nothing, outright murder and kidnapping, though all where he can't be blamed.
One ploy involves murdering the man holding them all together, a rancher named Humboldt Puddle. Smoke hears the shots and comes to the rescue, to late to save Puddle, but in time to kill most of the killers and promise the dying man he'd take his will in and get it to the proper authorities. He's leaving it all to a young nephew back East, Malcolm Theodore Puddle.
When he arrives, after sending a telegram authorizing Smoke to pay due taxes, $200, to keep the Frenchman from gaining control. When the young man arrives, he appears helpless, dressed as a dandy, but there's starch in the boy. Though having never fired a gun, he had boxed before and could handle himself a bit. Smoke would take care of the gun part, drilling him in the use.
It's Smoke, young Puddle, and a few small ranchers against an army of killers.
Quite liked this one and one thing brought a smile to my face. There's a theater in Big Rock where a piano concert happens. It's called the Reasoner Theater and is owned by a man named James Reasoner.
Nice touch
Read
December 12, 2012This was a good read. I would like to read more of his books. Nothing like a good Weatern.
June 5, 2013
I love these Mountain Man books - and luckily for me, there are A LOT of them! This one is clean, easy to read, and has a great plot - could anyone ask for more?
December 7, 2013
The last, and one of the best in this wonderful series, well done!! Wonderful characters, well developed, lots of action!
April 28, 2015
Strike of the Mountain Man
It was a great book .I have read others by Johnstone. They are all great book .hope you enjoy asI did .
It was a great book .I have read others by Johnstone. They are all great book .hope you enjoy asI did .
November 5, 2015
Smome Jensen yarns are the best!
True to fork Johnstone has produced a really great yarn Good storyline, good action...a good read! Enjoyable as always in my mind!
True to fork Johnstone has produced a really great yarn Good storyline, good action...a good read! Enjoyable as always in my mind!
November 17, 2015
Another excellent adventure with Smoke and crew.
Currently reading
August 10, 2016Smoke Jensen vs Frenchman
April 17, 2017
Strike OF the mountain man
As I finish yet another of Johnston's books, I can't hardly wait to pick another one. HAVE yet to find one I was disappointed in
As I finish yet another of Johnston's books, I can't hardly wait to pick another one. HAVE yet to find one I was disappointed in
April 27, 2017
Wonderful!
Great story by the Master as good wins over evil once again. Well written and edited and a pleasure to read!!
Great story by the Master as good wins over evil once again. Well written and edited and a pleasure to read!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews