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The Last Mountain Man #9
Pursuit of the Mountain Man
Itching for a challenge, Count Frederick von Hausen sails from Germany to hunt down Smoke Jensen. And with a party of the toughest hardcases in the West, von Hausen shadows Smoke into Wyoming's high Rockies. But Smoke Jensen is the last mountain man, and he knows the country like the back of his hand. He also knows that these doomed backtrailers couldn't have picked a prettier place to be buried.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
97 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,054 books1,417 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 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 22, 2021
Pursuit of the Mountain Man, that would be the last Mountain Man, Smoke Jensen....yeah, that's one stupid thing to do. Motive? Bragging rights and a money pot. Evidently, they don’t know who they're dealing with....but soon they'll find out....the hard way.
January 25, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up!
I loved the premise! I always enjoy this series, but this is one of the very best!
Again, J Rodney Turner is among the very best narrators to ever do it!
I loved the premise! I always enjoy this series, but this is one of the very best!
Again, J Rodney Turner is among the very best narrators to ever do it!
August 22, 2024
My first ever Western.
The plot was vanilla (2-3 star level), but the dialogue between characters was incredible (4-5 star level). Effortlessly flipped through these pages.
Smoke Jensen is a badddddd man.
The plot was vanilla (2-3 star level), but the dialogue between characters was incredible (4-5 star level). Effortlessly flipped through these pages.
Smoke Jensen is a badddddd man.
February 10, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Mr Johnstone's Preacher series. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the antics and cheering Smoke Jensen on. Fast and easy read.
March 12, 2023
A Kinder, Gentler Smoke Jensen?
This is a pretty good book, but it’s not the exciting sort of western that the previous Smoke Jensen novels were. Smoke. Jensen was the first western series I ever tried to read, mainly because I am such a fan of William W Johnstone. And up until this book, the stories were filled with lots of bad guys getting killed in various ways.
But in this book, which is about a European group of aristocrats, who come to America to hunt and kill Smoke for sport, had Smoke running away, and doing everything in his power to avoid killing anyone. He still a very tough opponent, but he did his very best to let everyone go, injuring them as little as possible. Of course, there were some people he killed, but it’s just not the same sort of story that I’m used to.
I think if this was the first book in the series that I read, I might not have the plans. But honestly I kept waiting for Smoke Jensen to become the legend that he has become in the series.
It’s an OK book, but not nearly up to the quality of the previous books in the series. I sure hope this is the last we see of the kinder, gentler Smoke Jensen.
This is a pretty good book, but it’s not the exciting sort of western that the previous Smoke Jensen novels were. Smoke. Jensen was the first western series I ever tried to read, mainly because I am such a fan of William W Johnstone. And up until this book, the stories were filled with lots of bad guys getting killed in various ways.
But in this book, which is about a European group of aristocrats, who come to America to hunt and kill Smoke for sport, had Smoke running away, and doing everything in his power to avoid killing anyone. He still a very tough opponent, but he did his very best to let everyone go, injuring them as little as possible. Of course, there were some people he killed, but it’s just not the same sort of story that I’m used to.
I think if this was the first book in the series that I read, I might not have the plans. But honestly I kept waiting for Smoke Jensen to become the legend that he has become in the series.
It’s an OK book, but not nearly up to the quality of the previous books in the series. I sure hope this is the last we see of the kinder, gentler Smoke Jensen.
September 25, 2025
I savored every page of this Mountain Man series, with Smoke Jensen out fixing his bloodthirsty hunters. The action, much of it set in the mountains and Yellowstone, hooked me from the start. I was along for the ride, captivated by the descriptions of hot coffee, beans, and campfire steaks for meals. It felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing the wilderness alongside them.
But it's not all campfire camaraderie. Carelessness and bursting egos suffer swift and brutal punishment, with holes through the gut, head, and chest. The consequences of bad decisions are immediate and final, adding a high-stakes tension to the narrative.
Pursuit of the Mountain Man is a gritty, no-nonsense western that delivers on all fronts. From this book onward, I'll be a Smoke Jensen fan.
But it's not all campfire camaraderie. Carelessness and bursting egos suffer swift and brutal punishment, with holes through the gut, head, and chest. The consequences of bad decisions are immediate and final, adding a high-stakes tension to the narrative.
Pursuit of the Mountain Man is a gritty, no-nonsense western that delivers on all fronts. From this book onward, I'll be a Smoke Jensen fan.
March 10, 2022
Another William Johnstone novel about the west and this one is a little different because here Smoke is being hunted by some European priviledged who are big game hunters and feel killing the famous Smoke will just add to their stature. It has lots of exciting incidents but not one of my favorite Johnstone novels. There are a few detours where Smoke go to a town and does clean it up of the bully Sheriff and gives the people back their town but otherwise it is just the hunters and how Smoke outfoxes them at every turn.
September 6, 2018
Smoke Jensen is awesome !! ... a good man just trying to go about his business when some European princes and such come all the way to Smoke's country to hunt him down and kill him ... for sport. Fortunately, they are out of their element when it comes to outwitting Smoke. Not only can he shoot but he's not afraid to throw dynamite around, set ambushes or whatever else it takes. This author is right up there in western story telling with Grey, Kelton, L'Amour, etc.
April 16, 2024
One of William Johnstone's Best
I've read quite a few of Mr. Johnstone's books and plan to read many more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Smoke was at his best!
This book has it all... Princes, Princesses, dukes and many, many bad men. Oh, and some vile, evil women.
I rarely use a five star review, but I think this book was close enough!
*****
I've read quite a few of Mr. Johnstone's books and plan to read many more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Smoke was at his best!
This book has it all... Princes, Princesses, dukes and many, many bad men. Oh, and some vile, evil women.
I rarely use a five star review, but I think this book was close enough!
*****
August 28, 2018
A peaceful Smoke?
Smoke sets out to buy some bulls and ends up being hunted down like a dog. But this dog has a lot of fight. Smoke Jensen at his best in the chapter of his life. Easy and thrilling read.
Smoke sets out to buy some bulls and ends up being hunted down like a dog. But this dog has a lot of fight. Smoke Jensen at his best in the chapter of his life. Easy and thrilling read.
January 9, 2021
This is a very good example on when a man is backed in to a corner he can hold his own against all odds. I think I took away from this that no matter how much you try you can’t change what you are but you can show mercy when you need too
April 16, 2022
German Engineering vs American Muscle
If you enjoy High Country excitement with a foreign twist this book is for you. Don’t even think about putting it down on the night stand, it ain’t gonna happen.
If you enjoy High Country excitement with a foreign twist this book is for you. Don’t even think about putting it down on the night stand, it ain’t gonna happen.
June 30, 2023
Pursuit of the Mountain Man
This story is so different from the usual for the Johnstone's. The skills possessed by Smoke can't be compared to other western men, but of course they weren't trained by Preacher. Good reading. Send me more.
This story is so different from the usual for the Johnstone's. The skills possessed by Smoke can't be compared to other western men, but of course they weren't trained by Preacher. Good reading. Send me more.
July 28, 2019
Enjoy this 9th book of the series. These foreigners trying to hunt down smoke as a sport. They had another thing coming.
July 27, 2020
Excellent.
May 8, 2021
Loved it. Great old western! My grandfather snd father both loved westerns. Me too
May 11, 2021
A thoroughly entertaining JENSEN read. Could not put it down.
November 23, 2021
Moral of the story: do not piss off a mountain man even if you have diplomatic immunity. Nov 2021
April 8, 2022
Beware who you prod.
March 12, 2024
I liked this one a lot. The enemy hadmore character development than some of the other villains had had in the series. time for "Courage of the Mountain Man"
May 1, 2024
Smoke, The Man!
Always keeps you on the edge of your seat. I had a hard time putting the book away! I look forward to the next one.
Always keeps you on the edge of your seat. I had a hard time putting the book away! I look forward to the next one.
September 22, 2024
You gotta read this book!
You gotta read this book! I love it as much as the Preacher books. You can’t go wrong with them.
You gotta read this book! I love it as much as the Preacher books. You can’t go wrong with them.
January 27, 2020
Excellent western
Always good western reads if written by Wm. Johnstone. A little different twist than most of his western but really good
Always good western reads if written by Wm. Johnstone. A little different twist than most of his western but really good
March 2, 2017
Fast paced and interesting
I enjoyed the story and couldn't wait to get back to it when interrupted. I've noticed with all of the Johnstone books they could use a good editor. Many mistakes with words that don't belong in a sentence or are used in the present tense when it should be past. Love the characters in all the books whether it be Preacher or Smoke.
I enjoyed the story and couldn't wait to get back to it when interrupted. I've noticed with all of the Johnstone books they could use a good editor. Many mistakes with words that don't belong in a sentence or are used in the present tense when it should be past. Love the characters in all the books whether it be Preacher or Smoke.
April 4, 2013
I know Johnstone's "Mountain Man" series is extremely popular - I used to work in a used bookstore and we had a hard time even keeping them on the shelf! So, I was really looking forward to delving into this new series of books.
I was really disappointed. Not because Pursuit of the Mountain Man was not readable - it was. But, because I quickly lost interest in the main character. I did not see the point in reading about him. So, I stopped after 65 pages since...
He is unstoppable - he cannot be outdrawn in a gunfight.
He can't be outfought in a fistfight.
No one hunts better than him.
No one rides better than him.
No one tracks better than him.
No one shoots better than him.
No one is smarter than him.
No one can beat him.
In fact, no one is even a challenge to him at all.
Well, if that's the case, why even read the book?
I would compare it to watching Superman take on a 3rd grade basketball team. Why watch? You know the outcome and its bound to be ugly.
In this case, I knew who was going to win and there was no point to reading anymore. There was no challenge for him to overcome. There was no compelling reason for me to continue.
Read my reviews of other westerns at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
I was really disappointed. Not because Pursuit of the Mountain Man was not readable - it was. But, because I quickly lost interest in the main character. I did not see the point in reading about him. So, I stopped after 65 pages since...
He is unstoppable - he cannot be outdrawn in a gunfight.
He can't be outfought in a fistfight.
No one hunts better than him.
No one rides better than him.
No one tracks better than him.
No one shoots better than him.
No one is smarter than him.
No one can beat him.
In fact, no one is even a challenge to him at all.
Well, if that's the case, why even read the book?
I would compare it to watching Superman take on a 3rd grade basketball team. Why watch? You know the outcome and its bound to be ugly.
In this case, I knew who was going to win and there was no point to reading anymore. There was no challenge for him to overcome. There was no compelling reason for me to continue.
Read my reviews of other westerns at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
April 30, 2014
The Smoke Jensen series has been uneven as I've gone through the series in order. his one is one of he best. It helps a lot if the Smoke Jensen character is already known of, it seems to me. The crowd hot on Jensen's trail makes far more sense with prior knowledge of the series.
Though, the bad guys are pretty standard bad guys, there are a set of other characters that are great additions. A set of surveyors and other government employees pop up as Jensen makes his way cross country trying to avoid the lynch mob.
As usual, the characters are well written and the story is paced very well. The story is basically a chase story, but well done. No big surprises, which would have been a nice addition.
Bottom line: I recommend this book.
Though, the bad guys are pretty standard bad guys, there are a set of other characters that are great additions. A set of surveyors and other government employees pop up as Jensen makes his way cross country trying to avoid the lynch mob.
As usual, the characters are well written and the story is paced very well. The story is basically a chase story, but well done. No big surprises, which would have been a nice addition.
Bottom line: I recommend this book.
April 26, 2012
cool, the English n pranks dem are hilarious
April 3, 2016
2 1/2 stars.
February 8, 2016
Very good western series. The story of Smoke Jensen, trained by the last of the mountain men as a boy. If you like men's adventure and westerns then you will enjoy the series. Recommended
November 15, 2025
Long trail of death.
Another great story with Smoke Jensen . Try as they might , the Germans met their match and the man hunt came to an end.
Another great story with Smoke Jensen . Try as they might , the Germans met their match and the man hunt came to an end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews