The Angry Land

Smoke Jensen #6

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

When a cattle train bound for Texas is ambushed by blood thirsty rustlers, legendary mountain man Smoke Jensen vows to get the cattle back, get the killers who stole them—and get revenge for the blood they spilled . . . Johnstone Country. Where Outlaws Shoot. And Legends Shoot Back. The completion of a new railroad line from Colorado to Texas is a dream come true for Smoke Jensen and the other ranchers of Big Rock. But this dream turns into their worst nightmare when the first herd they load onto the train is stolen by a vicious gang of kill-crazy rustlers. This is no ordinary train robbery. It’s an inferno of slaughter that includes the friendly rancher who volunteered to take Smoke’s place on the trip. Now Smoke is saddling up and riding out—to get the prairie rats who murdered his friend . . . Smoke isn’t the only one who’s after these merciless killers. A pair of undercover lawmen from Texas have managed to infiltrate the gang by pretending to be dangerous outlaws. While Smoke is trying to track down the stolen herd, the undercover lawmen pretend to plot with the gang to rob more cattle trains. But there’s a hitch in the lawmen’s plan. To make sure they’re really on board, the gang wants them to prove their loyalty—by eliminating their biggest Smoke Jensen . . .

Genres: Westerns

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 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

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ...

Super exciting finish
to a super exciting series!
🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of the Smoke Jensen series since I discovered it many years ago and although it has had it's ups and downs it is still an entertaining western. The Angry Land is all about cattle rustling and this time Smoke meets a couple of gents that has their own series, The Range Detectives. William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone keeps producing western series in a pace I no longer can keep up with so I wont even try to read them all. Some are good and some are great and some are just, why. This is one of the better and I thank Pinnacle Books Kensington and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

The Angry Land by William and J John stone is the sixth book in the SmokeJensen’s Siri‘s in the book smoke comes up with the grand plan to send their cattle on the new railroad as a pose to driving the steers all the way to Abilene and the other ranchers agree and vote him as the guy who will see them to their destination. Unfortunately while smoke is at the meeting Miss Sally injured herself on a Bucking Bronc and smoke knows if he goes on the train she will get up before the doctors recommendation and be injured for life, so he asks fellow rancher Mr. Dixon to go in his stead. Something Mr. Dixon feels honored to be asked he even lets Pinky go with him. Unfortunately while in route with the cattle the train is stopped in the cattle or taken something smoke doesn’t let go by the wayside. Unlike other ranchers he sets out to get their cattle back but first he’s going to have to find out who took them. It isn’t long after smoke starts investigating that someone tries to stop him and it takes even less time for them to realize there’s no stopping SmokeJensen’. Of course like all Johnstones books there’s much more to the story this book is a great example as to why I love the Smoke Jensen Siri‘s and all the books associated with it smoke is tenacious when he needs to be in loves just as fierce in both sides are shown in this great sixth book in the SmokeJensen’s series. If you love westerns then you should already be reading these books.#KensingtonBooks, #NetGalley,#William and Jay Johnstone, #TheAngryLand, #SmokeJensen’,

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Smoke Jensen novel that has some of the most originality in it in a decade.

The book travels two roads with different characters. Each building the same story from different angles. As the trails converge, the elements mix and stirs a well written tale that has a mystery angle that doesn't occur in the 'Mountain Man' series.

This new series is a refreshing look at Smoke. He almost never has the opportunity of his monkey trick of a gun seeming to appear in thin air as the target is unerringly punched through. This book almost seems a non-Smoke book that was for another character.

The buddy-buddys could also be any of the various buddies in Johnstone Clan books. There are so many and thee two portrayed here have the Johnstone mark, but are forgettable. I'm finding that true as I bound into the newest 'Frontier Stagecoach' book and realize how much the various buddies are alike.

An odd note is that, though the book is all about an enormous amount of cattle, the cattle are nearly missing in the book, even when found.

Still this volume does well with it's mix of characters, mystery and gun play. The plotting is well done as so many pieces and parts are strewn and then put together. Well worth the reading.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

In William Johnstone's The Angry Land, (Pinnacle Books 2024) Book 6 of the Smoke Jensen series, Smoke Jensen, reformed outlaw and now respected rancher, is being squeezed by increasing costs for shipping his cattle to market. It's a problem all of the local ranchers are struggling with. Smoke comes up with a plan to merge the herds of several ranches in the Big Rock area and sell them as a group to get a better price from the buyers. He plans to ramrod the operation from negotiating the terms to getting the huge herd to market but his wife, Sally, is injured trying to tame a green horse and he passes the leadership mantle to a good friend and fellow rancher. Disaster strikes and the herd is stolen from the train, killing Smoke's friend, injuring one of his ranch cowhands, and a passel of innocents who happened to be on the train. Smoke takes it personally and follows the trail of the owlhoots to Abilene where he hopes to seek revenge for his friends and justice for his fellow ranchers.

Another excellent book in the Jensen family universe, as good as any in the Smoke Jensen series.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

[Gerald Matzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Johnstone touch for writing exciting Western stories is in good form in this tale featuring Smoke Jensen, a cattle rancher with a reputation for fighting for what is right no matter what it takes. When cattle rustlers make off with his herd along with those of his neighbors from the train that was hauling them to market, he makes it his mission to get them back and bring the reign of the rustlers to an end. With the help of two range detectives from the Cattlemen’s Association who infiltrated the gang he sets a trap to fulfill his mission. There are many surprises along the way and things don’t always go according plan. This is a story that is hard to put down as the suspense builds. There is a lot of action and some great characters. Some good-natured ribbing in a Western dialect adds humor to this well-told tale.

[Carole Corralejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Smoke Jensen adventure

The Smoke Jensen book series masterfully captures the essence of the American West, transporting readers to a vivid and immersive historical landscape. Each novel in the series offers a compelling narrative that brings the rugged frontier to life, exploring the challenges, adventures, and spirit of the era through richly developed characters and meticulously researched historical details. The author's skillful storytelling creates an engaging reading experience that allows readers to feel deeply connected to the time period and the protagonist's journey.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story. It doesn't say what year this took place but from reading some of the things the author(s) wrote I'd say 1874 to 1877.

Perlie is in it, but Cal isn't. Smoke goes after some cattle rustlers. Also has from another series Stovepipe Stewart and Wilbur Colemen who are range detectives. They are in this story also and all come together.

Stovepipe Stewart and Wilbur Colemen were in two other books. #1 The Range Detectives. #2 Hang Them Slowly.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline! The one thing about reading one of the Johnstone books is that you don't want them to end. The story is always good, has a twist or two and you become involved in the book. Smoke Jensen met some characters that make you laugh and others that make you appreciate friends. This book has cattle problems, train robbers and best of all is Ranger the dog. Thanks for excellent writing.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Smoke Jensen book. Here he sets up to send his cattle along with some other ranchers in the area only for them to be stolen. After he hears about it he decides to go off and find the men who stole his and the other's cattle. He feels responsible for his friends losing their money. The story is fast-paced and has Smoke finding and joining the gang of rustlers. A really good book.

[Lynn Slezak · Rating 5 out of 5]

best author and character ever!

I meant what I said in the headline. Smoke Jensen et al, is a very good read. Any of his books are definitely good Westerns. I like the characters, lack of overt and explicate sex. It’s violent, but giving the time frame it is relevant and it is not gory or indiscriminate.

[Grady Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke and Friends Ends Cattle Mystery

Another great Smoke Jensen adventure and with the help of new friends solved the stolen cattle mystery! I wish someone would make a movie about Smoke Jensen and his many adventures. Just like the others, this one was packed with adventure and mystery.

[David Burnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke convinces the other ranchers around Big Rock to put their cattle all together and have them delivered by train, that way they all can make a bigger profit. A gang of well organized owl hoots rob the train, kill some innocent people, including two friends of Smoke. Hell will be paid and Smoke is the devil as he unleashes old style western justice with the help of some good friends.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very exciting story of rustlers and the laws effect to stop them.

The author has written a very intriguing story of the West and a band outlaws who spread a rain of killing and terror as they rustled cattle from the train delivering them to market. Full of adventure and action.

[Robert W. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, plenty of action

A little bit of a change but bad men actract more bad men. And they need someone, an insider, to keep them together. They stepped on the wrong toes and that was their undoing.

[Kathie Loch · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Smoke Jensen books are great!

Rustlers, trains, and Smoke Jensen in the middle of all of it. Another enjoyable story in my book! I strongly recommend.

[Scott Margason · Rating 5 out of 5]

book review

I enjoyed reading this book. I think you will to. One of the better Smoke Jenson books. Thank you again.

[Bill Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke Jensen books 1 - 6.

I've read 100 plus books by Johnstones and have enjoyed all of them. Smoke, Preacher, Pearlie, Jensen Bounty Hunters and others. Good reading.

[Rob Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke and Rangers with troubles and cows .

I enjoyed this twisted story, Smoke Jensen , adventure ,two rangers, a woman, and a dog. Trains ,and a gambler ,guns blazing.

[Maurice A Kaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than coffee and NoDoze

Don't expect to get any sleep once you start reading. It's one adventure after another Leading to a thrilling climax.

[Jeff Schauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the entire series

Not deep reads but definitely fun reads Will find more by this author. Seve. More words required so there you have it.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Smoke Jensen

[Brian Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angry Land

For me, this book felt a little disjointed. I still enjoyed the adventure of Smoke, but there was not much of a family storyline.

I’ll keep reading about Smoke!