The Dead We Honor

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

THE FIGHT FOR THE SOUL OF AMERICA BEGINS

Small town America is under attack—but one group of patriots are fighting back—in this explosive contemporary thriller from the bestselling Johnstones . . .

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND
Welcome to Maverick, Iowa. Once a thriving farm community, the peaceful little town is now a bristling hotbed of drugs, crime, and homelessness. Thanks to the misguided policies of a new state governor, the floodgates have been opened to a devastating and very unwelcome wave of newcomers, grifters, fentanyl dealers, thieves, and roving gangs of smash-and-grabbers—and one powerful billionaire who’s buying up the farmland. Lifelong residents watch helplessly as their beloved Main Street becomes a bloody battleground in a divided America. This is more than a culture war; it’s a hostile takeover.
 
But one group of veterans are fighting back. . . .
 
THIS FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT
Returning home for the first time since Afghanistan, war veteran Bryan Branch barely recognizes his old stomping ground. Back in the day, he was the town hellraiser—until the military gave him a sense of purpose and appreciation for our hard-fought freedoms. Now those freedoms are under attack—and this time, it’s personal. As the violence and destruction of Maverick spirals out of control, Bryan enlists the help of his army buddies, a group of veterans whoTcall themselves “The Night Warriors.” They’re armed and ready to clean up the town. But their enemies are armed, too—and ready to blow the whole country straight to hell . . .
 

Genres: Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published February 25, 2025

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

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dead We Honor by William W. johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is a rather interesting story about money and power. I find that these stand alone books from the author are some of the best stories, the westerns are a little lame nowadays. I find that these books this one included are very satisfying when it comes to swift hard justice. I must thank Pinnacle Books , Kensington and Netgalley for supplying me with this advance copy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of war veterans bringing sanity, law and order back on the streets of a small town in Iowa, since the local government won’t do a dang thing about it because they are the cause of the problems? Yes, please! 😂

For years, I’ve wanted to join the army, but I’d be doing my country a greater service by not enlisting. 😂 So you can imagine how stoked I was about reading about veterans serving their country again, this time on their turf. I also enjoy vigilante storylines. I loved watching movies like Peppermint, The Accountant, and The Equalizer, so this book was right up my alley. Was the plot a bit far-fetched? Sure, but isn’t that the point of fiction? Did I flip off the screen because I got so angry at the corruption mentioned in the book? Possibly, but that’s between me and God. 😂😉

I’ve read Johnstone’s westerns and they are pretty good. They’re predictable and you can only write so many westerns, so I was excited to see he has mysteries/thrillers. And this book was so good! I liked it a lot. I noticed the way the local government was set up doesn’t sound very legal, but I overlooked it for the plot’s sake. If you’re looking for a realistic thriller, this isn’t it. It’s more like the movies I mentioned above: cinematic, dramatic, and a lot of shooting and fighting with a satisfying yet sad ending. Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” played rent-free in my mind as I read this book, and I’m not mad about it. 😅 I thought the characters were great and hecka cool, the dialogue was engaging and funny, and the plot was riveting and very, very interesting. It made me appreciate our veterans even more and I thank God every day for the sacrifices they made for us to live in a country as great as ours. 🫡🇺🇸

I received a digital arc from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

#TheDeadWeHonor #NetGalley

[TWU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a small town in the U.S that was once a thriving community, but has now been overrun by drugs,crime and homelessness thanks to the policies of a new state governor.

There is one group who is fighting back and one of its members is war veteran Bryan Branch.Along with his war buddies they aim to cleanup the town that he once grew up in.

I didn’t expect this to be a book about small town USA in current times.I was under the impression that William W Johnstone only wrote western novels.I was also surprised at how well written and engaging the book turned out to be as I had trouble putting it down.Even when I did put it down, I found myself picking it up shortly after.

I loved this book and encourage others to read it too!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead We Honor by William W, Johnstone and JA Johnstone, there is nothing better than when the Johnstone‘s bring western justice to modern day and in this book a family is targeted and a mother dies, which brings the family back together. when Brian branch gets called back to Maverick Illinois, it’s because his mother is dead, and someone burned down the family barn. Although he is sad because of the circumstances, he can’t wait to show his wife, his old stomping ground in hometown but when they arrive, it is nothing like he remembers stores or shuttered homeless lay on Main Street and beg for food and although branch gives what he can, he has no idea how serious the problem is. So serious he will eventually call his friends the night watchmen to come to his town to give a little hometown justice to those who really don’t belong there. Brian wants his dad and brother to have peace of mind where others are just looking to make a dollar and don’t care who they tramp on in the process but the night watchmen are prepared and ready to deal out a little kick ass. I love a good Johnstone western, but I am really beginning to love these modern day standalone stories and although I find myself agreeing with a lot of things in this book, I do see the bin politically in which the author is intending, but regardless the book is entertaining and it’s one I truly absolutely enjoyed. #NetGalley, #PelicanBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #WilliamWJohnstone, #JAJohnstone,#TheDeadWeHonor,

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, too bad this book isn't out right now. The Springfield, Ohio, news sure dovetails with the travails presented here.

This is the direction the Johnstone Clan of writers need to go in across the many series.
I'll step further and write that the Johnstone Clan need to pull in their western series and expand from this a series of novels.
It reminds me of John Gilstrap's Johnathan graves series. Serious current issues handled with comic book force by a small group with winning results. It's fun, full of action and a good story. Silly at times, not the best writing, but good plotting and fun reading for me.

Previous Johnstone Clan 'Save America' books have been outrageous and ridiculous with preposterous ending, even for fun. The writing has also been so-so. This volume is far better plotted and written with signature strong Johnstone characters.
This book is also more rooted in reality. As mentioned above, this book reflects actual news in the U.s. and inklings of why our country is having the troubles mentioned.

The ending is a bit much, but not out of bounds. The ending also is part of the larger problem I've found in earlier Johnstone books. The ghost writers lack an understanding of levels of government. In this one,as with others, municipal, county and state government chain of command is absent. It's real easy to understand, just lot to these writers. For instance, in this book, the governor is running a county. they can't do that. The county would have a commission form of government of some sort. that county government would have to be usurped by a governor. As far as I'm aware no state constitution gives a governor that kind of power. The Feds would step in. There's also and odd combo of state police and county (or is it city? That, too, is confusing.) police. The two are shuffled in an impossible way, due to how each would be run separately. Even with inter-local agreements. John Gilstrap gets the government levels correct.

I'd mark this book down severely for this, but the Johnstone Clan of writers is not alone. i find this in much current media today. Worse, in the news media.

Still, this is a lot of fun. kind of like a Donald Pendleton novel with superior writing.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of ten points.
Review copy via NetGalley.com.

[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.

[Becca Wilder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This David versus Goliath story takes place in America’s heartland as a small farming town in Iowa falls to the machinations of greedy politicians and businessmen who sacrifice the town to their plans for increased wealth and power. They nearly decimate the town with drugs, crime, and poverty until a native son returns home for his mother’s funeral, her death coming as a result of the corruption that goes straight to the governor’s office. This native, prodigal son, is former military and together, with his buddies, take on the corruption in an epic battle to reclaim the town and defeat the evil forces set on ruining it for their personal gain. The book is a testament to the importance of community, family, the rule of law, and the values that have held this country together for generations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read any book by these authors. I saw things mentioning that they write a lot of westerns, so I was a bit concerned about that going into this book, but I had no reason to be. This is a thoroughly engaging, and somewhat relevant and timely, story. It pulled me in right from the beginning. While there were a few spots near the latter portion of the book that stalled the pace a bit, it did pick back up and keep me turning the pages. At the core of the book is good vs. evil as you read about the small farming town trying to battle against greed and corruption. In today's society, the drug, corruption, and poverty angles may resonate with readers. This is my first book by these authors, but I am likely to check out future stories.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

[Neil Campau · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this was one of the best reads in many years! The story kept me interested from beginning to end and if you have read any books by William W. Johnston's " In the Ashes " series I would of thought Bill was back and writing again but Bill has past on to the writers haven.
Each character was defined so clearly where they were in the plot and the feelings and emotions each character was going through was so well brought out, I felt part of all of them.
I just do not know how to say all my thoughts and feelings while reading this book but if you like hero's who are ordinary folk who do the "right thing" to protect the innocent then give this book a shot!?

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Similar to his last book.

[john dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

Another book that’s not far from the truth it could happen if we don’t stop it now
Keep vigilant and strong