These Men Chose Hell

Fort Misery #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE GOOD GUYS KILL BAD GUYS.

Legendary national bestselling Western authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone continue a new series featuring a rogues gallery of the worst men in the West serving in the U.S. Army in the Yuma Desert in Arizona Territory.

FORT MISERY LOVES COMPANY. THE MORE, THE DEADLIER.
 
They’re not what you’d call “the good guys.” They’re a mangy pack of despicable deserters, thieves, mutineers, and worse. But as condemned soldiers in an overstretched army, they were given a death by hanging or serving out their time in a hell on earth.
 
These men chose hell.
 
Located at the farthest edge of the Yuma Desert, Fort Grierson is a magnet for trouble. Vicious attacks by marauding Apaches, gunslinging outlaws, and bloodthirsty banditos are practically a daily occurrence—and the men holding down the fort are hardly any better. Hence the nickname Fort Misery. But when a rebel faction decides to break ranks and go AWOL, the fort’s exasperated commander—Captain Peter Joseph Kellerman—has to think fast and fight dirty to fend off a cutthroat band of Mexican renegades. Their to steal the largest stash of gold in the territory—and slaughter every last man in the fort . . .
 
Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published July 1, 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

[Ryan Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Fort Misery, an arid hellscape filled with hardened criminals who choose to call it home over a traditional prison, or even, the noose. These are men so bad, supplies are dropped miles away as no one dare come near the camp.

Our story begins when effete college professors, under order from President Grant, arrive to dig for a Spanish exploration caravan that met its demise at the exact location of the current Fort Misery centuries ago. Other main characters include an intimidating band of gringos pretending to be sheep-hunters known as the Trey-Trey's, select Apache’s Indians bloodthirsty for the land that is theirs, and a few intriguing soldiers of Ft. Misery. When a soldier’s is discovered throat-slit and scalped, with the message 'cursed gold' in the sand, fear and suspicion spare no one.

The plot of this fantastic mystery/Western moves never stops sprinting and many well strewn threads keep the story very fresh. A pacifistic soldier who thinks he’s Jesus might actually be performing miracles, a horse names Lucifer could be possessed by the devil and the lady professor unlucky enough to be camped with this savage group might be a more cunning detective than Sherlock Holmes.

The action is incredibly striking and ferocious violence is balanced with perfectly-placed dry wit. Seriously skilled storytelling is on display in These Men Chose Hell.

Highly recommended to fans of crime fiction, mysteries and westerns. It's astonishing that a novel of this caliber, one that would please so many readers, has seen such little attention. TRY IT!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long time partner since I read a Cowboy Book, I mean years, spotted this one a 2025 published by a well known author who has so far published 85 books, many factual around the 1870's wild west.
Not like my previous reads I would say much more tongue in cheek humour with a gritty style, 'who do it' , thriller, humour and buried Spanish treasure.
Let me share - the lead character Captain Kellerman of the US cavalry often offers a whiskey and tells the drinker to mind how much they are drinking whilst ignoring the amount he 'Kellerman' imbibes - plank in the eye comes to mind, and secondly calls the gunslingers who have taken refuge in the fort "Fey-Feys" and is reminded every time by his second in charge they are called "Trey-Treys".
Not so many gunfights but still a good read.

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

These Men Chose Hell, is the second book in the Fort misery western by William W Johnstone and JA Johnstone, this series is quickly becoming my favorite this is not only societies rejects but prisons as well the guys who serve at Fort misery aren’t there because their Boy Scouts but due to them being quite the opposite criminals who got The option military or prison? The guys are all led by captain Kellerman but the ruled over by Lieutenant Hall with some very innovative resolutions for their issues. And book 2 some professors show up looking for a treasure they claim that’s within the bounds of Fort misery and unfortunately there’s already some underhanded treasure hunters coming right behind the professor’s wanting to benefit from their find. To make matters worse he even has his niece with him something Captain Kellerman is really worried about a woman in the middle of all those men. despite Captain Kellerman tries to explain to the professor that with sand storms and the land itself shifting over the past 500 years, he doubts the gold is where the professor thinks it is but him being a man of letters blows off the captain and insist on digging. however when a band of pissed the Larose decide to attack for misery everyone and they do mean everyone should have a gun and start shooting. There is so much that happens in these books it really is hard to give a good summary but just know if it’s the John stones there’s going to be lol moments gunslinging and then all-around good time and that is definitely what this book brings. I cannot recommend it more some good guys may be an inch to the left of good and some very bad guys shoot it out and that makes a great western. I do find the Fort Misery books are a lot funnier than some of the others but you can really tell humor is a part of the repertoire cause it’s it’s instilled in every book and I really appreciate that. #NetGalley, #TheBlindreviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[TWU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Fort Misery- where the lowliest dregs of the U.S. Army defend the driest patch of lawless desert against the most sadistic killers in the Wild,Wild,West.

When a group of professors show up at the fort in search of lost treasure, a series of gruesome murders begins.The men of Fort Misery will have to find the culprit before they all meet a terrible end…..

I loved this book as much as the first (Fort Misery)I could not put it down as there were twist and turns everywhere!There are also some good funny parts in this series as well which was a nice surprise!
Excellent cast of Characters in this story that kept my interest for the entire read.This is one of the best 2 book William W Johnstone series that I have read and I encourage fans of Johnstone’s books to pick this series up as they are well worth the read!

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

25-31. Whoa Nelly. What a ride. Great Western. Very descriptive and different from the other westerns I have read. Several of the best final chapters in any novel. While in the middle of the book, I was tempted to read the last chapter and call it good. I resisted the idea and soon got caught up in the story. I was caught up in how it was progressing rather just to get to the end. I borrowed this ebook from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Darlene Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the soldiers at Fort Misery had chosen to serve their sentence there instead of prison. Not only are they facing the attack of Indians they are now instructed to allow three archeologist, one niece and a China man to dig for Spanish Conquistador Don Esteban de Toro treasure. Interesting occur as several murders take place for no reason. I found this book interesting as for most the book I couldn't figure out who was doing the murders and why.

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

In sum, I enjoyed These Men Chose Hell—it offers action, mystery, drama, and just enough humor to keep you on your toes. Perfect for a lazy weekend when you’re in the mood to escape to a world where danger lurks behind every cactus, and the next twist is just a page away. ╌★★★★✰

Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.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.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, this book is impossible to put down! It's incredibly entertaining and tells a heartwarming story that captures the spirit of the Wild West and our rich history. Truly an enjoyable read!

[Allan Mac · Rating 1 out of 5]

these men chose hell

One f the poorest books to come out with the Johnstone name.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second story of the series. Slow starting out, gets better after 65% through. Ends with the start of a new story for the third book of the series when that comes out.