The Hanging Party: A Texas Lightning Novel

Texas Lightning #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

n this bold new series from the bestselling Johnstones, a legendary gunslinger tries to outrun his past and start a new life. But after so many years, so many bullets—and so much bloodshed—he finds old habits die hard. And new enemies die harder . . .

THEY CALL HIM “TEXAS LIGHTNING”

His name is Jon Gage. Most folks know him as “Texas Lightning,” the fastest draw in the West. The deadliest, too. Rumor has it he’s killed more than thirty men in half as many years, a body count he won’t deny. His reputation as a gunslinger, widowmaker, and all-around hellraiser inspires awe, respect—and fear. But when an innocent woman dies in an ill-fated shootout, Gage decides it’s time to drop his guns and change his wicked ways. There’s just one problem:

There is no rest for the wicked.

A nameless drifter haunted by his past, Gage hopes to right the wrongs he committed. He’s fighting on the side of the angels now, whether it’s a widow losing her freight business, a wagon train of farmers in trouble, or a small-time rancher battling a big-time cattle baron. Wherever he goes, there are wicked men preying on the innocent—and some of them recognize Gage as the notorious Texas Lightning. Gage knows he can’t outrun his demons. But he can still outgun them . . .

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

424 pages, Library Binding

Published April 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

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon Gage is a new character in this new series from William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone called Texas Lightning. It is an ok western but I don't think I will follow it since I felt it wasn't all there. The concept is great with the main character and it can be a great series but how many times can he pick up a gun to save the day? I thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this advance copy.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hanging Party is the first book in the new Texas Lightning book series by William W Johnstone and J a Johnstone. After Jonathan Gage gets in a fistfight with a drunk father he goes to town to drink it off and while joking with a stranger he gets called out by him and finds his self in a gun fight. This is how gauge turns in to Texas Lightning because what Gage didn’t know was that this man was a gunslinger and a well-known one at that. Gauge is told to leave town and it seems gossip and legend travel further than Gage‘s horse because his reputation only grows until the day he gets in a show down with a small man despite Gages protest the man refuses to yield and after the fight he learns the person he killed is a woman. This affects gauge in the worst way because despite being competent and a man who can take care of his self he is also intelligent with a sensitive side that cannot take the notion he harmed a female. He throws his guns down and continues traveling but ultimately doesn’t care what happens to him. That is until he travels to the town of Newel and gets a job with a rattlesnake named Delano. A short pudgy piglet of a man who talks to everyone is it there his employees he is unscrupulous with no sense of humanity or care for anyone but himself and his wealth. Gauge mind his own business until he sees Delanos only two other employees beating up an old scrappy guy name Mr. Cooley who works for the only other freight company in town and this is win Gage decides to get involved. It doesn’t take long for Gage to quit his employment with Delano to go and work for free with Mr. Cooley and his boss Miss Molly. It is on the first freight trip that they learn Delano has hired killers after him and Mr. Cooley. Will Jake once again pick up the gun to defend him self or will Delano be the one on top in the end? Anyone who reads the Johnstone novels knows the answer to those questions. I really liked this book but what I didn’t like is the tentative attraction with an air to possible romance between Gage and Miss Molly only for it to end the way it did. Also there weren’t that many gun fights in the book it’s mainly about the story but it was definitely a great story there were still those moments where you think how is he going to get out of this… And then the great way he gets out. I do want to say I have no idea why it’s titled the hanging party because there’s not a party or hanging anywhere in the book. I love Johnstone westerns and this was a great one I say that all the time because it’s true. No one can beat a Johnstone western with great men to route four I definitely recommend this book it’s an awesome western about the wild wild West. #NetGalley, #KensingtonBooks, #WilliamWJohnstone,#J a Johnstone, #Texas lightning, #the hanging party,

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new series from Johnstone, Texas Lightning, features Jon Gage, a reluctant gunslinger whose reputation grows almost against his will. He has a difficult childhood with an alcoholic father that lays the foundation for so much of what he becomes. In this Book 1, The Hanging Party (Pinnacle 2024), we see what built the shootist's reputation, how he lives off of his name while trying to avoid gunfights despite being forced into them by those who wish to claim credit for killing him, the best of the best, and others enraged because he killed someone they loved. Then, we find out which fight made him unbuckle his guns and lose himself as a saddle tramp and bum, intent on getting through life with occasional jobs and no relationships, always fleeing when people figure out who he used to be. That changes in the town of Newel. At first, he takes a job to make enough money to survive, move on, but his new boss is a crook. He wants to ignore that, take his money and move on, but he's already bonded somewhat with the good folks of Newell. No matter that he wants to leave them to their fate, he can't. The ending will surprise you.

This is a good story, but a bit slow, somewhat dour, and leans toward dark. Still I was never tempted to stop reading. It's not the typical Western so definitely recommended for those who like to read outside the lines.

[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 3 out of 5]

In this latest Western from the outline and notes from the late William Johnstone, J. A. Johnstone attempts to put together a story in the spirit of William’s many novels. While this one has plenty of action, there are times when, in the middle of a perilous situation, the main character, Jonathan Gage aka Texas Lightning,
thinks back on some related event in his life and ruminates on that for several paragraphs. In my opinion, that spoiled the suspense that had built up in that part of the story. The title of the book would lead you to think that a hanging was imminent but there was never even a hint that a hanging was going to take place. This was not my favorite Johnstone Western tale.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is good; the storyline is great; but I'm not a fan of the back and forth in time, meaning present, twelve years ago, four years ago, back to present, etc. It works for some people but it's confusing to me. I'm also an animal lover so brutal goolish killing of horses is not for me. That all being said, I am a fan of the old William Johnstone stories and give my regards to the current author of the many wonderful Johnstone books. This is the story of Jon Gage who became a fast-draw killer and made his final move that nearly destroyed him. He put down his guns and walked away. He had a keen mind and used it to stay alive as he traveled the west. This is the first book in a new series.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes the book moved right along, other times it totally bogged down in, what I felt, were unnecessary details, like the rattles Hanke part. Good grief...resolve it already! and the "wrap-up" or ending....it went on and on and on. Having said all that, the characters were well filled out and the story was a good one. But, the worst part of the book was, the ending. Geeez, after spending all that time to end like the way it did, made it a dud. The bottom just dropped out at the end. So disappointing.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

They call him Texas Lighting and he is fast on the draw, but after one show he has been working at putting his guns away. But for Jon Gage, it’s not that simple when he rides into a small town and takes a job as a freighter with a man who is a thief and when he finds out his boss wants to kill the widow who is trying to save her husbands business he has to make a decision. A good book with many different characters and very much worth the read.

[Darlene Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon Gage was young and without patients who killed a man in a street gun fight when called to face a man who wanted to kill him and received the handle of Texas Lightening. after drifting and multiple street fights he kills a woman dressed as a man. This has a terrible effect on him where his guns are put away. After drifting into a town called Newel he is faced with doing good of working for a company own and operated very bad man. Will good over come bad?

[Randy Horshok · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poor story line....

I've liked most of the Johnstone books, but this one falls into that sad minority. It's a weak story line with a LOT of meaningless fluff inserted to draw out the story. I have read much better by the Johnstone's, and I can only hope the next one is one of their better stories.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can always count on a good western adventure if it's from the Johnstone family and this one continues that run. This is a new series and Gage is a new character but he fits right into that cool, competent hero. Can't wait to see what adventures are ahead.

[Bob Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great Johnstone book

This wasn't a typical Johnstone read. In chapter 16 a rattlesnake chases a man. That is pure stupidity! I have hunted and also caught rattlesnakes and they are afraid of humans. The author should probably do a little research.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good storyline!

This one is among my favorites! Trying to change something like that would be near impossible! Was hoping for a different outcome but maybe in the books to follow!

[Corbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book would make a good short story

Johnstone used to mean gun smoke and courage. This reads more of 1890's style of literature such as wister or zane grey. The development of a flawed hero trying to be the white night to maid marian and then dissolve like smoke. Yuck.

[joe poge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had potential.

The story line really bogged down in the middle and became quite laborious. The ending didn’t come soon enough. Not as tightly a knit story as William Johnstone usually provides. This may be J.A.Johnstone learning his craft.

[Megan Krom · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, snooze

[Keith Barros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

First book by this author that has disappointed me. Slow reading, not engaging and at times just dull. Cathy recommend this one.

[Melvin Lance]

First western I have read in several years. Simple reading fun story.

[Judy A. McMaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

To wordy

I have been a great follower of William johnstone, but J A needs to get to the point. Makes the book longer but boring.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but rambling👍💀

ADULT Historical Western Adventure 🐺🐎🔫🔪💀
Gage is a man who cannot leave his Gunfighter past behind.
The book is very good but often the narrative is rambling and Overly wordy.

I got this e-book from Amazon 📚 with kindle unlimited.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No different than any of his other books.
Decent characters with a quick moving storyline.
Always enjoyable.