Trigger Happy

Nathan Stark #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Accompanied by his Crow partner, Moses Red Buffalo, the famed army scout Nathan Stark takes on a mission in Montana Territory that forces him to choose between duty and honor in this action-packed frontier adventure from the Greatest Western Writers of the 21st Century.

Steely-eyed. Quick as a rattler. Unforgiving as the desert sun. The stories of Nathan Stark’s grit and determination as a manhunter across Indian territory are legendary. He stalks the wild western frontier on behalf of the army, pursuing hostiles to avenge his slaughtered family—and redeem his own failure to protect them.

Once again reluctantly partnered with Crow scout Moses Red Buffalo, Nathan has been assigned to assist the U.S. cavalry in escorting a large band of Blackfoot Indians across Montana and into Canada. Refusing to leave, Chief Thunder Elk threatens to wage war if his tribe is not left alone. Wealthy rancher Bennett McGreevey wants the land the Blackfoot call home, and he’s powerful enough to ensure the army does his bidding.

But Nathan Stark is not a soldier. And no cattle baron is going to give him marching orders. It’s a perfect storm for bullets to rain sheer hell across the land . . .

NATHAN STARK—A MAN TO RIDE THE RIVER WITH.

Genres: Westerns

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 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

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Johnstone's Trigger Happy (Pinnacle 2025) is an unusual story from start to finish that won’t fail to capture the imagination of those who enjoy post civil war classic westerns. Nathan Stark and the Crow Moses Red Buffalo are an odd paring for scouting partners who must travel endless days in each other's company and rely on their instinct to avoid capture, death, or worse. Stark hates Indians because they took the life of his entire family. Red Buffalo tolerates Whites but hates Blackfoot Indians because its in his blood, since he was a youngster. But when thrown together on multiple tasks, they find a respect for each other's scouting abilities and moral compasses that ends in a reliable friendship that allow them to almost read each other's minds. In this case, the US Cavalry tasks them to chase the Blackfoot Indians out of an area of Montana where rogue elements have escape the areas where they should be living. Added to the problem is a power hungry rancher who wants to rid the area of sodbusters and farmers or anyone who doesn't live by cows.

If you’re looking for a clever story with lots of action, this is for you.

[Wayne Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two haste den friends coming together. Loop

I truly enjoyed this story. It made you have keep turning the pages to the end. I recommend this story to anyone who likes a good Western.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story!

Loved this book, the dry jokes make the story! And the ending really showed who they really felt! Can't wait to read the next one with these two!

[Mike Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as always

The author has been able to find the way to keep you wanting more. Great story and keep up with your writing

[Mike Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for Western lovers.

Really enjoyable yarn. Great characters and a fast moving plot. And….. the good guys win! Do yourself a favour and get this book.

[Donald Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

Suspenseful and a great read. It kept Me on the.edge of my seat. I highly recommend this. You won't want to put it down.

[Brent Towns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steely-eyed. Quick as a rattler. Unforgiving as the desert sun. The stories of Nathan Stark’s grit and determination as a manhunter across Indian territory are legendary. He stalks the wild western frontier on behalf of the army, pursuing hostiles to avenge his slaughtered family—and redeem his own failure to protect them.

Once again reluctantly partnered with Crow scout Moses Red Buffalo, Nathan has been assigned to assist the U.S. cavalry in escorting a large band of Blackfoot Indians across Montana and into Canada. Refusing to leave, Chief Thunder Elk threatens to wage war if his tribe is not left alone. Wealthy rancher Bennett McGreevey wants the land the Blackfoot call home, and he’s powerful enough to ensure the army does his bidding.

But Nathan Stark is not a soldier. And no cattle baron is going to give him marching orders. It’s a perfect storm for bullets to rain sheer hell across the land . . .

This was another well-written story, bringing the two main characters together again as comrades. The book picks up almost exactly where the first one left off, resolving a lingering loose end from the previous installment. It's a solid series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book soon. That said, I personally didn't find this one as good as the first in the series.
The two main characters are complete opposites, like chalk and cheese, and often clash with each other. I think this dynamic works well even if it gets a little wearing in some patches.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this book.

[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.

[Dolly K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline and enjoyed the place this book took place. Ol’ Nat and his side kick got it done in the end!

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good a rgoodread.