I'm Here to Kill You: The Last Mountain Man and the Taming of the West

The Last Mountain Man #44-45

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WITH A SHORTER BARREL, STAND CLOSER TO THE TARGET.

Two action-packed tales about the greatest gunslinger to ever ride the Wild West. When the scales of justice need to be set right, nothing stands in the way of the Mountain Man.

Brutal Night of the Mountain Man

Kate Coldane has sweated blood and tears for her saloon. Now Silas Atwood, the richest rancher in Hudspeth County, is trying to push her around. When her son guns down one of Atwood’s goons, they’ll need Smoke Jensen’s help to wage war against more than two dozen of Atwood's blood-hungry killers. Drunk with power and afraid of no man, Silas Atwood believes Smoke can be stopped with brute force alone. Problem is, Silas Atwood has never heard the legend of the Mountain Man . . .

Venom of the Mountain Man
When Smoke Jensen sees a gang of outlaws holding up a stagecoach, his gunfighter instincts take over and he storms in with guns blazing. He kills one of the gunmen, the rest scatter like rats. But the dead man is the brother of the notorious outlaw Gabe Briggs, who takes revenge by kidnapping Smoke’s wife, Sally. When Smoke gets word of her kidnapping, he boards the first train east where she is reportedly being held. But Briggs’s kill-crazy henchmen are along for the ride. Unless Smoke can punch their ticket to hell first, they’ll blow this train sky high . . . making Smoke a widower.

649 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 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

[Michael A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Net Galley book, a western to be released next month. William Johnstone is a prolific writer of cowboy stories with hundreds of published pieces. This book contains two stories featuring one of his most notable characters, Smoke Jensen, a true upstanding hero, with an extremely fast draw. The storylines are well done and the good guys always win.

[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.

[Robert W. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke, man of many talents

Always impressed by Smokers demeanor to situations that seem out of control. His strength in family is impressive as well.
He puts people at ease in just his presence. He gets out of trouble almost as quickly as he gets into it though most times not if his making.

[Judith Courtwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare for an author

To be able to introduce such a large cast of character and make each of them memorable and interesting. In addition, action is o curring in several CO towns and in N.Y., N.Y.
I'm amazed and love the book. Great story and action. And I loved that instead of one hero, there were several characters given that status.

[Jodeane D. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Three Smoke Jensen books in one!! I never thought I'd see another Smoke Jensen book again. Truly a fantastic read! I hope that there are more to come. There are funny parts and sad parts. Then there are on the edge of you're seat parts, which are normal for a Smoke Jensen book. Love it!!

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one, both books come with the Smoke Jensen character. First, one has Smoke helping a woman who owns a bar, and her son is being set up for murder. This was a very good book. The second story has a robber who decides to kidnap Sally on her way back East. This one I found to be exciting and a wonderful story with excellent characters.

[Margean S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I was extremely disappointed that this was a reissue of 2 previous books. I thought it was a new book. I will definitely read more closely in the future before I purchase a book. Looking forward to whenever a new smoke Jenson book comes out.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't J A Johnstone stand on his own feet

It appears that J A has to have his fathers name on a book to get it accepted by readers. William it's nice to help your son but it's not fair to us reader who find his stories not up to pare with yours.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by the Johnstones

Couldn’t stop reading another great Johnston book. Everyone that starts reading any book by the Johnstone brothers will want to read the next one and the next one etc

[Linda Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

LG

The Johnstones are first rate authors. The way they pulled everyone together to protect their town, Etholen, Texas, from Mr. Atwood was great writing. it shows how a few law abiding citizens who stick together can overcome lawlessness.

[Kathleen Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Reunion

Been awhile since I’ve read a Johnstone novel. These were two nice stories with lots of action and unexpected twists. Thanks for a good weekend read.

[Francie Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

Edge of my seat. I could not put this book down. Excellent read. Strong story line and characters…. A wonderful train ride..

[William C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnstone western

A very good read. Three excellent stories . It was a great read to between catching fish while fishing in Alaska where there was no tv.

[kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little on the silly side.

[Marc Van Pelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

great job

Great book. Thanks- smoke Jensen books are very good. Highly recommend to all who read westerns. Enjoy this book today.

[Claude Lindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read this time

The Johnstone’s have done better. First story was not their best work. Poor reading. Second story was a little better.

[David Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gun blazing western adventure!

Th,e Johnston's have done it again! A master guide after western suitable for any fan of the genre. Well done sirs, well done.