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The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang #1
The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang
In this explosive new series from the bestselling Johnstones, a once-notorious gang of retired bank robbers reunite for one last ride—and one last shot at glory . . .
Clay Carson thought his outlaw days were behind him. Years ago, he rode with the fearsome Dirty Creek Gang—and robbed half the banks in Texas. But then a fatally bungled heist in Fort Worth brought it all crashing down. The gang broke up, went their separate ways, and that was the end of that. But today the past came calling for Carson in the form of a telegram. It’s from Lemuel Jones—his old gang leader—who asks him to do something reckless, stupid, and downright round up the old gang for one last ride.
Jones says he hid away the gang’s biggest payday from their boldest bank job, and he just needs Carson and the gang to help him get it. Carson assumed his old boss gambled it away—and has doubts about his old gang members, too. All but one of them has gone straight, with respectable jobs like store clerk, ranch hand, and even banker. The only outlaw left has been captured and sentenced to hang. Which means the crew would have to bust him out of jail and ride off with a posse on their tail. It’s crazy, all right. But the Dirty Creek Gang is just crazy enough to give it a shot—even it’s their last . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE LAST HEIST.
Clay Carson thought his outlaw days were behind him. Years ago, he rode with the fearsome Dirty Creek Gang—and robbed half the banks in Texas. But then a fatally bungled heist in Fort Worth brought it all crashing down. The gang broke up, went their separate ways, and that was the end of that. But today the past came calling for Carson in the form of a telegram. It’s from Lemuel Jones—his old gang leader—who asks him to do something reckless, stupid, and downright round up the old gang for one last ride.
Jones says he hid away the gang’s biggest payday from their boldest bank job, and he just needs Carson and the gang to help him get it. Carson assumed his old boss gambled it away—and has doubts about his old gang members, too. All but one of them has gone straight, with respectable jobs like store clerk, ranch hand, and even banker. The only outlaw left has been captured and sentenced to hang. Which means the crew would have to bust him out of jail and ride off with a posse on their tail. It’s crazy, all right. But the Dirty Creek Gang is just crazy enough to give it a shot—even it’s their last . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE LAST HEIST.
321 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,055 books1,425 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this explosive new series from the bestselling Johnstones, a once-notorious gang of retired bank robbers reunite for one last ride—and one last shot at glory . . .
Clay Carson thought his outlaw days were behind him. Years ago, he rode with the fearsome Dirty Creek Gang—and robbed half the banks in Texas. But then a fatally bungled heist in Fort Worth brought it all crashing down. The gang broke up, went their separate ways, and that was the end of that. But today the past came calling for Carson in the form of a telegram. It’s from Lemuel Jones—his old gang leader—who asks him to do something reckless, stupid, and downright crazy: round up the old gang for one last ride.
Jones says he hid away the gang’s biggest payday from their boldest bank job, and he just needs Carson and the gang to help him get it. Carson assumed his old boss gambled it away—and has doubts about his old gang members, too. All but one of them has gone straight, with respectable jobs like store clerk, ranch hand, and even banker. The only outlaw left has been captured and sentenced to hang. Which means the crew would have to bust him out of jail and ride off with a posse on their tail. It’s crazy, all right. But the Dirty Creek Gang is just crazy enough to give it a shot—even it’s their last . . .
An old crew is pulled back together by their dying leader for one last mission: recover the cash from their biggest bank job. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan.
The book is well‑written and packed with action, but it just didn’t hook me the way I hoped. I found my attention drifting, and I struggled to stay fully engaged. That said, every reader connects differently with a story, so others may enjoy it far more than I did.
Give it a try and decide for yourselves.
Thank you to Kensington and Net Galley for providing an ARC.
Clay Carson thought his outlaw days were behind him. Years ago, he rode with the fearsome Dirty Creek Gang—and robbed half the banks in Texas. But then a fatally bungled heist in Fort Worth brought it all crashing down. The gang broke up, went their separate ways, and that was the end of that. But today the past came calling for Carson in the form of a telegram. It’s from Lemuel Jones—his old gang leader—who asks him to do something reckless, stupid, and downright crazy: round up the old gang for one last ride.
Jones says he hid away the gang’s biggest payday from their boldest bank job, and he just needs Carson and the gang to help him get it. Carson assumed his old boss gambled it away—and has doubts about his old gang members, too. All but one of them has gone straight, with respectable jobs like store clerk, ranch hand, and even banker. The only outlaw left has been captured and sentenced to hang. Which means the crew would have to bust him out of jail and ride off with a posse on their tail. It’s crazy, all right. But the Dirty Creek Gang is just crazy enough to give it a shot—even it’s their last . . .
An old crew is pulled back together by their dying leader for one last mission: recover the cash from their biggest bank job. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan.
The book is well‑written and packed with action, but it just didn’t hook me the way I hoped. I found my attention drifting, and I struggled to stay fully engaged. That said, every reader connects differently with a story, so others may enjoy it far more than I did.
Give it a try and decide for yourselves.
Thank you to Kensington and Net Galley for providing an ARC.
April 20, 2026
I do not usually read Western books, but I was intrigued by the title for this one and have been wanting to give them a try. I was very pleased to pick this one up. It was really good and easy to get through, the sort of book you would read when you just want something enjoyable but not complicated.
The characters were interesting, and their interactions and motivations were well fleshed out, making the story fascinating until the end. I don't want to give too much away, but there were twists in the characters' motivations and actions right up until the end. The story was a very simple premise: a gang of outlaws reunites to get the loot from their last holdup. The gang hasn’t seen each other for a while and has split up, becoming different people from when they knew each other. Is there any loot left? Is the loot a manipulation by the leader to get the team together for his own purposes? A simple premise which becomes complicated by bounty hunters, sheriffs, and the passage of time.
The narrator was absolutely perfect; he had one of those gravelly voices that the sheriff or the grizzled old timer always has in the old Western movies. It was an absolute joy to listen to him read this book, and I would love to listen to more from him. It felt like I was sitting on a porch listening to the story from one of the guys who lived it while he slowly smoked and drank whiskey. Absolutely perfect.
If you are after an easy-to-read but enjoyable story, regardless of it being a Western or not, I would recommend this. You do not have to be a person who loves Westerns to get into this book and enjoy it.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. I reviewed the audiobook narrated by J. Rodney Turner.
The characters were interesting, and their interactions and motivations were well fleshed out, making the story fascinating until the end. I don't want to give too much away, but there were twists in the characters' motivations and actions right up until the end. The story was a very simple premise: a gang of outlaws reunites to get the loot from their last holdup. The gang hasn’t seen each other for a while and has split up, becoming different people from when they knew each other. Is there any loot left? Is the loot a manipulation by the leader to get the team together for his own purposes? A simple premise which becomes complicated by bounty hunters, sheriffs, and the passage of time.
The narrator was absolutely perfect; he had one of those gravelly voices that the sheriff or the grizzled old timer always has in the old Western movies. It was an absolute joy to listen to him read this book, and I would love to listen to more from him. It felt like I was sitting on a porch listening to the story from one of the guys who lived it while he slowly smoked and drank whiskey. Absolutely perfect.
If you are after an easy-to-read but enjoyable story, regardless of it being a Western or not, I would recommend this. You do not have to be a person who loves Westerns to get into this book and enjoy it.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. I reviewed the audiobook narrated by J. Rodney Turner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A new western by the Johnstones is a reason to treat myself to a binge-reading day. William W Johnstone and J A Johnstone are prolific writers of some of the best westerns currently being released. Their characters include frontiersmen, cowboys, sharpshooters, saloon owners, reformed outlaws, and generations of families that settled the West. The stories span several generations. Characters from one series have been known to make appearances in another series. The territories they live and work in are authentically detailed. You can smell the dust, horses, cattle, and more. The tools they use are authentic to the eras. These books are the closest to actual history as you can find in popular fiction.
The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang introduces a new series with a diverse group of characters; each individual adds another interesting element to the story. This is true of all of the Johnstone westerns I've read. The plotline introduces us to Clay Carson, a former member of the Dirty Creek bank robbers. The Gang broke up and scattered across the West after a bank robbery went wrong. Most of them have settled down into lawful citizens, keeping their heads down and their noses clean. When Lemeul Jones, the gang's leader, contacts them, he wants to get the gang back together to retrieve the money from that last robbery. Just digging up the goods should be easy and not dangerous; no one will be looking for them. But Johnstone books wouldn't be so entertaining if everything went the way it's planned, and the gang soon finds themselves in the middle of a shootout, running from the law again. I loved this new series starter. Let's hope it lasts as long as the other series.
The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang introduces a new series with a diverse group of characters; each individual adds another interesting element to the story. This is true of all of the Johnstone westerns I've read. The plotline introduces us to Clay Carson, a former member of the Dirty Creek bank robbers. The Gang broke up and scattered across the West after a bank robbery went wrong. Most of them have settled down into lawful citizens, keeping their heads down and their noses clean. When Lemeul Jones, the gang's leader, contacts them, he wants to get the gang back together to retrieve the money from that last robbery. Just digging up the goods should be easy and not dangerous; no one will be looking for them. But Johnstone books wouldn't be so entertaining if everything went the way it's planned, and the gang soon finds themselves in the middle of a shootout, running from the law again. I loved this new series starter. Let's hope it lasts as long as the other series.
February 25, 2026
It's been a year, and now the leader of the Dirty Creek Gang, as sick as he is, wants to get the gang back together one more time. There's a fortune in gold, or is there? Comraderie seems to be in short supply when it is needed most.
This is a well written, gritty western with a plot that will keep you guessing.
Can't say enough nice things about the narrator, I love it when you hear a different voice for each character.
TheLastRideoftheDirtyCreekGang #NetGalley
This is a well written, gritty western with a plot that will keep you guessing.
Can't say enough nice things about the narrator, I love it when you hear a different voice for each character.
TheLastRideoftheDirtyCreekGang #NetGalley
February 1, 2026
After a bank robbery gone bad, the members of the Dirty Creek Gang scatter. A year later, Clay Carson is working as a cook on a cotton farm when he receives an offer: get the gang back together and find the stolen gold.
It’s a decent western from Johnstone, full of twists and turns and double crosses, but also a surprising amount of heart.
It’s a decent western from Johnstone, full of twists and turns and double crosses, but also a surprising amount of heart.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a good western when I get in the mood, and this one did not disappoint!! I got the classic cowboys & robbers vibe that I was looking for. A hunt for treasure, dodging the posse and the law men. Great read!!
This was also my first time listening to a western on audio. I really enjoyed this. The audio narration was terrific!
This was also my first time listening to a western on audio. I really enjoyed this. The audio narration was terrific!
March 8, 2026
This is a really good western. Lots of action and betrayal. There are bounty hunters, posses and plenty of killing. Bank and stagecoach robberies and plenty of horseback riding. There is not any foul language. If you are looking for a good clean western, then you need to read this book.
March 21, 2026
While not usually my “cup of tea”, I found that once I got into the storytelling it was very compelling. Near the end, I hated to put it down. Anyone looking for a Western, I’d feel comfortable suggesting to give this a try.
March 12, 2026
A fast-paced and well-written Western with plenty of action, an engaging plot, and memorable characters. Definitely recommended for Western fans. I won this book through goodreads.
May 9, 2026
a NICE FAST pace WESTERN full of twist and turns
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kind of a traveling tale out to seek what one , or all, want.
The book starts and meanders getting an old gang together in search of something. As the book rides on, the intent of all and those who may also be around with interest gets entangled in all sorts of troubles.
Troubles are not just for those in and out of the gang. This ghost writer seems to get tangled in it all also. There's a bit of repetition and some troubles seem to be padding the book, a recent larger problem of Johnstone books.
Still, the book has a satisfying ending and worth reading.
This is being tagged as all new Johnstone books as part of a "new series", then no other book appears or there are 2 or 3 and the "series" is gone. I still inplore that the Johnstone Clan bring back earlier series that were stronger with characters and story.
Bottom line: I recommend this book.
This book was made available for early review by NetGalley.com.
The book starts and meanders getting an old gang together in search of something. As the book rides on, the intent of all and those who may also be around with interest gets entangled in all sorts of troubles.
Troubles are not just for those in and out of the gang. This ghost writer seems to get tangled in it all also. There's a bit of repetition and some troubles seem to be padding the book, a recent larger problem of Johnstone books.
Still, the book has a satisfying ending and worth reading.
This is being tagged as all new Johnstone books as part of a "new series", then no other book appears or there are 2 or 3 and the "series" is gone. I still inplore that the Johnstone Clan bring back earlier series that were stronger with characters and story.
Bottom line: I recommend this book.
This book was made available for early review by NetGalley.com.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews