Shoot or Cut Bait

Catfish Charlie #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

The star of the instant New York Times bestseller, Catfish Charlie, is back! Out of retirement—and into the crossfire—the former Texas Ranger heads into outlaw territory to find a lost stagecoach, a missing deputy, and a desert full of killers . . .

When he’s not at the local pond trying to catch an uncatchable catfish named Bubba, “Catfish” Charlie Tuttle can usually be found at the Lone Star Outpost with his old pal Deputy Brazos and the post’s lovely owner Julia Claire. Catfish has a sweet spot for Julia, so he’s more than a little worried when she announces she’s taking a stagecoach to Tombstone, Arizona. The stage runs through hostile territory, including a treacherous valley crawling with outlaws. Sure enough, Julia’s stagecoach never makes it to Tombstone . . .

Even though Arizona is outside his jurisdiction, Catfish saddles up with Brazos and heads into outlaw country to find Julia. It’s not long before they run into a gang of renegade soldiers led by a lunatic, Major Boneyard. Turns out Boneyard hid an arsenal of weapons on Julia’s stagecoach, which he plans to sell to the Apache for gold. When their plan’s revealed, the soldiers take Brazos hostage—leaving Catfish alone, outnumbered, and outgunned. Of course, that won’t stop Catfish from trying to rescue his friends. Even if it leads him across the Mexican border—and into a full-blown war with the legendary El Serpiente, a poison-mean revolutionario who has a coiled serpent tattooed under his left eye . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

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

[Gerald Matzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Western yarn is the latest in the line of stories inspired by William Johnstone. After his death, his family continued his legacy by utilizing outlines and unfinished manuscripts. This is part of a series about Catfish Charlie Tuttle, an aging lawman, and his deputy Brazos McQueen. After putting an end to an outlaw gang known as The Deadly Trinity in a barroom shutout, Catfish and Brazos realize that they will have to face many others who want to put down the guys who took care of the Deadly Trinity. That leads to many other adventures and confrontations with gunslingers They finally find themselves south of the border chasing down a gang that was smuggling rifles to revolutionaries by hijacking a stagecoach and its passengers. The outcomes of these confrontations are predictable but the telling of the stories is exciting.

[Allison Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thanks to Goodreads, the author, and publisher, for my free print copy. This may be the first western I've read in my life. Good, exciting story. Found myself happy as they took out the bad guys. Catfish was a cool character. I'll keep an eye out for more J.A. Johnstone books:-) I know William is listed first, but since he's passed away I'm giving credit to his niece, carrying on the tradition. 4 stars+

[C.M. Stenquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't pass on this Catfish Charlie reboot. Great

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*well-written, easy to read
*strong character development
*kept my interest from cover to cover
*highly recommend

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of these fun addictive westerns done. Catfish Charlie and Brazos McQueen's latest adventure is packed with owlhoots, outlaws, and roaring good times.

[Jenifer Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out slow till about Chapter 12 then became increasingly interesting!!