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Smoke Jensen #8
Rampage of the Desert Wolf
Set in the early days of the Jensen family saga, this gun blazing adventure follows Smoke Jensen on a mission to deliver horses to the U.S. Army…but a dangerous new adversary, the mysterious Desert Wolf, has a different plan.
It sounds like a sweet deal, almost too good to be true. The U.S. Army needs horses and the Sugarloaf Ranch has got ‘em. The only problem? Getting a herd safely to Fort Craig in New Mexico without losing lives or spilling blood. If anyone can do it, it’s legendary mountain man Smoke Jensen. For backup, he’s bringing his new friend Dean McKinley, a young rancher who helped him stop a robbery in Big Rock. He’s a good man, a hard worker, and together they manage to lead the horses to Socorro without incident. That’s when their luck runs out. . . .
Her name is Virginia Griffin. She’s got a stable full of male admirers and takes a quick shine to McKinley, sparking an all-out brawl with a jealous suitor. But before this powderkeg explodes, Smoke gets word of an Apache ambush at Fort Craig, so he and McKinley head off to help—leaving the horses at the mercy of thieves. By the time they return, the horses are gone—and the race is on. Smoke heads off across the barren badlands in pursuit of the gang, led by a notorious outlaw known as Lobo del the Desert Wolf. To make matters worse, this leader may be connected to a band of Mexican revolutionaries with a deadly plot of their own. Not to mention that vixen Virginia, who may be at the center of it all. . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A SINGLE GUNSHOT.
It sounds like a sweet deal, almost too good to be true. The U.S. Army needs horses and the Sugarloaf Ranch has got ‘em. The only problem? Getting a herd safely to Fort Craig in New Mexico without losing lives or spilling blood. If anyone can do it, it’s legendary mountain man Smoke Jensen. For backup, he’s bringing his new friend Dean McKinley, a young rancher who helped him stop a robbery in Big Rock. He’s a good man, a hard worker, and together they manage to lead the horses to Socorro without incident. That’s when their luck runs out. . . .
Her name is Virginia Griffin. She’s got a stable full of male admirers and takes a quick shine to McKinley, sparking an all-out brawl with a jealous suitor. But before this powderkeg explodes, Smoke gets word of an Apache ambush at Fort Craig, so he and McKinley head off to help—leaving the horses at the mercy of thieves. By the time they return, the horses are gone—and the race is on. Smoke heads off across the barren badlands in pursuit of the gang, led by a notorious outlaw known as Lobo del the Desert Wolf. To make matters worse, this leader may be connected to a band of Mexican revolutionaries with a deadly plot of their own. Not to mention that vixen Virginia, who may be at the center of it all. . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A SINGLE GUNSHOT.
- GenresWesterns
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,066 books1,465 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2026
Rampage of the Desert Wolf is classic Smoke Jensen—horses, outlaws, gunfights, frontier justice, and enough trouble to keep Smoke busy from one end of New Mexico to the other.
What begins as a straightforward job delivering a herd of horses to the U.S. Army quickly turns into something much bigger. After Smoke and his new friend Dean McKinley leave the herd to help during an Apache attack, they return to find the horses stolen. Their pursuit leads straight toward the mysterious Desert Wolf, a dangerous outlaw with connections that reach far beyond ordinary horse thieves.
Between stolen horses, Mexican revolutionaries, Virginia Griffin stirring up trouble, and the Desert Wolf’s plans, Smoke certainly doesn’t get much opportunity to enjoy the scenery!
Plenty of action, good characters, justice, and that rugged Old West atmosphere the Johnstone books do so well.
Giving it 5 Stars 👍
What begins as a straightforward job delivering a herd of horses to the U.S. Army quickly turns into something much bigger. After Smoke and his new friend Dean McKinley leave the herd to help during an Apache attack, they return to find the horses stolen. Their pursuit leads straight toward the mysterious Desert Wolf, a dangerous outlaw with connections that reach far beyond ordinary horse thieves.
Between stolen horses, Mexican revolutionaries, Virginia Griffin stirring up trouble, and the Desert Wolf’s plans, Smoke certainly doesn’t get much opportunity to enjoy the scenery!
Plenty of action, good characters, justice, and that rugged Old West atmosphere the Johnstone books do so well.
Giving it 5 Stars 👍
Review of advance copy
This is an exciting book that pits Smoke Jensen and his new friend, Dean McKinley, against several opponents as they try to drive three hundred horses from Colorado to an Army Fort in New Mexico. It is full of action along with some romance as Dean has a crush on the daughter of the post commander. Nothing in this story is easy and you get a feel for life in the desert Southwest. The descriptions of life on the trail make you feel like you are right there with Smoke and his amigos. There are some surprises along the way to complicate matters and they make the story even more interesting.
September 12, 2026
Rampage of the Desert Wolf
Smoke negotiated a deal with the military to deliver 300 horses. But getting them to the military fort in the desert was a problem. They were attacked by Apache then Mexican outlaws and half the herd of horses were stolen. Smoke with young Dean McKinley went after the outlaws. Lots of fighting and action along with romance of the daughter of the Commanding Officer of the fort to a young outlaw.
Smoke negotiated a deal with the military to deliver 300 horses. But getting them to the military fort in the desert was a problem. They were attacked by Apache then Mexican outlaws and half the herd of horses were stolen. Smoke with young Dean McKinley went after the outlaws. Lots of fighting and action along with romance of the daughter of the Commanding Officer of the fort to a young outlaw.
October 28, 2026
Didn't know when I picked this title up that it would be so enjoyable. I've never read any of Johnstone's "Smoke Jensen" series before. It reads like an old vintage cowboy TV show or movie. Lots of action and yes ma'ams and no ma'ams and plenty of hombres. Plan to try to find the first one and read how it all got started.
September 8, 2026
SMOKE JENSEN AT HIS BEST!!
I think that I have read all the books about Smoke Jensen and he’s definitely one of my favorite cowboys. He never gives up regardless of the odds and that’s what we want in a hero!!
I think that I have read all the books about Smoke Jensen and he’s definitely one of my favorite cowboys. He never gives up regardless of the odds and that’s what we want in a hero!!
September 11, 2026
Dissapointing
What started as a promissing and interesting story/book, became pages and pages of boring figting scenes which did nothing good for the book and I skipped it.
The book could have been 50% shorter and cheaper. Not worth its money to me.
What started as a promissing and interesting story/book, became pages and pages of boring figting scenes which did nothing good for the book and I skipped it.
The book could have been 50% shorter and cheaper. Not worth its money to me.
October 29, 2026
Desert Wolf
Another stellar book in the Smoke Jensen series.
I like the references to Preacher, but I missed the connection between Smoke and his wife as she was absent for a majority of the book.
Overall a great read.
Another stellar book in the Smoke Jensen series.
I like the references to Preacher, but I missed the connection between Smoke and his wife as she was absent for a majority of the book.
Overall a great read.
September 1, 2026
typical smoke jensen western, but love them
September 19, 2026
*well-written, easy to read
*fun and enjoyable
*great character development
*highly recommend
*fun and enjoyable
*great character development
*highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews