Showdown

The Last Gunfighter #5

by William W. Johnstone

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
 
New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone continues his masterful western storytelling tradition with The Last Gunfighter—a boldly authentic series of the American West . . .
 
Showdown
 
Frank Morgan has drifted down to Idaho after a wild range war in Montana, and his fame as a gunfighter is traveling fast and far ahead of him. With his face on the covers of newspapers and dozens of dime novels, he’s got nowhere left to hide. Because gunning down a legend like Frank has become more than an obsession to some men—it’s a high stakes sport. Now, bankrolled by rich and powerful men from the East, a dozen highly-skilled killers have finally gotten what they wanted: the elusive Frank Morgan in their sights. But Morgan is deadliest when he’s cornered—and he’ll be damned if he dies for any man’s greed.

Genres: Westerns

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2002

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

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Some bored city slickers have set up the most dangerous game, with Frank as the prey and over three dozen murderous gunfighters as the hunters.

Much like your favorite bag of candy, this series is quick, easy, fun, and you know exactly what you are getting with it. With hundreds of books on my "to read" pile, its nice to be able to turn to something that I know will entertain without wasting my time, even if it offers no real surprises and doesn't stray too far from its formula.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Last Gunfighter' series is appearing to be the better of the many Johnstone Clan series. This one one starts badly and then continues into a fun tale.

It's a tired tale, even among the hundreds of Johnstone Clan books. The book tumbles into the premise with a whole series of outsiders suddenly finding the famous Frank Morgan. How this happens is not really explained except for some mention of detectives. Considering the book states Morgan happened to the town, that was quick work by detectives and travel from the northeast to Arizona.

All goes awry as the outsiders plans go out-of-control as bad guys will be bad guys. Seems a stretch the outsiders - not a one - expected even the potentiality. All leads to the fun of Frank Morgan cleaning out the mess. That is the fun and worth of the book.

Writing is standard Johnstone clan. Many characters are duplicates of so many before. Dialogue standard. Great characters.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is on par with most of the others in this series—not outstanding, not original, but solid and entertaining. I really like the main character, Frank Morgan, and I usually find myself just loving the settings and wanting to be in them, whether that’s a mountain wilderness or, as is the case in this book and many others in this series, a small Western town. Boardwalks, liveries, saloons, cafés, gunslicks draggin’ iron, shootouts, fryin’ bacon over a campfire, sleeping under the stars ... I love that stuff.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank is drifting again ... when he makes a stop in South Raven. He just arrives in town when a couple of crazy cousins try their luck with him. Then a group of dandy easterners arrive with their wives and set up a "hunt" whereby a reward is offered for the killing of Frank. When the easterners back out of that deal, the mob of gunmen kidnap the men and women of the town for ransom from another source and Frank has to rescue them. A bit of a different plot but still very entertaining.

[Bill Shupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel (Showdown) The last gunfighter. Frank Morgan continues his journey as a drifter and a former gunfighter. His reputation is well known in each western town he rides into. There are plenty of "wannbe gunfighters" who challenge him but don't succeed. "Don't mess with Frank Morgan".

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like books were the bad guys get shut down, rather permanently. I prefer to read books about bad guys who have a change of heart and stop being bad guys. However, I like seeing good people triumph over bad guys in almost any way necessary. This book satisfies that requirement.

[Terry L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Frank Morgan Adventure

I have really enjoy the Frank Morgan novels. You follow the life of a gunfighter, yet a good man, on his adventures of drifting through the old west.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

Another great western by the master story teller. Can not find a better writer anyplace. I have most of his books.

[E. Franmklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ActionAble and more

Excellent plot. Keeps moving. Lot's of action. Highly recommended. Johnstone has the reader clamoring for more throughout this action packed tale.

[Eric Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot in this one. You really get a sympathetic feeling for Frank Morgan by the end of this book.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-47. How frustrating to attempt to change your life but people wont let you without adverse affects. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a stinker of a book William Johnstone's Last Gunfighter series has really been picking up. I enjoy seeing the depth of Frank Morgan coming out in the book instead of relying on a cookie cutter profile of a western gunslinger. my wife and me even had a few laughs with some of the antics in this book. Though it's not my favorite of the series, it has slowly become one of my favorite William Johnstone series.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading novels by this author and I enjoyed reading this novel. I recommend this book to everyone.