What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Mountain Man #44
Brutal Night of the Mountain Man
ON THE RUN FROM THE LAW
Kate Coldane has sweated blood for this saloon, and she won’t let it go down without a fight. Silas Atwood may be the richest rancher in Hudspeth County, but that doesn’t give him the right to push her around. When Atwood sends one of his goons to cause trouble at her watering hole, Kate’s son Rusty guns him down. It may have been self defense, but Atwood is the law, and that means Rusty has to run.
THE LAW’S GOT NOTHING ON JUSTICE
Rusty flees to the home of his uncle, Pearlie, who straps on his six-gun, intending to return to Hudspeth County and clear his nephew’s name. But Smoke Jensen, the mountain man, won’t let his friend ride into certain death. With a handful of brave souls, Smoke storms the town, ready 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 Jensen can be stopped with brute force alone.
Problem is, Silas Atwood doesn’t know Smoke Jensen . . .
Kate Coldane has sweated blood for this saloon, and she won’t let it go down without a fight. Silas Atwood may be the richest rancher in Hudspeth County, but that doesn’t give him the right to push her around. When Atwood sends one of his goons to cause trouble at her watering hole, Kate’s son Rusty guns him down. It may have been self defense, but Atwood is the law, and that means Rusty has to run.
THE LAW’S GOT NOTHING ON JUSTICE
Rusty flees to the home of his uncle, Pearlie, who straps on his six-gun, intending to return to Hudspeth County and clear his nephew’s name. But Smoke Jensen, the mountain man, won’t let his friend ride into certain death. With a handful of brave souls, Smoke storms the town, ready 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 Jensen can be stopped with brute force alone.
Problem is, Silas Atwood doesn’t know Smoke Jensen . . .
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 29, 2016
306 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,041 books1,392 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 14, 2019
Excellent reading
September 5, 2017
Very good read.
July 21, 2017
LET FREEDOM PREVAIL
Tyrannical acting men and women are nothing new to the newly growing United States. Many immigrants left Europe to escape this process of ruling. Smoke Jensen, Sally his wife, Cal and Pearlie are on the "Freedom Road" because of these types of bullying the town of Etholen.
The town's people and surrounding ranchers
were under the tyrant, Silas Atwood owner of the largest ranch in the area and who had town's marshal, town council and a sitting judge in his pocket. He ran the town like his own fiefdom, he could make you or break you. He bought surrounding ranches when they fell behind bank payments...
The crooked judge holds court and sentenced Rusty Abernathy, the son of Katie Abernathy was convicted of murder by a kangaroo style court presided by one of Silas Atwood judges. Rusty conviction was the result of his mother refusing to sell her place of business.
If you have read any adventures that involved Smoke Jensen, it's going to be a rough rider for those who are murdering the towns residents and the outlying ranches. No help until Smoke and his family get involved. Lots of action, attempted murder and whatever Silas Atwood wanted.
Tyrannical acting men and women are nothing new to the newly growing United States. Many immigrants left Europe to escape this process of ruling. Smoke Jensen, Sally his wife, Cal and Pearlie are on the "Freedom Road" because of these types of bullying the town of Etholen.
The town's people and surrounding ranchers
were under the tyrant, Silas Atwood owner of the largest ranch in the area and who had town's marshal, town council and a sitting judge in his pocket. He ran the town like his own fiefdom, he could make you or break you. He bought surrounding ranches when they fell behind bank payments...
The crooked judge holds court and sentenced Rusty Abernathy, the son of Katie Abernathy was convicted of murder by a kangaroo style court presided by one of Silas Atwood judges. Rusty conviction was the result of his mother refusing to sell her place of business.
If you have read any adventures that involved Smoke Jensen, it's going to be a rough rider for those who are murdering the towns residents and the outlying ranches. No help until Smoke and his family get involved. Lots of action, attempted murder and whatever Silas Atwood wanted.
April 19, 2020
The honesty of the Mountain Man
Smoke, I first read this name with. Preacher. I shared that book with a friend, then when I could afford the e books I hunted up the books with Preacher or Smoke. I enjoy Mr Johnstone's western and was so sorry to read of his passing. Yet his books are reissued and I have begun to reread them with the same enjoyment as the first time. This book shows the honesty of Smoke and his wife Sally. I so want to tell what happens but I do not want to spoil your enjoyment of meeting Smoke,Sally, Wes (he has a Nick name too) and Cal. It is a fast pase western with guns a blazing death coming real quick to those who would try there gun hand against one who will 🔫 to kill facing the killers who have been paid to see Smoke his wife and friends dead. No western town after the Civil War could be freed. To many men knew how to stand and deliver justice when there homes were on danger from penny antie would be dictators. Ah read the story use it to cleans the mental pallet between generis
Smoke, I first read this name with. Preacher. I shared that book with a friend, then when I could afford the e books I hunted up the books with Preacher or Smoke. I enjoy Mr Johnstone's western and was so sorry to read of his passing. Yet his books are reissued and I have begun to reread them with the same enjoyment as the first time. This book shows the honesty of Smoke and his wife Sally. I so want to tell what happens but I do not want to spoil your enjoyment of meeting Smoke,Sally, Wes (he has a Nick name too) and Cal. It is a fast pase western with guns a blazing death coming real quick to those who would try there gun hand against one who will 🔫 to kill facing the killers who have been paid to see Smoke his wife and friends dead. No western town after the Civil War could be freed. To many men knew how to stand and deliver justice when there homes were on danger from penny antie would be dictators. Ah read the story use it to cleans the mental pallet between generis
January 5, 2019
Onward
I continue to develop at being forced to write on and on about a fictional book that I read for entertainment so in conclusion. It was pretty good. I only noted one error that really was not worth mentioning, but to get past this nonsense i just add up words. Cal was used instead of Sally.I
Now I just resort to gibberish to get out of this. Rhythm buffet might have c.f. Dec hunny. Gregg. Mymnb hi Jhhn hutch buggy hubbub. Bbvvy hi I'm buffet Blvd ferry. Vftgb. Flynn
Bunning nbb hi I'm buggy buffed dessert bumpkin. Bbbg hi. Buggy
K mmm h bcc njjnnb
I continue to develop at being forced to write on and on about a fictional book that I read for entertainment so in conclusion. It was pretty good. I only noted one error that really was not worth mentioning, but to get past this nonsense i just add up words. Cal was used instead of Sally.I
Now I just resort to gibberish to get out of this. Rhythm buffet might have c.f. Dec hunny. Gregg. Mymnb hi Jhhn hutch buggy hubbub. Bbvvy hi I'm buffet Blvd ferry. Vftgb. Flynn
Bunning nbb hi I'm buggy buffed dessert bumpkin. Bbbg hi. Buggy
K mmm h bcc njjnnb
July 24, 2024
Brutal Night of the Mountain Man
Pearl ie was asked by his nephew who he has never met to help his mom Katie who was in jail because he escaped from jail. Smoke, Sally and Cal with Pearl ie went to save the town from Mr Atwood who was a powerful and rich man. Lots of action since Mr Atwood tried to kill Smoke, then Pearlie, then Sally and Cal. The town had a special election to get rid of the Law Enforcement Tax. And then fought Atwood and his gun fighters to prevent the votes to be counted.
Pearl ie was asked by his nephew who he has never met to help his mom Katie who was in jail because he escaped from jail. Smoke, Sally and Cal with Pearl ie went to save the town from Mr Atwood who was a powerful and rich man. Lots of action since Mr Atwood tried to kill Smoke, then Pearlie, then Sally and Cal. The town had a special election to get rid of the Law Enforcement Tax. And then fought Atwood and his gun fighters to prevent the votes to be counted.
May 5, 2017
Brutal Night of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone is a western. It is well written and keeps your interest. The characters are developed and the story keeps your attention. It is true to the form of Westerns where good always wins against the evil and bad.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.
May 26, 2017
William Johnstone is one of our favorite authors of old westerns. My husband has read many of his books and so have I. When we see one of his books on Bookbub or some other offer, we always purchase it. We recommend this man as a great author.
June 15, 2017
Mostly a Typical OK Western
Although this has all the right elements for a good read, unlike most of Johnstone's novels, this had a bit too much "hokey" typical TV type action. An okay read I'd you have no other.
Although this has all the right elements for a good read, unlike most of Johnstone's novels, this had a bit too much "hokey" typical TV type action. An okay read I'd you have no other.
March 12, 2021
Well written. Much action. Smoke is in rare form as he delivers western justice. At times though the lack of action seems mundane. Overall a good read.
Well written. Lots of action. Smoke is in great form as he delivers western justice. Overall a very good read.
Well written. Lots of action. Smoke is in great form as he delivers western justice. Overall a very good read.
November 10, 2017
You know what your gonna get in this style of writing. It’s a good easy read to blow through before starting something more robust in the plot line.
November 11, 2019
The good people.
Another great story with Smoke Jensen and his good friends. It's great that Sally Jensen had a great sense of the Constitution of the United States.
Another great story with Smoke Jensen and his good friends. It's great that Sally Jensen had a great sense of the Constitution of the United States.
September 10, 2020
Brutal Night of the Mountain Ma
This was another of Johnstones westerns that was so enjoyable to read. I plan on reading all he has written
This was another of Johnstones westerns that was so enjoyable to read. I plan on reading all he has written
January 1, 2021
As always a good read with engaging characters
June 14, 2021
Just unable to finish.
August 4, 2021
If you like one shoot out after another, this book is for you.
January 20, 2025
RUSTY AND DOLLY GET MARRIED, OH MY GOODNESS. Also, can we talk about the war at the end? Why was there a war, and how was any of that legal? I don’t really care though because it was fantastic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2017
Outstanding!
Good wins over evil again & Another great tale is written by the master story teller. Simply can not get too much of a good thing!
Good wins over evil again & Another great tale is written by the master story teller. Simply can not get too much of a good thing!
August 28, 2017
This book has a very good story line and is easy to read. I've read many books by this author and will continue to do so.
December 20, 2016
Ok book
Not the best book for me. This book just didn't catch & wrap me up in the story. Next time.
Not the best book for me. This book just didn't catch & wrap me up in the story. Next time.
February 25, 2019
If you've read any of the other Mountain Man books featuring Smoke Jensen, then you know what to expect. However, this story focused more on Pearlie as the main character and Smoke in a supporting role. As I was reading it, I began to suspect that this might be the point in the Mountain Man saga where Pearlie goes out on his own and leave Smoke and crew to pursue his own adventures, but that wasn't the case. Looks like there are more adventures coming for the Sugarloaf crew, which is a good thing. William Johnstone does a great job keeping the western genre alive and entertaining with colorful characters like Smoke, Pearlie, Cal, and Sally. Already looking forward to where they go next!
September 2, 2017
Predictable but enjoyable as are all of Johnstone's Western tales are. The body counts are high and the women dependable and beautiful. You know the bad guys are going to be on the receiving end of what Smoke, Cal and Pearlie have to dish out. Nice to see "Miz Sally" get in on the action for a change, the perfect companion for Kirby "Smoke" Jensen.
Easily devoured on warm summer days.
Easily devoured on warm summer days.
July 13, 2018
Another story of a greedy rancher running out the smaller guys and taking over their ranches. He also keeps a cadre of gunmen in addition to his regular cowboys. He pretty much runs the town of Etholen. That is, until Smoke and Sally, Pearlie and Cal show up. A pretty thick book for a soft cover but great reading.
January 11, 2017
Another first time author for me. The plot was a lot like a number of Western films but I did have fun reading it. I'd like to go back to read some of the earlier Mountain Man novels to see how the characters developed.
March 18, 2020
Another good book, but a lot of reputation of the same thing for different characters in the last 100 or more pages which got boring at times. Still f you like shoot em up westerns then this is a good one.
November 30, 2016
Wow!
What a great book. I love the books with Smoke and Sally in them. I would love to see some with Cal and Pearlie in them.
What a great book. I love the books with Smoke and Sally in them. I would love to see some with Cal and Pearlie in them.
Read
January 28, 2017vg
July 28, 2019
Enjoy the 44th book of this series. Did like the new character.
June 12, 2025
Just finished Brutal Night #44 , I could not put the book down, this was a great read,, one of my favorites of the series. A great turn of events for Pearlie....
January 7, 2020
An excellent read if you like western novels, dramatizations, and action!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews