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A Town Called Fury #1
A Town Called Fury
The last thing Jason Fury wants is to lead this wagon train west to California. He just wants to head back east, where he has a real shot at a better life. But halfway across Oklahoma the wagon train is attacked by bloodthirsty Comanche, and Jedediah Fury -- the leader of the settlers and Jason's father -- is counted among the dead. Before he knows it, Jason's leading the wagons into Arizona Territory, where the squabbling settlers decide to stop for good and start a town they'll name Fury in honor of Jedediah. It is going to be a hardscrabble life, what with the ruthless Apaches always on the attack and the harsh country they've chosen. Jason knows he can't just leave these defenseless pioneers to be slaughtered - among them a certain young lady he's taken a real shine to...
252 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2006
110 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,052 books1,396 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 25, 2019
I seldom read Westerns but picked this up for a change of pace. I am glad I did I enjoyed it.
The book is an omnibus edition of two books A Town Called Fury and Hard Country.
When Jedidah Fury is killed in an Indian attack; his son, Jason must take over the task of leading the large wagon train across the plains. A tough job for a young man in his twenties. Fast, easy reading; good characterization; average dialogue and a familiar plot. I only gave three stars because it was pretty predictable.
But if you have not read alot of westerns or historical fiction, this would be a good place to start. Probably not for under age 16 due to some violence.
Recommended for fans of Westerns and action novels.
The book is an omnibus edition of two books A Town Called Fury and Hard Country.
When Jedidah Fury is killed in an Indian attack; his son, Jason must take over the task of leading the large wagon train across the plains. A tough job for a young man in his twenties. Fast, easy reading; good characterization; average dialogue and a familiar plot. I only gave three stars because it was pretty predictable.
But if you have not read alot of westerns or historical fiction, this would be a good place to start. Probably not for under age 16 due to some violence.
Recommended for fans of Westerns and action novels.
October 11, 2017
A Town Called Fury, is an omnibus that contains the first and second book in the Fury series, which was out of print, hard to find used and Kensington Publishing brought it back in print.
It's about the Fury family, Jedediah, his son Jason and daughter Jenny. Jedediah is a Western legend, he led many wagon trains through the West, he gets act to take a train to California, ultimately gets killed by Comanche's and his son Jason takes over being the trail boss.
The wagon train decided to stop in Arizona, they call the town Fury and Jason ends up being the town's Marshall. Both books are really entertaining, well written, and believe that both were completed by William W. Johnstone prior to his death.
You'll have to read the actually book, to get the whole store and you'll be glad you did.
Probably the most frustrating thing with his estate and Kensington Publishing who have continued on writing new books and adding J.A. Johnstone to them and it's hit or miss. They just keep churning out new series, several of them plainly sucked, a few were so bad that they quit them, the even more pathetic rewrite of the Smoke Jensen story and thankful Chuckie's made it as close to William's writing as you'll ever get.
Meanwhile, way too many of his older books are sadly out of print or available only used and much of the early Smoke Jensen or Preacher series good luck if you can find them used, his Ashes series and other non-western books suffer the same fate. Sure some of them are available in ebook, but if you have some of his stuff in book, you'll want the series in book.
So why the fuck can't they just do more of this, start from book one of his series, just re-rellease them, keep them in print, let his fans collect what they need, introduce a whole new generation to William W. Johnstone writing and minus the J.A. Johnstone tag.
It's about the Fury family, Jedediah, his son Jason and daughter Jenny. Jedediah is a Western legend, he led many wagon trains through the West, he gets act to take a train to California, ultimately gets killed by Comanche's and his son Jason takes over being the trail boss.
The wagon train decided to stop in Arizona, they call the town Fury and Jason ends up being the town's Marshall. Both books are really entertaining, well written, and believe that both were completed by William W. Johnstone prior to his death.
You'll have to read the actually book, to get the whole store and you'll be glad you did.
Probably the most frustrating thing with his estate and Kensington Publishing who have continued on writing new books and adding J.A. Johnstone to them and it's hit or miss. They just keep churning out new series, several of them plainly sucked, a few were so bad that they quit them, the even more pathetic rewrite of the Smoke Jensen story and thankful Chuckie's made it as close to William's writing as you'll ever get.
Meanwhile, way too many of his older books are sadly out of print or available only used and much of the early Smoke Jensen or Preacher series good luck if you can find them used, his Ashes series and other non-western books suffer the same fate. Sure some of them are available in ebook, but if you have some of his stuff in book, you'll want the series in book.
So why the fuck can't they just do more of this, start from book one of his series, just re-rellease them, keep them in print, let his fans collect what they need, introduce a whole new generation to William W. Johnstone writing and minus the J.A. Johnstone tag.
July 26, 2021
Trying to find a book that scratches the Lonesome Dove Itch, I was gifted this book. Not to judge a book by it's cover, I took one look at it and I knew everything I needed to know about this book, and I wasn't wrong by much.
The characters were bland. Jason seemed to be *this* far away from being a self-insert; talented, handsome, strong, gets the girl, does everything right natural born leader. Matt (i think thats his name) was the classic bullheaded, cowardly, villain; seeming to not have a good trait if his life depended on it. After being treated to Lories and Claras and Maggies, it was disappointing to see Megan and Jason's sister be nothing much more than ladies to be fawned over and kidnapped. To be fair, I was surprised at the diverse cast of background characters, they were the real highlight of the book for me. That, and the Jane Austen reference. (She's a favorite of mine and it warms my heart when I find references to her and her work in places I don't expect to)
In my copy of the book, it also included Hard Country. After finishing that book as well, I have no desire to continue this series. It seems the main cast of characters are poor re-makes of established legends like Gus and Call and Rooster Cogburn.
The characters were bland. Jason seemed to be *this* far away from being a self-insert; talented, handsome, strong, gets the girl, does everything right natural born leader. Matt (i think thats his name) was the classic bullheaded, cowardly, villain; seeming to not have a good trait if his life depended on it. After being treated to Lories and Claras and Maggies, it was disappointing to see Megan and Jason's sister be nothing much more than ladies to be fawned over and kidnapped. To be fair, I was surprised at the diverse cast of background characters, they were the real highlight of the book for me. That, and the Jane Austen reference. (She's a favorite of mine and it warms my heart when I find references to her and her work in places I don't expect to)
In my copy of the book, it also included Hard Country. After finishing that book as well, I have no desire to continue this series. It seems the main cast of characters are poor re-makes of established legends like Gus and Call and Rooster Cogburn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I've read 2 Johnstone books so far and I enjoy the stories but one thing I don't like is the amount of major plot points that have been given away on the back of the books. I suggest avoiding ever reading the backs as the books would be more enjoyable. I liked the development of the characters in a pretty short book.
January 23, 2021
Very good story for the first of a four book set. Wagon train journey to Arizona is plagued with plenty of problems be it Indians, weather, river crossings or simple bad company.
Many start the journey but many don’t make it to the final page of the book. Love blossoms as well.
All and all a pleasant read.
Many start the journey but many don’t make it to the final page of the book. Love blossoms as well.
All and all a pleasant read.
October 3, 2023
On chapter 27 of 31, everyone on a long trek from the Midwest to CA randomly decides 'this spot looks decent and we haven't been attacked by Indians, let's make a town here' and they do. A rather odd little book, essentially setting up the series, I guess, acting more like a TV pilot than a novel. Still, I dug it. Curious to see what the rest of the series is like.
July 20, 2019
Pure Western Entertainment!!!
Once again William W. Johnstone delivers the best in the genre of western/action/adventure. Fans of the authors work should be totally pleased with this addition to the collection of western stories.
Once again William W. Johnstone delivers the best in the genre of western/action/adventure. Fans of the authors work should be totally pleased with this addition to the collection of western stories.
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February 13, 2021Grade A nostalgic old west novel. An easy and fun read that one can almost read in a single setting! All AAAAA+++++++++
I need twenty more words to make this able for submission. If I do this then I've given away the story.
I need twenty more words to make this able for submission. If I do this then I've given away the story.
September 28, 2017
A good Western. Better than the recent output under Johnstone's name.
December 1, 2017
Thought this book was excellent. Definitely going to get more of his books. Easy to follow.
March 9, 2020
Another really good story.
August 30, 2022
Always fun to find someone with a ton of books!!!
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December 12, 2025Excellent Read
I would recommend this book to anyone. It is action packed and has great characters, in exciting situations. I want to read the next book in the series
I would recommend this book to anyone. It is action packed and has great characters, in exciting situations. I want to read the next book in the series
December 12, 2023
A great series
This series comes to a close with this final chapter and was not the least bit disappointing. The characters were mostly accounted for and the ending was not as expected. The author has become one af my favorites and I look forward to all of his work.
This series comes to a close with this final chapter and was not the least bit disappointing. The characters were mostly accounted for and the ending was not as expected. The author has become one af my favorites and I look forward to all of his work.
February 13, 2020
I enjoyed the two stories in this book. Both are quick reads with action, particularly the 2nd story, “Hard Country.” The authors’ knowledge and research of the west in the 19th Century are evident in both stories, especially in the ths first story,”A Town Called Fury,” which is for the most part a story of a wagon train. The trials and tribulations of the wagon train, including the personality clashes, cliques, romantic attractions, & splitting paths, are historically accurate. The characters in this story reminded me of episodes of the old tv program, “Wagon Train.”
The second story, continuing the saga is standard westernfare with typical characters: The know-it-all who takes affront at everything said or done by the hero; the hero who is steadfast & who stands for justice and good; the rancher who claims the range is his and doesn’t accept intrusions by emigrants; gunfighters who are quick on the draw; villains who are so bad you are thrilled when they meet their ends; etc. The characters are reminiscent of the tv show, “Gunsmoke.” The authors know how to use the characters to work the reader’s emotions and build suspense. When the action comes, it comes fast and steady. One aspect of the story I was disappointed in was the introduction of Will Dixon, the daughter to the rancher Ezra Dixon, who seemed to be someone who’d add competition in the marshal’s love life. She’s introduced and then not much more.
The second story, continuing the saga is standard westernfare with typical characters: The know-it-all who takes affront at everything said or done by the hero; the hero who is steadfast & who stands for justice and good; the rancher who claims the range is his and doesn’t accept intrusions by emigrants; gunfighters who are quick on the draw; villains who are so bad you are thrilled when they meet their ends; etc. The characters are reminiscent of the tv show, “Gunsmoke.” The authors know how to use the characters to work the reader’s emotions and build suspense. When the action comes, it comes fast and steady. One aspect of the story I was disappointed in was the introduction of Will Dixon, the daughter to the rancher Ezra Dixon, who seemed to be someone who’d add competition in the marshal’s love life. She’s introduced and then not much more.
July 18, 2012
First William W Johnston book I've read and I enjoyed the start of this series.
A wagon train heads to California but sets up base in Arizona. Turmoil exists between many of the wagons but in the end level heads prevail.
A wagon train heads to California but sets up base in Arizona. Turmoil exists between many of the wagons but in the end level heads prevail.
July 22, 2012
This was described as a "graphic audio novel" -- lotsof sund effects but poorly written.
July 18, 2014
It was on the bookshelf in Hawaii. A wagon train western. Good for a change of pace.
November 8, 2016
Great book just love this man writing style
October 25, 2017
Great!
I truly enjoyed this fine adventure as it is a captivating and interesting read! It is thrilling from start to finish.
I truly enjoyed this fine adventure as it is a captivating and interesting read! It is thrilling from start to finish.
May 31, 2019
This is a fun and entertaining read. It doesn’t live up to the quality of “Lonesome Dove” but an interesting story with interesting characters. .
December 17, 2019
Reads like a TV soap.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews