Like Jensen, the two Mexican gunfighters known as Carbone and Martine had put away their six-guns, married and turned to ranching down in Durango. Then they came up against an army of outlaws under a warlord who called himself Carvajal. That was when they called on Smoke Jensen.
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.
This story was part Predator, part Magnificent 7, part Annie, and part Return of the Jedi between the booby traps, the training of the villagers and their sons being lookouts, the natural camoflauging, and of course Orphan Boby Harris. It was nice to see Billy mentioned again and the return of Jeff York. I always love it when Johnstone revisits some older side characters. Just another day in the Wild World of the Johnstone Mythos.
Excellent story. Smoke Jensen and his two Mexican gunfighter friends have given up that kind of life to marry and go into ranching. However, when Carbone and Martine have major problems with the outlaw Carvajal, Smoke leaves his ranch and goes south to help his friends. I particularly like the bit of interaction with 10 year old Bobby. Smoke is a really good guy.
Depending what book you read, Smokes eyes are either brown or grey. I believe O has be set brown mord BB often th SD n not and that is how I picture him on !y !one. I thoroughly y enjoyed this Smoke Jensen story and was happy yo Ser the return of Ranger storm, Martine and a carbon r.
Loved the parts about the orphaned boy but felt most of the book was a bit too graphic and violent for my taste. Expected in a western of course, still a bit overkill. (Pun intended.)
After a few lackluster entries prior to #12 in the series, this entry takes off re-exploring the life of Smoke Jensen. The story flips from Smoke out to help old pals against the bad guys to his wife's life at his home/ranch.
I love how Smoke's ride to the rescue if derailed many times and one of those derailments is connected directly to his home and wife. The first two thirds of the book is terrific in depicting all of this. The last third is the pretty standard Johnstone battle against the bad guys.
The characters are, as always, well defined by Johnstone. In this case, the bad guys are not as well focused. The settings throughout are also a bit looser, but I don't think that affects the tale much.
This volume is one of the best in the series. Someone could start with this book in the series, but, I think, back knowledge of what came before gains appreciation of this book.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.
Over the past four months I have been reading the Mountain Man series by William W. Johnstone. They are a throwback to the old west and come complete with rugged turrain, outlaws, Indians, and heroes. I enjoyed these books for the simple reason that I feel transported back to a simpler time when right was right, wrong was wrong, and there wasn't nearly so much gray. The reader gets to learn alot about what it was like for the men and women who broke open the territory but especially we get to cheer on an old fashioned hero or two. You will enjoy this trip back to the mid 1800's and you'll willingly cheer for the good guys who are interesting and funny characters, and hate the villains. Enjoy!
Very good western series. The story of Smoke Jensen, trained by the last of the mountain men as a boy. If you like men's adventure and westerns then you will enjoy the series. Recommended