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The Last Mountain Man #46
Torture of the Mountain Man
From the bestselling authors of Venom of the Mountain Man, a rugged frontiersman must rescue a small Texas town from an onslaught of bandits. A gunshot wound has robbed Audubon, Texas, of its top lawman at the worst possible time. Clete Lanagan and his band of outlaws have hatched a scheme to plunder the town bank of a small fortune in railroad money. When the acting sheriff, Dalton Conyers—half-brother of Smoke Jensen’s niece Rebecca—is unable to raise a posse to hunt down Lanagan’s gang, he calls on Smoke for help. But with so much cash at stake, Lanagan won’t go down without a fight. With a bounty on his head, Smoke finds himself marked for death by a legendary gunslinger, a wrathful ranch hand bent on revenge for his brother’s death, and an army of trigger-happy recruits with nothing to lose but their lives.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2018
250 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,045 books1,395 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 11, 2018
William Johnstone has a wide collection of Jenkins-family characters in his Wild West universe. They all have their own series, built around the life they chose in the Wild West, be it a mountain main, a sheriff, or a rancher. I love this approach and it’s hard not to read each series because I feel like I know the characters.
In Torture of the Mountain Main, Smoke Jenkins has moved on from being a mountain man in the pristine beauty of the Rocky Mountains to running a ranch with his wife Sally and a few memorable ranch hands (who reappear in many of the series books). He was commissioned by the governor of Colorado as a deputy Marshall so wears that badge when needed, which it is when a relative asks for help running down a violent gang of bank robbers who love murdering people for no reason. The town's sheriff is shot in the most recent robbery and Smoke's nephew asks him to help when he can't raise a posse. Smoke will always help a relative and goes with a couple of his ranch hands.
What the robbers don't know is that Smoke Jenson is reputed to be one of the fastest guns with incredible luck when facing other gunslingers. What happens next is a brilliantly told story of gunfights, criminals and their life on the run, the courage of common people, and how love blooms in the most unlikely of places. What really sets this story apart from so many others is that this drama is wound into the daily life of old west Texas. This, for me, makes for a riveting story and an exciting look at life 150 years ago.
One note: I didn't get the title. I almost didn't read the book because I didn't want to see one of my favorite Western characters tortured, but he wasn't. Hmm... Ooops. Is that a spoiler?
In Torture of the Mountain Main, Smoke Jenkins has moved on from being a mountain man in the pristine beauty of the Rocky Mountains to running a ranch with his wife Sally and a few memorable ranch hands (who reappear in many of the series books). He was commissioned by the governor of Colorado as a deputy Marshall so wears that badge when needed, which it is when a relative asks for help running down a violent gang of bank robbers who love murdering people for no reason. The town's sheriff is shot in the most recent robbery and Smoke's nephew asks him to help when he can't raise a posse. Smoke will always help a relative and goes with a couple of his ranch hands.
What the robbers don't know is that Smoke Jenson is reputed to be one of the fastest guns with incredible luck when facing other gunslingers. What happens next is a brilliantly told story of gunfights, criminals and their life on the run, the courage of common people, and how love blooms in the most unlikely of places. What really sets this story apart from so many others is that this drama is wound into the daily life of old west Texas. This, for me, makes for a riveting story and an exciting look at life 150 years ago.
One note: I didn't get the title. I almost didn't read the book because I didn't want to see one of my favorite Western characters tortured, but he wasn't. Hmm... Ooops. Is that a spoiler?
December 30, 2019
Not the best in the series but ok. It had some new angles that made it enjoyable and like always, it's a western. Not every author can be as good as Louis L'Amour. I have followed Johnstone since forever and will continue but not every series anymore.
October 26, 2018
I thought Torture of the Mountain Man was a great read. I am giving it a well-deserved five plus stars.
August 11, 2020
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5
In Audubon, Texas the sheriff, Andrew Peabody, is out of commission when, while trying to arrest a criminal, a bullet rips through his chest. The local doctor says it doesn't look good - the bullet is too close to the heart and he knows he doesn't have the skill set to remove it safely. But it so happens that Peabody's deputy sheriff, Dalton Conyers, happens to be brother-in-law to one of the most renowned surgeons in the world. He'll wire his sister and ask if her husband can come and help.
There's never a good time to be without the sheriff, but it couldn't be much worse. The railroad company is sending tens of thousands of dollars to the Audubon bank so that they can hire laborers to construct a new line. But a tough gang of criminals are going to try to get that money for themselves. Enter Smoke Jensen, a tall, tough, fast-drawing mountain man who evens the odds just by showing up.
I've generally enjoyed the Johnstone books I've read in the past few years, but this one kind of let me down. Though William W. Johnstone's name is in large print on the cover (he died in 2004) and niece J.A. Johnstone is attributed to carrying on the brand from the elder Johnstone's notes, this book did't have the same 'feel' to it.
In general, I found the author of Torture of the Mountain Man to be talking down to the reader. We couldn't be trusted, it seems, to pick up on hints and clues - things needed to be repeated.
We also have a fair amount of characters asking leading questions, just to get a little information dump.
Although my favorite is still the simple, direct approach: "By the way, captain of what?"
I typically see this kind of writing in self-published or small press publishers, but I don't expect to see it when there's a respected author's name attached to it (even if it is just a brand now).
I don't remember having any issues with this style of authorship with the previous Johnstone books I've read.
The story arc is decent and very direct. There's not much subplot going on here. Bad guys. They want to steal things. Good guys need help and the hero arrives. It was entertaining enough to keep me reading, despite my feeling treated like a novice reader.
Lastly ... I don't understand the title. Torture of the Mountain Man. The "Mountain Man part I get. That's Smoke Jensen. This 46 book series is called The Last Mountain Man. But where... what ... was the torture? The word Torture itself is used only once ... in the title of the book. It does not appear anywhere else (we can check these things pretty easily now). And that's okay to not actually use the word, but I expected to see Smoke feeling tortured (if not actually physically being tortured), and I did not. This strikes me as nothing more than hyperbole to make the book sound much more exciting than it is, and that, along with the writing style, now has me just a little leery about picking up another book by the author(s).
Looking for a good book? Torture of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone doesn't quite hold to the excitement and quality of previous books by the authors, but if your OCD won't allow you to miss a volume in your collection, you might still find something to enjoy here.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
In Audubon, Texas the sheriff, Andrew Peabody, is out of commission when, while trying to arrest a criminal, a bullet rips through his chest. The local doctor says it doesn't look good - the bullet is too close to the heart and he knows he doesn't have the skill set to remove it safely. But it so happens that Peabody's deputy sheriff, Dalton Conyers, happens to be brother-in-law to one of the most renowned surgeons in the world. He'll wire his sister and ask if her husband can come and help.
There's never a good time to be without the sheriff, but it couldn't be much worse. The railroad company is sending tens of thousands of dollars to the Audubon bank so that they can hire laborers to construct a new line. But a tough gang of criminals are going to try to get that money for themselves. Enter Smoke Jensen, a tall, tough, fast-drawing mountain man who evens the odds just by showing up.
I've generally enjoyed the Johnstone books I've read in the past few years, but this one kind of let me down. Though William W. Johnstone's name is in large print on the cover (he died in 2004) and niece J.A. Johnstone is attributed to carrying on the brand from the elder Johnstone's notes, this book did't have the same 'feel' to it.
In general, I found the author of Torture of the Mountain Man to be talking down to the reader. We couldn't be trusted, it seems, to pick up on hints and clues - things needed to be repeated.
“Why was it you tried to kill im?”
“On account of he is the son of a bitch that kilt my brother.”
“So, that’s how come you know ’im, huh? ’Cause he kilt your brother?” Claymore asked.
“Yeah.”
We also have a fair amount of characters asking leading questions, just to get a little information dump.
“Yeah, I remember Cutter MacMurtry. I remember his brother, Hatchett, too. They both worked for Pa until Cutter got arrested for killing Father Grayson and his wife and two little children. All for just over a hundred dollars as I recall.”
Although my favorite is still the simple, direct approach: "By the way, captain of what?"
I typically see this kind of writing in self-published or small press publishers, but I don't expect to see it when there's a respected author's name attached to it (even if it is just a brand now).
I don't remember having any issues with this style of authorship with the previous Johnstone books I've read.
The story arc is decent and very direct. There's not much subplot going on here. Bad guys. They want to steal things. Good guys need help and the hero arrives. It was entertaining enough to keep me reading, despite my feeling treated like a novice reader.
Lastly ... I don't understand the title. Torture of the Mountain Man. The "Mountain Man part I get. That's Smoke Jensen. This 46 book series is called The Last Mountain Man. But where... what ... was the torture? The word Torture itself is used only once ... in the title of the book. It does not appear anywhere else (we can check these things pretty easily now). And that's okay to not actually use the word, but I expected to see Smoke feeling tortured (if not actually physically being tortured), and I did not. This strikes me as nothing more than hyperbole to make the book sound much more exciting than it is, and that, along with the writing style, now has me just a little leery about picking up another book by the author(s).
Looking for a good book? Torture of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone doesn't quite hold to the excitement and quality of previous books by the authors, but if your OCD won't allow you to miss a volume in your collection, you might still find something to enjoy here.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2019
SMOKE JENSEN "NULLI SECUNDUS"
The Lanagan Gang, named after its leader Clete Lanagan and his blood thirty hooligans are robbing, raping, and murdering folks as they make their way to any town that is lawless.
Tamara Greene's family massacred by one of the MacMultry Brothers, The Hatchery Brothers, all this and more what Deputy Dalton is up against. There's an insider in the Bank of Audubond it's the Vice President Drury Metzger whose been passing insider information when large sums of money will be deposited in the bank. He was doing this for a piece of the action. Which he would use to visit Paris, France.
Smoke is asked for help by Deputy Dalton, since Sheriff Peabody was wounded by a gunnie. These hooligans are trying to ambush Smoke, Pearlie and Cal. It's a hot mess, but we all know how Smoke works.
Another hell-raiser adventure involving those Jensens. You'll enjoy every page and chapter, so ride easy and watch those shadows.
The Lanagan Gang, named after its leader Clete Lanagan and his blood thirty hooligans are robbing, raping, and murdering folks as they make their way to any town that is lawless.
Tamara Greene's family massacred by one of the MacMultry Brothers, The Hatchery Brothers, all this and more what Deputy Dalton is up against. There's an insider in the Bank of Audubond it's the Vice President Drury Metzger whose been passing insider information when large sums of money will be deposited in the bank. He was doing this for a piece of the action. Which he would use to visit Paris, France.
Smoke is asked for help by Deputy Dalton, since Sheriff Peabody was wounded by a gunnie. These hooligans are trying to ambush Smoke, Pearlie and Cal. It's a hot mess, but we all know how Smoke works.
Another hell-raiser adventure involving those Jensens. You'll enjoy every page and chapter, so ride easy and watch those shadows.
August 3, 2023
Fort Worth, Texas, is the scene of a heinous crime; Big Rock, Colorado, has another outrageous and ugly murder; and, Smoke Jensen begins another trek to cure the ails of the communities. Using his guns, wit and daring, he seeks justice for a young girl who has been victimized and the community where his best friends son is Deputy Sheriff without a posse. These great books in the Mountain Man series can be read as stand-alone stories or read as volumes of events in the old west. So much happens in these books that it’s difficult to talk about a particular event. However, I felt the love given by Sally and Smoke to a young Tamara now alone in the world.
Thanks for excellent writing.
Thanks for excellent writing.
January 29, 2019
I've been playing too much RDR2 and realized, I've yet to actually read a Western. So I picked one up. It's a really easy read but it's quite fun, very gritty and violent with dialogue that's written as it sounds. It's by no means "deep literature" but it's a fun, quick read that pulls you into the time and period, where despite the romanticized pictures of the Wild West, was actually a pretty horrible place to live. Will check out other Johnstone books in the future.
February 17, 2024
It starts with a double murder of Smoke's neighbors and the rapping of their 14-year-old daughter. Smoke will serve justice throughout this one and in doing so the man responsible for the rape and murder will do a lifetime sentence with death, but there are so many twists and turns in this one. One of Smoke's main two friends takes a bullet, Sally is kidnapped forcing her to take matters into her own hands once again. All I can say is this is another must-read in this series.
February 6, 2025
“Torture of the Mountain Man” delivers exactly what you’d expect from a classic Western—predictable in all the right ways and satisfyingly feel-good. Smoke Jensen stands tall as the rugged, wise, and quick-on-the-draw hero you can’t help but root for. It’s the kind of story where you know how things will unfold, but that’s part of the charm.
January 14, 2019
This is your typical smoke Jensen story.
The villains are definitely evil, smoke and his sidekicks save the Day.
Anyone who has read a couple smoke Jensen novels has read them all. These are classic recipe stories, the ingredients change enough to make them interesting.
The villains are definitely evil, smoke and his sidekicks save the Day.
Anyone who has read a couple smoke Jensen novels has read them all. These are classic recipe stories, the ingredients change enough to make them interesting.
December 2, 2018
Smoke Jensen
As always a awesome read. If Smoke is in the story it will be great. I really enjoy the stories about Smoke Jensen. Thank you Jo Johnson for a awesome read.
As always a awesome read. If Smoke is in the story it will be great. I really enjoy the stories about Smoke Jensen. Thank you Jo Johnson for a awesome read.
February 6, 2019
Another great Smoke Jenson Western. This is a quick read with some humor and some tense scenes.
May 31, 2019
This was a fun read. This series is always enjoyable. This one seemed a little padded at the end but that is my only complaint. It is certainly worth your time if you like the Smoke Jensen books.
September 8, 2019
Another great story by Johnstone....couldn't put the book down....
Read
December 31, 2019Good story
Good read Will lol forward to the next. Always like Johnstone even if they all sound alike or similar to others.
Good read Will lol forward to the next. Always like Johnstone even if they all sound alike or similar to others.
January 9, 2025
Just another good and sometimes funny western read. As I mentioned before with the western books, it’s a good read to get my mind off this serious things in life.
January 9, 2019
When the author's name is Johnstone, you can count on a great storyline featuring your favorite characters. The Western genre is as diverse as any other so it's great to know that you will have a consistently enjoyable read when you choose one of their books.
This story features Smoke Jensen, one of my favorite characters, who is just trying to live a peaceable life while working his ranch. Smoke has never been one to turn his back on a fight so when the sheriff is killed, he steps up to lead the posse. Anyone who has read Johnstone's Westerns knows there will be a good story, a good chase and fight and the good guys will win in the end. Along the way you'll meet several characters you will remember from other Johnstone books and meet a few new ones that will show up in other story lines. This is one of the great things about these books. The interactions between family, friends and enemies will keep you reading way past the time you should have turned off the light! I've been reading Johnstone books for many years and hope to be reading them for many more. That's the best recommendation I can make for any book.
This story features Smoke Jensen, one of my favorite characters, who is just trying to live a peaceable life while working his ranch. Smoke has never been one to turn his back on a fight so when the sheriff is killed, he steps up to lead the posse. Anyone who has read Johnstone's Westerns knows there will be a good story, a good chase and fight and the good guys will win in the end. Along the way you'll meet several characters you will remember from other Johnstone books and meet a few new ones that will show up in other story lines. This is one of the great things about these books. The interactions between family, friends and enemies will keep you reading way past the time you should have turned off the light! I've been reading Johnstone books for many years and hope to be reading them for many more. That's the best recommendation I can make for any book.
May 9, 2019
A novel by the late, William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone.
Once more Smoke Jensen is chasing bad guys all over Colorado and Texas. It's a great story. A gentle on your mind kinda read for a Sunday afternoon sitting on a sun filled porch with a cup of coffee, or a mint julep depending on the season.
The bad guys are plentiful and Smoke needs all the help he can get to beat them.
My thanks to Pinnacle books for the copy. I rated this book as 2 stars which does not reflect the wonderful story but the many mistakes and inconsistencies which if edited will make this a 4 star book.
J. A. Johnstone has large shoes to fill and one can clearly see that he has his uncles talent for writing. I can only hope future offerings are better edited or the Johnstone name will fall from many radars.
Once more Smoke Jensen is chasing bad guys all over Colorado and Texas. It's a great story. A gentle on your mind kinda read for a Sunday afternoon sitting on a sun filled porch with a cup of coffee, or a mint julep depending on the season.
The bad guys are plentiful and Smoke needs all the help he can get to beat them.
My thanks to Pinnacle books for the copy. I rated this book as 2 stars which does not reflect the wonderful story but the many mistakes and inconsistencies which if edited will make this a 4 star book.
J. A. Johnstone has large shoes to fill and one can clearly see that he has his uncles talent for writing. I can only hope future offerings are better edited or the Johnstone name will fall from many radars.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews