Die by the Gun

Chuckwagon Trail #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

In this thrilling frontier saga, bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone celebrate an unsung hero of the American West: a humble chuckwagon cook searching for justice--and fighting for his life. . .

DIE BY THE GUN

With one successful cattle drive under his belt, Dewey "Mac" McKenzie is on a first-name basis with danger. Marked for death for a crime he didn't commit and eager to get as far away from the territory, he signed on as cattle drive chuckwagon cook, to save his own skin--and learned how to serve up a tasty hot stew. Turns out Mac has a talent for fixing good vittles. He's also pretty handy with a gun. But Mac's enemies enemy are hungry for more--and he's hired a gang of ruthless killers to turn up the heat . . .

Mac knows he's a dead man. His only hope is to join another cattle drive on the Goodnight-Loving Trail, deep in New Mexico Territory. The journey ahead is even deadlier than the hired guns behind him. His trail boss is an ornery cuss. His crew mate is the owner's spoiled son. And the route is overrun with kill-crazy rustlers and bloodthirsty Comanche. To make matters worse, Mac's would-be killers are closing in fast. But when the cattle owner's son is kidnapped, the courageous young cook has no choice but to jump out of the frying pan--and into the fire . . .

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2018

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

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read book one in the Chuckwagon Series and enjoyed it so gave book two a try.

The book is well written; the plot is straight forward and the characters are interesting. It is fun to have the hero of a trail drive the cook. In this story our hero, Dewey “Mac” McKenzie, is with a different Texas Ranch and on a different trail. It is the Goodnight Loving Trail to New Mexico Territory and ending in Denver, Co if the price was not adequate in New Mexico. The author provides some information about the Goodnight-Loving Trail, but I was eager for more. Overall, this is an easy to read historical fiction story.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and twenty-eight minutes. Danny Campbell does a good job narrating the book. Campbell is a classically trained actor. He has won multiple Audiofile Earphone Awards and was the Audiofile’s Best of The Year 2017.

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not often that we get to read about the cook on the trail but in this series we get to follow the work with a chuckwagon a little. That the cook is quick with his smokewagon is only a bonus. Where the good guys are good and the bad guys are slow slapping leather is always nice. I love a good western, if there is a little humor it's even better.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright 2018. It appears that this is the second of a new series about Dewey MacKenzie, a chuckwagon cook. I don't have much luck finding #1 in a series when it is published, but that's alright. Each of them seem to be their own plot and if there is something in their past that we need to know, it's in the story. MacKenzie loves to cook and he's down on his luck, so he hires on with a cattle drive. He turns out to be a good scout and drover also; a guy to be relied upon. Great writing and a very entertaining story.

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast paced western with plenty of action, particularly towards the end. The hero, a cook on the cattle drive, is a likable character; in fact, so likable that you're ready to read more stories involving him. The other good guys are likable as well. And the bad; well, they get what they deserve, and what readers of westerns probably expect.

This is a jolly good yarn with some surprising turns. Having the main character a cook is a nice twist and provides a different perspective of life on a cattle drive.

[Nancy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac is up to his neck in troubles as he sets off on the trail to Ft Summer

First Mac has to help Hiram Flowers the foreman rescue the son Desmond from the whore house. Then he had to work cooking for four hours to pay for the meals. The bounty hunters and Indians were next. Escorting a herd to Mexico through rustlers, bandidos and Ruales just about did him in.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of challenges in this series with adventures for "Mac" Mackenzie as he solves old West cattle drive problems with the fast draw on his gun, and as a cook cooking excellent trail biscuits and beans. Requisite love interests, and bad guys stalking the main characters are the page turning adventures for this irresistible cowboy.

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about this series, but I'm hooked. I didn't love this one as much as the first book. There are a few characters that I found annoying, but they are supposed to be to show growth. The ending was a bit lackluster. The story kind of gets wrapped up and Mac just rides into the sunset on into the next chuckwagon cook job. Will continue the series for sure.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Western from the Johnstone stable.

This is book two of the Chuckwagon series, this time the protagonist is a trail drive cook.
It's got a little bit of everything, gun fights Good Guys bad guys..

[kathi Driskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

good ole time western

Hard to follow at times in this one as drovers headed every direction with their herds but it kept my interest as the cook kept away from the bounty hunters and in the end all were happy

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series to follow

Book two was everything I expected it to be with all the fast-paced action and adventure the author is famous for. The added romance just made the the story more interesting. This series is fun to read and I'm looking forward to book three.

[Rebecca Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I like westerns

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Another fine Western story depicting how it must have been. It is great to read about swift justice. It’s well written and edited just as all books by this fine author

[Eric Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel was not as good as the first one, almost like Johnstone went an entirely different direction. Oh well.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series!

Loved the action and plot in this book! Great way to keep us wanting more stories! So glad the next one is in kindle unlimited!

[LeeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

[Louis Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Story!

The Johnstone 's have again written a great story about the trials the ranchers and their hired hands were engaged in during a cattle drive.

[Shirley J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

Mac will running from bounty hunters for a murder he did not commit. Enjoyed cooking and joined a trail drive to escape. Enjoyed reading another J.A. Johnny's books.

[Alan Pfeifer]

Hired guns

[Marilyn L. Vail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Enjoyable. Lots of twists and turns.

[THOMAS E. TONEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die By The Gun

The book has action, romance, adventure and excitement in every chapter as most of the Johnstone books! I will check to see if there is another book in the series!

[Dusty Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cook

Interesting and entertaining read about a cowboy cook who makes good and bad decisions. He has good sense and uses it to evade a lot of bad men. Good read. Big D

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great episode. I am so enjoying this aspect of a Cowboys adventures with a chuckwagon. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Mike Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better tale in this series

[BoondocksGlam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series so far - can't wait to see what the next adventure is for Mac!

[Marlene]

Another adventure of Dewey “Mac” McKenzie and we loved it. A dusty cattle drive along the Goodnight-Loving Trail in New Mexico, brings bandits, ruffians, bounty hunters and more, all following cattle, men and the infamous chuck-wagon. Mac was a great trail cook and everyone loved his biscuits, but somehow trouble always followed him. He had a great heart but don’t cross him. Thanks for another wonderful read that both hubby and I loved.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread. Johnstone shapes person, changes him. Mac likes to cook and is good at the work and with guns. He signs on to drive cattle but framed for crime, ends up pursued and helping babysit spoiled son Desmond, who changes under his influence, d his beloved Estella,and camp boss Flowers, sweet on his mom, widow Mercedes.