Bloody Trail of the Mountain Man

The Last Mountain Man #47

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Johnstone Country. Mountain Man Justice.

If there's one thing Smoke Jensen hates, it's a man who fights dirty. And no one fights dirtier than a politician. Especially a lying, cheating, no-good grifter like Senator Rex Underhill. Luckily, with another election coming up, this senatorial snake in the grass has some serious competition: Smoke's old friend, Sheriff Monte Carson. Carson's an honest man, and he's got Smoke's full support. But Underhill's got support, too: a squad of hired guns ready to hit the campaign trail--and stain it red with blood . . .

Swapping bullets for ballots, Underhill's henchman make it all too clear that Sheriff Carson is not just a candidate on the rise, he's a target on the run. But with Smoke's grassroots support--and lightning-fast trigger--he manages to stay alive in the race. That is, until Carson's righteous campaign takes a near-fatal turn when the Senator Underhill tricks his opponents, traps them in a mine, and literally buries the sheriff's political ambitions. When the going gets tough, Smoke gets even. When this game turns deadly, it's winner kills all . . .

Live Free.
Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Action

358 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 26, 2019

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

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Johnstone's Bloody Trail of the Mountain Man, Smoke Jensen, renowned for his gun, his morals, his loyalty to friends, and--for those who know him best--his reputation as the last mountain man, decides to help his friend Monte, also Sheriff of Smoke's hometown, in his effort to run for US Senate from Colorado. Monte is a long shot but an honest man unlike the man he’s running against and something that is sorely needed in Colorado politics. Smoke sees him as the right person for this job and worthy of whatever support he can muster. As he starts on his campaign, Monte takes a personal interest in a young man who made a mistake that almost landed him in prison. Monte sees himself in the young man, and realizes if Smoke hadn't given him a second chance, Monte would never have become the law-abiding, moral man he is. He wants to do the same thing for this boy. What should be two simple jobs--offering to become a state-level public servant and helping a boy in need--becomes more than complicated; it becomes deadly.


As usual, the Johnstone's have an exemplary way of blending characters and plot, picking just the right actions to keep the plot exciting and moving. I've read almost every book in this series and will continue to do so. If you like Westerns, you don't want to miss this author. 

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good entry in the Mountain Man series. Recently the series had lessened to some variation of "treeing a town". That doesn't happen here. There is a lot that happens in the novel, but town treeing isn't part of it.

The characters, the strength of all of the Johnstone Clan corral of books, are excellently written and developed. The dialogue is better in this book, though still simply written. I recognize the ghost writer from other books as the one the that likes to inject lots of other languages in the dialogue and all of the characters are better educated than they could be.

The complaint would be the length and about 75 unneeded pages. An editor was lax here. The excessive scenes adds little. Thus making the book uneven as there are numerous joking about scenes that go on for pages, but important plot elements are far shorter.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 out of 10 points.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was full of action and humor and gunplay, as it should. I really liked the fact that you get a new character in the series. That was really refreshing. I must thank #Kensingtonbooks and #Netgalley for letting me have fun for a couple of hours reading the latest about the Mountain Man from William W. Johnstone. I love a good western.

[David Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Kristian H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only give this a 2 star because it is just OK.

The Good:
1.) This story was very easy to read. I am not a strong reader and could breeze through 50-60 pages a day.
2.) Leo's character is well established. He is the only character that I felt had depth. I was rooting for him throughout the story.

The Bad / Ugly:
1.) The characters are flat. They felt more like names than people I can imagine. This might be because this is the one of last books in the series. I didn't know that when I picked it up.
2.) The book felt fluffed up. The first 50 pages were interesting because it introduced Leo and Frank's gang. The next 150 were slow. This was Monte's campaign. There was really only complication around 2/3 the way through.
3.) The action scenes were not that great. The story would build up and the fight would be anti-climatic.
4.) Similarly, it felt like a good ole boys club most of the time. I think most of it is summed up with "X did Y. Z smiled and they were all happy."
5.) The whole Monte / Angus Williams conflict doesn't make sense to me.
6.) I hated the ending... it doesn't make any sense. I won't say anything because spoilers

[Denice Langley]

The Johnstone name on a book cover guarantees a great read. Their series of western/ frontier books continues to grow and provide readers with excellent stories that have definite good guys and bad guys and the good guys definitely triumph. But along the way, they give us a community of characters that are well developed and true to history. Smoke Jensen is well known for his quick draw and his sense of right and wrong. In this book, he works hard to protect a friend's life from a political...yes political...rival. Another great 5 star read by the Johnstones.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough story of Sheriff Monte Carlson running for US Senator of Colorado and Smoke Jensen helping him out as his campaign manager. The wild thing in this book is Smoke Jensen only kills four men. A new record!!

There is a new character in this book, Leo Beajuex, the idiot. Very lucky young man. Will see if we read about him in upcoming books.

[Darlene Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monte Carson's wife recently died with the whole town of Big Rock, Colorado mourning her loss. Monte decided to run for the Senate. Monte's friend Smoke Jensen and wife Sally help Monte. As always there is bullets that fly as someone attempts to kill either Smoke or Monte. I have been following the Jensen's as these books always presents some form of history and are clean to read.

[David M. Onstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke did it again.

Another great book by the Johnstone's. I really

enjoy reading about the Jensen's and how they handle the different situations that come their way. I would definitely recommend this book to read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody Trail of the Mountain Man is another great book by William W Johnstone. I just can not get enough of this author. Five stars.

[Warren Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as most in this series. Still a good book.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

[Ray Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to read about Monte Carson and go back in time with him.

[alfonza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and it was good

[Gavin Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I really enjoyed it

[SenseSeeker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simplistic and absurd ...... you might view this as "Kitty Lit" western lore!!! This should be clearly marked a a book for children!!!!!!!!!

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being late in the series adds to the cast, but Johnstone westerns are favorites for their strong heroes, boys and girls.Nasty Senator Underhill hates Senator applicant Monte so bad, he sends assassins. Who fail. Smoke Jensen's wife Sally has sneaky fast reflexes too, besides the best cooking and smooth talking to organize ladies, or former villains, onside.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke

As always an awesome read by William and Jo Johnstone.
I love these books on Smoke and his family. Always a lot of action. Thank you for an awesome read.