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Red Ryan #1
Riding Shotgun
New York Times Bestselling Author A blazing new series takes you back to the lawless frontier where every stagecoach was a moving target, and every hired guard better be fast on the draw � or be dead on arrival.
414 pages, Library Binding
First published May 28, 2019
389 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 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 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 10, 2019
In Johnstone's Riding Shotgun (Penguin Random House 2019), first in a new Red Ryan Western series by the king of Westerns, the free-spirited, quick-thinking Red Ryan is one of the best stage coach guards in the West, especially when teamed with his favorite driver, Buttons Muldoon. As a team they have a better chance than any other team to drive a stage from Point A to Point B but when they are hired to protect a stage going to Fort Bliss--carrying three women and one obnoxious Easterner--even they declare it too dangerous. One of the women convinces Red to throw caution to the wind so that she can be with her Army husband in his time of need. What she doesn't tell him is that her reason for making the journey despite the danger has nothing to do with love. They haven't traveled far before they find the Army platoon that was tasked to protect them on the long trip has been slaughtered by renegade Apache. When they decide to proceed anyway, those same Apaches zero in on the stagecoach.
Indians are only the beginning. Before Red and Buttons finally free themselves of their passengers, they will face outlaws, traitors, near-death experiences, and more death-defying events you'll have to read the book to find out about.
This is a fun read that celebrates the men and women who settled the West. Red embodies that breed of maverick early American who thrived in this wide-open law-challenged land and were rewarded for their hard work with a good life lived to the hilt. I suspect that the hardships that were part and parcel of surviving this world couldn't have been done without a large dose of humility and a relentless sense of humor.
Indians are only the beginning. Before Red and Buttons finally free themselves of their passengers, they will face outlaws, traitors, near-death experiences, and more death-defying events you'll have to read the book to find out about.
This is a fun read that celebrates the men and women who settled the West. Red embodies that breed of maverick early American who thrived in this wide-open law-challenged land and were rewarded for their hard work with a good life lived to the hilt. I suspect that the hardships that were part and parcel of surviving this world couldn't have been done without a large dose of humility and a relentless sense of humor.
May 19, 2019
Some entertaining bits but not the best work by this author. Maybe not the best idea to come up with scores of new series instead of making sure the old ones are good. Still I'm a sucker for westerns.
May 29, 2019
Having read Burnt Offering, one of my favourites, I decided to check out what other books Johnston has published which seems to be a long list of Westerns. As this book was on offer from NetGalley, I thought I take a dive into the world of the cowboy opera.
Westerns are not my strong point and have never really read this subgenre of fiction as I normally do not enjoy the genre when it is on film or as a television series but I found this book to be quite entertaining and kept me involved through its entirety.
The characters are well developed and although there seems to be some dialogue that would fit well within a John Wayne film, it seems to fit in well with the over all context of the novel. It is an adventure story that keeps the reader involved and I was pleasantly surprised by the overall enjoyment of the book
It looks like Johnston has adapted this genre and as he has written more within this genre than his previous horror entries, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it went beyond my expectations. Exciting, non stop action and great character development kept me involved until the very end. Overall, it made me interested in the Western as a whole and made me want to read more. Fun book that delivers on all aspects.
Westerns are not my strong point and have never really read this subgenre of fiction as I normally do not enjoy the genre when it is on film or as a television series but I found this book to be quite entertaining and kept me involved through its entirety.
The characters are well developed and although there seems to be some dialogue that would fit well within a John Wayne film, it seems to fit in well with the over all context of the novel. It is an adventure story that keeps the reader involved and I was pleasantly surprised by the overall enjoyment of the book
It looks like Johnston has adapted this genre and as he has written more within this genre than his previous horror entries, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it went beyond my expectations. Exciting, non stop action and great character development kept me involved until the very end. Overall, it made me interested in the Western as a whole and made me want to read more. Fun book that delivers on all aspects.
February 6, 2023
it was a good book to distract myself with, very wild west, lots of shooting going on all the time, cowboy playlist made it better
August 17, 2020
Why on earth doesn't the Johnstone Clan nab whoever wrote this and plug them into any of their older series???? Maybe it's some contractual thing where the ghost writer gets to start their own series. Ot some other silly proprietary thing. Thing of it is, the older series are just not being well handled in the past decade plus. This coulda been a Smoke Jensen novel and injected some life in the stambling series.
Another year full of new series and here is one: Red Ryder. Ryder reminds me of, a now discarded character, Cotton Pickens. Why not just revive that series and toss Cotton on a stage?
OK. I'll stop.
Beyond that pretty significant matter, this entry is pretty involved for a Johnstone book. Not unusual for a debut of a series by the Johnstone Clan. Also not unusual for the first book to be steps up from the rest of the crowd. This is both and worth reading.
There are plenty of variations of this tale in various Johnstone Clan books. All use only sections of the overall story. Each becoming it's own book. There is a lot here. That is where this does stumble a bit.
There is a lot of territory and characters that pop up throughout the book. These more significant characters are around awhile and then are gone. That is fine and hints of what the actual Johnstone had in the books he crafted decades ago. This is more sloppy handling and loose ends are left at the end. A lot of them. I don't believe most readers will notice. A lot of those loose ends seem to lead to a couple different endings. That is a plus, as the reader can't be sure how the book will end.
However, overall, this is a very good tale with the Johnstone Touch of creating solid characters. I wouldn't mind reading about many of the characters in separate series...oh, no...I'm providing ways of more series.... Ugh!
I really like how this is presented with more humor than usual and a great start to the involved story. The main characters (and really, this book should be a series of two, not one.) are established quickly and the book unfolds very quickly and so well, that a reader will be drawn in to learn what happens next. A ton happens, in many places with a lot of characters.
All of this complexity well handled and mostly well written. i did not like the appearance, more than once, of current pop phrases of our present time period. Also the dialogue is still mighty far from the communication of the late 1800s, but i get the book would be harder to sell and read, if more accurate.
I really like as characters interact and scheme and battle to the end. A surprise twist along the way. A sign of a very good novel draws you end and then flips you around as directions change and plots alters and, by the end, the read is satisfied that they have been through a story that was well worth the trip.
Bottom line: I recommend the book. 7 out of ten points.
Another year full of new series and here is one: Red Ryder. Ryder reminds me of, a now discarded character, Cotton Pickens. Why not just revive that series and toss Cotton on a stage?
OK. I'll stop.
Beyond that pretty significant matter, this entry is pretty involved for a Johnstone book. Not unusual for a debut of a series by the Johnstone Clan. Also not unusual for the first book to be steps up from the rest of the crowd. This is both and worth reading.
There are plenty of variations of this tale in various Johnstone Clan books. All use only sections of the overall story. Each becoming it's own book. There is a lot here. That is where this does stumble a bit.
There is a lot of territory and characters that pop up throughout the book. These more significant characters are around awhile and then are gone. That is fine and hints of what the actual Johnstone had in the books he crafted decades ago. This is more sloppy handling and loose ends are left at the end. A lot of them. I don't believe most readers will notice. A lot of those loose ends seem to lead to a couple different endings. That is a plus, as the reader can't be sure how the book will end.
However, overall, this is a very good tale with the Johnstone Touch of creating solid characters. I wouldn't mind reading about many of the characters in separate series...oh, no...I'm providing ways of more series.... Ugh!
I really like how this is presented with more humor than usual and a great start to the involved story. The main characters (and really, this book should be a series of two, not one.) are established quickly and the book unfolds very quickly and so well, that a reader will be drawn in to learn what happens next. A ton happens, in many places with a lot of characters.
All of this complexity well handled and mostly well written. i did not like the appearance, more than once, of current pop phrases of our present time period. Also the dialogue is still mighty far from the communication of the late 1800s, but i get the book would be harder to sell and read, if more accurate.
I really like as characters interact and scheme and battle to the end. A surprise twist along the way. A sign of a very good novel draws you end and then flips you around as directions change and plots alters and, by the end, the read is satisfied that they have been through a story that was well worth the trip.
Bottom line: I recommend the book. 7 out of ten points.
June 20, 2019
THE DECEITFUL
Red Ryan and Buttons Muldoon partners working as stage coach driver and Red Ryan holds down the shotgun seat. It seems everywhere they go they meet trouble as a passenger.
In this adventure you get to meet vicious con-men, back shooters, back alley snipers, dirty lawmen, Indian attacks, suicides all this in one adventure.
For example Seth Rogers who ran with half brothers robbing, looting, gun for hire, left his half brothers who were killed by a bunch of Indians who left the reservations to kill white men who stole their lands, decimated the huge buffalo herds and pushed the Indians on these reservations to have total control of their lives.
Read about Red and Buttons who are taking passengers to El Paso, Texas a four hundred miles trip, thru deserts, torrential rain storms and Indian attacks oh yeah, Red is taken capture by a gang of desert riff raff whose leader is a "Ma Barker," type who runs a tight tent of miscreants, inbreds who under her directions plunder, murder whomever fall into her web of despair.
Read and enjoy these two men, who make the best of any situations they are thrust into..They are a hot mess, but loyal to the stagecoach owners.
Red Ryan and Buttons Muldoon partners working as stage coach driver and Red Ryan holds down the shotgun seat. It seems everywhere they go they meet trouble as a passenger.
In this adventure you get to meet vicious con-men, back shooters, back alley snipers, dirty lawmen, Indian attacks, suicides all this in one adventure.
For example Seth Rogers who ran with half brothers robbing, looting, gun for hire, left his half brothers who were killed by a bunch of Indians who left the reservations to kill white men who stole their lands, decimated the huge buffalo herds and pushed the Indians on these reservations to have total control of their lives.
Read about Red and Buttons who are taking passengers to El Paso, Texas a four hundred miles trip, thru deserts, torrential rain storms and Indian attacks oh yeah, Red is taken capture by a gang of desert riff raff whose leader is a "Ma Barker," type who runs a tight tent of miscreants, inbreds who under her directions plunder, murder whomever fall into her web of despair.
Read and enjoy these two men, who make the best of any situations they are thrust into..They are a hot mess, but loyal to the stagecoach owners.
January 22, 2022
This western story features the character Red Ryan who is the shotgun rider on the Patterson and Sons Stagecoach line in Texas. This story is the first in the series the author has about the character Red Ryan. The first half of the book is a good old fashioned western story about a stagecoach that is traveling from Fort Concho to Fort Bliss and then El Paso. The travel will be through territory where renegade Apache are active along with outlaws of every type. So, there is plenty of gunplay, danger and action on that stagecoach trip which takes several days. Once they reach El Paso, the story emphasis turns to the hunt for a killer, who strikes several times. That hunt involves a beautiful fem fatale along with gunplay and danger to be sure. Red Ryan and the stagecoach driver are laying over in El Paso awaiting passengers for the return trip. Since passenger who arrived in El Paso with the Patterson stage, Ryan feels obligated to look after the best interest of his passengers as they become intwined in the murder investigation. The plot and dialogue are reasonably good. The action scenes are very realistic. All in all, this is a very good western story.
May 10, 2019
This is the 1st in a new series, about the book. RIDING SHOTGUN
If anyone knows the road to purgatory, it’s Red Ryan. As a stagecoach guard, he’s faced holdups, ambushes, and all-out attacks from every kill-crazy outlaw, Indian, and prairie rat. But even he’s a bit reluctant to take on his next job: riding shotgun with his driver Buttons Muldoon on a stage bound from Fort Concho, Texas, to Fort Bliss. Word has it, the Apaches are on the warpath. They’re being led by the vicious war chief Ilesh, which means “Lord of the Earth.” And this lord means business, as in slaughtering every Texan from here to El Paso. Red wants to postpone the stage. But an army major’s beautiful but stubborn wife insists they leave—or she’ll go it alone. So Red has no choice . . .
Thus begins a nightmare journey into 400 miles of harsh, unforgiving terrain, blood-drunk killers, and one scheming devil who plans to paint the town of El Paso red—starting with Red’s blood . . .
absolutely loved this book the characters were great! The setting was brilliant! I'm looking forward to the next in this series.
If anyone knows the road to purgatory, it’s Red Ryan. As a stagecoach guard, he’s faced holdups, ambushes, and all-out attacks from every kill-crazy outlaw, Indian, and prairie rat. But even he’s a bit reluctant to take on his next job: riding shotgun with his driver Buttons Muldoon on a stage bound from Fort Concho, Texas, to Fort Bliss. Word has it, the Apaches are on the warpath. They’re being led by the vicious war chief Ilesh, which means “Lord of the Earth.” And this lord means business, as in slaughtering every Texan from here to El Paso. Red wants to postpone the stage. But an army major’s beautiful but stubborn wife insists they leave—or she’ll go it alone. So Red has no choice . . .
Thus begins a nightmare journey into 400 miles of harsh, unforgiving terrain, blood-drunk killers, and one scheming devil who plans to paint the town of El Paso red—starting with Red’s blood . . .
absolutely loved this book the characters were great! The setting was brilliant! I'm looking forward to the next in this series.
July 11, 2019
In the world of westerns, any book by the Johnstones is a sure winner. This is no exception. This is the first book in a new family of series, but you always run across another member of the many Johnstone families in his books. The back stories are always detailed, you can see and taste the dust as the stage coach rolls through the desert, and his characters well developed. All of the main characters have a high sense of integrity. The "good" guys are more than just good. It always seems as if the author drops one character off in a little town only to pick the next character up for an adventure.
As a stage coach shotgun rider, our main character has seen many dangerous stops and starts. His quick reflexes and dedication to his job mean he will see a run through to the end, this one is no exception, but boy is this trip a doozy.
I have yet to read a Johnstone book that I thought didn't deserve 5 stars.
As a stage coach shotgun rider, our main character has seen many dangerous stops and starts. His quick reflexes and dedication to his job mean he will see a run through to the end, this one is no exception, but boy is this trip a doozy.
I have yet to read a Johnstone book that I thought didn't deserve 5 stars.
June 6, 2021
100 Pages Too Long, Narrator was So So
I’m a huge fan of the Jake Timber series. 100 pages, good story, good action. In contrast, this story was about 100 pages too long, unnecessary sub-plots, and could have make two very good books after trimming some fat. I did finish the book (by self-force) but will not be reading the next in the series.
I went between printed copy and audio version. The narrator sounded like a city boy trying to be old time country. No awful, but not great either.
I’m a huge fan of the Jake Timber series. 100 pages, good story, good action. In contrast, this story was about 100 pages too long, unnecessary sub-plots, and could have make two very good books after trimming some fat. I did finish the book (by self-force) but will not be reading the next in the series.
I went between printed copy and audio version. The narrator sounded like a city boy trying to be old time country. No awful, but not great either.
August 20, 2021
I did not like this book.
The parade of hot to trot woman in this western got very tiresome. Given the book is centered in the year 1875 this behavior is way out of context. I had an Aunt who was a RR madam who ran a stable of ladies along the UP tracks about 120 years ago so I know a little bit about this. Even painted ladies in public effected “lady like” behavior. They were still excoriated by ladies of character but at first they had fantasies of getting married, and this did happen to many of them. They moved away lost their maiden names and settled down to build a family.
The parade of hot to trot woman in this western got very tiresome. Given the book is centered in the year 1875 this behavior is way out of context. I had an Aunt who was a RR madam who ran a stable of ladies along the UP tracks about 120 years ago so I know a little bit about this. Even painted ladies in public effected “lady like” behavior. They were still excoriated by ladies of character but at first they had fantasies of getting married, and this did happen to many of them. They moved away lost their maiden names and settled down to build a family.
December 24, 2021
Good
This is not my usual genre and was going to give three stars, but I thought that I wasn't being fair. The writing is actually pretty solid. The plot was easy to follow and the characters and situations were easy to visualize. I felt the setting was authentic and believable. My main problem with the book is the flatness of the characters. There's not much development or definition with them. They almost seem stereotypical. Still, it was an easy read and if you like westerns centered around a stagecoach or set in Texas, you will probably like this one.
This is not my usual genre and was going to give three stars, but I thought that I wasn't being fair. The writing is actually pretty solid. The plot was easy to follow and the characters and situations were easy to visualize. I felt the setting was authentic and believable. My main problem with the book is the flatness of the characters. There's not much development or definition with them. They almost seem stereotypical. Still, it was an easy read and if you like westerns centered around a stagecoach or set in Texas, you will probably like this one.
May 28, 2019
A new series involving a stagecoach guard named Red Ryan. His job to protect his passengers whether they be from Indians, outlaws or nuisances. He is a great shot and does a great job, but also doesn’t like to see the law broken. I really wanted to enjoy this western, but the characters are one-dimensional and not developed enough. I couldn’t care less what happens to them or how the story ends. Sorry, this one wasn’t for me.
June 8, 2019
A western in the old time mold
This is a western written in the old time mold. The characters are larger than life and live by a code that many today would not understand. The development of the characters is well done and the plot is well thought out. The description of the country is another plus. The action starts right at the beginning and goes right to the end. If you like action/adventure and western you will enjoy this book.
This is a western written in the old time mold. The characters are larger than life and live by a code that many today would not understand. The development of the characters is well done and the plot is well thought out. The description of the country is another plus. The action starts right at the beginning and goes right to the end. If you like action/adventure and western you will enjoy this book.
June 18, 2019
A new series involving a stagecoach guard named Red Ryan. His job to protect his passengers whether they be from Indians, outlaws or nuisances. He is a great shot and does a great job, but also doesn’t like to see the law broken. I really wanted to enjoy this western, but the characters are one-dimensional and not developed enough. I couldn’t care less what happens to them or how the story ends. Sorry, this one wasn’t for me.
Read
March 27, 2023I discovered this author a few years ago and I love the storyline. This series ( I hope its a long one) is about stagecoach guard Red Ryan and his pal Buttons Muldoon, the stagecoach driver. The west was fast and hard and it takes a lot to stay alive. You never know where your enemy will come from. It could be hostile natives, other men looking to build a name for themselves, or a beautiful woman with murder on her mind.
June 18, 2019
I'm glad I got to read the first of a new series. For being a stage coach driver and stage coach guard, Buttons Muldoon and Red Ryan get into an awful mess on this run. They have a special lady passenger who has her own protectors but also has a sneaky plan that doesn't end exactly as she thought it would. Very entertaining.
June 25, 2019
Totally Enjoyable Entertainment!!!
Once again William W. Johnstone delivers a perfectly exciting and entertaining western adventure. I highly recommend this book to any fan of or newcomers to the books of William W. Johnstone.
Once again William W. Johnstone delivers a perfectly exciting and entertaining western adventure. I highly recommend this book to any fan of or newcomers to the books of William W. Johnstone.
October 27, 2021
ALL A±+++++++++++++ True 5Stars!!!
WOW! A True Johnstone AAA+++++
Loads of action! A true page turner. Super good plot and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this novel to anyone that reads novels regardless of the subject matter.
Don
WOW! A True Johnstone AAA+++++
Loads of action! A true page turner. Super good plot and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this novel to anyone that reads novels regardless of the subject matter.
Don
December 30, 2021
Loved this story!
Both Red and Buttons are the kind of men you want on your side! This was another awesome book by these two authors! And even better is the next book in this series is also on kindle unlimited!
Both Red and Buttons are the kind of men you want on your side! This was another awesome book by these two authors! And even better is the next book in this series is also on kindle unlimited!
May 15, 2022
Hmmmmm
I have started this book before and yet could not get into it. This time through I began to enjoy the story much more. I have seen that either I like these authors or they are too disjointed to follow. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it as much as I did.
I have started this book before and yet could not get into it. This time through I began to enjoy the story much more. I have seen that either I like these authors or they are too disjointed to follow. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it as much as I did.
October 12, 2022
Great Western
Another great western by this author. Love the characters and stories and how they interact with each other.
I would highly recommend this book and others by this same writer
Another great western by this author. Love the characters and stories and how they interact with each other.
I would highly recommend this book and others by this same writer
May 7, 2019
Won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Another start of a great series back in the days of the lawless frontier. This is the story of a stagecoach guard, fighting not only indians but crazy outlaws.
May 31, 2019
Riding Shotgun is the first installment from the Red Ryan series. I really liked it and give it five stars.
June 10, 2019
Great Story Line
July 9, 2019
Not bad, a quick read. Typical Johnstone.
Seems to capture the feeling of the era.
Seems to capture the feeling of the era.
July 16, 2019
My favourite western author does it again.
February 7, 2020
Easy read. Enjoyed it.
May 5, 2020
Hokey but a fun read.
February 8, 2021
A fun read, good characters and interesting story line.
Looking for more!
Looking for more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews