What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Mountain Man #48
Texas Kill of the Mountain Man
A New York Times Bestseller
Smoke Jensen: The Mountain Man, is the most enduring of the Johnstones' series and their most beloved character, known to set the standard for Western adventure. In this brand new installment, Smoke Jensen's epic battle for justice in the heart of the American Frontier takes him deep into the heart of Texas, where justice comes from the barrel of a gun...
Welcome to Texas. Now Go Home.
Smoke Jensen has met some down-and-dirty, murdering prairie scum over the years. But this time it's personal and it's bloody-and going to get bloodier. First, they stole fifty of the hundred horses Smoke delivered to his old friend Big Jim Conyers in Tarrant County, Texas. Then they stole two thousand cattle from Big Jim . . . and killed him just for the fun of it. Now they're going to pay . . .
The leader of this unholy band of devils is Delbert Catron-but everyone calls him The Professor. Whatever he's called, he leads the most ruthless gang of vicious kill-crazy desperadoes this side of the border. Hellbent on avenging his friend's murder, nothing will stop Smoke Jensen from hunting down these killers.
And celebrating justice . . .
Live Free.
Read Hard
Smoke Jensen: The Mountain Man, is the most enduring of the Johnstones' series and their most beloved character, known to set the standard for Western adventure. In this brand new installment, Smoke Jensen's epic battle for justice in the heart of the American Frontier takes him deep into the heart of Texas, where justice comes from the barrel of a gun...
Welcome to Texas. Now Go Home.
Smoke Jensen has met some down-and-dirty, murdering prairie scum over the years. But this time it's personal and it's bloody-and going to get bloodier. First, they stole fifty of the hundred horses Smoke delivered to his old friend Big Jim Conyers in Tarrant County, Texas. Then they stole two thousand cattle from Big Jim . . . and killed him just for the fun of it. Now they're going to pay . . .
The leader of this unholy band of devils is Delbert Catron-but everyone calls him The Professor. Whatever he's called, he leads the most ruthless gang of vicious kill-crazy desperadoes this side of the border. Hellbent on avenging his friend's murder, nothing will stop Smoke Jensen from hunting down these killers.
And celebrating justice . . .
Live Free.
Read Hard
- GenresWesterns
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
266 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,041 books1,393 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this western book. It was full of rustling, murder, friendship and love. I highly recommend this book to all.
August 10, 2020
In this 42nd episode of Johnstone's Mountain Man series, Texas Kill of the Mountain Man (Pinnacle 2020), Smoke Jensen plans to take one hundred head of horses to his longtime friend Big Jim Conyer's horse ranch in Texas. Valued at over $10000, a band of outlaws steals half of them, and then make off with a passel of Conyer's cows just as they're ready to go to market. When they kill Big Jim in the process, that assures them that they have Smoke's attention and they won't like the result. To complicate things, Jensen hires a new horse handler who is a magician with horses. The problem is, an old friend from his past wants to kill him for stealing the man’s girlfriend.
As usual there are no slow points in a Johnstone Western especially when the Jensens are involved. Only two things bothered me with this one I didn't notice in earlier books. First, Johnstone included an inordinate amount of conversation to share information. This is normally a good way to provide background but in this case, it slowed the pace down. Second, the plot twists weren't as clever as in the past. Not a big thing, just enough to be noticeable.
Overall, a good read and a nice addition to the Jensen Universe.
As usual there are no slow points in a Johnstone Western especially when the Jensens are involved. Only two things bothered me with this one I didn't notice in earlier books. First, Johnstone included an inordinate amount of conversation to share information. This is normally a good way to provide background but in this case, it slowed the pace down. Second, the plot twists weren't as clever as in the past. Not a big thing, just enough to be noticeable.
Overall, a good read and a nice addition to the Jensen Universe.
November 30, 2020
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
smoke jenson the owner of a ranch and supplier of the best horses around plus it helps that he is the fastest man on the draw
things come to a head when after delivering 100 horses to his friend 50 of them go missing and cant be found...rustling is abound....
big jim the owner of the ranch is also brokering a deal with his angus cattle...but there is a gang around gaining a bad reputation and before long they come looking
my first book with smoke jenson and hopefully not my last...some brilliant characters in this book and hopefully will get to meet them again
cant wait for the next book in the series
smoke jenson the owner of a ranch and supplier of the best horses around plus it helps that he is the fastest man on the draw
things come to a head when after delivering 100 horses to his friend 50 of them go missing and cant be found...rustling is abound....
big jim the owner of the ranch is also brokering a deal with his angus cattle...but there is a gang around gaining a bad reputation and before long they come looking
my first book with smoke jenson and hopefully not my last...some brilliant characters in this book and hopefully will get to meet them again
cant wait for the next book in the series
December 1, 2020
When you open the cover of a book that bears the names William A and JA Johnstone, you are guaranteed an excellent western with a family of characters you will never forget. The Johnstone brand contains several series, each featuring a family and set in a different time period. They do overlap, you will greet characters from one family into the stories of another on a regular basis. this only adds to the rich feel of the stories as the characters interact in true western fashion. It's the good guys against the bad guys and sometimes the good guys have to be bad to get the job done, but get it done they do. Spoiler alert....the good guys win in the end.
Smoke Jensen has seen many changes in the territories as they become settled and more and more people move west. Not all of these people come west to settle down and raise a family and a future. They are here to build a future, they just prefer to steal it. Smoke has become famous with a fast draw and a good heart. He will help whenever and where ever needed. As he has aged, he becomes better known for his horses than his guns. He has set up a horse sale to a friend, but when he gets there, he finds his friend has been killed, his cattle rustled and now the rustlers have stolen half of Smoke's horses. Let the excitement begin!!!
The Johnstone motto is LIFE FREE, READ HARD and that's how these books are written. If you love a good western, you should be reading Johnstone's Smoke Jensen series.
Smoke Jensen has seen many changes in the territories as they become settled and more and more people move west. Not all of these people come west to settle down and raise a family and a future. They are here to build a future, they just prefer to steal it. Smoke has become famous with a fast draw and a good heart. He will help whenever and where ever needed. As he has aged, he becomes better known for his horses than his guns. He has set up a horse sale to a friend, but when he gets there, he finds his friend has been killed, his cattle rustled and now the rustlers have stolen half of Smoke's horses. Let the excitement begin!!!
The Johnstone motto is LIFE FREE, READ HARD and that's how these books are written. If you love a good western, you should be reading Johnstone's Smoke Jensen series.
December 2, 2020
I should start by mentioning I am a bit of a connoisseur of Johnstone books. My library contains over 300 of the vast series. I've read over half of that. There are GREAT Johnstone books, bad books and books in between. Here's my review of this one...
Another of the Johnstone Clan of ghost writers endeavors upon a Smoke Jensen tale. I recognize the approach and the writing. This is the one that likes to fluff stories with newspaper articles of actions already taken place in the story. One or two not being repetitive and moving the story along would be fine. Unfortunately, there's more and the tale halts at each entry. This writer also has trouble putting depth in a story. A linear tale with occasional over long flashbacks.
This is a sprawling story that, written by a better author, could've been a tremendous novel. The plot is a far cry from the typical Mountain Man versus bad guys treeing towns that make up the bulk of the series. This is a great direction to go in. But the poor writing of the story, dialogue and very poorly rendered atmosphere sets this book back.
The Johnstone characters, as usual, are the best part of the book. A plus to this Johnstone Clan story is a bad guy a bit different with less stereo-typical henchmen.
This is a review via access from NetGalley.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of ten points.
Another of the Johnstone Clan of ghost writers endeavors upon a Smoke Jensen tale. I recognize the approach and the writing. This is the one that likes to fluff stories with newspaper articles of actions already taken place in the story. One or two not being repetitive and moving the story along would be fine. Unfortunately, there's more and the tale halts at each entry. This writer also has trouble putting depth in a story. A linear tale with occasional over long flashbacks.
This is a sprawling story that, written by a better author, could've been a tremendous novel. The plot is a far cry from the typical Mountain Man versus bad guys treeing towns that make up the bulk of the series. This is a great direction to go in. But the poor writing of the story, dialogue and very poorly rendered atmosphere sets this book back.
The Johnstone characters, as usual, are the best part of the book. A plus to this Johnstone Clan story is a bad guy a bit different with less stereo-typical henchmen.
This is a review via access from NetGalley.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of ten points.
November 25, 2020
First of all I need to thank #Pinnacle #KensingtonBooks and #Netgalley for giving me this arc from William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone called Texas Kill of the Mountain Man. It's the latest one about Smoke Jensen. In this one he fights rustlers in Texas while trying to deliver some horses to a friend. The stories about Smoke is not as good as they where in the beginning but they are still entertaining. Ifind that I like the ones where he is getting older is better. I still do love some western reading.
January 23, 2023
Good story, but I got tired of the poor English language and the stupid criminals who didn’t understand what was going on and the smarter criminals having to try to explain it all to them over and over again. 🙄
Did come across a mistake. Guy A said he brought in his fancy boots to be repaired on the seventh. Guy B was killed on the twelfth. But yet a few sentences later it reads that guy A had to have brought the boots in two days after guy B was killed. Ah, the writer(s) need to go back to school and learn how to count.
Did come across a mistake. Guy A said he brought in his fancy boots to be repaired on the seventh. Guy B was killed on the twelfth. But yet a few sentences later it reads that guy A had to have brought the boots in two days after guy B was killed. Ah, the writer(s) need to go back to school and learn how to count.
November 15, 2021
I am a fan of William Johnstone and he never lets me down. These westerns which always pit some terrible people against hero's fighting for the good and right always display the good character which gives me the return of my childhood and watching some of the great western hero's of the television screen. This one has the introduction of many new characters and the story is one that grips you from the start to the finish.
March 31, 2022
Very pleasurable reading
J.A. and W.W. Johnstone will always receive five stars from me for all the wonderful reading they’ve sent my way over the years. I read books from many different genres and I feel westerns have a sort of purity when they are as well written as the Johnstone’s westerns happen to be. I’ve read books for over fifty years and I don’t believe that I’ve read any better.
J.A. and W.W. Johnstone will always receive five stars from me for all the wonderful reading they’ve sent my way over the years. I read books from many different genres and I feel westerns have a sort of purity when they are as well written as the Johnstone’s westerns happen to be. I’ve read books for over fifty years and I don’t believe that I’ve read any better.
October 6, 2024
The Death of a Friend
Big Jim Conyers, best friend of Smoke Jensen, murdered on his Texas ranch. Smoke, Sally, and Pearl arrived from Colorado in time for funeral. Smoke vowed he will find the killer and rustler who stoke Big Jim's 100 horses from Smoke and 1500 Angus beef. Lots of actions and great story as always.
Big Jim Conyers, best friend of Smoke Jensen, murdered on his Texas ranch. Smoke, Sally, and Pearl arrived from Colorado in time for funeral. Smoke vowed he will find the killer and rustler who stoke Big Jim's 100 horses from Smoke and 1500 Angus beef. Lots of actions and great story as always.
January 16, 2021
Very poorly told story
If this was the first book that I had read by this author it would have been the last, I feel that this book was just a grab for cash. A wast of my purchase money and time.
If this was the first book that I had read by this author it would have been the last, I feel that this book was just a grab for cash. A wast of my purchase money and time.
June 14, 2021
While entertaining and at times funny. It was not the best of Smoke's stories.
They did telegraph who the mystery villain was.
I expected that it would have been an old fashioned Smoke story... tracking down the bad guys one at a time. However, Smoke was almost a secondary character.
They did telegraph who the mystery villain was.
I expected that it would have been an old fashioned Smoke story... tracking down the bad guys one at a time. However, Smoke was almost a secondary character.
December 16, 2021
So glad to have rediscovered this author
Used to read him every chance in CO. Moving East meant libraries with few Westerns. Finding him and more stories on Kindle Unlimited has made this Western girl very happy. Excellent author!
Used to read him every chance in CO. Moving East meant libraries with few Westerns. Finding him and more stories on Kindle Unlimited has made this Western girl very happy. Excellent author!
December 6, 2020
Big Jim
Great read as always a page turner. But it was a tear jerker when Big Jim was shot in the back. But as always Smoke got his man. Thank you Jo Johnstone for a awesome read.
Great read as always a page turner. But it was a tear jerker when Big Jim was shot in the back. But as always Smoke got his man. Thank you Jo Johnstone for a awesome read.
December 18, 2020
Another great adventure with Smoke Jensen.....
January 29, 2021
I thought Texas Kill of the Mountain Man was a great read. I am giving it four and a half stars.
April 17, 2021
Favorite read
I am so looking forward to more in this series. Great characters and actions. It is definitely a fast great read of all times.
I am so looking forward to more in this series. Great characters and actions. It is definitely a fast great read of all times.
May 9, 2021
Very good to see Smoke and his crew help a great rancher like Big Jim.
October 23, 2021
This entry in the long-running Smoke Jensen series will not disappoint fans. A great story with a satisfying ending.
January 11, 2025
A pretty good western read. Always contradicting from others but I did enjoy this a little more than the last few.
October 21, 2023
Overall
Worth a read. It has all the good parts of the western but the gun fights were just like their draw, quick.
Review
This book provides the same sights and sounds as watching an old western movie. Smoke Jensen was an awesome cowboy along with the rest of the characters. The plot of looking for missing horses was a good because when the trail was hot it helps move the story. But when the trail was cold it allowed time to stop by the saloon or the ranch and gave time to develop the characters. However, what left me wanting more was the gun fights which is the second half a great western. The story did a great job setting up the fights but they were over to quick and then resolved too quickly.
Changes
I would have made the final shoot out with a bit more action. Both gunslingers are skilled gunmen and I would like to have seen a shootout that display those skills. Then they can have the stand off to see who was the better quick draw.
Worth a read. It has all the good parts of the western but the gun fights were just like their draw, quick.
Review
This book provides the same sights and sounds as watching an old western movie. Smoke Jensen was an awesome cowboy along with the rest of the characters. The plot of looking for missing horses was a good because when the trail was hot it helps move the story. But when the trail was cold it allowed time to stop by the saloon or the ranch and gave time to develop the characters. However, what left me wanting more was the gun fights which is the second half a great western. The story did a great job setting up the fights but they were over to quick and then resolved too quickly.
Changes
I would have made the final shoot out with a bit more action. Both gunslingers are skilled gunmen and I would like to have seen a shootout that display those skills. Then they can have the stand off to see who was the better quick draw.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews