A Knife in the Heart

Hank Fallon #4

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

In this action-packed Hank Fallon western, the falsely imprisoned lawman finds himself holding the keys to one of America's most dangerous penitentiaries . . .

Johnstone Country. Don't Be a Stranger.

HE'S ALWAYS ON HIS GUARD

As both a prisoner and an undercover operative, U.S. Marshal Hank Fallon has faced down some of the most vicious, terrifying, cold-blooded thieves and murderers in the West. Now, Hank is finally free and he's got no intention of setting foot inside a jail ever again.

But the new federal prison being constructed in Leavenworth, Kansas, needs a warden and Hank is the right man for the job. He's got the scars to prove it--and to keep the peace. But keeping these lawless hornets in their nest is no easy feat. And when several escape before Leavenworth is at maximum security, they take Hank's family hostage.

To save his wife and baby daughter, Hank will have to get as down and dirty as the devils he's pursuing--and they won't be taken alive.

Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2020

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

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

After years of living a life behind the bars of America’s worst prisons Hank Fallon is handed the key to the new federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS. In the past he has been both a prisoner and an undercover operative, now he faces his biggest challenge - warden of some of the most lawless devils ever incarcerated.

[Erica Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He that lies with the dogs, riseth with the fleas."

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnstone westerns are very much character driven. Each series has at it's heart, a character defined by his history while building a better future for the community he serves. While the western genre has traditionally been defined by Louie L'amour and Zane Grey, the Johnstones are some of the best authors still publishing today. Their stories span the US and her territories during an era of expansion and growth driven by greed of some and hope for the future of others. Their characters span the range from mountain men to pioneer settlers; from Texas reformers to local lawmen with questionable histories of their own. Any Johnstone book is an enjoyable reading experience. Well defined but still rough around the edges, their characters live in communities that are true to the history of the time.

Hank Fallon is a lawman. He came to his current job offer through experience...he's been everything from a Federal Marshall to a prisoner wrongly convicted. He has a job and a family he loves, why would he trade those for a warden's job at Ft Leavenworth? Because being a sheriff in a small town would not give us a very exciting story. And exciting is what we get when Hank's family is threatened...you should never threaten Hank's family. This is a western, so no spoiler, the good guys win in the end, but the journey to get there is well worth your precious time. Join Hank as he makes sure his little piece of the west is safe for all families, not just his.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang good read, this really is a solid series. This time it has gone full circle for Hank Fallon. After being a deputy marshall, then a convict for a crime he didnt do, then a undercover op in prisons for the American Detective Agency, he was appointed to be a Marshall then warden for a big federal prison. Everything is good til some people from his past want to escape and they end up taking his family hostage...not a good plan.

Highly recommend, goes for the whole series. Just written so well with few slow moments, and solid characters.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads said this book didn't exist when I searched for it on this site. Had to find it a different way.

Hank Fallon is out of prison, is a US Marshall, is married with a 5 year daughter. Is asked if he would be a prison warden for a Federal prison. The old prison is still in operation but a new one is being build. Very good story. The best one I have read by J.A. Johnstone and crew for a while.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

Loved this one, couldn't afford the two in between, but sure enjoyed this book! There is a lot of action and Ben Lawless was about as close to a hero as a bad guy can get!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Knife in the Heart is a great addition to A Hank Fallon Western series by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone. I enjoyed it and giving four stars.

[Ray Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank Fallon tries to improve the prison system but goes through a tough time of it.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho ... Hum

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This episode is as exciting as the rest of the series. Characters are interesting and the narrators (an entire cast) are terrific. A few chapters account for hours of pleasant reading.