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Stoneface Finnegan #1
By the Neck
Rollie Finnegan is a man of few words. As a Pinkerton agent with two decades of experience under his belt, he uses his stony silence to break down suspects and squeeze out confessions. Hence the nickname Stoneface. Over the years, he's locked up plenty of killers. Now he's ready to make a killing--for himself...
There's gold in the mountains of Idaho Territory. And the town of Boar Gulch is a golden opportunity for a tough guy like Finnegan. But when he arrives, the local saloon owner is gunned down in cold blood--and Finnegan makes a cold calculation of his own. Instead of working in a mine, he'll buy the saloon. Instead of gold, he'll mine the miners. And instead of getting dirty, he'll clean up this grimy little boomtown once and for all--with his own brand of Stoneface justice...
There's gold in the mountains of Idaho Territory. And the town of Boar Gulch is a golden opportunity for a tough guy like Finnegan. But when he arrives, the local saloon owner is gunned down in cold blood--and Finnegan makes a cold calculation of his own. Instead of working in a mine, he'll buy the saloon. Instead of gold, he'll mine the miners. And instead of getting dirty, he'll clean up this grimy little boomtown once and for all--with his own brand of Stoneface justice...
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2021
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,055 books1,425 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 55 reviews
December 23, 2020
"By the Neck", a Stoneface Finnegan western, was a smooth western, proportional to the storyline.
Rollie Finnegan, former Pinkerton detective, moves to Boar Gulch to start his life over after an attempt was made on his life. He buys the local saloon, and soon enough is told that he, being an ex-Pinkerton agent will have serious ramifications. It was claimed by a woman talking to him one morning having coffee, that he had ruined her life, and several other lives, over the years as a Pinkerton agent who tracked them down and testified against them, sending them away to prisons. And now, a generous bounty has been put on his head to have him killed. She also told him that she personally had took out an ad in every newspaper she could think of, telling the world where Rollie Finnegan is living so every criminal he had ever came in contact with could have their revenge.
Rollie is no longer a Pinkerton agent, he is still healing from serious wounds after an attempt on his life, and now....is just the new guy in town, the saloon owner with no real friends or family. It does not take long before all heck starts breaking lose again, but as a former Pinkerton agent with two decades of experience under his belt, can he possibly have a chance with the war that's coming?
3.5 Stars rounded up
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rollie Finnegan, former Pinkerton detective, moves to Boar Gulch to start his life over after an attempt was made on his life. He buys the local saloon, and soon enough is told that he, being an ex-Pinkerton agent will have serious ramifications. It was claimed by a woman talking to him one morning having coffee, that he had ruined her life, and several other lives, over the years as a Pinkerton agent who tracked them down and testified against them, sending them away to prisons. And now, a generous bounty has been put on his head to have him killed. She also told him that she personally had took out an ad in every newspaper she could think of, telling the world where Rollie Finnegan is living so every criminal he had ever came in contact with could have their revenge.
Rollie is no longer a Pinkerton agent, he is still healing from serious wounds after an attempt on his life, and now....is just the new guy in town, the saloon owner with no real friends or family. It does not take long before all heck starts breaking lose again, but as a former Pinkerton agent with two decades of experience under his belt, can he possibly have a chance with the war that's coming?
3.5 Stars rounded up
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 19, 2021
I have read By The Neck, one of the latest series from William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. This book introduces Rollie "Stoneface" Finnegan ex Pinkerton agent on his journey to support himself now that he no longer has a job. He has heard that there's gold in Boar Gulch in Idaho.... Instead of mining gold he winds up mining the miners. This is a somewhat different western and I found it to my liking. The characters are great and the frontier justice is as well. I must thank #Pinnacle #KensingtonBooks and #Netgalley for giving me this treat. If you like westerns I am sure you'll like this one.
February 25, 2021
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
It has been a while since I read a western and this was a pleasant return to a once favored genre. Has all the pieces needed to make a good western.
It has been a while since I read a western and this was a pleasant return to a once favored genre. Has all the pieces needed to make a good western.
July 26, 2021
Before typing my review, I perused other reviewers to see if any found what I found. I see one that may have picked up my struggle with this book. Most all have me wondering if they read the book or just wanted to post a praising review because they got the book for free. Their writing oblique.
Earlier this year i tipped my toe into Net Galley. That did not get me to not state my view of liking or disliking a book. I didn't feel comfortable with getting books this way and most of the books stunk. I may tip back in for something I really want to see involving Florida history. Otherwise, i'll purchase books, which is what the publisher really needs these days.
I want to really like this book. The characters, even more than usual, are extremely well done. If not too much so. I'll write the main two are in the top 5 or ten of Johnstone clan characters I've read. By the way, Smoke does not make the list.
However, this volume has too many troubles. The dialogue helps define the characters. There's just waaaaaay too much of it. Also the unbelievable amount of talk characters level upon various situations, often to fill in back stories. If that doesn't do it, the narrative picks up backstory otherwise and goes on and on with it. There's too much introspection by characters overly described. This is done again and again so that repetition is irritating. This is poor handling, and a lot of it.
Something else common for a Johnstone Clan novel is the loose writing of the setting. This makes reading difficult as the town and other scenes depend upon understanding the structures, natural or not. At one point there is mention that the Mayor is building a hotel at the other end of town. The characters can see it being built. But how far is that? A mile? 300 chains? What about the buildings in between? These are never filled in to give the feeling of an actual town. It's all poorly written.
My biggest trouble is with the ending. A rather small battle that is just another battle. All the battles are brought on by another character from earlier in the book. This one was rather small, but is drawn out for a good 100 pages. Little of it is actual battle. That ending is far too long with more than needed of the introspection mentioned before. I can't recall another battle going so long in a Johnstone novel with so few battling. I'd get it if if this Smoke up against 100 bad guys. 7 or 8 bad guys shouldn't go on that long.
A common complaint of a Johnstone Clan novel is that it ends too quickly. This one does only in the sense of acknowledging what the 100 or so pages before had established, which was, at that point expected.
What this book needed is a good editor. This is why I almost never read contemporary books anymore. I've almost never complained of editing issues involving the Johnstone Clan. The writer needed better guidance.
Basically, this is a setup book for future books. Thus, my experience after reading a couple hundred Johnstone books, best to wait for the second one that will more tightly explain what happened in this one and move on.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
Earlier this year i tipped my toe into Net Galley. That did not get me to not state my view of liking or disliking a book. I didn't feel comfortable with getting books this way and most of the books stunk. I may tip back in for something I really want to see involving Florida history. Otherwise, i'll purchase books, which is what the publisher really needs these days.
I want to really like this book. The characters, even more than usual, are extremely well done. If not too much so. I'll write the main two are in the top 5 or ten of Johnstone clan characters I've read. By the way, Smoke does not make the list.
However, this volume has too many troubles. The dialogue helps define the characters. There's just waaaaaay too much of it. Also the unbelievable amount of talk characters level upon various situations, often to fill in back stories. If that doesn't do it, the narrative picks up backstory otherwise and goes on and on with it. There's too much introspection by characters overly described. This is done again and again so that repetition is irritating. This is poor handling, and a lot of it.
Something else common for a Johnstone Clan novel is the loose writing of the setting. This makes reading difficult as the town and other scenes depend upon understanding the structures, natural or not. At one point there is mention that the Mayor is building a hotel at the other end of town. The characters can see it being built. But how far is that? A mile? 300 chains? What about the buildings in between? These are never filled in to give the feeling of an actual town. It's all poorly written.
My biggest trouble is with the ending. A rather small battle that is just another battle. All the battles are brought on by another character from earlier in the book. This one was rather small, but is drawn out for a good 100 pages. Little of it is actual battle. That ending is far too long with more than needed of the introspection mentioned before. I can't recall another battle going so long in a Johnstone novel with so few battling. I'd get it if if this Smoke up against 100 bad guys. 7 or 8 bad guys shouldn't go on that long.
A common complaint of a Johnstone Clan novel is that it ends too quickly. This one does only in the sense of acknowledging what the 100 or so pages before had established, which was, at that point expected.
What this book needed is a good editor. This is why I almost never read contemporary books anymore. I've almost never complained of editing issues involving the Johnstone Clan. The writer needed better guidance.
Basically, this is a setup book for future books. Thus, my experience after reading a couple hundred Johnstone books, best to wait for the second one that will more tightly explain what happened in this one and move on.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
May 14, 2021
I must admit that my opinion of Westerns has been based on the books of Louis L’Amour. That will give you an indication of my age. When I saw this paperback book on the shelf of my local bookstore, I was at first intrigued by the cover. What’s not to like about an older man who is suggestive of Kenny Rogers’ looks sitting atop his horse with a gun in his hands?. All set against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Looking further along that bookshelf I found two other titles by the Johnstones; Westerns as well. I bought two thinking I needed a break from all the romance and historical titles I’ve been reading and writing. At the very least I could pass this one on to my husband who spends hours before the television watching reruns of every Western ever made. I was pleasantly surprised when I began to read, thinking I had discovered a new author. The surprise was when I learned that Mr. Johnstone has written over 300 of these Westerns. So how good was the book?
It was great! From the first pages where we meet Rollie ‘Stoneface’ Finnegan, a career Pinkerton agent who has put away his share of bad guys, I was drawn in to the action. From there on out the action is almost nonstop.
Finnegan has had it with being a Pinkerton agent, especially as he was nearly killed after testifying against his latest collar. The beating he sustained has left him with a pronounced limp and several other medical issues. While recuperating, he reads an ad in the Denver newspaper about a tiny mining camp in Idaho called Boar Gulch. He decides that he likes the idea of wide open spaces, working his claim, and the peace and quiet all that promises.
Making his way there with a horse named Cap (short for Captain), he arrives to find himself in the middle of a shoot out where the owner of the saloon is shot dead in the middle of the street. Now here’s an opportunity being handed to him – perhaps instead of mining for gold, he can mine the miners and relieve them of their money without too much hard work. He reaches a deal with the mayor who seems to own the entire town, and buys the saloon outright. But with every mining camp that is growing into a town, there are bad guys looking to jump claims or simply to jump each other. And what’s a guy to do about all the guys he’s brought to justice as a Pinkerton who have followed him to Boar Gulch looking to even the score?
A brilliant cast of characters that includes Nosey Parker (a bumbling young man who is definitely hiding something from his past), Pops (an older former slave who becomes Rollie’s trustworthy sidekick), an aging miner named Wolfbait whose health is in a steady decline, a sly and crafty mayor named Chauncey Wheeler, and of course Cap the horse, are the central characters in this action packed book. By the second chapter I was totally immersed in the new life Rollie had chosen for himself. Not a thought was spared for the world of romance or historical fiction.
Congratulations to Mr Johnstone for providing a much needed escape for me. I plan on reading many more of these Westerns. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the Old West or simply looking to escape to a simpler time.
It was great! From the first pages where we meet Rollie ‘Stoneface’ Finnegan, a career Pinkerton agent who has put away his share of bad guys, I was drawn in to the action. From there on out the action is almost nonstop.
Finnegan has had it with being a Pinkerton agent, especially as he was nearly killed after testifying against his latest collar. The beating he sustained has left him with a pronounced limp and several other medical issues. While recuperating, he reads an ad in the Denver newspaper about a tiny mining camp in Idaho called Boar Gulch. He decides that he likes the idea of wide open spaces, working his claim, and the peace and quiet all that promises.
Making his way there with a horse named Cap (short for Captain), he arrives to find himself in the middle of a shoot out where the owner of the saloon is shot dead in the middle of the street. Now here’s an opportunity being handed to him – perhaps instead of mining for gold, he can mine the miners and relieve them of their money without too much hard work. He reaches a deal with the mayor who seems to own the entire town, and buys the saloon outright. But with every mining camp that is growing into a town, there are bad guys looking to jump claims or simply to jump each other. And what’s a guy to do about all the guys he’s brought to justice as a Pinkerton who have followed him to Boar Gulch looking to even the score?
A brilliant cast of characters that includes Nosey Parker (a bumbling young man who is definitely hiding something from his past), Pops (an older former slave who becomes Rollie’s trustworthy sidekick), an aging miner named Wolfbait whose health is in a steady decline, a sly and crafty mayor named Chauncey Wheeler, and of course Cap the horse, are the central characters in this action packed book. By the second chapter I was totally immersed in the new life Rollie had chosen for himself. Not a thought was spared for the world of romance or historical fiction.
Congratulations to Mr Johnstone for providing a much needed escape for me. I plan on reading many more of these Westerns. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the Old West or simply looking to escape to a simpler time.
October 12, 2021
Pretty good page-turner. So I would recommend it for folks who like western/cowboy type yarns. That said, I freeely admit that this may be the first one of such I have read. I did have an interest in William W. Johnstone, who died in 2004 and dicovered that his niece J.A. Johnstone-who gets much smaller font on the book cover-and who apparently did a lot of research for her uncle is really the author. So, I now have an interest in reading a book actually written by her uncle; all to discover the difference in writing styles and focus. For example, there is no cursing in the entire book-plenty of violence-but no swearing; and while I understand it is a novel, just doesn't come off as realistic.
The author took pains to develop the characters so as to differentiate them, especially Stoneface Finnegan-but too much cutesy conversations in the course of the story for my taste, especially by brutal, violent killers. And one of the characters "Pops" was basically faultless...would have added more depth had he not been a candidate for sainthood.
The author took pains to develop the characters so as to differentiate them, especially Stoneface Finnegan-but too much cutesy conversations in the course of the story for my taste, especially by brutal, violent killers. And one of the characters "Pops" was basically faultless...would have added more depth had he not been a candidate for sainthood.
October 1, 2024
A western written by William Johnstone's estate after his passing, "By The Neck" (2021) is a common Johnstone-style western; this time we're in the shoes of a former Pinkerton agent named Stoneface Finnegan who has been targeted for killing by someone from his past. He has set his post-agent retirement sights on working at a bar in a new mining town called Boar Gulch where he meets a motley gaggle of swindling trouble-makers, funny old-timers, other solid guys he enlists to help with his bar, and a number of other manipulative characters he needs to deal with. Then some bad guys from his past start to arrive and make trouble.
Verdict: I'm not usually a fan of Johnstone westerns but "By The Neck" actually isn't bad. It has a Saturday western, rolling adventure feel to it, lots of cartoony exposition and characters, easy to read. I think you'll enjoy this one if you like easy westerns with a mild kick.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating: PG-13
Verdict: I'm not usually a fan of Johnstone westerns but "By The Neck" actually isn't bad. It has a Saturday western, rolling adventure feel to it, lots of cartoony exposition and characters, easy to read. I think you'll enjoy this one if you like easy westerns with a mild kick.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating: PG-13
April 7, 2023
There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters.
June 1, 2021
Rollie "Stoneface" Finnegan is an ex-Pinkerton agent who is on his way to Boar Gulch, Idaho to seek gold but instead finds himself the new saloon owner.
This noted as the first in a series and the ending sets it up nicely for a stand alone or continuation.
Nice revisit to the western genre for me. Good writing shows the relationship development between his new business partner Pops and the comedic relief of others.
Action packed of those from Finnegan's past that find him and that chaos that ensues.
Thanks to Pinnacle, Goodreads, and author Johnstone for the ARC edition. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.
This noted as the first in a series and the ending sets it up nicely for a stand alone or continuation.
Nice revisit to the western genre for me. Good writing shows the relationship development between his new business partner Pops and the comedic relief of others.
Action packed of those from Finnegan's past that find him and that chaos that ensues.
Thanks to Pinnacle, Goodreads, and author Johnstone for the ARC edition. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.
June 8, 2021
I am not a western genre reader usually, but I got hooked a few years ago on reading the Christmas novels by Johnstone. This book, By the Neck, I was fortunate to receive in a #Goodreads giveaway.
This book was as entertaining and the Christmas ones I read. "Stoneface" is trying to build a new life in a mining town in the middle of nowhere and his life becomes filled with unexpected twists when he finds someone has put a bounty on his head due to his past profession, and he has no idea who did it and why in particular.
The book is filled with action grit, determination, and great characters. William W. Johnstone's legacy lives on!
This book was as entertaining and the Christmas ones I read. "Stoneface" is trying to build a new life in a mining town in the middle of nowhere and his life becomes filled with unexpected twists when he finds someone has put a bounty on his head due to his past profession, and he has no idea who did it and why in particular.
The book is filled with action grit, determination, and great characters. William W. Johnstone's legacy lives on!
February 14, 2021
I read this book cover to cover one afternoon into the early morning hours of the next day. I found it very interesting with a few character and plot twists that were unexpected. I came away thinking that this was a book just waiting to be made into a movie! A lot of action, great location and scenery with a super story! This will be on my list of books to reread, as it is thoroughly enjoyable! 2021 got off to a good start with this title and author! I will be looking out for more by him very soon!
October 23, 2021
Interesting Premise, Not The Usual Outlaws & Ranchers/Lawman Tale.
A fun read. Lots of improbable shootouts and confrontations as is the norm for this author. A good bit of comedic dialog and interesting characters. The good guys always suffer injuries and wounds with remarkable recovery times and ability to carry on. Fortunately there's no love interest involved.
Would like to see more of this series.
A fun read. Lots of improbable shootouts and confrontations as is the norm for this author. A good bit of comedic dialog and interesting characters. The good guys always suffer injuries and wounds with remarkable recovery times and ability to carry on. Fortunately there's no love interest involved.
Would like to see more of this series.
April 28, 2021
A new character by William Johnstone is featured in this book. Retired Pinkerton agent Rollie"Stoneface" Finnnegan heads West to start a new life and follow the gold opportunities. He does so by opening a saloon. But his past also follows him causing some interesting problems.
Another good story from Johnstone.
Another good story from Johnstone.
September 8, 2021
I'm a big Johnstone(s) fan, but this was a disappointment. There was no plot, merely gunfight after gunfight. Stoneface was not appealing although three supporting cast members, Nosey, Pops and Wolfbait were. It is a shame that Finnegan, the main man did not have a fraction of their personality. I'll move on and back to other series by these fine writers
December 17, 2021
I read this book in about 4 days...
The last book by another author that I read took a month and a half and was drudgery. This one was exciting. I think that the final battle should have been shorter. And I think that the main character should have left town to avoid further bloodshed.
The last book by another author that I read took a month and a half and was drudgery. This one was exciting. I think that the final battle should have been shorter. And I think that the main character should have left town to avoid further bloodshed.
April 16, 2026
Maybe I’m mistaken but I thought this was a boring and sloppy western. Why have the mayor kill the poor girl then burn her house down then that whole subplot just never comes up again … okay and then alll these people show up to kill Rollie and we have no idea where they came from or who hired them and guess what, once Rollie kills them then more show up, then they die then more show up. Rinse, cycle, repeat it was way too long for what it was. Not impressed.
March 10, 2021
This was a new author to me and I loved this book. It's about an ex-private lawman turned saloonkeeper. As people from his past come to get revenge on him all sorts of trouble shows up in the town. A very likable character.
I won a copy of this from Goodreads but it did not affect my review.
I won a copy of this from Goodreads but it did not affect my review.
March 19, 2021
I won this book in a giveaway, but I was already a Johnstone fan.
This is a new series, and I loved it. I love the new characters, and the writing was wonderful for this one. It’s one of my new favorites.
This is a new series, and I loved it. I love the new characters, and the writing was wonderful for this one. It’s one of my new favorites.
Want to Read
April 12, 2021It’s very good. Felt like you were there and you actually knew the characters. Enjoyed it very much. Think I will read more by this author. Give it a try. I think most will enjoy it especially the men.
April 24, 2021
By the Neck ( A Stoneface Finnegan Western Book 1)
By the Neck ( A Stoneface Finnegan Western Book 1) This story was fun. A small town trying to grow with all kind of characters passing through.
By the Neck ( A Stoneface Finnegan Western Book 1) This story was fun. A small town trying to grow with all kind of characters passing through.
July 2, 2021
The Johnstone clan and their ghost writers have come up with another new character. Rollie "Stoneface" Finnegan.
This story I thought was a little on the slow side and very wordy. I wasn't overly impressed with it.
This story I thought was a little on the slow side and very wordy. I wasn't overly impressed with it.
July 31, 2021
By The Neck
I just thought I would try a Johnstone book with another character.
It was better than fair but I didn't like it as much as others and I have read approximately70 of Johnstone's books.
I just thought I would try a Johnstone book with another character.
It was better than fair but I didn't like it as much as others and I have read approximately70 of Johnstone's books.
January 27, 2022
Great western
I so loved the characters that came to life do seamlessly. I for one love the Justice served ruthlessly in a good western. I was sorry this one ended. Downloaded it and enjoy.
I so loved the characters that came to life do seamlessly. I for one love the Justice served ruthlessly in a good western. I was sorry this one ended. Downloaded it and enjoy.
December 30, 2022
Pathetic
Some authors seem to enjoy using more adjectives then necessary in their writing. I felt this book matched that aspect of poor writing skills. He has the makings if being a good author if he would simply write from the heart.
Some authors seem to enjoy using more adjectives then necessary in their writing. I felt this book matched that aspect of poor writing skills. He has the makings if being a good author if he would simply write from the heart.
February 6, 2021
Story line is relatable. Some good spots. Written well.
February 7, 2021
I received an advance copy through Goodreads. I enjoyed the book very much. His descriptions a very real and I had the feeling of being part of the story.
February 21, 2021
I like the book. Good country western book. I think people would like to read this book
March 7, 2021
Awesome read
Fun adventure fast read and enjoyable characters
It began really slow at first but it picked up really fast and full of action
Fun adventure fast read and enjoyable characters
It began really slow at first but it picked up really fast and full of action
March 30, 2021
great book
Read
April 11, 2021Absolutely loved this new series! Really looking forward to the second book.
Well Done.
Well Done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews