Gold Mine Massacre

The Jensen Brand #4

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Johnstone Country. Family First. For generations, the Jensens have struggled to build their home, their land, and their dreams. But now the family is forced to fight fire with fire, bullet by bullet, blood for blood . . .  GOLD MINE MASSACRE  For Smoke and his daughter Denny, life on the Sugarloaf Ranch is more valuable than all the gold in the world. Which works out fine, since all the gold mines in Big Rock were squeezed dry years ago. Even so, that won’t stop a pair of businessmen from the East from trying to squeeze out a little more. One of them has developed a newfangled method for extracting gold—something called “hydraulics” and they’ve bought up all the old mines to do it. The other is the son of legendary gunfighter Frank Morgan, and Denny thinks he’s awfully handsome. Smoke isn’t sure what to think of these would-be gold diggers. Especially when the handsome one triggers a rivalry with Denny’s off-and-on beau, a deputy U.S. marshal. And then they hires a small army of gunfighters to protect their mines from sabotage . . .   The Jensons can smell trouble brewing from a mile away. And when it involves gold, guns, and love, it’s more than just trouble. It’s a massacre waiting to happen . . .   Live Free. Read Hard.  

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2021

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

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jensen Brand is a great western series. This one is called Gold Mine Massacre and is another adventure by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. Denise "Denny" Jensen stumbles on a bankrobbery and get some help from a dude that's new in town. It turns out that the daughter of Smoke Jensen meets the son of Frank Morgan. Great stuff. Frank Morgan has his own series as well as Conrad "Kid" Morgan. Those are also great series by @williamw.j.a.johnstone . Conrad is in Big Rock to mine gold. Then trouble starts. I must thank @netgalley @kensingtonbooks and @pinnaclepublishers #WhatIamReading #LibraryOfAbibliofob #eARC #WilliamWJohnstone #JAJohnstone #Western #SmokeJensen #JensenBrand #GoldMineMassacre #ConradMorgan #NetGalley

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no better old West story than one about the Jensen family. In Western literature, these intertwined series are at the top of the genre for their historic facts, strong characters, and well-drawn plots that make you part of the story. Gold Mine Massacre (Pinnacle Books 2021), fourth in the Jensen Brand series, focuses on the Jensen children instead of their famous adults (like Smoke), this one on the strong-willed, independent teenager Denny whose dream is to take over management of Sugarloaf, the family ranch. She spends much of her time honing the skills required to grow the ranching business while her father moves on to the demands of shaping the wild west into a civilized world for his children. A beautiful young woman arrives at Big Rock to re-open a defunct saloon at about the same time that young Conrad Morgan, son of Frank Morgan, a famous gunslinger who fought at Smoke's side at times, unleashes a new mining strategy on the grassland around town that promises to make defunct mines again profitable. The young woman attracts the attention of Denny’s sometimes beau, Deputy U.S. Marshall Bryce while Conrad Morgan focuses on the wild and beautiful Denny. Conrad's mining strategy starts benignly enough but soon causes problems for local ranchers which puts him at odds with Denny, threatening his growing affection for her. When it seems this 'hydraulics' mining can't peacefully coexist with the cattle business, Denny reaches the only decision she can--protect her family's ranch. 

This is an excellent book and a worthy extension of one of my favorite western families. Many writers can’t transition from old favorite characters to the next generation but Johnson seems to have done that without losing a step. Highly recommended for those who love the Western genre.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourth book in the Jenson brand series. Pretty good story. Has Smoke, Sally and Denise (Denny) in this story. The son is back east with his new wife and stepson. Brings back Conrad Browning. I always enjoyed The Loner series. Conrad is in this story bringing in miners using hydraulic mining. Does okay, but his partner is the bad guy, and it becomes miners vs. cowboys fight. The partner brings in some gun-wolves and there are problems with that.

A new character is brought in. Blaise Warfield. Buys a closed down saloon. Really doesn’t get into what she is truly up to. She does have Deputy Marshal Brice Rogers wrapped around her finger. Possibly more will happen on this in the next book.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I was super hyped when the 'Loner' entered this story, but he didn't really act like the Loner from what I remember, he acted more like Conrad, which was a bummer. I'll be curious what's next, though I really enjoyed Bryce...

[Robert W. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble in a different form

Interesting story from the "get go" with the son of another famous gun fighter inserted in the story. Fast paced and action to keep you turning the pages but would expect nothing less

[Sam Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

#GoldMineMassacre #NetGalley
A sturdy crossover between two series. Not too boring, not too gritty and a bit of ecological too. Nice addition to fans of Johnstone.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold Mine Massacre

Another winner from the Johnston's. The Jensen family will fight for what is theirs. Thank you for another awesome read.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

As usual this is a fine book written by a great Author. Truly exciting, interesting and a joy to read.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad not real good

I've read everything of Mr Johnstone's I can get, most several times. He was an awesome writer.

I say was because this to me is mediocre at best.

[Charles R. Yost, Sr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another saga of the Jensen family

This book highlighted Denny Jensen and the adventures she had. New characters where brought into these adventures and it was a good read.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid Morgan shows up and teams up with Denny.

Bad guys show up, fist fights and shoot outs occur.


Yeah: typical Johnstone Story.

[john o'reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me glued

Like this author he has a ruthless attitude pity the books are more expensive good stories grab them when I can

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

William W Johnstone's fourth installment from The Jensen Brand's series, Gold Mine Massacre, is a wonderful read. Five stars.

[LeeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story about a western and the troublesome times they are living through. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd-greatest Western Audiobook on CD ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathy Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta Love Smoke Jensen!

The Smoke Jensen series is worth the read! Actually ALL books by William W. Johnstone are seriously worth the read!

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

Enjoyed reading this book. Lots and lots of action. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I think other readers will enjoy this book also. I would recommend this book to others.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sugarloaf Ranch is a busy place near Big Rock, Colorado. Smoke Jensen and his daughter, Denny, always have their hands full with cattle, rustlers, gun-battles and meeting old friends at Longmont’s in town. Smoke having old friends he rode with in his former harsh days, the Sheriff and Saloon/Restaurant owner, they try and meet up often. In this story, we have a couple younger guys who cause problems with hydraulic mining and the other a U.S. Marshal; most of the situations are caused by being rivals for the hand of Denise. This book has lots of gun-battles, many lives lost and the usual bullets flying in Johnstone books. Thanks to special pricing and Kindle Unlimited, both my husband and I have enjoyed this series.