Red River Vengeance

Perley Gates Western #5

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY.  VENGEANCE IS HERE. A good man like Perley Gates knows that when you race with the devil, you’d better cross the finish line first—or you won’t finish at all . . .  They rode into town like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Four armed outlaws bringing their own brand of hell to Paris, Texas. First they rob the First National Bank. Then they take a woman hostage as insurance. When Perley Gates learns that local waitress Becky Morris is in the hands of these tough customers, he rides alone to get her back. Problem is, the outlaws are heading toward the Red River—straight into Indian Territory. That’s where the ranch hands draw the line. But Perley won’t give up. He manages to rescue the girl, but not before killing the gang’s leader. Now he’s incurred the wrath of the other three . . .  The race is on. Come hell or high water, Perley has to get Becky across the Red River—before three vengeful devils make it flow with their blood . . .  Live Free. Read Hard.  

Genres: Westerns

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 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

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of this book, but after the beginning story plot ended, a subplot began, which was hard for me to get interested in. This was NOT your typical western, full of raw adventure and challenges western.. After the first 25% of the book, I found the rest slow paced and a bit disappointing. Not horrible, but not typical Johnstone writing. The story did little to resonate with me, Life in a old western town, with a sprinkle of difficult people that come to town, want to exercise their dim wit and flex their trigger finger.

So, not my favorite Johnstone Western, but clean, no foul language.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Red River Vengeance by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. This is fifth book about Perley Gates. I really enjoy this series just because that character is so well written. This time we start with a bankrobbery and a kidnapping and then we move on to a new slick dude in town. This is a story filled with fisticuffs, gunfighting and even romance. I think my collection of books by @williamw.j.a.johnstone is about to be the biggest number of books from one author in my library. I must thank @netgalley @kensingtonbooks and @pinnaclepublishers #WhatIamReading #LibraryOfAbibliofob #eARC #WilliamWJohnstone #JAJohnstone #Western #RedRiverVengeance #PerleyGates #NetGalley

[Rosie Rizk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perley Gates tries to live a peaceful life despite having a deadly secret. He has very fast reflexes and is very "fast on the draw," at a time and in a place where such a combination earns one a deadly reputation for good or worse. Plus, they have to live with a target on their back. Life is running normally in the small town of Paris, next to where Perley's family owns a ranch. But that all comes to an end when brothers Jesse, Lucas, Micah, and Leonard, their partner, ride into town and rob the bank, taking a close friend of Perley's hostage in the process. Led by the town sheriff, a pose goes after them but returns empty handed. Perley, distressed, goes after them with his good friend possum to rescue his friend and bring the criminals to justice. Life finally seems to return to normal for the small town of Paris until Redmond Quinn, aka English Red, shows up in the guise of a successful gambler and business man, with sinister plans to take over the town or "put it on the map" as he puts it, by turning the saloon into a professional casino. With the lives of the towns' citizens at stake, it's up to Perley to blow his cover and put a stop to his nefarious plans before its too late. Red River Vengeance was a thoroughly well written story with good plots, interesting characters with lots of personality, and was a really good addition to the Perley Gates series.

[Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with a bank robbery and kidnapping of Perly’s sweetheart, Becky.

After Perly saves her, their relationship deepens and he feels conflicted if he wants to make things official with her. Moreover, he’s worried if he wants to drag her into his constantly-troublesome world.

Meanwhile, a slick and smooth-talking investor named Quinn arrives to town hoping to develop a fancy new gambling saloon. However, his great ambition demands total control of the town, and eliminating anyone who stands in his way.

This adventure takes place in Perly’s hometown of Paris, Texas and we finally get to see development with his fellow townsfolk. The past few stories were on the road or in Bison Gap, and Perly was effectively expelled from that town in the last story, so these new-ish characters are here to stay.

I thought the plot progressed well, I really liked Quinn’s character and thought he played a really compelled antagonist to Perly and his hometown.

I liked Perly’s character development, although I would have liked to have taken a least a couple more books to develop his relationship with Becky before Perly considers marriage.

Overall, I really liked this story and it’s one of the best in the series.

[RICHARD STENTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been hooked on almost all the books written by Willian Johnstone and the series on Perley Gates is one of the best. He is always, as his brothers suggest, stepping into a cow pie. This means he always seems to find trouble even when he is trying to avoid it. This story is about the little town near the ranch Perley and his brothers own. The town is small and a gentleman comes to town wanting to actually take it over with his band of bad guys by joining up with the saloon owner and wanting to make it into a big gambling establishment and add a brothel. He fools the townspeople and the saloon owner into believing he is a true businessman and on the up and up but Perley doesn't buy this front. An added interest is Perley finally speaking the words of love to Beckey whom he has had is eyes on for sometime. All in all a fantastic and quick easy read with always the good winning.

[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.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, although I believe it would have been better as a short story in the first 75 or so pages, after that the plot changed entirely to something else which would have also made a good book. I do believe that it was written entirely by J.A. Johnstone simple because there was no profanity used and if it had of been written by William W. Johnstone it would have been filled with it. I believe J.A. Johnstone should just use his own name and stop depending on his uncle's name to sell books.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is one of the more entertaining series written by this author.

In some ways it reminds me of an old Roy Rogers movie.

Perely is Roy

Possum is Gabby Hayes

And Becky would be Dale Evans.

And of course Buck is trigger

Young fast gun hero, with his local girlfriend and the crusty crotchety old guy sidekick.

He rescues Dale, I mean Becky When she's kidnapped.

Gets into gun fights

Ends up as temporary sheriff, Solves crimes and in the end all is well.

The only thing missing was the hero playing the guitar and singing with the sons of the pioneers.

[Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time that I've just read an overall good western and this one holds up. The main character is admirable and the sidekick is likeable. I also enjoy the shy love story that goes on. This one I just picked up randomly and it was super enjoyable. I've learned that Graphic Audio has done this series so am now going to reach out and see I enjoy those with a full cast and sound!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there are scenes and situations of gun fights, visits to the saloon and flirting from local waitresses, Perley has other things on his mind. Matrimony! It scares him to death. I had to laugh as I finished this book and it seemed he stepped in a cow pie once again - his brothers always accused him of stepping into problem all his life.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any other book in this series, so it was hard understanding all the other components in this book. but I love a good western and mystery. I just reviewed Red River Vengeance by William W. Johnstone; J.A. Johnstone. #RedRiverVengeance #NetGalley

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book!

As always this was a incredibly good story! Loved the action and bit of romance in this one! Love this series! Sorry I am going to miss so many that are not on kindle unlimited and can't afford to buy!

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First 70% of the book is fast paced, last 30% slows down, but still worth the read. Has a bank robbery, kidnapping, a little romance between Perley Gates and Becky Morris, new man in town who wants to take over.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great western. There is violence, but I am so happy it isn't painfully descriptive. So happy there isn't a tedious step by step of intimacy. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale

Perley Gates is sure unlucky when it come to avoiding trouble. It seems that trouble just naturally seeks him out. The action is non-stop with just the right amount of romance to spice up the story. Off to read book six.

[Carol Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book

Thank you William W. Johnstone for another fascinating story, when you sit down to tell a story, they turn out great and very intriguing. There is always an interesting twist to each book you write.
Thank you again for you being a great author

[Paul Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Perley Gates adventure, this time closer to home. This book in the series was particularly action packed and also included great relationship development. Excited to read the next one.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any other book in this series, so it was hard understanding all the other components in this book. but I love a good western and mystery.

[Darrell l Brown]

Great Entertainment

Great Book! As usual WWJ & JAJ have succeeded in another great Western. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Richard Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

God

Another good one.qq we we Dr ft by uh II booboo AA as Dr ft by uh II km lol z z

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red River Vengeance, book five from the Perley Gates Western series, was a good read. I am giving it four stars.

[Robert Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started slow, took a couple chapters to peak my interest but I'm glad I stick with it. When the action picked up it never slowed down.

[gina Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun quick read

It was a fun and easy read. There was no big surprise or lack of knowing that that Perley was the top gun. Over all easy and fun read

[gcperry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read. Good guys befriended guys. A true western adventure. Interesting character in Perley Gates. Doesn't know how good he is.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to say westerns aren’t my genre. Just felt like mishmash of random plots forced together.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dang

[Mike Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It must be a weakness of mine. I find these all to be good and I can't put them down

[Inky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than book 4