The Devil You Know

Stoneface Finnegan #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. LOOKING FOR TROUBLE? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER.

As a Pinkerton agent, Stoneface Finnegan faced the deadliest killers in the West. But now that he runs a saloon, he serves them hard liquor—with a shot of harder justice . . .

THE DEVIL WALKS INTO A BAR

Stoneface Finnegan and his new partner are busy renovating The Last Drop Saloon when a very unusual stranger comes to town. He’s nothing like the prairie rat drifters, world-weary miners, and would-be outlaws who normally pass through Boar Gulch. No, he’s a big handsome devil from San Francisco, Giacomo Valucci. Valucci fancies himself an actor, but his all-too-dramatic arrival is no act. He’s come to kill Stoneface Finnegan . . .

Finnegan’s gut tells him that someone’s put a price on his head. Maybe one of his cutthroat enemies from his Pinkerton days. Or maybe not.

Giacomo Valucci seems more interested in playing the role of Jack the Ripper. He’s carving a path of mayhem and murder across the American West—and saving Stoneface Finnegan for the last act . . . and the final curtain.

Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 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

[Bill Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. It just seemed to be lacking compared to what was promised or described in the description. The Jack the Ripper of the West vs Ex-Pinkerton agent Stoneface Finnegan! Or maybe my expectations were just too high. Either way it was entertaining just slightly disappointing.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The READER knows who the “devil” is from the get go; there is definitely a very EVIL man whose behavior is devilish (I’d say more like a homicidal maniac..... western Jack the Ripper style). No one else in the story figures it out until nearly the end, when said “devil” comes to and stays in Boar Gulch, with his main sights on ex-Pinkerton agent, Stoneface Finnagan. Seems the devil, comes to finish what others didn’t successfully accomplish before, that is, kill Stoneface Finnagan. This evil has money, charm, looks, and can play any role he desires, but he aims to settle a score and murder any and all he wants to, of course with his particular brand of flair. Evil, yes, he is the devil in the flesh, and Giacomo Valucci leaves a copious amount of dead bodies behind, before and during his visit to the quaint little mining town of Boar Gulch.

Hard for me to say I really “enjoyed” this one because of the graphic violent scenes, however, the violence falls in line with the plot, the evil character, the overall storyline. Valucci, (the Devil referred to in the book’s title) is a sort of a chameleon, and fancies himself the greatest actor in the world, producing the most glorious of “plays” displaying his handiwork for everyone to admire.

Well, the town of Boar Gulch, Rollie Finnagan, Finnagan’s partners, and yes, the reader, are about to experience a theatrical performance not soon forgotten.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil You Know is the new adventure with Stoneface Finnegan from William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. The town of Boar Gulch is booming and the building and rebuilding continues after the attack in the last book. But someone is stirring up trouble, who is robbing the miners? Will the mayor get money enough to build his hotel? Will the crazy man murdering women find Boar Gulch? For those that read the book, you will get some of the answers. This is as usual a good western from a dead man! I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and @pinnaclepublishers for giving me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it.

[Camden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book more than it deserves, I'm going to be honest. It had alright pacing, but both of the big payoffs are incredibly lacking. The big built-up antagonist is a 5-page adventure compared to some other schmuck who was hardly built up at all. We never get to see Stonface actually flex his big ol Pinkerton muscles because he is always either just 1 on 1 or he gets to the party late. I think the characters are what carry this book as much as it does. Valucci was an incredibly interesting character and was so random in the way he worked himself through the country. He could laugh at the same joke that he would kill someone over and that was very interesting. Pops got captured solely because he was daydreaming about food, and then 10 pages later he's going to work on the bandits. Even the smallest side characters get built up before being killed which makes the story much more lively. I loved the progression of Boar Gulch and the Last drop, and I started this series on the second book. I liked how Rollie felt bad for attracting bandits and villains to the town, but also knowing he is the only one around to defend it. It was just a very good book for one that I found at the dollar store. I was surprised.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the Johnstone Clan series is a step up from the first. Better plotting and dialogue. The story is good, but far more convoluted than necessary. There's really two stories involved and both poorly meshed together. The first is of a fellow posing as an actor. The menace of this one is very well written. However, other elements involved are unbelievable and go too far in the narrative. Despite the effort to create a very nasty character, the resolution for this story is faster and less surprising than if this had been a separate tale.

The other story throughout could've used more development and made a really great separate book. The evil actor part well over shadows the other story. That's despite there being more of the other story than the actor one.

I know the Johnstone Clan is knocking out books at an incredible rate. Someone should've slowed down and pointed out separating this volume into two, would've aided in having stories for more books in the series.

Still, compared to other books published today, this is a winner still.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

True lovers of Westerns know that any book written by a Johnstone will be a good read. The many different "families" in their books are all unique characters who protect their own by any means. While their methods may sometimes skirt the edges of the law, their actions always bring results. These books take the reader into the old west, telling the stories as they would have happened then. True Westerns.
The Devil You Know is the second book in the series centered around Stoneface Finnegan. A former Pinkerton aganet, he knows how the law works. Now he owns and operates a saloon, his customers come from every walk of life. Now a new, bigger than life customer has shown up at the bar. Stoneface gets the feeling that this customer just may be trouble looking him.
This is an excellent follow up to the first book in the series, By The Neck. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Barry Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

History?

At times I felt like I was setting in a classroom. A lot of history and a little action. This is one of Johnstone’s slower novels. I felt like I was reading a history book with a few predictable actions scenes. I loved the number of characters in each scene. Read after a long nap.

[RICHARD STENTON · Rating 3 out of 5]

ACTION

I love most of the stories by William Johnstone but the one seemed a little contrived. The story and the characters did not seem real and I was not able to feel part of Rollie's life. It was a fast easy read and Pop is an interesting character. Perhaps I should have read Book 1, but the action and events here were interesting but seemed to be done to finish the book.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second story in the series of Rollie “Stoneface” Finnegan. A lot going on in this book. A very wealthy serial killer, whores, gold robbers and a man who comes back from the dead. Story was interesting in parts and boring in others.

[Louis Blue]

A Good Read, plenty of action in a familiar setting.

Another Stoneface Finnegan Western that has plenty of action with numerous plots. In the end the former Pinkerton Man brings down the villain that he couldn't catch before he left the agency.

[erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

i don’t know if i’m biased against western, which i don’t think i am, but this was kinda a bad book.

it wasn’t the writing that was bad but i didn’t enjoy the plot, or any of the side stories that tore along as the main characters figured it out

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

25-42. This audio western displays the downside of life in a small town. The people could be harsh, brutal, and judgemental. There were bright spots but this novel shows the brutality that some people practiced. I borrowed this audio book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil You Know is a great addition to the Stoneface Finnegan series. It will be getting five stars from me. I loved it.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite nice

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable 10 out 10

[Yalonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful western mystery! I did not see that coming :-) I can't wait for the next Stoneface Finnegan.

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

It's a good book to read Lots of action I think many other readers will enjoy reading this book. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Michael Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good for the most part but it felt rushed and incomplete close to the end. In fact the Main bad guy I felt wasn’t as brought out as the side villain Stoneface Finnagan was chasing

[Malinda Hoard-Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending

I could not put this down. So many twists of evil. Two stalwart heroes. Riding their world of crimina!s. Just love that ending.

[Richard Hoyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

Suspense with unknown at each turn of events.
Creative characters who keep your interest.
Unbelievable ending with much anticipation for what is next.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never really into westerns but this book sure did hold my attention. Great book!

[Lesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

You need to be careful and have good friends.

[Shana Bury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, it was okay. There were points where things were happening and I just struggled to follow along. Almost like it was missing key details.