The Devil's Crossing

Preacher & MacCallister #4

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Two of the Johnstones’ most legendary heroes—the rugged mountain man known as Preacher and the Scottish clan rancher Jamie Ian MacCallister, keep the peace on the Oregon Trail in their fourth and wildest adventure yet.

Settling the American West required true grit, fortitude, and when necessary, shedding blood. It also required men like Preacher and MacCallister to enforce peace in a land where the law was scarce—and justice was delivered from the barrel of a gun…

Wagon trains carrying immigrants along the Oregon Trail are falling prey to outlaws. Most families surrender their valuables and goods peacefully, but anybody brave enough to resist gets a bullet. The gang’s latest victim was a wagon master who sought to protect his charges only to die in the dust. With the blood of good men being spilled and families being terrorized, Preacher and Jamie MacCallister volunteer to escort the next wagon train.

Preacher travels with the settlers while MacCallister trails along at a distance, scouting for trouble. Their odyssey across the unforgiving territory takes them through violent storms and into the sights of hostile Indians. Battered and weary, the travelers are no match for the blood-lusting, trigger-happy gang—and Preacher is unprepared to meet the one outlaw he never expected to see again…

Genres: Westerns

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2022

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]

A rousing adventure on the Oregon Trail. Bandits are attacking and slaughtering immigrants headed west on the trail and Preacher and Jamie are hired to end the outlaws reign on terror. Formulaic and predictable? Yes. Exciting and page turning? Definitely yes. One of the better of the recent Johnstone releases.

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another wagon train is attacked, not many survivors. Will Preacher be able to help with stopping the band of killers? The Devil's Crossing is a new book in the Preacher and MacCalllister series by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. What can be more classic western story than a wagon train with settlers bound for Oregon. In this book we get a couple of big surprises and rest assured that the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad, but not everyone? I am thankful that @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and #Pinnacle gave me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #TheDevilsCrossing #WilliamWJohnstone #JAJohnstone #PreacherAndMacCallister

[Jacqui]

I can’t overstate the excitement I felt when I discovered more books about Preacher, William Johnstone's original Mountain Man and my introduction years ago to that sturdy, stalwart, invincible, never-quit icon of the American Rockies. Johnstone's character, Preacher, possesses at organic knowledge of survival that has nothing to do with money, possessions, or who you know and everything to do with what is inside you. Preacher's honesty and earnestness, his love of nature makes him one to 'ride the river with'.

In this Book 4 of the Preacher and MacCalister series (Pinnacle 2022), a separate series from the many other Preacher Mountain Man series,, Preacher is well-established as the knowledgeable man of the mountains, but he still lives a simples, straight-forward life based on doing what should be done. When wagon trains are being ambushed by outlaws at a particularly difficult pass along the Oregon Trail--Devil's Crossing--Preacher agrees to join a wagon train to stop the bandits who have taken so many lives and dreams. Preacher brings a few of his mountain man friends with him, most notably the impossible-to-defeat Jamie MacAllister. The story has everything you always love about Preacher novels--action, justice, a little flirting, a lot of victories, and at least one surprise Preacher never saw coming. Highly recommended to those who love lots of action and winning in their Westerns. 

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devil’s Crossing was named such because it was a place marked by horror of a Wagon Train coming through where 63 people was massacred, and all their goods stolen by a band of outlaws. Some women were kidnapped to be sold.

The large gang must be stopped or wagon trains and the families in them heading West for a better life, would never have a chance to get there alive.

Liked the story ok, but for me, it did not a lot of the action I have come to expect and appreciate in a typical Preacher - MacAllister western, and just a bit too much time with family drama in the Wagon Train.

[Leslie Colwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I was looking forward to reading this book but it was very slow not much action a book with Preacher and Jamie MacCallister should have been fun to read this was not almost boring at times.

[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.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagon trains and trail rides are two of my favorite subjects to read. Men and women during this time had to have true grit in order to survive. William Johnstone creates characters with determination and toughness. Preacher and Jamie MacCallister are true men of the west. Chasing outlaws is their job. When wagon trains going west are being ambushed and good men are losing their lives, these two volunteer to accompany the next set. Will they be able to keep this train alive? And when Preacher comes face to face with a prior outlaw will he be prepared? I love reading the authors books because he does a lot of research. His books bring to life the old west. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing tale of traveling the Oregon Trail in the 1850’s era. Indians fought, guns blazed, outlaws took advantage of ordinary citizens and weary travelers simply tried to survive. This is the story of the infamous Preacher and his friends trying to ride to the rescue of families in order to reach their destination. I loved meeting Absaroka and hearing about his family and the devastation that occurred from disease and famine. How he was related to Preacher was a surprise and I felt the hearts of these men. The writing was excellent.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better

Now that the fourth book in the series is done I'm looking forward to the fifth and last book in the series. Each book has been crammed with all the action and adventure you could want. The continued storyline makes each tale a new and exciting chapter without having to establish and build on to all new main characters. Excellent reading.

[David Burnworth]

Preacher is asked to help take a wagon train to Oregon after learning a gang was wiping out wagon trains, killing everyone in them, he opts to take on the task, and he gets his good friend Jamie MacCallister to help him. Preacher comes up with a plan that has Jamie trail the wagon train to keep their back trail save. This time things go astray as fast as they can and only a miracle can save not only the wagon train but Preacher and Jamie too.

[David Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preacher Rides Again

Another great tail of the old west. I've read 25-30 books featuring Preacher and have enjoyed every one. I like to think a lot of men who helped settle the west were like him. It's enjoyable to let your mind wander back to a different time and I've never been disappointed in the books I've read with him!!

[Nancy Clack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagon Train

I loved reading this story. There was action after action as the wagon train started its journey. I really liked Preacher and MacCallister, two of the best friends forever. Their exploits in saving people, routing the ferocious tribes of Indians and always parting to pick up together again to go to their next adventure.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil’s Crossing

Another awesome book about Preacher and Jamie. I really enjoy the action in these books,. Preacher is one of my fal I also have read everyone of the books with Jamie MacCallister in the Eagles series. Thank you for a awesome read.

[Steven M Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagons west

I love the reality that Johnstone puts in his books. In Devil's Crossing you fee!l that you are riding with Preacher on this adventure. I swear yoh can taste the dust and smell the pines.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved “The Devil’s Crossing”. Preacher and Jamie MacCallister are a force to be reckoned with and blend well with the supporting characters. The action is nonstop and consistent with the storyline. I couldn’t wait to read this and finished in about 5 nights. I highly recommend this book.

[Wanda Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preacher

He does not disappoint in this book with his guiding the wagon train through a dangerous point where the trains ate always attacked

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

I enjoyed reading this book. It's of action. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn't put the book down. Would recommend this book to everyone.

[Rich Fiorillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Johnstone read.

Another fine story about the old west. Almost makes you feel like you're there with them. Look forward to more.

[Jodeane D. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!!

It was good to see Preacher, Jamie Ian MacCallister, and Hawk together again!!
William W Johnstone never disappoints!!! Read it!!

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great series! Of course, I haven't read a Johnstone book that I didn't absolutely love.

[Barry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Great read as all the others have been. It was excellent and captivating. It was a great read. I recommend it to anyone who wants it good western.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read what it was about, I thought oh great another wagon train story. This one was pretty interesting with some surprises on who shows up.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book with these characters in this series. I did enjoy the story, but for me at times it dragged on a little too much but overall was a very good read.

[THOMAS E. TONEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Crossing

There is much action and adventure in this book. Very good book and it keeps you on edge as to the outcome!

[Don Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one too ¡

Like always, I loved this book. It is a good distraction from this life we all live. And reminds of a life of hope for a good fortune and future.

[ted tull · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Crossing

Once again the Johnstone's came up with a great story. I love the Preacher novels. I hope to find some more. That was Book 4. I'm ready for 5.

[Lawrence Kopecky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preacher again

This is a very good story with a great plot. Preacher and Jamie did not disappoint . I highly recommend this book

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Fun book about how the west was settled!

It appears more accurate than most tall tales. Treat yourself to a good read & give it a chance…

[Mike Dietz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fresh premise with familiar characters

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good story I liked it. Although there are better books from the dynamic duo.