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Stoneface Finnegan #3
Hard Road to Vengeance
From legendary bestselling Western authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, the third adventure featuring Stoneface Finnegan, the former Pinkerton agent now serving up shots of justice as the owner of a boomtown saloon in Idaho Country.
Whether serving justice as a Pinkerton agent or serving drinks as a saloonkeeper, Stoneface Finnegan always lines up his shots to kill. . .
GONE TO DEADWOOD
The Pinkertons believe Rollie “Stoneface” Finnegan was the best agent to ever wear the badge. So does dewy-eyed Pinkerton hopeful and sleuth-in-training Tish Gray, who’s just arrived in Boar Gulch. As co-owner of Boar Gulch’s Last Drop Saloon, Stoneface is content slinging booze into guts instead of bullets. But when his partner Jubal “Pops” Tennyson needs help to rescue his daughter, Stoneface saddles up to take a hard ride into hell.
Their destination is Deadwood, Dakota Territory, the notorious mining town and outlaw haven where folks can dig up a gold fortune or dig their own grave. Pops’ daughter is being held captive by the infamous Al Swearengen, owner of the Gem Theater, supplying whiskey, wagering, and women to the desperate, the destitute, and the dangerous. As naïve, young Tish goes undercover at the Gem to find Pops’ daughter, Stoneface and his partner are pinned down in the Black Hills by every trigger-happy gunslinger looking to collect the dead-or-alive bounty on Stoneface’s head . . .
Whether serving justice as a Pinkerton agent or serving drinks as a saloonkeeper, Stoneface Finnegan always lines up his shots to kill. . .
GONE TO DEADWOOD
The Pinkertons believe Rollie “Stoneface” Finnegan was the best agent to ever wear the badge. So does dewy-eyed Pinkerton hopeful and sleuth-in-training Tish Gray, who’s just arrived in Boar Gulch. As co-owner of Boar Gulch’s Last Drop Saloon, Stoneface is content slinging booze into guts instead of bullets. But when his partner Jubal “Pops” Tennyson needs help to rescue his daughter, Stoneface saddles up to take a hard ride into hell.
Their destination is Deadwood, Dakota Territory, the notorious mining town and outlaw haven where folks can dig up a gold fortune or dig their own grave. Pops’ daughter is being held captive by the infamous Al Swearengen, owner of the Gem Theater, supplying whiskey, wagering, and women to the desperate, the destitute, and the dangerous. As naïve, young Tish goes undercover at the Gem to find Pops’ daughter, Stoneface and his partner are pinned down in the Black Hills by every trigger-happy gunslinger looking to collect the dead-or-alive bounty on Stoneface’s head . . .
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 28, 2022
118 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,392 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 17, 2022
Hard Road to Vengeance by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is another western in the series about ex Pinkerton Stoneface Finnegan. This series is a little repetetive about all the bad men after the bounty on Finnegans head. But it still presents some new twists to the old west stories. This time Rollie and Pops has to go to Deadwood and sort some things out and they sure don't use silk gloves. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and #Pinnacle that gave me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #HardRoadToVengeance #StonefaceFinnegan
July 26, 2022
Third in the series, that I accessed through NetGalley.com and the Johnstone Clan are clunking along with this series. I really like the combination of characters and the setting. Very strong characters I'd like to know more about. There's just something bugging me that this is written as if the reader is far more familiar with the series than we could be. This done by cobbling the tales of the characters as if there is a near irrational closeness that just doesn't add up in such a short time of involvement, as written. Sure, folks can get close quickly. But all of them?
This is also done with a brand new character that tags with 2 of the characters. Instead of questioning this character and wondering if all said is the truth, the character is treated like another sibling. A bit much. Especially with suspicions that everybody is gunning for "Stoneface".
The story and plot are a welcome diversion of so many Johnstone tales I've read. Search for a daughter into a very dodgy situation that split up the characters and further complications arise. Quite different from most Johnstone books. I like the pacing, too.
The dialogue is, as usual, lacking. This time more than most with all spouting Valley Girl lines at one time or other. Passive aggressiveness was hard to find in the U.S. wilds in the late 1800s. Prevalent in this book.
The series could be really great. It just needs a really good writer.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.
This is also done with a brand new character that tags with 2 of the characters. Instead of questioning this character and wondering if all said is the truth, the character is treated like another sibling. A bit much. Especially with suspicions that everybody is gunning for "Stoneface".
The story and plot are a welcome diversion of so many Johnstone tales I've read. Search for a daughter into a very dodgy situation that split up the characters and further complications arise. Quite different from most Johnstone books. I like the pacing, too.
The dialogue is, as usual, lacking. This time more than most with all spouting Valley Girl lines at one time or other. Passive aggressiveness was hard to find in the U.S. wilds in the late 1800s. Prevalent in this book.
The series could be really great. It just needs a really good writer.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.
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. 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.
July 26, 2022
Another good book from Johnstone
I really like this Stoneface Finnegan series of books. The character are great and the action keeps me interested. In my opinion the ending was not very well put together. I expected Stoneface and the towns people to square off about him staying because that was what we were led to believe early on. Unless I missed something. But it was a good read and I will certainly read book four if there is one!
I really like this Stoneface Finnegan series of books. The character are great and the action keeps me interested. In my opinion the ending was not very well put together. I expected Stoneface and the towns people to square off about him staying because that was what we were led to believe early on. Unless I missed something. But it was a good read and I will certainly read book four if there is one!
September 21, 2025
25-48. Holy moley. Great western, great story, violent and grizzly descriptions of the consequence of violence. If this was the wild west, glad I will not be able to time travel to experience it.
Loved a lot of the characters; the guys in "white hats" were not your teeth sparkling, lone ranger types. They were people who made mistakes and were living the consequence of those mistakes. Some lived the rough life dealt to them.
But the villains were plentiful and particularly slimy. Nothing is worse when you have a con man, molester, murderer, and molester / rapist giving you a grin when he think he has the winning cards at life. No I am not talking about some United States politicians, but the attitude that some white males have about their entitlement. It seems that particular trait has not been bred out if the human genome yet.
I enjoyed that there were some female characters who kicked rear ends and took names and not just damsels in distress fainting all over the west whispering save me. The west or near west took people of guts to settle, along with the despicable who slaughtered villages, preyed upon those who valued peace in making a living, and the greedy that took criminal advantage of circumstances. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.
Loved a lot of the characters; the guys in "white hats" were not your teeth sparkling, lone ranger types. They were people who made mistakes and were living the consequence of those mistakes. Some lived the rough life dealt to them.
But the villains were plentiful and particularly slimy. Nothing is worse when you have a con man, molester, murderer, and molester / rapist giving you a grin when he think he has the winning cards at life. No I am not talking about some United States politicians, but the attitude that some white males have about their entitlement. It seems that particular trait has not been bred out if the human genome yet.
I enjoyed that there were some female characters who kicked rear ends and took names and not just damsels in distress fainting all over the west whispering save me. The west or near west took people of guts to settle, along with the despicable who slaughtered villages, preyed upon those who valued peace in making a living, and the greedy that took criminal advantage of circumstances. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.
December 10, 2022
Rollie "Stoneface" Finnegan, ex Pinkerton agent sets out from Boar Gulch with Jubal "Pops" Tennyson and head out to Deadwood in search of Pops long lost daughter Zaydie. It wont be easy because they're going up against Al Swearengen, owner of the Gem Theater where Zaydie is being held captive. Meanwhile hordes of bounty hunters, saddle tramps are out to collect the bounty offered on Stoneface's head. Tish Gray a wanna be Pinkerton agent, decides to follow along without permission to try her hand at detecting. The body count adds up quick in this gritty "in for a penny" search and rescue western.
November 16, 2022
Rollie delivers a True Western Ending
Rollie, known as Stoneface Finnegan, is a tavern owner in an out of the way, waining Gold Rush town. His character is larger than life and he delivers vengeance on those who abuse others while he helps those who cannot help themselves. The action is constant. The plot twists are many. And the ending is all a reader could ask for. Great read.
Rollie, known as Stoneface Finnegan, is a tavern owner in an out of the way, waining Gold Rush town. His character is larger than life and he delivers vengeance on those who abuse others while he helps those who cannot help themselves. The action is constant. The plot twists are many. And the ending is all a reader could ask for. Great read.
November 2, 2022
My least favorite so far.
Of the many Mr. Johnstone novels I’ve read, this by far is my least favorite. It’s mainly the characters. They just don’t have the depth I’ve come to expect. Even the scene settings are light, and the storyline isn’t much to speak about. Needless to say I was disappointed in my purchase and time invested.
Of the many Mr. Johnstone novels I’ve read, this by far is my least favorite. It’s mainly the characters. They just don’t have the depth I’ve come to expect. Even the scene settings are light, and the storyline isn’t much to speak about. Needless to say I was disappointed in my purchase and time invested.
September 12, 2022
It's a good read
I always enjoy reading Johnstone's books. Can't get enough of them. Sad when I finish a book, but glad start another one. Like this book. Lots of action, the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend this book to everyone.
I always enjoy reading Johnstone's books. Can't get enough of them. Sad when I finish a book, but glad start another one. Like this book. Lots of action, the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend this book to everyone.
August 6, 2022
It was a wonderful read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed the plot as well as the way it was written. Thank you so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed the plot as well as the way it was written. Thank you so much.
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September 19, 2022Fun read
Fast paced, really good characters. Funny, yet a bit gory. I'm excited to see far the Johnstone family can take this series. Good ride cowboy!
Fast paced, really good characters. Funny, yet a bit gory. I'm excited to see far the Johnstone family can take this series. Good ride cowboy!
November 2, 2022
Third story in the series of Rollie "Stoneface" Finnegan. I liked this one. Plenty of action and pretty much fast paced.
December 19, 2022
interesting
I enjoyed reading the book. It held my interest throughout the entire story. I enjoyed the excitement of each adventure. A great read.
I enjoyed reading the book. It held my interest throughout the entire story. I enjoyed the excitement of each adventure. A great read.
July 18, 2022
A good western with shoot em up and super good guy powers. Funny banter between protagonists helps character development. My second Johnstone book chosen quite by accident, but proved a good fantasy trip to the old west. I will read a sequence if I can find it. A side thought: the cowboy on the cover just does not fit my image of "stoneface Finnegan". Sorry, he looks more like a milk toast Milligan.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews