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The Devil's Gulch #1
Devil's Gulch
The national bestselling western authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone give us a completely new western adventure centering on one man's battle to carve out justice one bullet at a time in the untamed territories of Colorado.
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE BLOOD RUNS COLD
John Holt is a traveling gunslinger. He’s been liberating dirty towns west of the Mississippi of murdering outlaw trash ever since the Civil War ended. No questions asked. Payment on demand.
The only way out of this town is in a pinewood box.
Holt’s latest job is in Devil’s Gulch in Colorado Territory. But wiping out bands of bank robbers is just the beginning. More disorder is brewing, and the skittish mayor has handpicked Holt as the new sheriff. Holt is what the town a mercenary with a badge, a loaded Remington, and a deadeye-aim for trouble.
Devil’s Gulch has the vigilance committee. The man behind it—Joe Mullen, the largest rancher and mine owner in the valley—isn’t keen on an outsider like Holt muscling in on a good thing. Mullen already has his hand in all the crime in Devil’s Gulch. He also triggers it. He likes keeping things wild. With the barbaric Bostrom brood under his command, he’s hoping it stays that way.
Holt quickly finds himself on familiar up against cutthroats on the other side of the only law that counts. Holt’s law. Devil’s Gulch is his town now. And he’s itching to clean it till it sparkles.
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE BLOOD RUNS COLD
John Holt is a traveling gunslinger. He’s been liberating dirty towns west of the Mississippi of murdering outlaw trash ever since the Civil War ended. No questions asked. Payment on demand.
The only way out of this town is in a pinewood box.
Holt’s latest job is in Devil’s Gulch in Colorado Territory. But wiping out bands of bank robbers is just the beginning. More disorder is brewing, and the skittish mayor has handpicked Holt as the new sheriff. Holt is what the town a mercenary with a badge, a loaded Remington, and a deadeye-aim for trouble.
Devil’s Gulch has the vigilance committee. The man behind it—Joe Mullen, the largest rancher and mine owner in the valley—isn’t keen on an outsider like Holt muscling in on a good thing. Mullen already has his hand in all the crime in Devil’s Gulch. He also triggers it. He likes keeping things wild. With the barbaric Bostrom brood under his command, he’s hoping it stays that way.
Holt quickly finds himself on familiar up against cutthroats on the other side of the only law that counts. Holt’s law. Devil’s Gulch is his town now. And he’s itching to clean it till it sparkles.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
250 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 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 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 23, 2023
John Holt is a brand new character created by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. Devil's Gulch is the first book and he will probably stay there a while. He is the new sheriff in town and has a contract for two years. This one was a good western with some new twists and it was entertaining to read. I must thamk Kensington Books Pinnacle and Netgalley for letting me read it.
April 18, 2023
When “gunner “colt arrives in Devils Gulch he’s already killed three and arrested one of the latest outlaws to wreak havoc in the newly appointed town. when the mayor offers him the job of sheriff of Devils Gulch Colt has his own terms and although the mayor is at first reluctant seeing no other way around it he agrees to it and this is how Colt becomes sheriff of Devils Gulch. When the head of the vigilance committee Combs to explain the way it is in the town colt immediately knows first that he doesn’t like this guy and second that he isn’t going to go with the status quo he was hired to keep the law and as the sheriff he will not be the first to break it but thanks to their conversation he knows where the troublemakers are in the town but little does Colton know how much trouble these makers are going to make. I am so glad I got to read the first book in the series and needless to say I cannot wait for the next one. Although I didn’t find colt the most likable character he does have principles and standards and he will up hold those and the law his newly minted town. I love this book and love the John Stones westerns in highly recommend this one in any book by them. I am a big fan if you love a good western then you will love Devils Gulch I certainly did. I received this book from NetGalley and Kensington books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
April 8, 2023
Devil's Gulch is the first book in a new John Holt series, it's set in Devil's Gulch, Colorado, it has a few flaws, too many adversaries for the Sheriff to contend with for a first series installment, the other is the pace rambles along and it's like the ghost writer wrote it on horse back.
One minute it's fast like the horse is galloping, the next it slows down like they are at a walk and the way the abrupt unfinished ending makes you think they were bucked off.
I did like John Holt, along with Jean, but for me I rather see them write a new Sixkiller, US Marshal or Will Tanner novel. Since both these series are the best two lawman series they have in my opinion. Especially Sixkiller, it's been abandon by the JAJ brand far too long, of course it's one of several series that they've stopped writing that where excellent and it's easy to figure out why that is.
With Devil's Gulch, the mayor reaches out to bring Holt into the town too clean it up, but you have different factions that complicate the job in the mining town. You have the rancher and mine owner Mullins, who also leads the vigilante committee, then Cassidy and Ma rival bar and brothel owners, then you have a outlaw gang, mix in the writer's rambling horse that controls the writing pace, some twist and turns, add suspense, action and a abrupt ending.
Was expecting more due to how good, 'The Revengers' the new installment in the Jeremiah Halstead series was and it sets up for me impatiently waiting the next book in the series.
Let me add that with, 'Devil's Gulch' it marks the end of me continuing reading the JAJ brand, it's to hit or miss whether these new series will be good or bad, have problem supporting releasing two or three books a month, where the quality of them are lacking and aren't even up to the late William W. Johnstone's writing standard.
One minute it's fast like the horse is galloping, the next it slows down like they are at a walk and the way the abrupt unfinished ending makes you think they were bucked off.
I did like John Holt, along with Jean, but for me I rather see them write a new Sixkiller, US Marshal or Will Tanner novel. Since both these series are the best two lawman series they have in my opinion. Especially Sixkiller, it's been abandon by the JAJ brand far too long, of course it's one of several series that they've stopped writing that where excellent and it's easy to figure out why that is.
With Devil's Gulch, the mayor reaches out to bring Holt into the town too clean it up, but you have different factions that complicate the job in the mining town. You have the rancher and mine owner Mullins, who also leads the vigilante committee, then Cassidy and Ma rival bar and brothel owners, then you have a outlaw gang, mix in the writer's rambling horse that controls the writing pace, some twist and turns, add suspense, action and a abrupt ending.
Was expecting more due to how good, 'The Revengers' the new installment in the Jeremiah Halstead series was and it sets up for me impatiently waiting the next book in the series.
Let me add that with, 'Devil's Gulch' it marks the end of me continuing reading the JAJ brand, it's to hit or miss whether these new series will be good or bad, have problem supporting releasing two or three books a month, where the quality of them are lacking and aren't even up to the late William W. Johnstone's writing standard.
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.
As the communities spread closer to teh west coast, crime finds its way into Devil's Gulch, Colorado. This Johnstone hero will work inside and outside his sheriff's badge to clean up the town. An excellent tale of life in another excellent Johnstone western.
As the communities spread closer to teh west coast, crime finds its way into Devil's Gulch, Colorado. This Johnstone hero will work inside and outside his sheriff's badge to clean up the town. An excellent tale of life in another excellent Johnstone western.
January 19, 2023
As an inveterate reader of William Johnstone westerns, I can tell you without a doubt, Devils Gulch (Pinnacle 2023) is one of his best of late. Don't get me wrong. I think all Johnstone's Westerns are good-to-great, but this one topped the list as a good ol' western story and procedural on how to walk into a broken town and fix it. John Holt is a traveling gunslinger hired by people to straighten out problems and towns to bring the law back. He is one of the more interesting old west lawmen I’ve met lately. He’s plain speaking with not a wit of interest in softening words that might anger someone else. He doesn’t care what people think of him and trusts his instincts to get the job done. Devil's Gulch wouldn't have anything to do with John Holt, with the reputation that dogs him wherever he goes, except they're desperate. Holt may not do a pretty job of straightening out their town, but he'll do what he's hired to do.
Highly recommended for those who like justice delivered, problems solved, and right winning out.
Highly recommended for those who like justice delivered, problems solved, and right winning out.
February 1, 2023
'Devil's Gulch' is the start of still another of the few dozen series the Johnstone Clan have produced over the decades. A number of recent series and continuation of series have been more faulty than not. This is, like The Jackals and Taylor Callahan, a very good lift-off for a series.
Though the plot territory is very familiar in the Johnstone world, this has a wanderer take a gig at a city in the throes of troublesome residents. The writer creates solutions to the troubles that are well thought out and written.
The plotting is, also, well thought out leading to a strongly written story. This one has a good bit of history adding to the foundation of plot. A thorough tale with a satisfying ending.
Something positively bubbling from the Johnstone well are more prevalent female characters taking prominent positions upstage. Three in this entry.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.
Though the plot territory is very familiar in the Johnstone world, this has a wanderer take a gig at a city in the throes of troublesome residents. The writer creates solutions to the troubles that are well thought out and written.
The plotting is, also, well thought out leading to a strongly written story. This one has a good bit of history adding to the foundation of plot. A thorough tale with a satisfying ending.
Something positively bubbling from the Johnstone well are more prevalent female characters taking prominent positions upstage. Three in this entry.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.
February 20, 2024
Another great book! Both hubby and I have enjoyed this storyline with all its guns blazing, new Sheriff cleaning up the town and, rescuing one of the ladies upstairs. When John Holt took the job of getting rid of the evil in Devil’s Gulch, everyone knew there would be blood spilled, lots of whiskey drinking and deep secrets learned about the town. It made us smile to read how big bad Sheriff Holt could find the sweetness of someone special. We loved every minute of the book and look forward to the next story. Thanks for great writing.
April 23, 2024
Like westerns? Then read anything by William W. Johnstone for the best books in this genre.
John Holt was not a typical sheriff but he could be counted on to clean up Devil's Gulch. His new job started before he even entered the town when he encountered bank robbers. There was bloodshed, an arrest and finally peace - for a while.
When one of the "upstairs" ladies was attacked, John kept digging until he found the culprit, even though, he was warned to keep out of it.
I enjoyed it so much, I just bought book 2 in this series.
John Holt was not a typical sheriff but he could be counted on to clean up Devil's Gulch. His new job started before he even entered the town when he encountered bank robbers. There was bloodshed, an arrest and finally peace - for a while.
When one of the "upstairs" ladies was attacked, John kept digging until he found the culprit, even though, he was warned to keep out of it.
I enjoyed it so much, I just bought book 2 in this series.
April 8, 2023
The ending is where it all went wrong
I enjoyed the first part of the book and I thought our main character John Holt was a good guy. I felt like it needed a romance, but when that started it was forced. The female characters are unbelievable and the men are power hungry. John Holt ends up being a jerk. The ending is a surprise but not a good one. I’m not interested in reading the next book.
I enjoyed the first part of the book and I thought our main character John Holt was a good guy. I felt like it needed a romance, but when that started it was forced. The female characters are unbelievable and the men are power hungry. John Holt ends up being a jerk. The ending is a surprise but not a good one. I’m not interested in reading the next book.
May 16, 2024
Dissapointed
There’s nothing wrong with the excellent characters, an exciting plot, and okay scene settings; but I take exception to the first Johnstone book that didn’t have a complete ending. I’ve probably read 50+ of his stories; but this is the first that launches what appears to be a series, in an effort to hook readers, likely in an effort to get more money from readers. Because of this, this is the last book of Devil’s Gulch I’ll read.
There’s nothing wrong with the excellent characters, an exciting plot, and okay scene settings; but I take exception to the first Johnstone book that didn’t have a complete ending. I’ve probably read 50+ of his stories; but this is the first that launches what appears to be a series, in an effort to hook readers, likely in an effort to get more money from readers. Because of this, this is the last book of Devil’s Gulch I’ll read.
May 8, 2023
*This was sent to me for free in return for a review* While William Johnstone never writes a bad book, he's one of my absolute faves, I wasn't in love with this one. John Holt is a new character and to be fair that's probably why lol I honestly felt like there wasn't anything unique to this character or storyline. I'll read number 2 for sure, I expect it'll get better as they usually do. =)
February 17, 2024
Very Enjoyable
Devil's Gulch was the first book in Johnstone's western series, and a first-year from this author. While I have heard good things about the author, I was surprised and impressed with the storyline and the characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Johnstone's books and highly recommend this series starter.
Devil's Gulch was the first book in Johnstone's western series, and a first-year from this author. While I have heard good things about the author, I was surprised and impressed with the storyline and the characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Johnstone's books and highly recommend this series starter.
March 17, 2024
24-34. I don't know how an author can come up with so many story ideas and not repeat some. But Johnstone has written another great Western with fresh characters and sub plots. I already have the next book in the series. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.
May 8, 2023
I love Westerns and William W Johnstone creates some truly legendary characters. This is the first in a new series. It was not an instant favorite, but as always the characters are colorful and gritty, and so is the land they inhabit. I'm hopeful the series continues and improves as I tag along!
June 14, 2023
New series by the Johnstone clan. John Holt is the new sheriff in town and has a contract for two years. I liked this story. Lots of action. Hope the local library gets the second story in. Which will be Shooting Iron and supposed to be out around October 24, 2023.
July 10, 2023
Really enjoyed this western. Entertaining. The characters were real and just like today, you don't want to be facing the gun of a bad guy as the new lawman in town did from day one. Looking forward to the next in Devil's Gulch series.
September 11, 2023
splendid…a true page turner!
This is my first read of William Johnstone’s work, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a fast-paced Western with enough intrigue to keep me at the edge of my seat!
This is my first read of William Johnstone’s work, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a fast-paced Western with enough intrigue to keep me at the edge of my seat!
September 20, 2023
A new action series
This new series has all the fast-paced action and intrigue you look for with lots of twists and turns to keep those pages turning. Looks like I have a new series to follow.
This new series has all the fast-paced action and intrigue you look for with lots of twists and turns to keep those pages turning. Looks like I have a new series to follow.
May 1, 2024
Not read any of this author before
Not read any of Mr. Johnstone before, but I'm impressed. Believe ill try more.
Story seemed long winded at times, but all ties together at end.
Spoiler alert, cliff hanger.
Not read any of Mr. Johnstone before, but I'm impressed. Believe ill try more.
Story seemed long winded at times, but all ties together at end.
Spoiler alert, cliff hanger.
August 13, 2024
Devils gulch
I really liked this book - John Holts character was great. It’s about a town where 3 gangsters vie for the riches stolen from a bank . And find out 2 were brothers. Then the wife of the last one living turned on him .
I really liked this book - John Holts character was great. It’s about a town where 3 gangsters vie for the riches stolen from a bank . And find out 2 were brothers. Then the wife of the last one living turned on him .
April 29, 2025
The Old West
I really enjoyed this well written authentic story of the Wild West .
Well crafted and a great read from start to finish.
I’ll certainly read more from this excellent author who really knows his stuff .
I really enjoyed this well written authentic story of the Wild West .
Well crafted and a great read from start to finish.
I’ll certainly read more from this excellent author who really knows his stuff .
May 14, 2023
The most invested I’ve been in a book in a long time. All the plot twists were shocking and the characters well written.
October 15, 2023
Devil’s Gulch
Very good book about a tough sheriff who comes to a new town to work in which there are many challenges to his authority!
Very good book about a tough sheriff who comes to a new town to work in which there are many challenges to his authority!
December 1, 2023
Sometimes I just enjoy a good western.
March 3, 2024
Awesome story!
Loved this book! Interesting storyline with lots of action that will keep you reading as fast as you can! Hopefully the next book is on Kindle unlimited!
Loved this book! Interesting storyline with lots of action that will keep you reading as fast as you can! Hopefully the next book is on Kindle unlimited!
April 20, 2024
Not a bad...
... Story. This was the first book by this author I have read. The story is predictable at times. But okay.
... Story. This was the first book by this author I have read. The story is predictable at times. But okay.
July 20, 2024
My 5th book by Johnstone. A good read but ending left me hanging!
Maybe book #2 in the series will fill in my questions!
Maybe book #2 in the series will fill in my questions!
July 26, 2024
Western with a twist
Excellent and fast read with Western justice for all. Interesting to the end looking forward to next book. Surprises as well.
Excellent and fast read with Western justice for all. Interesting to the end looking forward to next book. Surprises as well.
September 19, 2024
good ole fashion western
The sheriff has his work cut out for him. Well paced story. Listen to this book and the next on a nice car ride.
The sheriff has his work cut out for him. Well paced story. Listen to this book and the next on a nice car ride.
April 7, 2024
westerns William Johnstone
I like his writing. I like how the story flowed. I like the sheriff found someone to love. I like the kid was given a chance to be good. I just like the whole series. Going to fine some more to read.
I like his writing. I like how the story flowed. I like the sheriff found someone to love. I like the kid was given a chance to be good. I just like the whole series. Going to fine some more to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews