Hell for Breakfast

Slash & Pecos #4

by J.A. Johnstone

In a twist of fate, Slash and Pecos are riding hard for the law, dispensing justice as they see fit, and determined to watch their final sunset as heroes . . . not outlaws. His wicked ways mostly behind him, reformed bank robber Jimmy Slash Braddock is getting hitched to his sweetheart. But before the honeymoon, Chief US Marshal Luther T. Bleed-'Em-So Bledsoe needs Slash and his former partner-in-crime, Melvin Pecos Kid Baker, to don a couple of deputy marshal badges and saddle up for a trip to Nebraska. Seems the town of Harveyville has fallen prey to a trio of murderous badmen blasting away up and down Main Street, and the local law needs some assistance from men who know how to handle a gun. But Slash and Pecos killed the wrong man. Worse, the town marshal tells them that the outlaws rode on and he doesn't need their help after all. But now Slash and Pecos are wanted men. Tom Gyllenwater's son is dead. He won't rest until Slash and Pecos are permanently relocated to Boot Hill. And as the duo are targeted by every gun-crazy desperado in the territory, Slash and Pecos discover they'll find no help from anyone in Harveyville, a town of ruthless and corrupt folks willing to kill to protect their secrets . . .

Genres: Westerns

Audio CD

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

J.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co-author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell for Breakfast is one helluva fun western. Slash & Pecos, two reformed cutthroats, are sent on suicide missions by the Chief US Marshal that stopped their crime spree. To keep from having their necks stretched they have to help him in situations where the government needs deniability. Their personalities and the situations they find themselves in provide endless entertainment.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slash and Pecos - former outlaws working for the Fed’s as part of an amnesty deal, get the worst assignments ever to do their Chief’s dirty work. But that’s the price they pay if they want to stay out of jail and/or not be wanted men! They never run away from trouble - they head right into it straight on is their motto.

Love the dynamics of this Slash & Pecos team! Loyalty first- sprinkled with humor, banter and ribbing , and a practical joke here and there.

They are smart, tough, and if they are sent out, they are going to be a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Audio version recommended.

[Doug Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western fans know that William W. Johnstone is more prolific than the miles ridden by any of his main protagonist characters. I found this book to be much like a ride through Arizona territory in 1890. It was dry in some parts, fast and wild in other parts, and ultimately led me to where I needed to be at the end of the book. The book's epilogue nicely sums up the loose ends.

This work is Johnstone and his nephew J.A. Johnstone writing in their Slash and Pecos series. I read those characters as a couple of 19th century partners to be somewhat like "Starsky and Hutch" from the 1970s detective drama. The authors did a nice job of humanizing the characters - even showing some raw emotion during tense, happy and sad moments within the story.

As I've written before, Johnstone's books are always comfortable reads. The one thing I know is that it will take me quite some time to read the authors' impressive oeuvre.

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slash and Pecos is back in Hell for Breakfast by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. I always love a good western and this is one of them. This book has some new twists on an old theme about the badmen out from prison returning to get revenge on the town that sent them there. I don't know why but the language in this one is different from the other books in this series, not for the worse. It feels more gritty and true to the period. I wonder how long the heroes are going to be forced to do the marshalls bidding but it is also a new twist compared to other westerns. It is always fun to see som renewal in this old genre. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley for giving me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #HellForBreakfast

[Joshua Shockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal enjoyment was higher, but realistically this is a solid 3. I was gifted this by a friend, by accident, but I'm so glad now. It's a classic, corny Western in every sense with an intriguing plot that keeps you wondering. Is it at times sexist and/or racist? Sure. At least, the characters are, anyway, but I suppose that's historically accurate? Hard to say if that's excusable, but I still had a good time. I found out this is one of several books in a series, too, so I may just mess around and read the rest. Thank you, Ethan Brazell, for this gift that I read on my honeymoon.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waffled between a 3 and a 4, but he didn't kill off any of the good guys. So I went with a 4.

There were some really good parts, but others that were just happenstance. I don't really enjoy that in most cases.

The bottom line, I'll try the authors again.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime there is a new title in a Johnstone series, you know how you'll be spending your evening. Lovers of the western genre know that William A Johnstone / JA Johnstone cannot write a bad book.
Book #4 in the Slash and Pecos series find our unlikely lawmen right where we left them in book #3, THE WICKED DIE TWICE. Reformed criminals now working for the law, our two cowboys are deputized and on their way to Nebraska to clean up a frontier town. With Slash and Pecos on the job, the "easy" job soon is anything but easy. An original twist in the middle has the duo meant to save the town, running from the law again.
The Johnstone library contains many excellent series, western, mountain men and even contemporary. Pick anyone and start reading, you will soon be hooked.

[John M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always see the Johnstone paperbacks on racks at various discount stores. Like the old pulp magazines, the covers are action packed and catch my eye. But a discount rack? How good could it be?
Well, I read one and I really enjoyed it. It was just plain fun. So, I picked this one too (a sequel) and it was more fun than the previous.
I have to say that the writing, in both books so far, feels like multiple authors. Turn a page to the next chapter and the writing could be loaded with cliche catch phrases and tough talking cowboys… turn to the next and it’s loaded with descriptive scenery and decent character background..
But, that being said, it’s all fun. Lots and lots of action and suspense.
I really enjoy the friendship between the main characters and the plots are classic cowboy action.
I’ll definitely pick up another one of these.

[Mule Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm torn between these fellas or the Sidewinders being my favorite characters.
Once again they're sent in to clean up a mess. Which they do with lots of shooting along with some twist and turns that should come as no surprise to anyone that follows them.
The ending left me smiling and laughing to myself.

If you're new to Slash and Pecos I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slash and Pecos are quintessential bad guys turned good in this adventure in this old Nebraska and Colorado Western. With their gunslinger adventures you need to hold on to your saddle horn while reading "Hell for Breakfast." The lively text, and rugged and in depth relationships are a balm for every Western loving reader. The Johnstones crank out quite a few thrilling and captivating books in various genres.

[Thomas Frink]

A waste of time

I have read 135 Johnstone books. Had this one been the first, I never would have read a second one. Pages and pages of unnecessary narrative describing the trees, streams, wearing apparel and the color of her eyes with brief interludes of a weak story. Someone else has already mentioned some of the new words and activities not normally found in a Johnstone novel so I will leave it at that.

[Michael T. Spilker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell's Breakfast

Great story, lots and lots of action. This was another great book in the series. Hopefully there will be so many more dozens yet to come. Again, I stress that the series be read from start to finish. I truly recommend this book be read only after reading the previous books in the series.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number four of Slash and Pecos. Slash is now hitched, and Pecos has a new girlfriend. Pretty good story. Were a few repeats of the same information over and over again, but still worth reading.

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

I really enjoyed reading this book. Liked the action and the storyline. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a tough time putting the book down. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale

The antics of Slash and Pecos are so full of fast-paced action and adventure that the pages just fly by. The storyline is perfect as they are involved is tales with so many twists and turns you almost get dizzy.

[Sheila Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

William W. Johnstone doesn't disappoint. Hell for Breakfast is a great story full of the wild west, unexpected twists, romance and comedy. Well done!

[Darel Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about good guys (aka bad guys) vs bad guys.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent western story. These 2 are crazy.