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Shotgun Johnny #1
Shotgun Johnny
Johnstone Country. Next Hell.
NO ONE MESSES WITH SHOTGUN JOHNNY.
It takes a brave man to ride shotgun for the Reverend’s Temptation Gold Mine in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It takes an even braver man to try to rob a coach of bullion when the shotgun rider is Johnny Greenway. Armed with his weapons of choice—two sawed-off, double-barreled shotguns in custom-made holsters for pistol-quick draws—Shotgun Johnny ain’t stopping for no one . . .
NOT UNLESS THEY WANT TO DIE.
Johnny Greenway was once a family man. A well-respected marshal who always played fair. Then his wife and son were killed by cutthroats. Johnny killed the killers. Then he hung up his badge and picked up a bottle. Now a shadow of his former self, he has nothing much to live for. But when he singlehandedly stops a bank robbery, he catches the eye of the banker’s daughter. She’s impressed by Johnny’s gun skills, and offers him a job riding shotgun. First he’ll have to stop drinking and clean up his act. But that’s not all that needs cleaning. The mountain trail to the mine hides the filthiest, dirtiest gang in the territory. They’re gunning for the gold. But Shotgun Johnny will be gunning for them . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
www.williamjohnstone.net
Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
NO ONE MESSES WITH SHOTGUN JOHNNY.
It takes a brave man to ride shotgun for the Reverend’s Temptation Gold Mine in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It takes an even braver man to try to rob a coach of bullion when the shotgun rider is Johnny Greenway. Armed with his weapons of choice—two sawed-off, double-barreled shotguns in custom-made holsters for pistol-quick draws—Shotgun Johnny ain’t stopping for no one . . .
NOT UNLESS THEY WANT TO DIE.
Johnny Greenway was once a family man. A well-respected marshal who always played fair. Then his wife and son were killed by cutthroats. Johnny killed the killers. Then he hung up his badge and picked up a bottle. Now a shadow of his former self, he has nothing much to live for. But when he singlehandedly stops a bank robbery, he catches the eye of the banker’s daughter. She’s impressed by Johnny’s gun skills, and offers him a job riding shotgun. First he’ll have to stop drinking and clean up his act. But that’s not all that needs cleaning. The mountain trail to the mine hides the filthiest, dirtiest gang in the territory. They’re gunning for the gold. But Shotgun Johnny will be gunning for them . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
www.williamjohnstone.net
Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
- GenresWesterns
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
226 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,055 books1,402 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 15, 2023
Objectively? Bad. But I loved it for all the wrong reasons.
July 20, 2025
Didn’t enjoy this Johnstone book nearly as much as I have enjoyed others.
The dialogue was at times so simplistic and odd to listen to, that I found myself involuntarily doing eye rolls and deep sighs. 🙈
The narration was unpleasant in that the narrator sounded as if he was nearly out of breath all the time- the pacing was odd.
Huh 🤔 onto the next!
The dialogue was at times so simplistic and odd to listen to, that I found myself involuntarily doing eye rolls and deep sighs. 🙈
The narration was unpleasant in that the narrator sounded as if he was nearly out of breath all the time- the pacing was odd.
Huh 🤔 onto the next!
October 26, 2020
Johnny used to be one of the top federal marshals in the West, that is until his wife and son were killed in front of him by a gang of cutthroat killers. He threw away his badge and the law to track each one down until he had killed all 13. Vengeance couldn’t kill the pain he felt but alcohol did and he became the laughingstock town drunk. It was a role he was happy with until plucky banker’s daughter offer him an impossible job, but a job he cannot refuse. Escort a load of gold bullion down a treacherous mountain pass through an army of ruthless, deadly outlaws intent on stealing the gold for themselves. If he can stop drinking, stay sober and clean up his act he may redeem himself and finally turn his life around.
A predictable but also fun and thrilling story full of over the top western violence tempered with just the right amount of humor. A solid start to a new series.
A predictable but also fun and thrilling story full of over the top western violence tempered with just the right amount of humor. A solid start to a new series.
July 15, 2025
This might be the last Johnstone book I read.
The Perley Gates series was my introduction to Westerns and I absolutely loved books 2-5. I then sought out Johnstone’s other books but was confused why they read so differently.
After some googling, it seems that the Johnstone estate hires ghost writers, which makes sense considering the vast dissimilarity between writing styles.
I tried a few other of “Johnstone’s” books like The Last Mountain Man, Chuckwagon Trail, and finally landed upon Shotgun Johnny.
There are some very good things about this book. I really like the character introductions of Sheila and Johnny. I didn’t expect a random drunkard to step up and become the titular character.
There are also some heart-pounding scenes like Sheila’s escape from her captors, and the leader of the Outlaws culling his crew.
Besides those moments, however, I wasn’t too impressed by the rest of the book. The plot is typical, nothing groundbreaking. The author spends too much time describing Sheila’s looks and reactions to her that the author has an unsettling fascination of her. Johnny is very much a power fantasy and a standard characterization of a “tough man with a tough past.”
I thought there was a pretty cool plot twist being set up, but its resolution was so rushed that I was left disappointed.
The book helped pass the time, but otherwise I wouldn’t personally recommend it unless you NEEDED a western to read.
Perley Gates was so good that it hurts that none of Johnstone’s other books compare to me so, unfortunately, after giving his works multiple attempts, I’ll be avoiding him from now on.
The Perley Gates series was my introduction to Westerns and I absolutely loved books 2-5. I then sought out Johnstone’s other books but was confused why they read so differently.
After some googling, it seems that the Johnstone estate hires ghost writers, which makes sense considering the vast dissimilarity between writing styles.
I tried a few other of “Johnstone’s” books like The Last Mountain Man, Chuckwagon Trail, and finally landed upon Shotgun Johnny.
There are some very good things about this book. I really like the character introductions of Sheila and Johnny. I didn’t expect a random drunkard to step up and become the titular character.
There are also some heart-pounding scenes like Sheila’s escape from her captors, and the leader of the Outlaws culling his crew.
Besides those moments, however, I wasn’t too impressed by the rest of the book. The plot is typical, nothing groundbreaking. The author spends too much time describing Sheila’s looks and reactions to her that the author has an unsettling fascination of her. Johnny is very much a power fantasy and a standard characterization of a “tough man with a tough past.”
I thought there was a pretty cool plot twist being set up, but its resolution was so rushed that I was left disappointed.
The book helped pass the time, but otherwise I wouldn’t personally recommend it unless you NEEDED a western to read.
Perley Gates was so good that it hurts that none of Johnstone’s other books compare to me so, unfortunately, after giving his works multiple attempts, I’ll be avoiding him from now on.
July 23, 2023
I absolutely love the character shotgun Johnny! This is a fast paced book that I had a hard time putting down. The Johnstone’s rival old western writers such as Louis l’Amour, and Zane Grey. I wish my dad was alive because he would love these books. I like how he gives great descriptions of the guns along with injuries and characters. Those details make it seem so real you feel like you’re there.., heart racing, hoping Johnny makes it out alive. I want to read more!
February 22, 2024
William Johnstone is one of my favorite go-to authors. I was fascinated by the the idea of a hero weilding shotgun pistols and Shotgun Johnny did not disappoint. Recover from being a drunk, fall for the bank owner, defeat the dastardly gang and rescue the gold. All in a days work for Shotgun Johnny.
A Very good read
A Very good read
August 6, 2025
Shotgun Johnny takes names and kicks ass! Don't mess with this outstanding character if you like the arrangement of your face and UNbroken bones. He's packing TWO shotguns, and he's deadly accurate! I wanted MORE, MORE!! If Johnny is on your side, the bad guys don't stand a chance!! When he's your friend, you're covered, but if he's your enemy, get outta town or get blown to pieces!
August 25, 2025
"Crows gotta eat too."
An Action Western featuring a twin shotgun toting protagonist.
Nothing groundbreaking but it is hard to find fault with the energy and entertainment value of this outing. Also: it opens with a sinister and creepy sequence that would not be amiss in a Horror novel.
3.5 stars
An Action Western featuring a twin shotgun toting protagonist.
Nothing groundbreaking but it is hard to find fault with the energy and entertainment value of this outing. Also: it opens with a sinister and creepy sequence that would not be amiss in a Horror novel.
3.5 stars
July 31, 2023
Shotgun Johnny
Shotgun Johnny is the title of this book. It”s an enjoyable western story. The old times are just a wonder how we ever evolved into modern times. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Shotgun Johnny is the title of this book. It”s an enjoyable western story. The old times are just a wonder how we ever evolved into modern times. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
September 15, 2023
It's a good read
I enjoyed this book. Lots and lots of action. It kept me on the edge of my seat. It was hard to put it down. One of his best. Everyone will enjoy reading this book. I would recommend it to everyone.
I enjoyed this book. Lots and lots of action. It kept me on the edge of my seat. It was hard to put it down. One of his best. Everyone will enjoy reading this book. I would recommend it to everyone.
June 9, 2025
This book was a page turning-to the next-kind of adventure story. I only put the bo0k down to get some sleep and even reading more when i awakened early the morning. What a twisting and exciting saga for those who love a remarkable script and having it to end in a satisfying way, at least for me.
March 5, 2020
This was a great read, action from start to finish...also had comedy within....I'll be waiting for the next to books in the series...
March 29, 2020
A little slow the first thirteen chapters, then it gets better.
April 3, 2020
Such a fun book! Plenty of action. I’m looking forward to more in this series.
September 11, 2020
Haven’t been disappointed yet with any of their books. Start to read and can’t lay it down till I reach the end.
July 4, 2024
A Goodreads Giveaway!
Awesome book, fun to read and well written!
Awesome book, fun to read and well written!
Read
June 3, 2025DNF
I was giving this author another shot but couldn’t deal with the narrator. He’s also the reason my wife and I read the Longmire series instead of listen.
I was giving this author another shot but couldn’t deal with the narrator. He’s also the reason my wife and I read the Longmire series instead of listen.
June 8, 2025
Western
Excellent story. Been awhile since
I have read a Western. This was a great read. I will have to check out the auther.
Excellent story. Been awhile since
I have read a Western. This was a great read. I will have to check out the auther.
June 22, 2025
Hogwash
Cliched, contrived and downright unbelievable in places..
Not bad construction and yarning - but - I just couldn’t finish it!
Cliched, contrived and downright unbelievable in places..
Not bad construction and yarning - but - I just couldn’t finish it!
August 6, 2025
So so Definitely not a Johnstone writer
The amituter writers messing up His stories
Has turned me off the rest of His books. I'm no longe r reading them.
The amituter writers messing up His stories
Has turned me off the rest of His books. I'm no longe r reading them.
September 25, 2025
Great storyline!
I really enjoyed this story, but once again the author has dropped the story leaving me feel like there should be at least one more paragraph!
I really enjoyed this story, but once again the author has dropped the story leaving me feel like there should be at least one more paragraph!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews