The Forbidden

The Last Gunfighter #4

by William W. Johnstone

After his life is destroyed by brutal outlaws, Frank Morgan, determined to lead a solitary and peaceful existence, finds himself in the middle of a Montana range war, rife with fear and hatred, where he must choose sides and fight for the land. Original.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

283 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

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

[Malum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Last Gunfighter books in one day? I must be obsessed!

The Forbidden is the best volume yet. It has all of the pulpy gunplay that I love, but Johnstone put a lot more thought into the plot of this one. He also created some villains that are so vile you will cheer when they get a new hole blown into them.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the last three books in the series this one either finds the writer of the first book or another. Either is an outstanding writer. It's almost all here. Solid characters, realistic situations, description of settings and dialogue. The plot is also outstanding. It's laid out in away that seems to go in one direction and then takes various turns. The ending it to be expected. How it gets there will not be. I'll tap this as one of the top five I've read of the couple hundred of the Johnstone Clan books.

This would get a ten with a better handling of the atmosphere. The setting details. The farming land and what is walked through to get from one town to the other. It's the one thing usually missing from a Johnstone book.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of ten points.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of all the killings he was forced in to, Frank Morgan wants to leave it all behind, find a place where he could be left alone and maybe do a little farming. What could be better than a town called Heaven? Lots of land available and he has plenty of money to buy it. Unfortunately there is a town north of the crossing where all are ranchers and they want what the farmers have, even if they have to fill their ranches with gunfighters to do it. Looks like The Last Gunfighter isn't retiring just yet. Lots of action.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't much attracted to these books but I'm sure glad I found them. The hero, Frank Morgan, is a real softie when it comes to women and children, but the bad guys would do good to stay away from him. He's the knight with no armor except his gun. This story is a rather traditional fight between the farmers (Town of Heaven) and the ranchers (Town of Hell), but still great entertainment.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Johnstone’s Last Gunfighter series; it doesn’t blow my mind, but there’s an alluring simplicity to the lives and events described therein that I like to return to every so often. The only odd thing about this one is that the title (as far as I can tell) has nothing to do with the story.

[E. Franmklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great one.He's back!

This tale was very good. About the best one of the series. Lot's of action, and love interest gone sour. After the last one I read, sO wE about to give up on Johnstone. Now, I am a fan again. Keep 'em comming.

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, this book was a bit different than the rest. I did enjoy the more abrasive Frank at times, but the content of this one was heavy. At times stories like these make me wonder why I enjoy Westerns. I apparently am still trying to figure out what about Western's I enjoy.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-46 Enjoyed this episode of The Last Gunfighter. Johnstone has returned to telling the unique story of Frank Morgan. It still amazes me how the author can weave such interesting stories of the West. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Eric Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Made my heart ache for how close the Drifter came to finding a home but couldn’t do it.

[Bill Shupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written western novel by William W. Johnstone. This novel is about Frank Morgan "the Drifter" and the showdown between the farmers and the ranchers in the town of Heaven.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colassal!

Another great book by a great writer. He is my favorite author for obvious reasons. This tome surpassed all my expectations.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO PEACE FOR THE DRIFTER

Frank Morgan bought acres of land outside of a town called Heaven, in fact, the opposite town was called Hell..interesting huh..Frank met a nice family while he was passing through only to return a few months later to hear that Julie's husband was killed by gunnies from the Snake Ranch, owned by Colonel Trainor. So Frank buys all this land, and he hires carpenters to build a house and barn/corral. Frank Morgan thinking this may be the town where he'll hang up his guns and run a few cattle and raise horses. Remember Frank is a wealth man, due to his wife's death who gave stock in the many holdings she inherited from her father. Things aren't working out as Frank thought, the town people turned against him after he saved their lives from the three big ranches who wanted their land because they were considered squatters, sheep farmers, unwanted. In this particular area cattle was king of the road. Frank and Dog move on, he feels he'll
NEVER find a place to settle down and enjoy the rest of his life. Maybe get married, but it seems that these women challenge him with either me or your guns. Now anyone with an ounce of sense knows the second he hangs up his GUNS he's DEAD,DEAD

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the last book, I was pleasently surprised by this entry in The Last Gunfighter series. It has been a rather long time since I was hooked on a book that I couldn't put it down. This story is the kind of western writing that got me hooked. A must read western!

[Bryce D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Morgan is my hero! These books are everything a western should be.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel and I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend this book to everyone.