Renegades

The Last Gunfighter #12

by William W. Johnstone

On the border between Mexico and Texas, Frank Morgan is caught between two warring ranchers, men who speak different languages but share the same stubborn courage - and are both being terrorized by a raider called the Black Scorpion. Texas Rangers are struggling to bring law and order to the chaos. But as the air is split by the sound of gunfire and men and women die, Morgan starts to see a different picture - and even comes face to face with the Black Scorpion himself. Suddenly, amidst deep deceptions, double-crosses and secret liaisons, the last gunfighter has become the next renegade. And in this war, Frank Morgan's worst enemies are wearing their own kind of masks - and killing in plain sight...

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

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 3 out of 5]

Released not long after Johnstone died (and it gets confusing because his estate hid his dead for a few years so that they could keep pumping out ghostwritten books with his name on them, a practice that they oddly continue even though everyone now knows that he is dead and has been so for 15 years now), I am almost certain that he didn't write this one. It isn't bad, but it is a lot different from the normal Last Gunfighter books.

First of all, Johnstone's signature way of pumping more action into these--by having a random person recognize Frank and want to quick draw him--is absent here. Also, Johnstone always made frank really hesitant to draw on people but here he is wasting fools without a second thought. This book is also slightly more sexually graphic than the usual Johnstone Western. Johnstone alludes to sex and rape often enough with a sly wink and a nod, but here we are actually told about someone's "stiff penis being forced into a woman's mouth". Finally, this series has always been pretty pulpy, but this volume dials that up by including a lot of big battles and having Frank tangle with the mysterious masked bandit the Black Scorpion (in a side plot that unfortunately fizzles out and is all but forgotten by the middle of the book).

So, in the end, this is missing some of Johnstone's usual tropes but is still firmly a "turn your brain off and enjoy some Wild West pulp" novel that this series is famous for.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was published 12 years ago, so i expected little from it. Never heard of the author as most of my books are well over 50 years old. It was not a book needing a lot of deep thought but it was pleasant reading. The author seemed to think he had to have something happen EVERY few pages to keep the readers attention. I do not need that but it was a fun days reading. I think this is a great book for those who have a problem keeping their total attention to what they are reading. A very good book for new readers of westerns. I just ordered 40 more books by this author on ebay.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the last few 'Last Gunfighter' novels, this one has connections to all, but is really independent of those. This one is almost as good as the last, but with a number of similarities which had me know most of the outcome early on. I think the Johnstone Clan might've wanted to insert this into the series a few novels away from #11.

Still, the effort of shuffling so much going on is very good. The layers involved are well negotiated and plotted to later tie up in a rather satisfying ending. This Johnstone novel so many others that are mostly linear in story. This one has so many places and people involved, that most writers would've gotten the story botched. This one has the advantage of the typical excellent carving out of characters and, despite some with strong similarities and like names, the reader is unlikely to forget who is who throughout. This is the most impressive of the book.

I was disappointed with the ending. not atypical of a Johnstone Clan novel to have such a short ending, but #11 had a great ending that was far better written as it tied up loose ends.

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

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was one of the better ones lately, but I miss the interaction between him and his son. I think I'm realizing that I enjoy banter between characters and Frank is definitely more of a loner. This one was interesting as he teamed up with the wrong people at first, which was something I'm always curious about in these westerns. Great acting as normal though. I really enjoy the 'Frank' voice. It suits him well and I can't read a book the same once I've heard Graphic Audio do the character.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing story of three warring factions along the border between the States and Mexico; the Texas Rangers, the Black Scorpion gang, and the Mexican Rurales. All of which turn out to have their own agenda and that is to rob the ranchers on both sides of the border. Frank Morgan knows nothing of this when he rides in, but in the end he has to take charge and end it all. A great read.

[E. Franmklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Texas Rangers? Typical Ruralies!

Johnstone hit a home run with this tale. Mixing good (?) against bad (?) keeps the reader guessing and thoroughly engrossed. Lots of action and some romance mixed in. Overall a wonderful book. Action spreads from Texas to Mexico across the southern border.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Constant thrills, no pauses for breath, gunfights, beatings, chases. Frank hasn't "backup" in him. Horse Stormy and Dog fight when bandits attack both sides of Texas river border. Who follows masked Black Scorpion? Roanne is one warm winter. Typos: 31.7 Stormy Dog IS Stormy. Dog 5.9 bach IS back

[Larry Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gunfighter Series. Excellent

The story is staged during the 1890s. Texas is just starting to become civilized when the greed of men from Mexico and Texas destroy the peace. "The Last Gunfighter" lends skills to bring peace to this area of South Texas.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-59 I am amazed that Johnstone hasn't repeated himself in the majority of his novels. This was an exciting adventure of both South Texas and North Mexico. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Carol Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

I enjoy all of the last gunfighter books I have all 23 of the books and this is the second reading of them. I will read them again in the future.

[Ishtiaque Alam Russel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When legendary shootist Frank Morgan gets caught between two warring border ranchers and the elusive, terrorizing raider known as the Black Scorpion, the plot delivers a brilliant web of deception and double-crosses that elevates it far beyond a standard Western.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to very exciting with lots of surprises. Fascinating characters.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like westerns. . .