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The Trail West #2
Monahan's Massacre: The Trail West
The accidental gunslinger Dooley Monahan has quit wandering and settled down to a farmer’s life. But when the itch for adventure gets too strong, he packs up and rides west. Along with his horse, General Grant, and Blue, a dog who’s too smart for his own good, Dooley rides for the Black Hills to strike it rich in the gold fields of Colorado. But fate has other ideas.
412 pages, Library Binding
First published February 28, 2017
213 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,055 books1,396 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 30, 2017
Well, the Johnstone Clan best keep this ghost writer in the stable. Book 2 of this new series is setting a standard above Johnstone himself.
Book 2 in the series continues to follow the journey of Dooley Monahan. It's a tough journey that is full of, a Johnstone trademark, outstanding characters and a journey that is added with complicated plot developments this ghost writer placed in the first book that made it so compelling. My favorite of complications is the issue of Manahan's memory. After the last book, the ghost writer has made the reader uncertain what is real and what may be some hallucination. Another is the main female character featured is NOTHING like I've read before in any book. Kinda wish we could know more about her and how on earth the writer saw her getting to be where she is in the book.
I also love the way the writer works in Blue, the dog, and General Grant, the horse. They are also main characters in the book and greatly affect all events.
The settings are very well written. I like how the writer intersperses the characters, narrative and dialogue and the setting. I would have to figure the writer is a huge fan of Twain and learned from him.
My only qualm with the writer is that Monahan escapes certain death a bit too often. It's a neat plot device, but used a bit much.
My qualm involving the top of the Johnstone Clan, on the superficial side, again, involves poor choices of unrelated cover image and a dumb title that has nothing to do with the book. The books clearly state over and over again Monaham being older and having trouble realizing his age. The writer indicated a couple times that Monahan is around 40 or older. Also, Blue is - Surprise! - BLUE! The horse, also could not be General Grant. Finally there is no "massacre" in the book. But I won't grade this book based upon the publisher's bad moves.
Overall this book is a joy to read and I hope the Johnstone Clan doesn't lose this one!
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of 10 points.
Book 2 in the series continues to follow the journey of Dooley Monahan. It's a tough journey that is full of, a Johnstone trademark, outstanding characters and a journey that is added with complicated plot developments this ghost writer placed in the first book that made it so compelling. My favorite of complications is the issue of Manahan's memory. After the last book, the ghost writer has made the reader uncertain what is real and what may be some hallucination. Another is the main female character featured is NOTHING like I've read before in any book. Kinda wish we could know more about her and how on earth the writer saw her getting to be where she is in the book.
I also love the way the writer works in Blue, the dog, and General Grant, the horse. They are also main characters in the book and greatly affect all events.
The settings are very well written. I like how the writer intersperses the characters, narrative and dialogue and the setting. I would have to figure the writer is a huge fan of Twain and learned from him.
My only qualm with the writer is that Monahan escapes certain death a bit too often. It's a neat plot device, but used a bit much.
My qualm involving the top of the Johnstone Clan, on the superficial side, again, involves poor choices of unrelated cover image and a dumb title that has nothing to do with the book. The books clearly state over and over again Monaham being older and having trouble realizing his age. The writer indicated a couple times that Monahan is around 40 or older. Also, Blue is - Surprise! - BLUE! The horse, also could not be General Grant. Finally there is no "massacre" in the book. But I won't grade this book based upon the publisher's bad moves.
Overall this book is a joy to read and I hope the Johnstone Clan doesn't lose this one!
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of 10 points.
April 1, 2018
This is an old fashioned shoot me up Western story. Dooly is a remarkable Cowboy. And Blue his dog turns out to be quite the hero thru the whole story. The author describes the characters to the T. I was able to picture exactly what each man and woman looked like thanks to the full description of them and of course the good western movies I have seen in my day. 5 stars for sure.
April 28, 2020
This was a fairly good western story. The main character was likable and believable, he seemed pretty likeable also. The hardest thing to swallow was how he could continue to be outnumbered and outgunned and walk away or ride away with only minor wounds.
It also seemed rushed at the end as if the author was growing tire do f the story and just decided to hurry up and get it over with.
It also seemed rushed at the end as if the author was growing tire do f the story and just decided to hurry up and get it over with.
December 3, 2020
Typical good Johnstone cowboy book
This was a fun read. Dooley is either the luckiest or most skilled accidental bounty hunter in the west. This book follows his adventures as an inadvertent gang member to a wagon train scout and a lot more. If you like Johnstone's other westerns, you will enjoy this one.
This was a fun read. Dooley is either the luckiest or most skilled accidental bounty hunter in the west. This book follows his adventures as an inadvertent gang member to a wagon train scout and a lot more. If you like Johnstone's other westerns, you will enjoy this one.
June 6, 2019
Monahans Massacre
This is a very good read , and the characters are realistic,but not too sure about what it is that makes them tick.The story is filled with murder and mayhem but in the manner of the old west.
This is a very good read , and the characters are realistic,but not too sure about what it is that makes them tick.The story is filled with murder and mayhem but in the manner of the old west.
June 10, 2019
Very well done. I couldn't put it down. Nice twists and good characters. I definitely wanted more to read at The end.
I definitely recommend this book to all western story lovers. J. Johnstone is of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get into the next one.
I definitely recommend this book to all western story lovers. J. Johnstone is of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get into the next one.
June 14, 2019
If you’re a lover of great Western books as I am then you’ll find Monahan’s Massacre right up your alley!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s chock full of great Western action and adventure with wonderful characters and a tad of romance
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s chock full of great Western action and adventure with wonderful characters and a tad of romance
January 4, 2018
Nice western with many twists and turns , very entertaining.
April 19, 2018
Luckiest man
This was a nice read Dooley Monahan gets in so many jams and out of them it’s incredible that any man could be that lucky. Will there be a follow up?
This was a nice read Dooley Monahan gets in so many jams and out of them it’s incredible that any man could be that lucky. Will there be a follow up?
April 5, 2019
Monahan's Massacre was full of action and suprises with the brave dog Blue as the true hero of the novel.
June 20, 2019
Just an average read
It is a good tale but not the kind that grabs you and makes you want to continue reading. Overall I would call it average.
It is a good tale but not the kind that grabs you and makes you want to continue reading. Overall I would call it average.
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June 22, 2019Looser
Rated a 1. Guess L'Amour has spoiled me! One this was like an old 'B' rates movie where the Hero keeps loosing his gun.
Rated a 1. Guess L'Amour has spoiled me! One this was like an old 'B' rates movie where the Hero keeps loosing his gun.
July 3, 2019
I think it was a good book
November 5, 2019
One of the worst books I have read by this author.
Poor writing on this book. One of the worst books I have read by this author. the book did not show realistic themes.
Poor writing on this book. One of the worst books I have read by this author. the book did not show realistic themes.
July 10, 2022
Poor Dooley. He seems to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, all the time.
April 7, 2017
Enjoyed the book fairly well, but not quite up to the standards I expect from the Johnstones.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews