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MacCallister #9
Stranglehold
A rancher aims to take down a mining-town tyrant in this fast-paced Western from the national bestselling authors…Descended from a long line of fighters, lovers, and dreamers, the MacCallister clan are legends in their homeland of Scotland. But when Duff MacCallister came to America, it seems he brought the legend—and the war—along with him . . . STRANGLEHOLD Here in America, life is full of surprises. Duff never expected to hear from his old friend Charles McGregor, his battalion commander from the Black Watch Regiment of Her Majesty’s army. Turns out McGregor lives in New Mexico now. And he needs Duff’s help. He’s started a new life as the mayor of Antelope Wells—a mining town that’s being targeted by power-hungry madman Ebenezer Schofield, who wants to declare the whole area an independent principality—and himself as king. He’s already squeezing taxes out of the local businesses and citizens. But no one has the guts to stop him. Because Schofield’s got his own private army of fifty uniformed men, six Mexican revolution cannons—and a traitor working on his side in the heart of Antelope Wells . . . This is more than just a favor for a friend. This is justice. This is payback. This is war. And this is Duff MacCallister.
- GenresWesterns
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2019
263 people are currently reading
105 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 29, 2020
This is a fantaboulas book. It is about a crazy man who used to be an officer in the United States Army. He tried to take over an area of the New Mexico territory in the late eighteen hundreds to start a new country. He was almost successful if not for a fearless and able Scottsman, a very well trained China man, and and old gun slinger to save the day. I recommend this book to all.
February 3, 2020
I like westerns. You've heard it before and you'll here it again. This is a fun series and now I'm up to date on it. Finally. I have made a silent promise to try to catch up with all ongoing series this year... Not sure if I'll make it.
March 12, 2019
Stranglehold
Another great read from the Johnstone’s. I really love these books on Duff McCallister, Avery wise and brave man who is also a gentleman. Look forward to more books by the Johnstone’s. Thank you for a awesome read.
Another great read from the Johnstone’s. I really love these books on Duff McCallister, Avery wise and brave man who is also a gentleman. Look forward to more books by the Johnstone’s. Thank you for a awesome read.
June 4, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5
Charles McGregor, a former battalion commander from the Black Watch Regiment of Her Majesty's army is now in New Mexico as the mayor of the mining community of Antelope Wells.
Unfortunately for McGregor, there's a powerful madman named Ebenezer Schofield, looking to take over all of the 'boot heel' of New Mexico and make it its own country, which Schofield will rule, and Antelope Wells happens to be in the dead center of Schofield's planned new country. Schofield has already proven his ruthlessness by having his army randomly killing townspeople (women and children included) in all the other towns he's taken over, just to make a statement, so McGregor knows that he and the citizens of Antelope Wells will need to stand firm against Schofield. McGregor also knows that he'll need the help of his own army ... Duff MacCallister.
This is the first book I've ever read by William W. Johnstone (and J.A. Johnstone) though I've got a few of them in my queue to be read and I've read and reviewed a few westerns prior to this. What surprised me was the ... simplicity ... of this story-telling.
The story was very straightforward with some back and forth between points of view (Schofield's, McGregor's, MacCallister's). Things get a little bit monotonous as we repeat action in an attempt to build tension, but we don't really need to see Schofield's slaughter over and over, and we don't really need to see his attempts to conquer Antelope Wells over and over - although I admit this was somewhat interesting to see how Duff and McGregor would repel the attacks.
There was a fair amount of 'telling' rather than 'showing' throughout. This is a story, or a format, built for speed in order to simulate lots of action and there's no point in slowing that down by getting the reader actually involved in the story.
And yet ...
There was a certain charm about the story. I liked Duff and his cadre of companions (particularly Wang Chow). In fact I wish I had gotten to know them a little more. I see that this is the ninth MacCallister story, so perhaps there's much more to learn about the character(s) in some of the other books.
This is a great beach read for western fans. While not among the best westerns that I've read, the characters have a uniqueness about them that should entertain.
Looking for a good book? Stranglehold, by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, is classically-styled western where the bad guys are very clearly bad and the good guys are squeaky-clean good and you know how the story will go, but the characters make the journey fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Charles McGregor, a former battalion commander from the Black Watch Regiment of Her Majesty's army is now in New Mexico as the mayor of the mining community of Antelope Wells.
Unfortunately for McGregor, there's a powerful madman named Ebenezer Schofield, looking to take over all of the 'boot heel' of New Mexico and make it its own country, which Schofield will rule, and Antelope Wells happens to be in the dead center of Schofield's planned new country. Schofield has already proven his ruthlessness by having his army randomly killing townspeople (women and children included) in all the other towns he's taken over, just to make a statement, so McGregor knows that he and the citizens of Antelope Wells will need to stand firm against Schofield. McGregor also knows that he'll need the help of his own army ... Duff MacCallister.
This is the first book I've ever read by William W. Johnstone (and J.A. Johnstone) though I've got a few of them in my queue to be read and I've read and reviewed a few westerns prior to this. What surprised me was the ... simplicity ... of this story-telling.
The story was very straightforward with some back and forth between points of view (Schofield's, McGregor's, MacCallister's). Things get a little bit monotonous as we repeat action in an attempt to build tension, but we don't really need to see Schofield's slaughter over and over, and we don't really need to see his attempts to conquer Antelope Wells over and over - although I admit this was somewhat interesting to see how Duff and McGregor would repel the attacks.
There was a fair amount of 'telling' rather than 'showing' throughout. This is a story, or a format, built for speed in order to simulate lots of action and there's no point in slowing that down by getting the reader actually involved in the story.
And yet ...
There was a certain charm about the story. I liked Duff and his cadre of companions (particularly Wang Chow). In fact I wish I had gotten to know them a little more. I see that this is the ninth MacCallister story, so perhaps there's much more to learn about the character(s) in some of the other books.
This is a great beach read for western fans. While not among the best westerns that I've read, the characters have a uniqueness about them that should entertain.
Looking for a good book? Stranglehold, by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, is classically-styled western where the bad guys are very clearly bad and the good guys are squeaky-clean good and you know how the story will go, but the characters make the journey fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2019
TREACHEROUS TAKE OVER
The Irish brogue speakers were a tad bit hard to follow their conversations, but you got the gist of it and continued reading. There's a bit of history thrown in about Duff MacCallister and his tour in the "Black Watch Regiment" the Army of her Majesty Queen Victoria of the English Empire. We all know England had a powerful Navy, the best in the world, maybe the French would be second, but "Britannica" ruled the oceans.
Loads of action, another misspent despot attempt to create a Fiefdom of his own. This attempt was already tried by the "Succession Of The Eleven States from the United States to form their own Confederate States". That was a big big mistake but that didn't stop old "Jefferson Davis" and those representatives from following. So now we have Ebenezer Schofield "Prime Director," that's the title he bequeathed upon himself . Those who followed him were to be known as his Legion(sound familiar)? All of this hype was taking place in New Mexico Territory, in fact it was the bootheel of the Territory, that he was taking over as a new Nation named "Terra de Desierito=Desert
Land." This is nightmare that Antelope Wells must face and defeat with the help of Duff MacCallister
Elmer Gleason, Wang Chow and Megan Parker will help preserve the Constitution of the United States and free the other town's from the stranglehold of Prime Director, Ebenezer Schofield and his Legion.
The Irish brogue speakers were a tad bit hard to follow their conversations, but you got the gist of it and continued reading. There's a bit of history thrown in about Duff MacCallister and his tour in the "Black Watch Regiment" the Army of her Majesty Queen Victoria of the English Empire. We all know England had a powerful Navy, the best in the world, maybe the French would be second, but "Britannica" ruled the oceans.
Loads of action, another misspent despot attempt to create a Fiefdom of his own. This attempt was already tried by the "Succession Of The Eleven States from the United States to form their own Confederate States". That was a big big mistake but that didn't stop old "Jefferson Davis" and those representatives from following. So now we have Ebenezer Schofield "Prime Director," that's the title he bequeathed upon himself . Those who followed him were to be known as his Legion(sound familiar)? All of this hype was taking place in New Mexico Territory, in fact it was the bootheel of the Territory, that he was taking over as a new Nation named "Terra de Desierito=Desert
Land." This is nightmare that Antelope Wells must face and defeat with the help of Duff MacCallister
Elmer Gleason, Wang Chow and Megan Parker will help preserve the Constitution of the United States and free the other town's from the stranglehold of Prime Director, Ebenezer Schofield and his Legion.
April 26, 2019
All Johnston books are great reads,But this one for me had a twist and suspense at the end which I enjoy,I will continue to read and enjoy more of books thanks.
I would recommend this book to any one who is interested in westerns and clean cut writing and will hold your interest.
I would recommend this book to any one who is interested in westerns and clean cut writing and will hold your interest.
January 25, 2020
Excellent western yarn
A fine story about a part of the country we don't often think about, the bootheel of New Mexico. Interesting characters and solid tactics. With a good twist at the end,this book will keep you interested until the last page.
A fine story about a part of the country we don't often think about, the bootheel of New Mexico. Interesting characters and solid tactics. With a good twist at the end,this book will keep you interested until the last page.
March 7, 2019
Great read
Totally impressed with the book as I am with all Johnstone writing.Well documented,exciting,just as are his many books.Buy this book
Totally impressed with the book as I am with all Johnstone writing.Well documented,exciting,just as are his many books.Buy this book
March 8, 2019
Stranglehold is book nine from A Duff MacCallister Western series. I thought it was a great read. Five stars.
March 15, 2019
Good Storyline.
May 9, 2019
Great book can’t wait for the next book enjoyed it from beginning to end
Read
August 9, 2019Duff
I love this series, am saddened that another one won't be out till next year. I need to broaden my books, try another series. Thank you
I love this series, am saddened that another one won't be out till next year. I need to broaden my books, try another series. Thank you
April 27, 2020
Great series that I really enjoyed, now I have to find #10 to read....I'm sure it will be just as good....
December 1, 2022
This was boring. This series started off great, but these last few have been just a standard boring story. Oh well.
March 10, 2019
Johnstone County, where others fear to tread! I love this! Johnstone books always leave the reader feeling as if they have watched a terrific movie and want more. Good guys and bad guys fight it out over justice. The good guys always come out on top, a little more worn and a whole lot wiser than they started. This story line finds our hero fighting to free a small town from the grips of a man who would be king. Our hero must use everything in his arsenal to free the innocent while keeping some of the worse bad guys we've met from taking control and using the town's resources against them. Along the way, the reader finds themselves holding their breath while the fight gets ugly. , love, love these books!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews