Yuma Prison Crashout

Hank Fallon #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

BREAKOUT OF THE CENTURY

Hank Fallon used to be one of the best deputy marshals in the country. Then he got framed for a crime he didn't commit. Got sentenced to ten years in a federal penitentary. And got out early for saving the lives of two guards during a riot. When Fallon is released, a private detective is waiting for him. He wants to put Hank behind bars again--but this time, as an undercover agent . . .

The last thing Fallon wants is to return to jail. Especially a rat-infested hell hole like Yuma Territorial Prison. But if he wants to clear his name, he's got to take the job. Get himself arrested. Make friends with criminal mastermind Monk Quinn. Find out where he stashed a fortune in stolen money. And join Monk's gang for the biggest breakout in American history. If Hank succeeds, he'll be on the run with the deadliest cutthroats alive. That's when all hell breaks loose . . .

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction

364 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2019

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

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explosive western action featuring undercover operatives, hidden treasure, cutthroat villains and vast western landscapes full of hidden dangers.
In the 1890’s prisons were rat infested hellholes. Ex-Marshall Hank Fallon has been rotting in the Joliet jail for 10 years for a crime he didn’t commit. His only opportunity to free himself and clear his name is to infiltrate the worst prison of all - Yuma Territorial Prison and find out where a fortune in gold has been stashed.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

A bit different from the others I have read by these authors but really good! I was really hoping he would find out his wife and daughter were alive.

[William M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 AND 1/2 STARS

The first book in an ongoing series follows ex Deputy Marshall Hank Fallon in a very fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable adventure involving a high stakes prison breakout. I was interested in reading this series about prisons in the wild west and was certainly glad I picked this up. The smooth prose and the clear action make this book a joy to read. There is so much to like about this book - the characters, action sequences, tension, some nice dark moments of violence and unexpected twists had me blazing through the 350+ pages. Years ago I had the pleasure of corresponding with William W. Johnstone on some of the message boards and he was always a pleasant person to interact with, if a bit restrained and introverted.

By now, most everyone knows Bill has passed away and his niece, J.A. Johnstone, has taken over his legacy and estate. But with over 30 titles a year being released under their names, surely she (JA) does not write them all and like James Patterson, JA should acknowledge who writes under Bill's name. Keep the brand of William W. Johnstone on the book, but write "with" and the author who actually wrote it. This was done once before on a Johnstone book when Fred Austin stepped in to write Destiny of the Mountain Man and was credited on the cover, so I'm not sure why they don't do it now. I think it is only fair, but as long as the other writers are getting paid and are happy, I guess that is all that matters. But I do believe that giving credit to the individual authors is what Bill would have wanted, and probably insisted on. He was a good man.

As far as Yuma Prison Crashout, besides the slightly fast climax and ending that closed the story, this was one of the better westerns I have read in recent years and looks to be one of the stronger series from the new Johnstone line. I look forward to reading the next book, "Behind The Iron".

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being the first in a new series, it makes sense that a large part of this book seemed to be setting the stage for future stories. Hank Fallon has been setup as a wrongly disgraced former law officer that wants to see his name and reputation restored, but also take vengeance on the man responsible for killing his family, although we never learn in this book what happened to his family. To do that, he's forced into an undercover role with a pseudo detective agency that has him posing as an inmate to get close to a fellow convict responsible for stealing a shipment of gold bars. After breaking out, the story becomes fairly predictable. Anyone could have guessed that the thief had no intention of sharing the gold with his "crew" and Fallon would have to find a way to escape his imminent killing and return the gold. My guess is that Gloria Adler will appear again in future stories, perhaps under a different name, but I doubt she stays in Mexico. My hope is that the stories after this one continue to develop and don't become repetitive with each one being about Fallon going into a prison only to break out (and not be pursued, which was odd) and stop the bad guys. I wouldn't say this is as good as the Smoke Jensen series of stories, but if you enjoy westerns, it's an enjoyable read.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest Johnstone western series features Hank Fallon. A lawman that was jailed for crimes he did not commit, yet still respects the law. Johnstone westerns are well developed, accurate and have a very definite cast of good guys and bad guys. I've been reading their books for many years and have yet to find one that was less than an excellent adventure into history. Hank's adventures this time lead him to Yuma prison, a background that is perfect for our hero to prove he is not only one of the good guys, he is one to be reckoned with. When the author's last name is Johnstone, you know that the western/ frontier saga is a great one. Pick any of their books and you will be hooked for life.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dang good western, Hank Fallon is a great main charcter as a former Deputy Marshall who got set up and spent 10 years in a tough prison. He then winds up at the mercy of a detective agency where he had to go back to a prison and break out with a bunch of cutthroats to try and find a lot of stolen gold, that one of the prisoners hid years ago.

Just a great selection of characters and though the ending was a little anticlimatic, it was well told. Glad to see that the westerns under the long dead William W. Johnstone's name are written by some solid ghost writers.

Highly recommended for western fans don't think you will be disappointed. They are a little long but I swear I dont know what you would cut, very little padding.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank Fallon is a hard luck ex deputy marshall who gets railroaded and spends 10 years in a federal prison. He gets released early is pressured to become a private detective and put into Yuma Prison to get close to a prisoner who masterminded a gold heist and find out where he hidthe gold. There's a breakout and he is with the escaping prisoners when they flee into Mexico to locate and recover the stolen gold. There's spades of action and twists and turns right up to end of the story. Its pretty much a page turner and well worth reading.

[Jackson Hale]

Yuma Prison Crashout is the second book I have read by William Johnstone. I really wanted to read this book because I have heard about Yuma prison and I wanted to read about it. This book had a really good story. The story to this book was very surprising and suspenseful. I loved this book because it was filled with action. Hank Fallon is a man that used to be a deputy marshall. He is hired to go back to prison and make friends with Monk Quinn. Monk Quinn knows where a lot of stolen money is. This is a great book to read.

[Tom Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like all kinds of mystery books, and this is the first of William Johnstone’s books that I’ve read. I enjoyed it because of references to the northwest of Arkansas, from Fort Smith to Dardenelle (near me). I learned about some places I haven’t visited. Otherwise, the tale kept me interested to the end. So, I now have checked out another of the author’s books. If you like cowboy stories, try one his books.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnstone takes theme of good guy hardened by betrayals and harsh environments. Even small portrayals are well developed. We dont know whether they will survive or not.

Fallon under various aliases trades private American Detective Agency job undercover with thief Monk Quinn who stole gold bars and killed gang to hide rattler den, in exchange for identity of who killed his wife Renee and child. Flips back to memories that help in current predicaments.

[Snakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just pop boiler formulaic western. Not too bad but nothing special either. Average. Nearly impossible to develop any concern or attachment to the main character. And then there was the confusing identity plot in the book which mixed poorly with the character names given out by the author. Fallon was pretending to be Fulton and another major character was Fowler. Come on, choose names which are a bit different.

[James f. white, jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent and exciting Johnstone Western guaranteed to please lovers of authentic Westerns!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Yuma Prison Crashout and highly recommend it. If you enjoy reading great westerns with great characters and tons of edge of the seat action then you’ll absolutely love this one

[Pappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like a good western every now and then! This one was really good. My first William Johnstone novel and I was very pleased by what I read. As the title suggests, this was about a prison break and about surviving a real tough situation involving several inmates but also includes many other dangerous elements and situations. Great read and will definitely recommend.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Yuma Prison Crashout. This first installment from William W Johnstone's Hank Fallon is full of adventure and action. I would not expect anything else by this author. I give this one four and a half stars.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if I'm a fan of graphic audio books or not. This was a Western and something I don't usually read....Craig Johnson's Longmire books might be good in a graphic novel. Luckily I was busy with garden work as I listened so it held my attention.

[J.A. Boulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Westerns two years ago and it's the Johnstone books that have me hooked. This particular book was one of his (and JA's) best. I really liked the prison breakout and every road it turned and twisted on! Amazing book! If you want a Western, pick this one up!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Western!

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why..

...do u hate dogs so much? You kill one or more in each story I've read by you two. This will be the last one I read. Senseless killings.

[Michael Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action Packed Western

Fast paced yarn that keeps your attention and has plenty of suspense. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escape-reading Western from William Johnstone.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.......

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn going back to prison to break out of prison to catch some bad guys so good.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting storyline, clearly narrated, and a series that’s always exciting. 👍🏼📖

[Derrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Prison western for sure. Interesting ending.

[Darel Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

not one of Johnstone's better efforts