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Perley Gates Western #4
Shot to Hell
Johnstone country. Patriots welcome.
The Johnstone hero with the heavenly name—and the hellish task of living up to it—Perley Gates—takes on a gang of cold-blooded killers to save the soul of a small Western town . . .
They say that home is where the heart is. And no one knows that better than Perley Gates. After helping the lovely Miss Emma Slocum reunite with her sister’s family in Bison Gap, Perley can’t wait to rejoin his own kin at the Triple-G Ranch. No sooner does Perley settle in when he receives an alarming telegram from Bison Gap. Emma’s brother-in-law has been murdered. Her sister wants justice. And Perley is their only hope to get it . . .
Perley can’t refuse a family in need. So he saddles up with his salty cowhand Possum Smith and heads to Bison Gap. He notices that the town’s new sheriff is acting suspicious—and likely in cahoots with the local gang of deadly outlaws. In no time at all there’s a target on Perley’s back—and the vicious gang leader is calling all the shots. Justice may be hard to find in a town this wicked. But vengeance is swift—straight out of the Gates . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
The Johnstone hero with the heavenly name—and the hellish task of living up to it—Perley Gates—takes on a gang of cold-blooded killers to save the soul of a small Western town . . .
They say that home is where the heart is. And no one knows that better than Perley Gates. After helping the lovely Miss Emma Slocum reunite with her sister’s family in Bison Gap, Perley can’t wait to rejoin his own kin at the Triple-G Ranch. No sooner does Perley settle in when he receives an alarming telegram from Bison Gap. Emma’s brother-in-law has been murdered. Her sister wants justice. And Perley is their only hope to get it . . .
Perley can’t refuse a family in need. So he saddles up with his salty cowhand Possum Smith and heads to Bison Gap. He notices that the town’s new sheriff is acting suspicious—and likely in cahoots with the local gang of deadly outlaws. In no time at all there’s a target on Perley’s back—and the vicious gang leader is calling all the shots. Justice may be hard to find in a town this wicked. But vengeance is swift—straight out of the Gates . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2020
510 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 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 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 5, 2020
In William and J.A. Johnstone's latest in the Perley Gates Western series, Shot to Hell (Pinncacle Books 2020), young Perley Gates must again use his spectacular shootist skills to save friends and maybe a whole town. He's not a gunslinger. He’s a rancher but when friends he hasn't seen in a while have trouble with a local rancher named Ned Stark, Perley and his sidekick Possum return to the town they at one point helped clean up, worried they may have to do the same thing again. The Marshall is weak and easily manipulated by Stark and the Mayor is reluctant to organize a vigilante committee to help the Marshall, hoping things will fix themselves. When Perley comes to town to visit his old friends, he kicks off the war by killing two of Stark's gunslingers in fair fights. Perley only uses his gun after he's tried everything else but that happens far too often in this town. When Stark sees how fast Perley is and how willing he is to stand up for justice, he knows he must either kill Perley Gates or watch his empire collapse.
This is another action-packed old-time Western by the Johnstones. Perley Gates is an excellent character with skill, morals, and grit enough to take care of trouble when it slaps him in the face. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Old West fiction as much as I do.
This is another action-packed old-time Western by the Johnstones. Perley Gates is an excellent character with skill, morals, and grit enough to take care of trouble when it slaps him in the face. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Old West fiction as much as I do.
September 25, 2021
An enjoyable western novel where the only question is how the bad guys will be brought to justice. Like the authors work and this one I have re-read more than once. (no Audible or Chirp audiobook available for this novel but it supports text-to-speech TTS).
January 8, 2020
This is a neat western series about a most modest cowboy with lightning reflexes and good manners. Perley Gates is not like everyone else and that is the strength about this book. I have been reading westerns since I was very young and if they keep coming like this one I will continue for many more years. Great work by "William W. Johnstone" and J.A. Johnstone. I also have to give thanks to #Netgalley #Pinnacle and #KensingtonBooks Keep them coming.
January 30, 2020
All another great story with Perley Gates, hopefully there's a #5 to the series....
Read
March 4, 2020THE VINDICTIVE NED STARK GANG
Well Perley Gates and Possum are on their way to Bison Gap. They murdered Tom Parker friend of both Perley and Possum. Evidently the town is in the grip of outlaw gang headed by Ned Stark, a crazy controlling, bully of a man. Ned Stark has the Sheriff of Bison Gap in his pocket, especially when he suspose to look the other way when gang members shows up at the local watering hole.
So now Perley and Possum are in town, remember Possum is part owner of the local hotel in town.
We all know Perley is a shootist who doesn't brag about his quickness with firearms. But I guarantee you pull iron on Perley that'll be your end and your next blanket will be a "dirt blanket."
So the two gunnies who murdered poor Tom, challenged Perley and truly thought they could out draw our Perley, well they found out and so did their boss gang leader, Ned Stark, you don't mess with Perley Gates.
This has a lot action both physically and emotionally especially when the "Town Council" asked Perley to leave town. .now ain't that nothing??You help the town rid themselves of the Ned Stark gang and that's how they THANK YOU for saving their lives and town..by telling you, you got to go. Town Council feels your presence will draw the dregs of society who will try to outshoot Perley..Danger Danger to anyone whose in town when these undesirables show up and innocent folks are shot...
READ READ FOLKS
Well Perley Gates and Possum are on their way to Bison Gap. They murdered Tom Parker friend of both Perley and Possum. Evidently the town is in the grip of outlaw gang headed by Ned Stark, a crazy controlling, bully of a man. Ned Stark has the Sheriff of Bison Gap in his pocket, especially when he suspose to look the other way when gang members shows up at the local watering hole.
So now Perley and Possum are in town, remember Possum is part owner of the local hotel in town.
We all know Perley is a shootist who doesn't brag about his quickness with firearms. But I guarantee you pull iron on Perley that'll be your end and your next blanket will be a "dirt blanket."
So the two gunnies who murdered poor Tom, challenged Perley and truly thought they could out draw our Perley, well they found out and so did their boss gang leader, Ned Stark, you don't mess with Perley Gates.
This has a lot action both physically and emotionally especially when the "Town Council" asked Perley to leave town. .now ain't that nothing??You help the town rid themselves of the Ned Stark gang and that's how they THANK YOU for saving their lives and town..by telling you, you got to go. Town Council feels your presence will draw the dregs of society who will try to outshoot Perley..Danger Danger to anyone whose in town when these undesirables show up and innocent folks are shot...
READ READ FOLKS
February 13, 2020
Another 5star read from the Johnstones. Every Johnstone western has at it's heart characters who love their families and will protect what's right with every skill they have. Perley Gates is on the job again trying to find which criminal has killed his friend and is now terrorizing the widow. JA Johnstone remains true to the excellent series of westerns that have entertained readers for many, many years. Each story has a very realistic background and characters that are just trying to live their lives while making a difference. I always read every Johnstone book I see because I know I can count on it being a very entertaining story and I love seeing how some of my favorite book characters manage to get in and out of trouble this time!
February 15, 2020
The gang took over the town, owned the Sheriff, and people were starting to die
Classic Old West gunslingers finally meet their match and resort to kidnapping before everything is over. Excellent characters, page-turning action and plenty of twists and turns. An outstanding addition to the series and well worth the time.
Classic Old West gunslingers finally meet their match and resort to kidnapping before everything is over. Excellent characters, page-turning action and plenty of twists and turns. An outstanding addition to the series and well worth the time.
January 10, 2021
Perley Saves a Town
Perley gets a message that he is needed and of course goes to the rescue. The story is set where the town is being harassed by a gang who kills the husband of one good friend. This leads to many encounters with the gang and causes the town and its inhabitants to see what it takes to have a safe family town. Fast moving and hard to put down.
Perley gets a message that he is needed and of course goes to the rescue. The story is set where the town is being harassed by a gang who kills the husband of one good friend. This leads to many encounters with the gang and causes the town and its inhabitants to see what it takes to have a safe family town. Fast moving and hard to put down.
March 18, 2020
I really liked William W Johnston and JA Johnstone's fourth installment from their Perley Gates Western series, Shot to Hell. I am giving it four stars.
April 14, 2020
Perely steps in to another cowpie!
Humor
Shootouts
More Humor
More shootouts
Quirky people and lots of laughs.
Perely and Possum head back to Bison Gap to deal with a gang of thugs.
Humor
Shootouts
More Humor
More shootouts
Quirky people and lots of laughs.
Perely and Possum head back to Bison Gap to deal with a gang of thugs.
May 25, 2020
very good book. I like westerns! a little bit to pedictable plot, no love interest..
June 1, 2020
Another good read.
Good good good good good read read read read read Will Will all wait wait wait for for next next
Good good good good good read read read read read Will Will all wait wait wait for for next next
July 14, 2020
Another great adventure for Perly and his buddy Possum .
May 4, 2021
Audible Audiobook
September 8, 2020
Nice easy reading of a western story where the good guy wins out.
May 12, 2021
Loved
Anyone who likes a good western, they will love this one. Keeps you turning every page. I never knew what was coming next.
Anyone who likes a good western, they will love this one. Keeps you turning every page. I never knew what was coming next.
July 28, 2021
Another OK silly western bookk. Now I will throw myself into some more intense books.
May 22, 2025
Lord of Winterfell, Ned Stark, kills Elvis’s manager, Tom Parker! And the citizens of Bison Gap call upon their hero, Perley Gates, to return and enact justice!
It’s really cool to see how the author’s storytelling develops over the course of the past few novels. Book 2 was a handful of separate adventures, book 3 was a Road Story of a Main Plot and various subsidiary adventures, but in book 3 we have a single, solid plot with multiple developments.
Since Perley refused to become sheriff at the end of the previous book, someone else was hired and was soon coerced by outlaw cattle rustler Ned Stark to turn the blind eye to his boys’ crimes, until one of Perley’s friends is cruelly killed. Perley is summoned to town and stands firm against Stark’s various efforts to assert his dominance, but Perley overcomes him each time. Stark, like every other villain in the series, doesn’t know when to quit and keeps digging himself into a deeper hole. Stark’s cousin Drew arrives later, and he proves a very clever and conniving adversary, leading up to an exciting climax.
I liked how we returned to Bison Gap because I liked those characters and Perley’s rapport with them.
Even though the book is 9 hours long and the plot is about various encounters with Stark’s men, it always felt engaging and immersive. I really love the author’s writing style which is efficient at setting the scene, explaining internal thoughts, and swift action so the story is a very easy read.
Onto the next one!
It’s really cool to see how the author’s storytelling develops over the course of the past few novels. Book 2 was a handful of separate adventures, book 3 was a Road Story of a Main Plot and various subsidiary adventures, but in book 3 we have a single, solid plot with multiple developments.
Since Perley refused to become sheriff at the end of the previous book, someone else was hired and was soon coerced by outlaw cattle rustler Ned Stark to turn the blind eye to his boys’ crimes, until one of Perley’s friends is cruelly killed. Perley is summoned to town and stands firm against Stark’s various efforts to assert his dominance, but Perley overcomes him each time. Stark, like every other villain in the series, doesn’t know when to quit and keeps digging himself into a deeper hole. Stark’s cousin Drew arrives later, and he proves a very clever and conniving adversary, leading up to an exciting climax.
I liked how we returned to Bison Gap because I liked those characters and Perley’s rapport with them.
Even though the book is 9 hours long and the plot is about various encounters with Stark’s men, it always felt engaging and immersive. I really love the author’s writing style which is efficient at setting the scene, explaining internal thoughts, and swift action so the story is a very easy read.
Onto the next one!
September 22, 2022
Perley does it again! He finds trouble, steps into help and gets caught in crossfires. I love this series and wonder what more this character can handle. In this story, he does his best to clear out the rustlers and bandits from a town lived in by many of his friends; then, he is asked to leave because he might bring more problems to the community. It’s funny to think about but bad guys seem to find him. Thanks for another great storyline for Perley Gates and we look forward to the next adventure.
March 12, 2023
Several were ‘Shot to Hell’
If you read the Perley Gates series, you’ll like this one. I certainly hope another is waiting to be read. As soon as Perley hits town of Bison there’s someone who wants to notch their gun for Perley. His gentle, folksy way and his youthful looks are deceiving! Especially to ones who would think he’s vulnerable and week!
If you read the Perley Gates series, you’ll like this one. I certainly hope another is waiting to be read. As soon as Perley hits town of Bison there’s someone who wants to notch their gun for Perley. His gentle, folksy way and his youthful looks are deceiving! Especially to ones who would think he’s vulnerable and week!
February 23, 2022
Another great Perley Gates adventure. He is so fast on the draw and even faster with his brain. When friends are in trouble, Perley comes to the rescue. Love these books and hope more are on the way!
May 16, 2022
This one didn't hold anything grand for me. Perley was the same person, but the story itself was just run of the mill standard fair. Oh well. Fine read, but not one I'd suggest. The other ones are so much better.
August 24, 2020
Perley Gates and his buddy helping some friends and a town in need. Some humor, but I thought this story was a little on the slow side compared to other books by JA Johnstone I have read.
November 27, 2020
Good read
A good read just need to find the time s sit and read it. Now on to one of my many more waiting
A good read just need to find the time s sit and read it. Now on to one of my many more waiting
March 16, 2022
Well Done!!! I really enjoy the Perley Gates series. Perley tends to step in "Cow Pies" on his adventures but always prevails! Will be reading the next in the series: "Red River Vengeance".
June 15, 2022
great book in this series
Great storyline that will keep you entertained and turning page after page. Well written and love the characters in the book
Great storyline that will keep you entertained and turning page after page. Well written and love the characters in the book
January 5, 2023
Exactly Right!
Just what I wanted! A good Western read and exactly what I intend to do . . .Read every one of the Kerley Gates series.
Just what I wanted! A good Western read and exactly what I intend to do . . .Read every one of the Kerley Gates series.
January 21, 2023
Groovy
January 29, 2023
Another good read
This is a wonderful series of books. This is my third one. All with just enough pace to keep it interesting but with pauses now and then. Nice good guy.
This is a wonderful series of books. This is my third one. All with just enough pace to keep it interesting but with pauses now and then. Nice good guy.
February 12, 2023
Pearly Gates Again!
Well, the Johnston's have done it again! They've written another great western with Perley Gates doing his thing. Always exciting!
Well, the Johnston's have done it again! They've written another great western with Perley Gates doing his thing. Always exciting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews