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Chuckwagon Trail #3
A Hill of Beans
Johnstone Country. Come and Get It.
With two trail drives under his belt, Dewey “Mac” Mackenzie has proven to be more than a good chuckwagon cook. He’s good at serving up justice, too—with a side of hot lead . . .
A HILL OF BEANS
Mac Mackenzie has enough problems on his plate. He’s got bounty hunters on his tail, no one on his side, and no place to hide. Just when he thinks it can’t get any worse, he hears the rumbling of a cattle stampede—heading straight for his camp. Mac’s got two choices: Get trampled like a weed or saddle up and help get the herd under control. At first, the traildrivers ain’t too pleased to have a stranger help them out. But once they realize Mac’s not a rustler, they ask him to join the team. Mac takes them up on the offer—especially after he meets the cowgirl Colleen—and quickly impresses everyone with his cooking skills. There’s just a few more problems:
Mac’s new employers are the real rustlers. And Mac’s stepped out of the frying pan into the fire . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
With two trail drives under his belt, Dewey “Mac” Mackenzie has proven to be more than a good chuckwagon cook. He’s good at serving up justice, too—with a side of hot lead . . .
A HILL OF BEANS
Mac Mackenzie has enough problems on his plate. He’s got bounty hunters on his tail, no one on his side, and no place to hide. Just when he thinks it can’t get any worse, he hears the rumbling of a cattle stampede—heading straight for his camp. Mac’s got two choices: Get trampled like a weed or saddle up and help get the herd under control. At first, the traildrivers ain’t too pleased to have a stranger help them out. But once they realize Mac’s not a rustler, they ask him to join the team. Mac takes them up on the offer—especially after he meets the cowgirl Colleen—and quickly impresses everyone with his cooking skills. There’s just a few more problems:
Mac’s new employers are the real rustlers. And Mac’s stepped out of the frying pan into the fire . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
- GenresWesternsAdult Fiction
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2020
413 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,041 books1,392 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 33 reviews
October 31, 2020
This is book three of the Chuckwagon Series. This historical fiction series is well written and researched. What started me reading the series was the twist of having the hero as cook on a trail drive.
The book attempts to portray life on the cattle drive. In this issue, Johnstone tells of the problems of the cattle drive on the Texas to Montana trail which partly uses the Bozeman Trail. The story is paced with lots of action and even has some recipes. I am looking forward to the next installment.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and forty-six minutes. Danny Campbell does a great job narrating the series. Campbell is a classically trained actor and audiobook narrator. He has won multiple Audiofile Earphone Awards and was Audiofile’s Best Narrator of 2017.
The book attempts to portray life on the cattle drive. In this issue, Johnstone tells of the problems of the cattle drive on the Texas to Montana trail which partly uses the Bozeman Trail. The story is paced with lots of action and even has some recipes. I am looking forward to the next installment.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and forty-six minutes. Danny Campbell does a great job narrating the series. Campbell is a classically trained actor and audiobook narrator. He has won multiple Audiofile Earphone Awards and was Audiofile’s Best Narrator of 2017.
March 31, 2020
I just finished the latest adventure with trail cook Dewey “Mac” Mckenzie by William W. Johnstone; J.A. Johnstone. Thanks to Netgalley, Pinnacle and Kensington Books for letting me have these few hours of entertaining western reading. I think this is the most innovating in the genre for many years. Great fun for lovers of westerns. Our hero stumbles upon one cattle drive after another trying to get away from the wanted posters. If you love westerns like I do then this is one for you.
March 25, 2020
Usually westerns about cattle drives follow a similar path. Rustlers attack the drive, kill a few good cowboys, and the rest want revenge. A Hill of Beans (Pinnacle Books 2020), Book 3 in the Chuckwagon Trail series,starts like that but in true Johnstone fashion, doesn't take long to diverge. These particular rustlers decide to steal cattle by causing a stampede and have the misfortune of sending the frenzied cows right through the middle of Dewey “Mac” Mackenzie's campground. He not only helps to stop the stampede but then goes after the rustlers and retrieves the stolen cows. When the trail drive's cook gets injured, Mac--who says he is between drives--is hired to cook which is what he likes to do anyway. That's all in the first few pages (well, more than few--20% maybe) and the action is just starting. Mac and the boss's son save a man from hanging when they go into town for supplies which is where the real problems start.
Mac is an interesting character, not at all the typical western hero. He’s a quick thinker, committed to helping others, fun to be around, talented with a frying pan, and has secrets he’s not telling that could change everything. Of course the owner of the new crew has his own secrets. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what all of those were and whose were worse.
This, like most books by these authors, is atmospheric, steeped in old west authenticity, and a fun read. If you like Westerns, you'll enjoy it.
Mac is an interesting character, not at all the typical western hero. He’s a quick thinker, committed to helping others, fun to be around, talented with a frying pan, and has secrets he’s not telling that could change everything. Of course the owner of the new crew has his own secrets. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what all of those were and whose were worse.
This, like most books by these authors, is atmospheric, steeped in old west authenticity, and a fun read. If you like Westerns, you'll enjoy it.
April 30, 2020
Even though this is #3 in the series, it was quite easy to read without having read the previous ones. I don't think I missed out by jumping in at #3.
William W. Johnstone is the author of over 300 books, and while that kind of productivity as an author is staggering, this was my first introduction to his writing. It's my understanding that this book was one of many written by either a basic outline or an unfinished manuscript by William W. Johnstone, after his death. While I found that tidbit interesting, as both an author and a reader, it did not detract from the story.
Let's talk about the less-than-wonderful parts first.
There were a number of sentences that went on far too long. One in particular that stands out was an entire paragraph long. No, it was not dialogue. Passages like that can tire the reader. But I plowed on.
I would have liked to have been shown the land they rode through a bit more often. A better description of the cattle too.
Now, all that being said, this novel did have strengths.
The main character was well-developed, both in a easy-to-see sort of way and psychologically. His motivations were clear, relatable and he was a genuinely good guy.
Conflicts in the plot were resolved in a way that made sense for the land and the time.
It was an entertaining story that was easy to read and highly enjoyable.
I'm very glad Netgalley and the publisher granted me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
William W. Johnstone is the author of over 300 books, and while that kind of productivity as an author is staggering, this was my first introduction to his writing. It's my understanding that this book was one of many written by either a basic outline or an unfinished manuscript by William W. Johnstone, after his death. While I found that tidbit interesting, as both an author and a reader, it did not detract from the story.
Let's talk about the less-than-wonderful parts first.
There were a number of sentences that went on far too long. One in particular that stands out was an entire paragraph long. No, it was not dialogue. Passages like that can tire the reader. But I plowed on.
I would have liked to have been shown the land they rode through a bit more often. A better description of the cattle too.
Now, all that being said, this novel did have strengths.
The main character was well-developed, both in a easy-to-see sort of way and psychologically. His motivations were clear, relatable and he was a genuinely good guy.
Conflicts in the plot were resolved in a way that made sense for the land and the time.
It was an entertaining story that was easy to read and highly enjoyable.
I'm very glad Netgalley and the publisher granted me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2020
A Hill of Beans...a book I was in the mood for, and was okay, to say the least. Even though it was book three of the Chuckwagon Trail series, this is my second western I've read by Mr. William W. Johnstone, and I have to say, I really enjoyed reading this one. Yes, I gave this book three out of a five stars, but it was because it stared real slow, and then it picked up and it felt like a real western.
This book introduces Dewey "Mac" Mackenzie (well to me it introduces Mac), a man on the run from his past who one night hears a rumbling of a cattle stampede. He had two choices: either get stomped on by the cattle, or help the cattle rustlers get the heard under control. He gets them under control, and joins up with the group called the Rafter B.
At first, they didn't like him-no one warmed up to him. But the more they spend time together, even firing the horrible cook and making Mac the Chuckwagon cook, they liked him so much that they kept him on the trail till they meet trouble-trouble in the form of Van Horne and his men, and of course the Forrests, Belinda and Herbert. The Rafter B outfit moved across the trail, and they have narrowly escaped the Kiowa Tribe (I'm trying to write this in a respectful manner because Mr. William did a good job depicting them), and the action was just so beautiful. Even the scrap between Mac and Roman over Belinda was really good.
The one thing that made me a bit upset was that Mac and Colleen didn't get together. I thought it was okay for him to finally let his guard down and be with her, but it looked like it didn't happen as she fell for Malloy, the new member of the group and also a Texas Ranger. But one thing ticked me off SO MUCH was Belinda betraying them, using her feminine wiles to try and get what she wanted, even having to lie to poor Mac about what was going on until he overheard her and her husband talking and then making love (which was uncomfortable to hear.)
I wish I read the rest of this book series (or the first two books introducing Mac to me) because I really like Mac and I wish he didn't have to go to California and stayed with the Rafter B...but maybe one day it'll happen....one day....
This book introduces Dewey "Mac" Mackenzie (well to me it introduces Mac), a man on the run from his past who one night hears a rumbling of a cattle stampede. He had two choices: either get stomped on by the cattle, or help the cattle rustlers get the heard under control. He gets them under control, and joins up with the group called the Rafter B.
At first, they didn't like him-no one warmed up to him. But the more they spend time together, even firing the horrible cook and making Mac the Chuckwagon cook, they liked him so much that they kept him on the trail till they meet trouble-trouble in the form of Van Horne and his men, and of course the Forrests, Belinda and Herbert. The Rafter B outfit moved across the trail, and they have narrowly escaped the Kiowa Tribe (I'm trying to write this in a respectful manner because Mr. William did a good job depicting them), and the action was just so beautiful. Even the scrap between Mac and Roman over Belinda was really good.
The one thing that made me a bit upset was that Mac and Colleen didn't get together. I thought it was okay for him to finally let his guard down and be with her, but it looked like it didn't happen as she fell for Malloy, the new member of the group and also a Texas Ranger. But one thing ticked me off SO MUCH was Belinda betraying them, using her feminine wiles to try and get what she wanted, even having to lie to poor Mac about what was going on until he overheard her and her husband talking and then making love (which was uncomfortable to hear.)
I wish I read the rest of this book series (or the first two books introducing Mac to me) because I really like Mac and I wish he didn't have to go to California and stayed with the Rafter B...but maybe one day it'll happen....one day....
May 3, 2020
Disclaimer: I'm a Johnstone junkie. Never met a Johnstone western that I didn't love. These westerns run as serials, each one centered around a character as true to life as you'll ever read. HILL OF BEANS is the next story In Mac McKenzie's journey as a wagon trail cook. Although these are listed as part of a series, each of the Johnstone westerns is an outstanding story that can definitely be read as stand alones.
Accused of a crime he did not commit, Mac keeps moving, staying ahead of anyone who might be looking for him. His trade as a wagon trail cook keeps him working and gives him the chance to do what he does best, help those who need it. Of course, trouble finds him. The story would be pretty boring if it didn't. I recommend these books to all my western loving friends and have yet to find anyone who didn't love them as much as I do.
Accused of a crime he did not commit, Mac keeps moving, staying ahead of anyone who might be looking for him. His trade as a wagon trail cook keeps him working and gives him the chance to do what he does best, help those who need it. Of course, trouble finds him. The story would be pretty boring if it didn't. I recommend these books to all my western loving friends and have yet to find anyone who didn't love them as much as I do.
December 18, 2020
Third book in the series with the character Dewey (Mac) Mackenzie. Mac gets into a group of cowboys on the trail with 800 head of cattle to Miles City, Montana and later finds out he is working for rustlers as the cook, however are they really rustlers or just pushed out be by some crook men? It’s a western with two pretty women, Indians, bad guys, a story with lots of twists and turns and lots of shooting. Enjoyed it.
December 4, 2022
Westerns are not my favorite storyline but this one was really good. It kept my interest through to the.
I really enjoyed the characters and was rooting for the good guys. Sometimes you just had to do a little thinking to recognize the good guys. It did have a good ending but it was not what I had thought. I would recommend this book to my friends, I know I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed the characters and was rooting for the good guys. Sometimes you just had to do a little thinking to recognize the good guys. It did have a good ending but it was not what I had thought. I would recommend this book to my friends, I know I really enjoyed it.
January 30, 2024
This Chuckwagon Trail series #3 is captivating and is an example of Western writing where the heroes wearing chaps, cowboy hats, and horses show that the good guys always win. Dewey “Mac” Mackenzie the protagonist is a compelling strong, steady reliable man. Other than being overly violent and the women depicted as desirable sex objects who are either loved or loathed, it is a historical adventure interesting to read.
January 30, 2021
I liked this book and the whole series for that matter. The reasons are that the protagonist Mac Mankenzie is neither the fastest gun nor the best fist fighter unlike some other Johnstone’s characters. Also, that there is contestant action and you never know for sure how the stories will end.
August 6, 2021
A Different Kind of Rustler
Not all rustlers fit the usual mold. The one Mac runs into in this enjoyable entry to the series is both wealthy and greedy. Not to mention plum loco. Definitely a sries I will keep reading.
Not all rustlers fit the usual mold. The one Mac runs into in this enjoyable entry to the series is both wealthy and greedy. Not to mention plum loco. Definitely a sries I will keep reading.
December 4, 2021
Another awesome western!
Really enjoyed this book! Love how you get to feel like you are right there a part of the storyline! I am so glad I found this author combo on kindle unlimited!
Really enjoyed this book! Love how you get to feel like you are right there a part of the storyline! I am so glad I found this author combo on kindle unlimited!
December 24, 2021
Mac is up to his neck in trouble again As he saddles up to help Senior Bradley's crew to move the cattle
They are headed to Miles City with a bunch of low life's after them and between rustlers and law breakers behind them they have their work cut out for them.
They are headed to Miles City with a bunch of low life's after them and between rustlers and law breakers behind them they have their work cut out for them.
January 31, 2023
Best ever.
Not just exciting, but engrossing. A great story with characters well developed and very easy to identify with. Enough romance to enjoy but not be sappy. The ending was a little sad but sort of satisfying too.
Not just exciting, but engrossing. A great story with characters well developed and very easy to identify with. Enough romance to enjoy but not be sappy. The ending was a little sad but sort of satisfying too.
August 3, 2023
Another great tale
Book three in this series was everything I expected and more. The storyline was definitely different with all the twists and turns that the author loves to send our way. Looking forward to book four.
Book three in this series was everything I expected and more. The storyline was definitely different with all the twists and turns that the author loves to send our way. Looking forward to book four.
May 10, 2020
Great Book
Just like all the books written by this Author, i can not find any fault with it. It is an interesting and exciting book.
Just like all the books written by this Author, i can not find any fault with it. It is an interesting and exciting book.
May 26, 2020
Reading outside my comfort zone. Not terrible. Some questionable native american stereotypes. Lots of toxic masculinity. Not the genre for me.
June 2, 2020
Good read
Will have to check on the next one.Can't wait. Yay I'm excited about the next one ☝and I'm going to
Will have to check on the next one.Can't wait. Yay I'm excited about the next one ☝and I'm going to
July 6, 2020
William W Johnstone third installment from his Chuckwagon Trail series, A Hill of Beans, is exactly what I would expect from him. Another great read by him. Five stars.
October 7, 2020
It had its up and downs.
Overall fairly entertaining, and too often it telegraphed what was going to happen next.
Not the best but in the series, but not terrible.
Overall fairly entertaining, and too often it telegraphed what was going to happen next.
Not the best but in the series, but not terrible.
Read
October 27, 2020A great read with many twists and turns in it.
November 5, 2020
My name is Uvuvwevwevwe Onyetenyevwe Ugwemubwem Osas and this book is terrible. A hill of beans is a stupid idea. That would need a metric ton of beans. Completely unrealistic. 2/5.
December 8, 2020
A good read
Very good book. Great story !! Keeps wanting to know more and more about the story Highly recommended for anyone onto Western.
Very good book. Great story !! Keeps wanting to know more and more about the story Highly recommended for anyone onto Western.
April 25, 2021
Book 3 in the chuckwagon series mac is at it again rustlin up grub and putting the west to right helping out so called rustlers
May 31, 2021
Book
I really enjoy reading Johnstone books and recommend them to anyone who has a liking for Westerns .read it.enjoy. Yes
I really enjoy reading Johnstone books and recommend them to anyone who has a liking for Westerns .read it.enjoy. Yes
August 25, 2022
I enjoyed all of this series. It made you feel like you were right there. Back in the old west
March 21, 2023
excellent book
As usual I was right in the middle of the action. I love a book that takes me outside the funny world we live in.
As usual I was right in the middle of the action. I love a book that takes me outside the funny world we live in.
November 5, 2023
Another great episode of the Chuck wagon cowboy. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public library through the Libby app.
September 24, 2024
I really enjoy the Chuckwagon Trail Series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews