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The Last Mountain Man #50
Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man
The latest action-packed installment in the national bestselling Western authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone’s long-running Mountain Man historical series.
The 50th Book in the Bestselling Mountain Man Series!
A cold day in hell descends upon Texas when mountain man sharpshooter Smoke Jensen pins on a tin star to tackle a wild bunch of bloodthirsty outlaws in this gun-blazing novel from national bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone.
Johnstone Country. A Glorious Land.
Jonas Madigan is dying. He spent his life taming towns and upholding justice across the west with no regrets. Along the way, Madigan took the measure of good men like Smoke Jensen, who has traveled to Salt Lick, Texas to pay his respects to the lawman. But when bandits gun down the small town’s current marshal—and Smoke sends the killers to Boot Hill—Madigan asks his friend to wear the badge and keep the peace until a permanent replacement is sworn in.
Turns out the bandits were members of Bishop’s Mauraders, a twenty-man gang of trigger-happy thieves led by the vicious and venomous Snake Bishop—and they’ve set their sights on Salt Lick. They’re due to arrive at the same time as a monstrous blizzard that’s covering up the countryside. Now, it’s up to Smoke to turn the townspeople into a posse to defend their lives and land from both mother nature and man’s worst nature . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
The 50th Book in the Bestselling Mountain Man Series!
A cold day in hell descends upon Texas when mountain man sharpshooter Smoke Jensen pins on a tin star to tackle a wild bunch of bloodthirsty outlaws in this gun-blazing novel from national bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone.
Johnstone Country. A Glorious Land.
Jonas Madigan is dying. He spent his life taming towns and upholding justice across the west with no regrets. Along the way, Madigan took the measure of good men like Smoke Jensen, who has traveled to Salt Lick, Texas to pay his respects to the lawman. But when bandits gun down the small town’s current marshal—and Smoke sends the killers to Boot Hill—Madigan asks his friend to wear the badge and keep the peace until a permanent replacement is sworn in.
Turns out the bandits were members of Bishop’s Mauraders, a twenty-man gang of trigger-happy thieves led by the vicious and venomous Snake Bishop—and they’ve set their sights on Salt Lick. They’re due to arrive at the same time as a monstrous blizzard that’s covering up the countryside. Now, it’s up to Smoke to turn the townspeople into a posse to defend their lives and land from both mother nature and man’s worst nature . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
74 people are currently reading
60 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 22, 2022
In William Johnstone's latest Smoke Jensen book, Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man (Pinnacle Books 2022), Smoke gets a letter from an old friend asking him to come for a visit. Since this former town sheriff had never before asked that, Smoke went right away. He arrives to find his friend close to death from cancer, but surrounded by people who love and respect him. Smoke decides to stay as long as his friend needs him and ends up involved in the robbery of the towns bank by a scouting group of a dangerous, brutal band of owlhoots. Smoke and the current Marshall manage to stop the robbery but he is killed and Smoke agrees--at the insistence of his friend--to stay on as acting Marshall until the town can find a replacement. This puts him right in the middle of the second half of the bank robbery, by the notorious band of outlaws known as much for their brutality as success.
Smoke Jensen is one of Johnston’s stand out characters. He has a sordid history, starting barely on the legal side of the law, but now solidly one of the West's outstanding citizens. The stories in this series are always engaging and page turners. This is not exception.
Smoke Jensen is one of Johnston’s stand out characters. He has a sordid history, starting barely on the legal side of the law, but now solidly one of the West's outstanding citizens. The stories in this series are always engaging and page turners. This is not exception.
October 12, 2022
Cruel Winter of the mountain Man by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is a standard western, nothing much to write home about. Smoke has gotten a letter from an old friend who needs help and he can't refuse. This book has most of the ingidients of a classic western. There are good guys and bad guys and a town attacked by a band of outlaws. Some great dialogue and some good fights. i must thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for letting me read this and escape the reality for a few hours.
September 5, 2022
A terrific way to celebrate the 50th entry in the Smoke Jensen series. The story is solid with the great characters that are a cornerstone of Johnstone books. Glad to dip into this one early via NetGalley.com.
This story excels with the characters, the plot and storytelling. Unlike too similar recent Mountain Man tales, this one pulls Jensen off the Sugarloaf and into a town to visit a friend. There have been many similar simpler plots scattered through the past 50 books. This takes the idea to new heights adding a colorful bad guy and well depicted storm.
This is one Johnstone book where the ghost writer did something too often missing: Writing well defined and intriguing settings. From the opening lines to the onslaught of a storm to the very well written battle in a horse stall.
A few qualms: When asked if Smoke has children, he's childless again. Also the last 6th is far too drawn out with chatter and spoils, what should be, the tension of vicious bad guys out to slaughter. Snow or no snow.
Still, this is one of the best Smoke novels in years.
Bottom line. I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.
This story excels with the characters, the plot and storytelling. Unlike too similar recent Mountain Man tales, this one pulls Jensen off the Sugarloaf and into a town to visit a friend. There have been many similar simpler plots scattered through the past 50 books. This takes the idea to new heights adding a colorful bad guy and well depicted storm.
This is one Johnstone book where the ghost writer did something too often missing: Writing well defined and intriguing settings. From the opening lines to the onslaught of a storm to the very well written battle in a horse stall.
A few qualms: When asked if Smoke has children, he's childless again. Also the last 6th is far too drawn out with chatter and spoils, what should be, the tension of vicious bad guys out to slaughter. Snow or no snow.
Still, this is one of the best Smoke novels in years.
Bottom line. I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points.
April 21, 2023
Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man is a classic, somewhat formulaic Western with some larger-than-life characters reminiscent of Hollywood's golden era of Westerns that made so many actors household names. And that's what makes it entertaining.
Protagonist Smoke Jensen is everyone's favorite neighborhood gunslinger, down from his ranch in Colorado, to see the ailing former sheriff of Salt Lick, Texas. Jensen's timing is almost too perfect as his visit coincides with another visitor coming to town — the venomous Snake Bishop and his gang of 20+ marauders aiming to rob the bank, kill everybody, and burn the town to the ground.
Even with Jensen's effort to turn the townspeople into a posse capable of defending the town, things seem pretty grim. If that wasn't bad enough, a Texas nor'easter will hit the town with heavy rain, blinding snow, and blustery winds.
Although slow to start, the story quickly takes off as soon as Jensen arrives in Salt Lick. Along with Jensen, Johnstone gives us the perspective of the outlaws — including two of Bishop's men who are looking for a bigger payday by cutting out their boss. A quick read that delivers exactly what it promises!
Protagonist Smoke Jensen is everyone's favorite neighborhood gunslinger, down from his ranch in Colorado, to see the ailing former sheriff of Salt Lick, Texas. Jensen's timing is almost too perfect as his visit coincides with another visitor coming to town — the venomous Snake Bishop and his gang of 20+ marauders aiming to rob the bank, kill everybody, and burn the town to the ground.
Even with Jensen's effort to turn the townspeople into a posse capable of defending the town, things seem pretty grim. If that wasn't bad enough, a Texas nor'easter will hit the town with heavy rain, blinding snow, and blustery winds.
Although slow to start, the story quickly takes off as soon as Jensen arrives in Salt Lick. Along with Jensen, Johnstone gives us the perspective of the outlaws — including two of Bishop's men who are looking for a bigger payday by cutting out their boss. A quick read that delivers exactly what it promises!
August 14, 2022
Would Kirby “smoke “Jensen get the letter from Marshall Madsen he gets a bad feeling and decides to go down to French lick Texas in the panhandle to see his good friend. Little does smoke know this little visit will keep him away from Sally and keeping the law in the little town and he’s going to go up again snake Bishop it mean outlaw and his gang. I love William Johnstone‘s books and was so sad to hear he passed away so first off I want to say how sad that made me and how sorry I am he is gone. he has given me many hours of entertainment in this book is just one of many. No I asked for the book of course I truly enjoyed it I love gunslingers who is selling guns for the good guys and that’s exactly who smoke Jensen is. He can shoot down the best gunslinger because he is in a category all his own. I love this book in a few love good westerns you need to read it. I receive this book from netGalleyShelf and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
March 4, 2023
This was a brilliant book. There was so much action and plenty of atmosphere. I definitely felt the tension in this story. It was non-stop action and extremely exciting. I just loved it and couldn't put it down. It certainly takes you on a wonderful roller coaster ride. It was extremely well written and had me on the edge of my seat at times. I loved the surprise twist to the Story. It made it all the more fun. I certainly love the adventures of Smoke Jenson. He is such an amazing character that is so down to earth. If there is a job to do it gets done. I just loved the wonderful characters in this book they were so varied and had brilliant backstories. I have read many books in this series but these books definitely work well as a standalone. I definitely recommend reading this book if you love gun-slinging wonderfully paced western novels.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such a wonderful story that you won't be able to put down. I can't wait to read more books in this series.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such a wonderful story that you won't be able to put down. I can't wait to read more books in this series.
November 24, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this latest instalment of smoke jensen
smoke gets a letter from an old friend asking him to visit and smoke cant ignore the cry for help
salt lick is the town smoke heads out for, its a remote town with no rail service and can only be reached by travelling by horse
snake bishop heads the band of outlaws that are also on their way to rob the bank at salt lick but their reputation precedes them
and a blizzard of epic proportions is about to hit salt lick
who will win
smoke, snake bishop or the blizzard
entertaining read as always with one of these books, looking forward to my next foray into smokes world
smoke gets a letter from an old friend asking him to visit and smoke cant ignore the cry for help
salt lick is the town smoke heads out for, its a remote town with no rail service and can only be reached by travelling by horse
snake bishop heads the band of outlaws that are also on their way to rob the bank at salt lick but their reputation precedes them
and a blizzard of epic proportions is about to hit salt lick
who will win
smoke, snake bishop or the blizzard
entertaining read as always with one of these books, looking forward to my next foray into smokes world
October 23, 2022
Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man
Smoke does it again (with a little help from his friends). After receiving a letter from an ailing old friend, Smoke heads down to see him and…surprise surprise, finds trouble in town, and worse trouble on the way as well as a massive winter storm. Between Smoke and a few hardy folks from town they ride both kinds of storms out and save the town and most of the families therein although they will be needing a new marshal. I received an ARC of this book and this is my review. All in all I thought was a pretty good read.
Smoke does it again (with a little help from his friends). After receiving a letter from an ailing old friend, Smoke heads down to see him and…surprise surprise, finds trouble in town, and worse trouble on the way as well as a massive winter storm. Between Smoke and a few hardy folks from town they ride both kinds of storms out and save the town and most of the families therein although they will be needing a new marshal. I received an ARC of this book and this is my review. All in all I thought was a pretty good read.
December 4, 2022
Any lover of the western genre will recommend a Johnstone title with no hesitation, and one of their best series revolve around Smoke Jensen, a man who is quick with a gun and determined to protect those who can't protect themselves. This story finds Smoke wearing a sheriff's star again as he protects a small town from a gang determined to avenge the dead of their members by the law. Another enjoyable, entertaining and satisfying westerns of the day.
May 15, 2024
Smoke receives a letter from an ill friend, which leads to Sthe Mountain Man riding to Texas to see what is needed. Jonas Madigan, the Marshall in Salt Lick Texas is on his deathbed when Smoke arrives. Before long Smoke finds himself acting Marshall trying to rally the town against the Snake Bishop gang, which is over 30 strong. Can the Mountain Man save the town, with help from some solid fighting men, who live in the town? There is a lot of adventure and death in this one.
July 20, 2025
Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man
Outlaw Snake Bishop and gang went to Texas to rib and burn it. The former Marshall had written Smoke to visit him before he dies of cancer. Just before the winter Northern storm hit the town, it was also the sane time Snake Bishop and his gang came to town to destroy it. It was one of the most fierce snow storm.
Outlaw Snake Bishop and gang went to Texas to rib and burn it. The former Marshall had written Smoke to visit him before he dies of cancer. Just before the winter Northern storm hit the town, it was also the sane time Snake Bishop and his gang came to town to destroy it. It was one of the most fierce snow storm.
January 10, 2023
A new Smoke Jensen novel.
While they might be "recipe books", they are quick and entertaining reads. Modern versions of the old 1940's B westerns.
Smoke goes to Texas to help a friend, runs into outlaws and of course there's the cantankerous old timer.
Gun fights and humor.
While they might be "recipe books", they are quick and entertaining reads. Modern versions of the old 1940's B westerns.
Smoke goes to Texas to help a friend, runs into outlaws and of course there's the cantankerous old timer.
Gun fights and humor.
April 2, 2023
It's a good read
As always I continue to enjoy reading Johnstone's books. Always full o action and suspense. Had a hard time putting the book down. I would recommend this book to everyone.
As always I continue to enjoy reading Johnstone's books. Always full o action and suspense. Had a hard time putting the book down. I would recommend this book to everyone.
December 15, 2022
Awesome
Thus was a great Smoke Jensen book. It tells of his going to help a sheriff friend and the whole town helped rid all the crooks trying to rob the bank.
Thus was a great Smoke Jensen book. It tells of his going to help a sheriff friend and the whole town helped rid all the crooks trying to rob the bank.
December 24, 2022
Outstanding work, I just need to mosey over to the bunkhouse for a cup o coffee and another William Johnstone book, and yes j a. And sit a spell. 6.2 stars out of 6.6
January 14, 2023
I enjoyed it. Love Smoke
February 23, 2023
Good read
Enjoyed this book, ended to soon.
I would recommend this book.
Looking forward to other books by this author.
Toodles
Enjoyed this book, ended to soon.
I would recommend this book.
Looking forward to other books by this author.
Toodles
March 10, 2023
We enjoy his westerns. He and his writers share a lot of knowledge of the old west and it’s armaments.. some of the old western slang is amusing.
May 4, 2023
Predictable
March 8, 2025
appreciated, some clique. True western
January 5, 2024
good tale
Nice job of weaving weather and the seige of town. Some good characters in a fairly classic western of good guys and bad guys
Nice job of weaving weather and the seige of town. Some good characters in a fairly classic western of good guys and bad guys
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews