Bad Days for Bad Men: Smoke Jensen's American Justice

The Last Mountain Man #34-35

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

A man of the mountains, Smoke Jensen forged his steely brand of justice in the untamed, unforgiving wilderness of the American West. Bad Days for Bad Men presents two legendary adventures of the original Mountain Man by national bestselling authors William W. and J.A. Johnstone.

BETRAYAL OF THE MT MAN
Smoke is determined to stay on the right side of the law—until he's jumped by six low-life robbers who steal his shirt and his identity. Tried for robbery and murder, Smoke’s sentenced to hang in the morning. But come sunup, he’s already after the desperados who've set him up. Smoke's going to hunt them down one by one. Because nobody frames the Mountain Man. Nobody who plans on staying alive, that is . . .

RAMPAGE OF THE MT MAN
Smoke takes a contract to deliver three thousand head of cattle, but a renegade Cheyenne warrior uses an early winter blizzard to attack Smoke and his outgunned cowboys. Too bad it's only the first step in a journey built to test Smoke's mettle, because some people are hunting a payday of their own—for killing Smoke Jensen. Soon the streets of Laramie will run with blood . . .

Genres: Westerns

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published November 29, 2022

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

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke has just suffered the worst winter in Sugarloaf‘s history. When he goes to the bank to speak to Mr. Wallace about postponing his note, Mr. Wallace offers him a job. It seems the papers has put their $20,000 deposit that is on its way to red rock in the paper and Mr. Wallace knows every highway men in Colorado and beyond will be rooting for that money so he hires Smoke Jensen to guarded. This is how Smoke becomes acquainted with the outlaw and the state prisoner O2. Of course the good guy government stops him from robbing the stage but he just makes another plan to rob the bank. Unfortunately after O’Toole and his five gunmen rob the bank they run across smoke making his way to Denver to see about leasing his land so he can save him and Sally’s home. everyone in Antioch saw the two Nolan Brothers in their bright striped red shirts and so when the gang runs across smoke they knock him out and take his blue shirt and traded for one of the red ones when the posse comes across smoke of course they think he’s one of the bank robbers who not only rob the bank but kill the bank manager. and of course True to small town law officials they don’t believe what Smokels them and unfortunately for smoke the telegraph are down and they can’t get a message out to red rock in the Marshall thinks he still a wanted man. When he was found guilty it all looks like it’s over for Smoke, but he will not go down without a fight and when Sally, Purely and Cal find out to help her husband she is fighting mad and fight she will. Just remember this is just the first story in this book the next story smoke is herding cows when he runs across an unscrupulous Indian I will not do a big summary for that one but it is just as good as the first story I love William Johnstone in J John Stones westerns and highly recommend this one it’s two stories and one in both worth buying on their own I truly love these books and can’t get enough of them. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has two older printed stories. Glad I got it as a eBook from the library. I might have read these in the past but didn’t remember. If I had and had bought this as a book in the store, I’d not been happy.

The first one Betrayal of the Mountain Man #35.

Smoke might lose his ranch so goes on a trip to Denver gets hit over the head by some outlaws who robbed a bank. They switch shirts with him with one of the outlaws, Curt Logan’s shirt. Then the trouble begins.

What I found interesting is that Curt Logan’s shirt fit Smoke, being that the author of this story writes that Smoke’s shoulders are as wide as an axe handle and has arms as big as some men’s thighs. So Curt Logan is as big as Smoke? It is never said.

Another thing. I thought Sally (Smoke’s wife) was rich. Unless Smoke blew all her money too.

The second story is called Rampage of the Mountain Man #35

The main title of the two books is Bad Days for Bad Men. Well, it’s Bad Days for Good Men too. Smoke, Sally, Cal, Pearlie, and some other guys head on a cattle drive to Wyoming. Indians and outlaws are the main problem. Lots of the good guy cowboys get killed off.

Overall, both stories were good enough to pass the time of a couple days.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this exciting 2 books in one from the fabulous series smoke jensen

these are two stories of smoke jensen and his wife sally back before they had children when times were tough for them

brilliant series and it was lovely to read these two books that are based around the start of their times together on the ranch

when cowboys were cowboys and the baddies were really bad oh and a run in with some indians..it all adds to the flavour of a good cowboy story

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read every Johnstone western I can find. The Johnstone series revolve a core of seriously good, honest men who just want to live a peaceful life and raise their families. But fate seldom gives them a pass. Smoke Jensen is the original mountain man. He travels the roads and trails to make a living but has developed a reputation as a lawman's gun man. This book has two stories that find Smoke pitted against some desperately bad men. Good reads from some seriosly good writers.

[Pamela Priest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book transported me right to the old west and how harsh the environment was for men and women owning a ranch and driving their cattle to market and all of the problems they encounter. I can only imagine living in the west during this time period. Both men and women had to be tough as nails. I love Smoke Jensen and his wife Sally, what a great team. I hope we haven't seen the last of them.

[Shirley J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoke

This book disappointed me with the deaths of so many of the young Cowboys and the cursing was unnecessary. The story was very good and kept me interested. I usually would give a 5 star for this author and do enjoy his books.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Two quite interesting tales with all the fast-paced action and adventure youcouldask for. The pages turned quickly as the storyline kept the intrigue going. Two rather novel tales that were quite entertaining. Well done!

[JoyceCharbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saddest

of all the Preacher n Smoke Jensen books I've read! Life on the Real Frontier was precarious and often short. Good men, good women and children (of all colors/races) died too soon. Still do!

[Vin · Rating 3 out of 5]

1rst one was good. 2nd was bad
EDIT: Just to be more specific. The first one was a page turner and kept me excited. The second one.....less exciting and to be brutally honest here: Boring. Felt like someone threw storylines from 'Gunsmoke' and decided to water it down.

[Barry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

As usual this book has the caliber of one of the great western story tellers. Very enjoyable! I loved the action and intriguing story.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Good One

Cowboys and Indians. Another exciting adventure by J. A. Johnstone. Non-stop action and an interesting plot. Terrific characters. A fun read.

[Abbigail Janick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Two great tales with all that is required to fit the bill of being a true western story. There are guns, cowboys, horses and of course pretty girls.

[Randy Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnston books are the best

Always love to read about Smoke Jensen. He and his family make any book the best reading ever.
Thank you again.

[Kaylee Condos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was well written and had a wonderful story and characters. I highly recommend this read. 👌

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one about the old west:
Betrayal of the Mountain Man - Being a fan of Smoke Jensen, I simply can’t imagine anyone being dumb enough to charge him with a crime, convict him and get him hung. After the “big die-up” as some ranchers called it in the 1867 era, nearly every rancher lost his cattle to a freezing winter and Smoke Jensen wasn’t the exception. This first book is about a bank robbery gone wrong, Smoke blamed and the trail he rode to make things right.

Betrayal of the Mountain Man - Now Smoke Jensen, wife Sally, and a few great men drive three thousand cattle to Wyoming in late Fall, to sell to the Indian Agent to feed those on the reservation. Rustlers try to steal them, Indians warriors try to kill the cattle men and betrayal near Laramie, nearly cost them everything. I loved the way Jensen took care of his men, and even if they died in battle, he honored them. The writing of these stories is great and both hubby and I enjoyed these terrific stories. Thanks.