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Fort Misery #1
Fort Misery
Legendary national bestselling Western authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone begin a new series with the worst men in the west serving in the US Army with Fort Misery.
The baddest men in the West battle for their lives against a relentless band of bloodthirsty prairie rats in Fort Misery—first in an electrifying new Western series from National Bestselling Authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone.
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY.
WHERE THE LAND IS UNTAMED—AND SO ARE THE DESPERADOS.
Captain Peter Joseph Kellerman was once a promising career soldier who’d proven his mettle in battle time and again. Now he’s fighting a battle with a whiskey bottle. He’s also in charge of Fort Benjamin Grierson, located west of hell, deep in Arizona Territory’s Mohawk Valley on the arid edge of the Yuma desert. The men under his command aren’t fit to wear the uniform. Killers, thieves, and ravagers condemned to death but who’ve chosen to serve, holding down the hated Fort Misery.
Santiago Lozado, the most wanted bandit on both sides of the border, has set his sights on Fort Misery. He wants vengeance against Kellerman for killing his son and has raised an army of brutal Apaches and Comancheros to slaughter every man wearing Union blue—only to encounter a wild bunch of desperate men unafraid of shedding blood and fighting to the death . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
The baddest men in the West battle for their lives against a relentless band of bloodthirsty prairie rats in Fort Misery—first in an electrifying new Western series from National Bestselling Authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone.
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY.
WHERE THE LAND IS UNTAMED—AND SO ARE THE DESPERADOS.
Captain Peter Joseph Kellerman was once a promising career soldier who’d proven his mettle in battle time and again. Now he’s fighting a battle with a whiskey bottle. He’s also in charge of Fort Benjamin Grierson, located west of hell, deep in Arizona Territory’s Mohawk Valley on the arid edge of the Yuma desert. The men under his command aren’t fit to wear the uniform. Killers, thieves, and ravagers condemned to death but who’ve chosen to serve, holding down the hated Fort Misery.
Santiago Lozado, the most wanted bandit on both sides of the border, has set his sights on Fort Misery. He wants vengeance against Kellerman for killing his son and has raised an army of brutal Apaches and Comancheros to slaughter every man wearing Union blue—only to encounter a wild bunch of desperate men unafraid of shedding blood and fighting to the death . . .
Live Free. Read Hard.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2023
165 people are currently reading
782 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 37 reviews
July 27, 2023
Fascinating story line. Wonderful mix of characters with witty, funny dialog. I haven't enjoyed reading a book like this story in quite some time. I was sorely disappointed when it ended.
January 29, 2023
Fort misery is a Civil War‘s version of Hogan’s Heroes. It is run by a Man name Captain Joe Kellerman his rank was once higher than a captain but no one gets sent to Fort misery because they’re doing great in the army. Fort Benjamin Grierson a.k.a. fort misery is the last stop for those struggling to stay in the Army. You are usually given a choice between prison and fort misery because most people don’t know better they pick the fort. It sits in the desert hundreds of miles from civilization and when we meet the soldiers at Fort Missouri there caught between the Apache and an outlaw gang ran by a psychopath named Santos say it toast hates Captain Kellerman because he killed his only son but when he sends a scout to politely ask the captain to take his soldiers and leave the captain sent him back with the peace flag in his mouth dead mounted on his horse. The captain knows he has a threat and it gets even worse when a man name wolf who is a hat scalper joins up with the gang. He is known for cutting the scalps off of Mexicans and trading it in for money claiming it to be Indian scalps. Despite being in the middle of nowhere Santos in his gang Will not be the only thing that will bothered the captain and his men. Professors show up saying there was gold buried smack dab in the middle of the forts parade ground and even though the captain wants to send him packing he has a letter from the president saying he must assist him in his endeavor. That’s not to say Captain Kellerman is a heartless uncaring man when he found out that the bandits had 40 Mexican slaves and we’re going to scout them for the money him and 15 of his troops went in at night time and kidnap them. There is so much more to this book and it’s all good any book that has the name William Johnstone on that you can trust will be a great western and I love when he does funny books like this one I love it and although there was no reference to it being a Siri‘s I really hope it will be. I love the little historical note at the end of the book and if you love great westerns then you need to report misery by William and John Johnstone. You would think with authors that put out Brooke so frequently they all wouldn’t be as good as they are but every book I read it 99% of the time a five star read this one included. I received this book from NetGalley and publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
December 14, 2022
At first I was not sure what to think about Fort Misery by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone but soon I got into it and it was very funny. I liked the premise of the story and the characters is well made up. It is a western of sorts and it's a rather dark story. It has most of the elements required and as it should be it's all about good versus evil, sort of. Sometimes the bad aren't so bad. I must thank Kensington Books, Pinnacle and Netgalley for making this advance copy available and the author for making this stuff up.
February 6, 2023
Quite a turn from the typical trail the Johnstone Clan takes. After reading a couple hundred Johnstone books, none take on the foundation of an ensemble cast, basically, trapped on a deserted island in a desert. Seems a new writer joined the stable, as the prose also has a different take. This book reads closest to a Zane Gray-type book than any of the others I've read. It's very involved and intriguing throughout.
The story is well trod territory in fiction. Here, with the Johnstone touch. A staple of the Johnstone Clan of writers are very good characters. In this volume, the effort is kicked up a few notches. Recent Johnstone novels have found characters a slight less strong. 'Fort Misery' is a crowning achievement is character creation for the Johnstone Clan of writers. Each of the very large crowd is distinct and interesting. Not an easy task to pull off.
Adding to that is the dialogue. Recently Johnstone Clan books have had the characters sounding more alike than not. Here, there is even a cadence is found in voices. Specifically, the character, Kellerman is wonderfully written in vocal dialogue. I kept picturing, Englishman, Leo McKern as the character.
The pacing is also tough involving a tale of communities of characters in conflict. This novel paces very well and each chapter over laps with the next in a way making the story even more involving.
I like how the author has characters separated by distance not knowing what had happened at one place and speaking as if something else had happened.
This is an excellent book to post during the 20th anniversary of the death of William Johnstone.
I had access to preview this book through NetGalley.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
The story is well trod territory in fiction. Here, with the Johnstone touch. A staple of the Johnstone Clan of writers are very good characters. In this volume, the effort is kicked up a few notches. Recent Johnstone novels have found characters a slight less strong. 'Fort Misery' is a crowning achievement is character creation for the Johnstone Clan of writers. Each of the very large crowd is distinct and interesting. Not an easy task to pull off.
Adding to that is the dialogue. Recently Johnstone Clan books have had the characters sounding more alike than not. Here, there is even a cadence is found in voices. Specifically, the character, Kellerman is wonderfully written in vocal dialogue. I kept picturing, Englishman, Leo McKern as the character.
The pacing is also tough involving a tale of communities of characters in conflict. This novel paces very well and each chapter over laps with the next in a way making the story even more involving.
I like how the author has characters separated by distance not knowing what had happened at one place and speaking as if something else had happened.
This is an excellent book to post during the 20th anniversary of the death of William Johnstone.
I had access to preview this book through NetGalley.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
October 12, 2025
Fort Misery breathes a different air compared to the usual fare served up by the Johnstone ghostwriting assembly line. It boasts an ensemble cast and a narrative that doesn’t solely cling to one protagonist, even though Captain Kellerman monopolizes a decent chunk of the spotlight. As for Lozado, he comes off like the archetypical spaghetti western villain, drenched in melodrama and armed with an endless supply of henchmen, creating chaos at every turn. At times, the prose felt like a raucous homage to Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour, only with a flourish of foul language and a disturbing level of violence, often directed toward female characters.
The so-called "good guys" are no polished knights with shining armor; they're rough around the edges, brimming with their own demons. Many are former criminals, walking the line between villainy and heroism, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the vicious Lozado and his equally disdainful crew.
Overall, Fort Misery is a frenetic, blood-soaked ride through the unforgiving landscape of the Wild West that’ll leave you breathless. It's a gritty and thrilling read that I absolutely devoured—so much so that I’m already gearing up to venture into the sequel, These Men Chose Hell, in next week’s post. Buckle up; it promises to deliver as well! ╌★★★★★
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
The so-called "good guys" are no polished knights with shining armor; they're rough around the edges, brimming with their own demons. Many are former criminals, walking the line between villainy and heroism, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the vicious Lozado and his equally disdainful crew.
Overall, Fort Misery is a frenetic, blood-soaked ride through the unforgiving landscape of the Wild West that’ll leave you breathless. It's a gritty and thrilling read that I absolutely devoured—so much so that I’m already gearing up to venture into the sequel, These Men Chose Hell, in next week’s post. Buckle up; it promises to deliver as well! ╌★★★★★
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
June 15, 2025
Well, well, well, I haven't read a fiction novel since the 8th grade, and I graduated high school last year. Of course, like every highschooler in America, I did read HALF of "To Kill a Mockingbird" but that was because our teacher didn't want to spend the rest of the semester finishing that book.
What matters is the simple fact that I have not indulged in the amazing world of writing and books, and I'm someone willing to rekindle the flame.
I love Tarantino Films, mostly because of the feet, but the western stuff Tarantino writes is actually cool as fuck. "The hateful eight" or the show inside of "one upon a time in Hollywood" called "bounty law", it's all very fun.
So, I said fuck it, I'm going to read a western, and the tale of Joe Kellerman and for misery arrived at my fingertips for 3 dollars and 50 cents (half price books :) )
the story is fun, well-paced, and generally interesting. A cool concept, a bunch of fucked up criminal soldiers in the middle of the ARIZONA HEAT, in the 1800s or 1700s? idk!
Dialogue is sometimes a bit straight forward, but is funny at times Aswell, in a lighthearted goofy way. Also, the ending seems to happen very fast, and I didn't feel that immersed into the words, but it was still a good ending (satisfying enough)
I liked this book ! I want to give a 3.5 but I can't.
What matters is the simple fact that I have not indulged in the amazing world of writing and books, and I'm someone willing to rekindle the flame.
I love Tarantino Films, mostly because of the feet, but the western stuff Tarantino writes is actually cool as fuck. "The hateful eight" or the show inside of "one upon a time in Hollywood" called "bounty law", it's all very fun.
So, I said fuck it, I'm going to read a western, and the tale of Joe Kellerman and for misery arrived at my fingertips for 3 dollars and 50 cents (half price books :) )
the story is fun, well-paced, and generally interesting. A cool concept, a bunch of fucked up criminal soldiers in the middle of the ARIZONA HEAT, in the 1800s or 1700s? idk!
Dialogue is sometimes a bit straight forward, but is funny at times Aswell, in a lighthearted goofy way. Also, the ending seems to happen very fast, and I didn't feel that immersed into the words, but it was still a good ending (satisfying enough)
I liked this book ! I want to give a 3.5 but I can't.
February 4, 2023
This was a great story that certainly kept my attention throughout. I just loved all the battles. There was so much wonderful description. I loved how with the introduction of the Mexican fighters and the swords. This novel took on a more ruthless blood thirsty fighting. Chop, chop, slash the poor Indians didn't have a chance. What I thought was brilliant is that this book actually contained a real recipe near the end so you could actually make food from this time. What a delightful addition. I loved all the complaining and then sucking up to the cook it really made me chuckle. This was a great start to what will be an interesting series. I definitely recommend reading this book. Horses, fighting, and action with unexpected twists. What more can you ask for in a great Western book.
So much praise goes out to the authors and publishers for creating this brilliantly paced action-packed story. I can't wait to read more from this series.
So much praise goes out to the authors and publishers for creating this brilliantly paced action-packed story. I can't wait to read more from this series.
January 25, 2023
YAY!!! A new Johnstone series! I love any of the many books by William W and JA Johnstone. There are many Johnstone series, each centering on one "family" or group of individuals who have drawn a line and dare the really bad guys to cross it. Fort Misery is an Army installation located in Arizona Territory during a period of time when every day brought new challenges, none of them easy, all of them life threatening. Fort Misery is populated by a crew that chose misery over prison. Each character has a story and these 5 star authors are well known for the back story that brings these desperate men to their current hell.
I have yet to read a Johnstone title that I would not recommend to any and every one looking for a great western/ action read.
I have yet to read a Johnstone title that I would not recommend to any and every one looking for a great western/ action read.
July 20, 2023
In the middle of the Arizona desert somewhere is Fort Benjamin Grierson the men posted at the Fort though have named it Fort Misery. For they are the forgotten men of the Calvary. Most are there because of being in some type of trouble. Captain Peter Kellerman once had a promising career until he made a mistake now he is in charge of the Garrison. Standing in the way is outlaw Santiago Lozado who is after Kellerman because he killed Lozado’s son. Most of the story goes back and forth between the two as to what is going on in both camps until Lozado decides he has a superior force to attack the fort. This is a really good story and the characters are all very good, and very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com
November 7, 2025
William W. Johnstone and J. A. Johnstone's "Fort Misery" is a Western about a U.S. Army outpost that serves as a dumping ground for soldiers deemed killers, thieves, and ravagers. These men, condemned to death, are given a choice: execution or duty at Fort Benjamin Grierson, located in the Arizona Territory's Mohawk Valley. Located in a desolate landscape, Captain Peter Joseph Kellerman, a Civil War veteran and disgraced officer, commands Fort Misery. The fort, however, has an enemy: Santiago Lozado, a wanted outlaw on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. Lozado despises Fort Misery's existence and regards Captain Kellerman as a personal enemy. I found "Fort Misery" an enjoyable and entertaining read, and I recommend it to Western genre readers.
November 13, 2025
Rollicking novel about the Wild Wild West, with the very interesting basic concept of Fort Misery being a miserable outpost for the Army's most miserable (usually personally criminal) soldiers. But this rabble is suddenly faced with the onslaught of a large Indian military attack, so they are forced to unite or be easily slaughtered (or worse)
Very fast and very fun read. Like a comic book X 5
And also So fun to read!
az,where the Army sends its crinal or dishonest soldierrs rath hang them at theiriginal forts. rabble for sure, yet faced with anIndianonwlau
Very fast and very fun read. Like a comic book X 5
And also So fun to read!
az,where the Army sends its crinal or dishonest soldierrs rath hang them at theiriginal forts. rabble for sure, yet faced with anIndianonwlau
January 1, 2023
Fort Misery
What do you get when you take a bunch of misfits that are the dregs scraped from the bottom of the barrel, or are at the least an embarrassment to or a thorn in the army’s side, a misplaced fresh officer school graduate,in about the worst living conditions one can think of, top that with a bunch of outlaw Comancheros and Apaches out for blood? You get a crew of fighting men like no others, because they have nothing but misery to lose. A rough and raw read that has a lot of action, more than a little (albeit dark) humor, and a lot of grit it will keep your attention.
What do you get when you take a bunch of misfits that are the dregs scraped from the bottom of the barrel, or are at the least an embarrassment to or a thorn in the army’s side, a misplaced fresh officer school graduate,in about the worst living conditions one can think of, top that with a bunch of outlaw Comancheros and Apaches out for blood? You get a crew of fighting men like no others, because they have nothing but misery to lose. A rough and raw read that has a lot of action, more than a little (albeit dark) humor, and a lot of grit it will keep your attention.
April 1, 2024
fort misery
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The characters had depth, some more eccentric than others. It felt like the dirty dozen of 1876. There were a few errors in grammar and spelling that really bothered me. In three separate chapters early on there were extra letters in the beginning of the word "said" ex "bsaid" and " hsaid ". And when Kellerman got the letter about Custer the author refers to Virgin Mary as Mrs. Kellerman. He'll of a mishap. I will definitely keep reading these for sure however.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The characters had depth, some more eccentric than others. It felt like the dirty dozen of 1876. There were a few errors in grammar and spelling that really bothered me. In three separate chapters early on there were extra letters in the beginning of the word "said" ex "bsaid" and " hsaid ". And when Kellerman got the letter about Custer the author refers to Virgin Mary as Mrs. Kellerman. He'll of a mishap. I will definitely keep reading these for sure however.
January 10, 2023
I can always count on a good western story from the Johnstones. This is no exception. It's the first of a new series and I'm already hooked. The setting, the characters and the plotting are all excellent and make a great read. It's a little dark but I always get the sense of realism and it held my interest the whole way.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
August 8, 2023
Great Read!
Great mix of history, fiction and adventure. Johnstone is one of the best writers of westerns at this time. Not any misspelled or mis-used words that are in many westerns that are written today where it seems the writers are more interested in quantity than quality. I love that he uses the word “Indian” the way people actually spoke in those days. More authentic. Keep up the great work!
Great mix of history, fiction and adventure. Johnstone is one of the best writers of westerns at this time. Not any misspelled or mis-used words that are in many westerns that are written today where it seems the writers are more interested in quantity than quality. I love that he uses the word “Indian” the way people actually spoke in those days. More authentic. Keep up the great work!
February 1, 2023
Very good book
J. A. JOHNSTONE has came up with another great story line. I ordered this e-book as soon as it was offered. Story line is unique and believable. Characters are well developed. I eagerly await the next book in this series. Thank you J. A. Johnstone. Read it all today. I will reread it several times I'm sure.
J. A. JOHNSTONE has came up with another great story line. I ordered this e-book as soon as it was offered. Story line is unique and believable. Characters are well developed. I eagerly await the next book in this series. Thank you J. A. Johnstone. Read it all today. I will reread it several times I'm sure.
May 2, 2023
The Fort is supposed to be southeast of Yuma. Don't want to go too far south would be in Mexico. I struggled through this story. At 40% through the eBook, I was ready to send it back to the library. But I kept at it in hopes it would get better. Parts are interesting and sometimes even comical, but overall, I found the story to be slow and boring.
July 18, 2023
An interesting read for those who enjoy westerns. For me, it was quite thought provoking. By this, I mean, reading about the treatment of women is those days made me realize how fortunate we are today. The world is not perfect, neither are the inhabitants ... but civilization has made strides to become a better place to live.
This author is colorful and I encourage you to give him a read.
This author is colorful and I encourage you to give him a read.
July 21, 2023
Intriguing characters
Each character could have been a story waiting to be told. The humor had me laughing out loud. I love a good western with all it's gore and murderous honesty. It had just enough love interest and didn't need a bit more. The language was atrocious and just perfect.
Johnestones, please follow up on stories with these characters.
Each character could have been a story waiting to be told. The humor had me laughing out loud. I love a good western with all it's gore and murderous honesty. It had just enough love interest and didn't need a bit more. The language was atrocious and just perfect.
Johnestones, please follow up on stories with these characters.
July 28, 2025
25-34. A very graphic western, full of Native Americans, outlaws, and "volunteers" serving at Fort Misery. Full of action, several amusing characters, and The Virgin Mary. Very enjoyable and so well written that I was constantly drinking water because of the dry desert described in the novel. Boy Howdy. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library via the Libby app.
August 11, 2023
Interesting tale
Another entertaining book by a great author telling a unique story of life in a forgotten fort. The storyline is full of action and intrigue and is a page turner. It seems like it might be a series to follow.
Another entertaining book by a great author telling a unique story of life in a forgotten fort. The storyline is full of action and intrigue and is a page turner. It seems like it might be a series to follow.
November 24, 2023
I rarely read westerns but this one war really entertaining. I wonder how realistic and historically accurate it is, but very good. Looking forward to more in this series. And this would make one good Netflix tv series
November 13, 2024
The writing style was pretty jarring at times, and bloated as hell. Overall an enjoyable read, but I guess I didn’t really get the “humor” in it. Oh well. I’ll continue reading the author’s other work.
January 28, 2023
I enjoyed the book a lot. It was much different from the author's normal approach but entertaining nonetheless.
January 29, 2023
Great book
February 16, 2023
mediocre
This is not one of Johnstone more memorable books. It is not engaging and I struggled to get through it
This is not one of Johnstone more memorable books. It is not engaging and I struggled to get through it
February 21, 2023
it was ok. i have read a lot of his books and this one was not as good as the others i have read
March 24, 2023
This book was as gritty as any I have read, filled with the dirtiest characters, the hottest action, and the most unusual heroes. Great!
May 16, 2023
Great story; based on actual circumstances. I’ll certainly share Johnstone's work with friends who are big fans of western history!
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August 7, 2023Very good ,love the Johnstone books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews