The Fires of Hell

The Jackals #5

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

 

 
Comanchero Cullen Brice has escaped from a Huntsville, Alabama, prison, where he was sentenced to hang. And he has sworn revenge against the man who killed his brother and put him behind bars, Texas Ranger Matt McCulloch. Freed from the hangman by his gang, Brice has kidnapped the lawman’s daughter Cynthia along with other women and make tracks to the Texas Panhandle. Holing up in The Canyon of Weeping Women, the outlaws plan to sell their captives to Comanche raiders.
 
Joined by bounty hunter Jed Breen and retired cavalry sergeant Sean Keegan, McCulloch rides hard for Texas, determined to save his daughter from Brice. But Cynthia isn’t her father’s little girl anymore. And hell hath no fury like a woman raised by a Ranger who’s just as deadly as the trio of Jackals gunning for Brice’s comancheros . . .
 

Genres: Westerns

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2023

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

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jackals is a good series by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, The Fires of Hell is the fifth in this series and it's all about three very different men in Texas who happens to form qa posse time after time to battle evil. This time they get some unexpected help. I sometimes feel that the Johnstone westerns are to much and to many and therefore lack in quality but this one was good. It has all the elements a good western needs and it was a fast read. I must thank Pinnacle and Kensington for giving me this copy through Netgalley.

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in the Jackals series. The themes of friendship, honor, and righteousness blend perfectly with two-fisted pistol action and the grand Texas landscape.

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

While Keegan and Breen are getting their horses stolen by two outlaw Brothers who they were supposed to take in for bounty and going to jail Matt is having his own issues. His daughter Cynthia stop the robbery in progress it’s soon after Hollyn her best friend Ramona got kidnapped. Matt just got Cynthia back after being kidnapped by Indians for years and if he’s willing to fight red blooded American Indians for her outlaws are going to be a piece of cake but he’ll have to get the other two jackals Keegan and Breen to go with him. This is the fifth book in the jackal Siri‘s and I don’t see it slowing down. I love seeing Matt and his protective father come out but that’s not to say Sandy is a wilting flower she certainly can take care of herself and prove that in this book and OMG is she’s half as good as her paw then the wild west may just get Wilder. Keegan stays true to form and gets in a few fisticuffs but with him with come to expect nothing less. I love the way he and Breen fight with each other but should outsiders disrespect either one there was close as brothers. I love the jackal series and I’m so excited as to all the possibilities this book has opened up. I love William and John John stones westerns did this book is a great example of why. If you love a good western then you definitely need to read the fires of hell the fifth book in the jackal series by William and John Johnstone you will not be disappointed. I received this book from NetGalley and Kensington books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the Jackal series. The book opens claiming the trio had added a fourth "Jackal", though who that is, is not revealed to the end. The trip to that end is quite a tale. The tale is more the direction, I believe, the Johnstone Clan of writers needs to head towards. There have been similar plots in other Johnstone series. One in particular come to mind, but can't remember which that was. A good hundred Johnstones have been read since. That one was a superior book. This one is better.

As with the few others in the Jackal series, getting the trio together is quite a task to pull off. Again a skillfully written plot to pull the three in. Then the trouble starts. How that is written is a surprise and well done. That turn launches a journey with questionable conclusions. The ending is thorough and far more satisfying than most Johnstone and other contemporary novels.

Down sides are inclusion of 2020s lingo and some confusion with names and references. I suspect that had more to do with my reading an advanced copy via NatGalley.com.

I hope the Johnstone Clan doesn't lose this writer.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of ten points.

[Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Fires of Hell opens with a letter to a newspaper editor, written by one of the vigilante “Jackals”, protesting the “fake news” account of their exploits. It's an amusing start to the story and introduces the gang for first-time readers to The Jackals series. The story ends with the newspaper editor's reply. Will he be more honest or will he double-down on his criticism of these gutsy vigilantes?

Both the Jackals and the outlaws share a genuine menace. They all use choice insults and inventive methods to inflict pain. The Jackals start (and finish) fights in almost every possible setting in Texas, including a cotton plantation.

The characters drive this story but it does bog down in a wordy narrative, especially the dialogue. With another round of editing, The Fires of Hell could be an exciting continuation of the series.

Thanks to Pinnacle Books, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for sharing a copy of Bill and J.A.'s latest western.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime you find a western written by the Johnstones, you know it will be a great read. The Johnstones have many "family" series that are updated on a regular basis. No having to wait 12-18 months for the next book. These are real westerns. Good guys who must sometimes be not so good and bad guys that are going to pay the price for their actions. Lots of shoot outs and plenty of realistic characters. The Fires of Hell is the 5th book in the JACKALS series. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are really good books. If you love westerns, you'll want to read them all. The Jackals is a vigilante group that come together when their talents are needed most. One of the worst criminals they have ever caught has escaped Huntsville prison with revenge on his mind. He will kidnap one of the Jackals's daughters but he has taken the wrong woman this time. This story is a great read with some of the best characters to ever ride a horse.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fires of Hell
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review. I thought this was a good read, though there were more errors ( mixed up names, which hand, foot, side was used,injured etc.) than usual,I suspect most of the errors have already been corrected though. Overall it was a good read and I look forward to more down the road.

[Cynthia Izon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

I have liked every book about the Jackals and this is no exception. I couldn't put it down and I liked how there was more about Cynthia (good name)

[David VanHoogstrate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for sure

The Jackals at their best! A very fun and intersting book that follows the tales of 3 very special men.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, an engaging read.

[Michael Vetor · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had cowboys.
It had Indians.
It had stereotypes.
It was a nice, easy read.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story to be a little on the slow side with lots of worthless filler. At Chapter 43 and on it finally got interesting.

[Derrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like this was different from the previous Jackal novels...not sure I enjoyed the story though, simple, but got lost in the characters a bit. Maybe just me though.

[Michael Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this description of life in the untamed west. It had a suspenseful and happy ending.

[Barry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read