Ordeal of the Mountain Man

The Last Mountain Man #17

by William W. Johnstone

The newest addition to Johnstone's series finds Smoke Jensen in Muddy Gap, Wyoming, taking a much-needed break from driving a herd north. But he is soon on the run again, with Jack Grubb's vicious gang of rustlers hot on his trail. Then, Chief Iron Claw's bloodthirsty Cheyenne warriors appear on the horizon and it won't be long before a war between the white man's greed and the red man's savagery turns the peaceful Bighorn Mountains into a simmering powderkeg.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

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

[Steve Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

One of the better Johnstone sagas. Lots of action and a continuously developing plot.
I missed Pearlie and Cal though.

[Jay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoke just kills to many bad guys. Everyone hit dies immediately. Smoke Jensen is the only truly developed character and he has little value for human life. It is quick, rough and tumble, readable, forgettable, but not a complete waste of time.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thriller ... the bad guys almost ended it for Smoke Jensen. In fact, with the help of his Indian friends he is the only survivor of his ranch hands; he saves his herd, takes the surviving outlaw to jail and delivers the Olsen family. Smoke is a wonder. A great read, as always.

[Janet Fleckenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emjouable

Another hood sample and been story zsmokesEyes sts ft tree out as brown then turned grey. I think in this story they are amber. Someone is on it doing a good Job of copy editor at the publishers office.

[Nita Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordeal of the Mountain Man

What an ordeal for Smoke Jensen to transport his horses for Fort Custer. Horse thieves and murderes trying to steal his horses. Lots of action for Smoke Jensen and his men.

[Chad Creager · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how the author can forget how Smoke met Preacher. It appears the book was written by someone that hasn't read the previous books in the series.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the 17th book of the smoke Jensen series.

[Kevin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way out of line.

Smoke Jensen with his sharp mind, has rescued the people in very dangerous conditions. The last mountain man he will be.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good!

[Joshua Derden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

[ted tull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordeal of the Mountain Man

Wow. A great new story line by the John stones. It is really several stories in one book. I enjoyed it very much and am anxious to start the next one.

[Peter Sidell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke Jensen’s spirit and ability prevail. Smoke faces plenty of saddle trash and takes them out with his weapons. He doesn’t hesitate to deal with those out to get him.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the better stories of the whole Johnstone Clan corral of books. The writing, though, is very good at times, then weak and then horrible. i wonder how many hands were in writing this book.

Basically this book is a variation of many of the previous Smoke Jensen novels combined into one. This one combining herding cattle, kidnapping, taking over a town indians, etc. All of which is a retread of the other books with the same results - and i don't mean just gunfighting. The town banker, the indian interaction, the reasons for robbery, herding cattle were all too familiar to me as i read the Jensen series in order. Much has been repeated before, but this time it is all too much of the same.

Another problem i had was marked inconsistency in this part of the series. This one specifically stumbles involving the weird way the Johnstone Clan has handled Jensen's children, adopted children and children mentioned that seem to be lost forever.

The vast array of characters are, as always, well done. The settings are lacking in this one. Especially odd as so much territory is covered.

Of course, the repetition is to me and not readers who have not taken in about 75 of the Johnstone books. It is a good story with it's troubles but...

Bottom line: I recommend this book: 6 out of 10 points.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

Another great story of Smoke Jenson and his family. This tale has a lot of heartache caused by criminal scum but good won the day!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense!!! ...and a page turner to the end! I actually thought Smoke Jensen had breathed his last breath...on more than one occasion.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good western series. The story of Smoke Jensen, trained by the last of the mountain men as a boy. If you like men's adventure and westerns then you will enjoy the series. Recommended

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many scenarios, too mixed up to get a fix.