Member Reviews
Denice L, Reviewer
Another excellent addition to the Johnstone legacy of Westerns. This one is a little different as it centers on three different characters brought together by chance to fight as a team. Different in this instance means another solid hit. They earn the name the Jackals as they use everything to keep themselves and their cast of characters alive to fight another day. The Johnstone quality of writing is always amazing as the story comes alive to the reader. Each character's story adds to the over all while the tension builds. Readers of the Johnstone books will recognize the main characters and be thrilled to see them join together to build a new legacy. I'm always happy when a new Johnstone book comes out. If you've never read a Western before, start with one of their books and you'll be hooked.
Robin T, Reviewer
Three justice fighters work very hard, singularly and then together when it comes to a hair-raising opportunity. The three include an ex-Texas Ranger, Matt McCulloch, bounty hunter Jed Breen and an ex-cavalry sergeant Sean Keegan. The three definitely make an unlikely trio, but the danger they face is real, so they must work together.
Facing Apaches and a spiteful group of bandits led by Jake Hawkin are keeping them busy. Lots of shooting going on. After all, it is the Old West. After taking shelter in a stagecoach station, one of the people they run into is a man with $50,000 cash he had in his possession. The man offers the Jackals $5,000 cash if they will deliver the bundle to his wife.
The aforementioned Hawkin gang just might be more dangerous to the Jackals than the Apaches. The $50,000 was their stolen cash. They will mow down anyone in their path to get their money back. Will the three men live long enough to claim the reward? The danger is ever present as it seems the small group are on their own without any help from other sources.
This is my first ever western fiction read. The story was full of action and it put in mind the many westerns I watched while I was growing up. It was a terrific story, very descriptive and well-told, and I eagerly turned pages with bated breath to see if they would survive and end up with the reward. Although I have never read anything by William W. Johnstone, I admit to being thoroughly impressed that he has penned over 300 books. J A. Johnstone is the nephew of the prolific author. They have co-authored several books together. I look forward to my next adventure by this pair.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Elizabeth M, Reviewer
Title:The Jackals
Author: William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone
Pages:400
Genre:western
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pub: Jan 29 ,2019
book synopsis
FATE BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.
IT MAY ALSO SEND THEM STRAIGHT TO HELL.
Alone, these justice fighters are dangerous enough. Together they're a wild bunch known as the Jackals. Now, national bestselling authors William W. and J.A. Johnstone are turning them loose . . .
With Apaches on the prod, ex-cavalry sergeant Sean Keegan, bounty hunter Jed Breen, and ex-Texas Ranger Matt McCulloch take shelter in a West Texas way station--along with a hot-as-a-pistol female bound for the gallows, a spiteful newspaper editor, and a coward with $50,000 who promises them five grand if they'll deliver his blood-soaked stash to his wife.
Turns out, Indians might be the least of the problems for the trio, soon to be known as the Jackals. The loot's stolen property of the vengeful Hawkin gang, and these prairie rats are merciless, stone-cold killers. And the brother of the man the woman killed wants to butcher her himself rather than watch her swing. McCulloch, Keegan, and Breen are ready for a showdown--but the Jackals may not live to spend that $5,000.
My thoughts
rating: 5
Would I recommend it? yes , in fact I did a buddy read with one of my friends since she never read a western or one of his books
Will I read any more by them? yes
OMG this book reminds me of my 2 all time favorite westerns that I watched with my Dad while growing up and still love to watch to this day , and which 2 may you ask will I'll tell you:
Stagecoach 1939 starting John Wayne, Claire Trevor,Donald Meek , Thomas Mitchell,and many others
Lost Of The Comanches 1953 starting: Broderick Crawford, Barbara Hale, Johnny Stewart, Lloyd Bridges
What more can you want in a western, gunfights, outlaws, indians , and heroes that fight for the just of rightness even if they do bend the law a little , its a story of how the west was like , and won and its all bought to life by the writing of William W.. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. So set back and enjoy the ride when you pick up one of their books because its action from the every first page to the very end, and their never let you down , or so far they've never let me down, with that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it , exchange for my honest opinion.
Jacqui M, Reviewer
In J.A. Johnstone's The Jackals (Penguin Random House 2019), three violent men--strangers, each taught by life to have no fear of violence when used as a tool for justice, end up fighting for their lives with only each other to rely upon. Each was in a law enforcement job that wanted them tame and forgiving--civilized--and failed. Fate brought them together, locked into an Arizona stagecoach station, with no way out, under attack by Apaches bent on eradicating the white invaders, starting with the group huddled in the small though well-fortified building. With the three "jackals" was a Thespian, a female headed for the gallows, a bank robber who has turned on his partners, and the newspaper writer who disdainfully named the three 'Jackals'--meaning scum. No one knows they are there so there is no cavalry riding to the rescue. With their bullets running out, all they have left is their wits. The solutions they devise are quirky and highly creative with no reason to work. They wouldn't even try them if they weren't so desperate.
There's no give-up in the three jackals so be ready for one surprise after another.
