Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. some reviewrs did not give good reviews for this book. Though not a masterpiece it was still an enjoyable read. The story struggles at times but is still worth picking up to get in a little mystery and adventure.

The Scorching is a book about terrorism, pyroterrorism. Forest fires are being set in the northwest. Cory Cantwell is the leader of an organization to counter these attacks. I found the book difficult to read. The story didn't flow easily and the characters felt too one dimensional.

My first Western in a LONG time and I am not on a hunt for more. It was a definite change from the cozies I have been reading lately and it was a welcome changed. Engaging and engrossing novel that is well written and deserves far more praise than western novels receive in general.

When the author's name is William W Johnstone / JA Johnstone, you do not have to read the synopsis to know it will be an excellent read. While most Johnstone fans are familiar with their westerns, this story is set in the present time. These "off series" books are ALWAYS a fascinating look at a group of patriots who must save the US from a threat to life and liberty. This one features Forestry Service smokejumper Cory Cantwell, who must recruit and train an elite unit to fight an enemy who is deliberately setting fires and driving off any and all fire fighters. While the firefighters fight flames and villians, Cantwell's team is moving in on those who would see America burn.

Johnstone books are always exciting, entertaining and with these set in the current climate, unsettling. There is a clear line drawn between the good guys and the bad guys, with consequences handed out with extreme prejudice. I am always glad to see a new Johnstone title and sad when I finish it. Live Free, Read Hard is a great motto to live by.

The Scorching
by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone
Pub Date: August 24, 2021

This is not a thumbs up from me. The book is set in modern times with a strong bias. I cannot recommend it to our patrons. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC but I will not be purchasing this one for our Western readers.

2 star

The Scorching by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is an enjoyable read about a new threat to our parched earth – pyro terrorism in our forests. Cory Cantwell is a Forest Service smokejumper who is asked to lead an armed group of smokejumpers who plan to go after the pyro terrorists who have decided to attack not only America, but other forested countries. We are introduced to the politicians and power brokers who are involved in creating and attempting to control this new threat to the world. Johnstone’s books are always patriotic, with lots of action and a strong moral sense of right and wrong. Thank you to @kensingtonbooks, @netgalley and @pinnaclepublishers for this advance copy. I highly recommend it! #NetGalley

The Scorching by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is a different book about terrorism, pyroterrorism. Someone is setting fire to the forrest in the US and Cory Cantwell is tasked with setting up an organisation to counter these attacks. But who is responsible? These non series books from Johnstone is always about some kind of threat to America and freedom. They also always have some kind of hero that makes a stand against evil. They are also quick reads and rather entertaining. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and @pinnaclepublishers for giving me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it.

If you expect this book by the Johnstone family (William and J.A.) to be like their previous western novels, you are in for a disappointment. “The Scorching” is set in modern times and is presented with a highly conservative slant-- being anti-terrorist, anti-Muslim, anti-conservationist, and several other anti- parts. For me this is the worst book from the Johnstone’s I’ve read because of too much of a biased slant, and I’ve read a bunch. Some readers will really enjoy it for the story and others for the political slant.

While t is not a particularly unbiased book but is still quite readable with lots of adventure and action. Perhaps some readers would even consider it a piece of propaganda. It is necessary that the reader probably somewhat suspend reality while reading. The politization of a story is quite strong and at least for this reader, a little off-putting. It is about a group of Middle Eastern terrorists who are planning a major fire attack on the forests of the United States and really the world. They are being helped not only by wealthy oil-rich Arabs but politically motivated Americans…almost a la antifa.