When someone asks for a recommendation in the western genre, there are few options. Outside Louie L"Amour and Zane Grey, I'd have to say the Johnstones. William W Johnstone and JA Johnstone are the authors of the majority of the westerns on my bookshelves. They set their stories in some of the most interesting eras in history, keeping the background stories authentic. The Johnstones have many series, each one centered around a family and an era. From settlers making their way west to ranchers in Texas to Irish immigrants across the territories and those lone men just trying to stay out of trouble, like Ben Savage. And now we have a new series.....I feel like it's my birthday!

Casey Tubbs and Levi Doolin are old cowboys. They've spent their lives working the cows and now find themselves on their last run. When a dirty, rotten scoundrel makes off with their pay, the boys must figure out a way to get it back. While they may not be the smartest, they are not afraid to stretch their talents and try a new line of work. As always, I enjoyed this book and laughed a good way through it. A great start to another great series.

An odd road for the standards the Johnstone Clan have created over the decades. A book written of bad guys, written to be believed as good guys, in a rambling tale to clearly start a series.

The ghost writer of this one appears to be one that has written a few other recent Johnstone books of the ridiculously expanded series or series that continue to pour from the Clan. As many have noted, the Johnstone Clan needs to invest in their many surviving series to maintain quality. These newer series are severely weaker than earlier series abandoned. The collection of Frank Morgan books are worth reviving. The Jackals and Taylor Callahan are recent standouts of new series.

What identifies this writer is the view that the main characters can only move a story via ignoring whatever goings on and noting every single meal consumed. Often throughout this book, the two main characters are eating still again withing 3 to 5 pages. And then they eat again in a few pages. And again. And again. There were two others I've read in the past year that were written the same. Both lacking a focus of plot, but with a full menu of breakfasts, suppers and dinners.
This reminds me of the two Will Tanners I read earlier this year.

A huge plus are spots of historical background well written into dialogue, without sounding as if talking down to the characters or reader. Still another oddity for a Johnstone book, but something to hope to find more of from the Smoke to Preacher to Jackals series.

There's no true plot here, also reminding me of the Tanner books. Just two characters wandering about with sudden ideas to do this or that. The this or that written are far more serious actions than what gun to buy or what to choose off the menu. Though, pork chops are preferred of the duo.

Where, I think, the plot gets real squishy are the instances of the two characters dressing themselves as someone else and getting away with far too much and no one recognizing them. As one who has done a bit of theater, it really takes an expert in makeup to disguise one. It's pretty impossible that a couple of cowhands become brilliant with applying makeup, clothing to that degree. There's no indication the two greatly alter their stance or voices. Considering all encountered, at least one would see through such shenanigans. Thus, making the rest of the book unbelievable.

Another trouble and oddity in this book are the lack of depth of the two main characters. A hallmark of the Johnstone Clan are characters and these two are very weak. "Old" men should come across as well experienced in life, not some variation of Gabby Hayes. This is something else I found in the Tanner series.

I guess the Johnstone Clan decided to try a series starring anti-heroes. It's good there is an effort to toss in a new concept occasionally. I found this one not working as I had the opportunity to read it via NetGalley.com.

Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.

In William Johnstone's Old Cowboys Never Die, Casey Tubbs and Levi Doolin didn’t plan to become outlaws in their later years. They finished a cattle drive like many before it in their cowboying career, but this time, the owner failed to pay them. Nothing fair about that so Casey and Levi decided to rob the train that carried their wages and take just what was owed them plus a little extra for their effort. They're both tired of pushing cows so decided to partner up, find something new to do. That of course required supplies so they steal a pack horse. Money quickly becomes an issue so they figure robbing a bank solves that problem.

You see where this is going. It gets really exciting when the law starts to chase them even though its hard to believe two old codgers are doing all this law breaking.

A fun story with nothing expected about it.

Old Cowboys Never Die is a brand new book by William W Johnstone and J.A. johnstone and it's another example of new ways to write westerns. This time it's about old cowhands trying out a new way of living. The book follows most standards when it comes to westerns but also makes up some new ones and that is the thing that made me want to read it. It is actually refreshing with the new twists and morals this book presents and that is also the reason why I will read the next one if it will be a series. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for letting me read this book.

To sum up this book, two cowboys x Robin Hood.

Just based on the title, I should have known that this would be a series. I desperately try to avoid series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of Old Cowboys Never Die in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Oct 25, 2022.

I did finish Old Cowboys Never Die, but won't be investing time in the next installment.

Old Cowboys Never Die is another fantastic Johnstone read. I highly recommend it and am giving it five stars.

This book "Old Cowboys Never Die" by the Johnstone conglomerate, is a little different type of western story. The two main characters are Casey Tubbs and Levi Doolin. The story line is about a cattle rancher going out of business just after a large herd has been delivered after a trail drive.

Well after needing some strong arming to get the men paid, Doolin and Tubbs decide to try getting even more money and resort to robbery. It was so easy that maybe they will turn to a life of crime getting their money by taking it!!

The story is about their adventures and the almost Robin Hood mentality (but not quite). The round up their former pards and decide to restart the cattle ranch where the former owners abandoned it.

Lots of twists and turns and the Tubbs and Doolin characters are very likable. A good read that moves fast. Definitely recommend it.

Eli and Casey are old Cal hands and when a lawyer tries to steal the last paycheck they will not stand for it. When they realize how easy it is to rob the train they embark on a new career. They eventually become is Texas answer to Robin Hood. Robbing from the rich and stingy to help out Theo cattleman going through a rough patch. If only the Marshall coat doesn’t find the trail first. This was such an awesome book! I love westerns and OMG this is one of the best I have read. Not only was it funny the plot was great enough that I read it all the way through. I am getting this five stars in it deserves every one of them if not more. I have read other books by Jon Johnstone, but I do think this one is my favorite. It was that awesome and I can’t wait for the next book as I am hoping that will be a second. I absolutely love this book! I was given this book by Nat Gally And I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any errors as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

Old cowboys are old for a reason: they survived being young, stupid, and impulsive. The Johntone legacy is alive and well in this ‘novel’ approach to the American Western.