This was my first Johnstone read and will not be my last! I don't know what kept me from this genre for so long, but I absolutely loved being able to be transported to this Western Era courtesy of this book.

The story details Former Texas Ranger Ben Savage as he deals with life as a bar-owner in the town of Wolf Creek. I anticipated in a story like this the Sheriff would be the main character, but overtime I was able to establish Savage as the story's main hero.

Looking forward to more!

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. He's a former Texas Ranger who now owns a bar in Buzzard's Bluff, a small town near Wolf Creek.

When a hired gun comes to Buzzard's Bluff looking for someone, Ben knows trouble has come to town. Ben is the Sheriff's back up but this time, they may be outgunned. As always, I enjoyed this book and now must wait for book #3 in the series. Luckily the Johnstones have enough different series that I can usually find a new book in one of them when I need a book to read.

This is my first Western and first Johnstone title and I was really hooked! I usually
Read mysteries and thrillers. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It left me wanting to read more of this genre.

A Johnstone ghostwriter misstep. This one gravely missing the greatest strength, which over hundreds of novels can be depended on, excellent characters. I believe this is the only one of the couple hundred I've read, that has blatantly stereotypical paper-thin characters typical of a western book. After just reading the very good Johnstone 'Sons of Thunder', the quality of this one really stands out.

The linear, pretty predictable story with far too many repetitive narrative and dialogue gets irritating rereading so much over and over. A particular element that is weirdly focused is food. Usually the food is mentioned in a Johnstone tale is of jerky. Here pork chops, coffee, biscuits, meatloaf, etc. are written of. The subject of meatloaf cover pages of copy. Also continuous mention of breakfasts, dinners and suppers are covered. Even the bad guys are written at various points of meals and attaining them. Was the ghost writer hungry composing this?

It's at the 80% point that the book finally provides some real meat(loaf) to bite into. The book should've started at that point. The wandering gun man is the best constructed character.

I recall another Johnstone book of another series with an odd focus of food and a rather spare story that came out last year. Might be the same ghost writer.
I'm guessing this was a rushed entry that was fluffed to meet the page count. This could've been a short story.

I should point out that I acquired this book via NetGalley.com.

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

Slaughter at Wolf Creek by William W. johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the latest adventure with Ben Savage ex Texas ranger and now saloon owner. Some real fun events in this western although some annoying elements but I did enjoy it. The quiet town of Buzzard's Bluff contains some great characters and the action and humor is good. I must thank Netgalley, Pinnacle and Kensington for letting me read this book.

William Johnstone's Slaughter at Wolf Creek (Pinnacle Books 2022) is another excellent old west story by the master of that genre. Ben Savage, retired Texas Ranger and now owner of the local saloon in Buzzard's Bluff, is one of my favorite of Johnstone's well-established characters. He does help the town sheriff on occasion and this time, it's when a band of outlaws try to rob the town bank. They are arrested by the Sheriff and Ben before they accomplish their goal, but turns out, they are only part of the gang. When the rest of the band comes to town to free their incarcerated members, the two lawmen need more help, which comes in the form of a retired gunslinger renowned for his skill.

Great story with lots of likeable characters. I will definitely read more of this series.

Johnstone's Slaughter at Wolf Creek is another great read by this author. I liked it. Four and a half stars.

“Slaughter at Wolf Creek” is another hit for the Johnstone family. The characters are maybe a bit too idealized in some ways but that may be what makes for a good Western. The title might be a bit misleading as little happens at Wolf Creek. There are several twists and turns that keep the readers on their toes. With a sheriff and a former Texas Ranger as well as a man who is a top gun hand, although he doesn’t want to be, there is little that gets by for a criminal in this town. Doesn’t mean that they don’t try. This trying is where the typical western story happens!

A quick read as it is hard to put it down since the reader will want to know what next. I definitely recommend it and taking the reader on a journey to Buzzards Bluff and the nearby Wolf Creek for which the novel is named.