There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

This new series from Johnstone, Texas Lightning, features Jon Gage, a reluctant gunslinger whose reputation grows almost against his will. He has a difficult childhood with an alcoholic father that lays the foundation for so much of what he becomes. In this Book 1, The Hanging Party (Pinnacle 2024), we see what built the shootist's reputation, how he lives off of his name while trying to avoid gunfights despite being forced into them by those who wish to claim credit for killing him, the best of the best, and others enraged because he killed someone they loved. Then, we find out which fight made him unbuckle his guns and lose himself as a saddle tramp and bum, intent on getting through life with occasional jobs and no relationships, always fleeing when people figure out who he used to be. That changes in the town of Newel. At first, he takes a job to make enough money to survive, move on, but his new boss is a crook. He wants to ignore that, take his money and move on, but he's already bonded somewhat with the good folks of Newell. No matter that he wants to leave them to their fate, he can't. The ending will surprise you.

This is a good story, but a bit slow, somewhat dour, and leans toward dark. Still I was never tempted to stop reading. It's not the typical Western so definitely recommended for those who like to read outside the lines.

Jon Gage is a new character in this new series from William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone called Texas Lightning. It is an ok western but I don't think I will follow it since I felt it wasn't all there. The concept is great with the main character and it can be a great series but how many times can he pick up a gun to save the day? I thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this advance copy.