Pursuit of the Mountain Man

This is the first Mountain Man (Smoke Jensen) novel that I've read.Johnstone is an excellent storyteller and a real craftsman at writing a fast paced ,well constructed book.I read a lot of westerns and as far as I am concerned they don"t come any better.I don't know if it was ever a movie,but it would make a doosie!I make notes as I read a book to keep track of the characters ,localities,dates,etc;and it came in handy.I often follow on a map and Johnstone is one of the best I've read on making it crystal clear about who,where,when and why things unfold. Although fiction,it is very historical without being boring.That's what historical fiction should be.Johnstone makes the reader feel like he is right there and seeing it all happen.As a matter of fact I think I even smelled the campfires and coffee,and I know I heard the wolf calling. Johnstone also has a lot of wisdom buried in his writing;for example: "Animals don't kill for sport,just man." "I have to laugh when I hear fools say,wolves is savage creatures." "The law is good for finding lost horses and runaway kids and the like." "Victims don't often get a second chance." "I'm just a man who believes in saddling his own horses and stomping on is own snakes." For a novel with at least 50 characters,it is a very easy story to follow and I'm looking forward to another in this fine series. Oh yeah,for the rest of my review title ,check out page 88.

Good and enjoyable reading. I like the Smoke series and this another one. When a German Count wants sport he decides to track down and kill Smoke Jensen. If you have read others of these books you will know that when you start trouble with Smoke you really have trouble. Moves along and characters are well done. I enjoy not only the stories but the thought that right wins out in the end. I think this writer says a lot that us older folks and even younger people should think about and then learn that if you are right stand up for yourself. Smoke is a man, that fights for what he beleives in. In todays world we have forgotten what our ancestors fought and died for. This makes me think and what more could you ask of any author?

When a German Count comes after Smoke to kill him for sport well if you have read any of the series you know that means trouble and Smoke is the man to handle it. This writer makes me think abut the men and woman who fought and died for this country and what made it great. I wish more People today would remember to think and if they are right stand up for what they believe in. I guess that is why I enjoy reading these books, but also they are well put together and good reading.