THE LONER: INFERNO

The 11th - and newest - novel in THE LONER series by J. A. Johnstone.  Pinnacle continues to do some massively attractive cover art for these books.  Long may these books continue to be popular. 

THE LONER #11: CROSSFIRE

The newest chapter in the sage of "The Loner".

This one looks to have Conrad Browning (Kid Morgan) reuniting with his father, legendary gunfighter Frank Morgan.

The common purpose: rescuing Kid Morgan's young twins from a San Francisco crime lord who has "adopted" the children.

Have to discipline myself not to dive into this one right away because I've not read them all up to this point.  J.A. has informed me previously that it's a good idea to read them in order. 

A big thanks to J.A. Johnstone for sending this one along. 

THE LONER: BLOOD OF RENEGADES

The latest release in the J. A. Johnstone's series, "The Loner".  Upon my inquiry, J. A. advises that it is best to go ahead and read the books in numerical order as character details develop from book to book.  Following J. A.'s advice, I'm only on book four right now, so it will be some time before I get to this one. 

THE LONER: DEAD MAN'S GOLD

This is book #3 in J.A. Johnstone’s new western series, “The Loner”.  J.A. was kind enough to send this one to me because the one I had at the house apparently has gone the way of the dodo bird.  Thanks, J.A.!

The two “Loner” books that I’ve read so far have been very entertaining and the series seems to be doing well in readership and sales.  This is especially encouraging because Westerns, over the years, fall in and out of favor.  However, I see plenty of cowboy novels on bookshelves nowadays and this is a good sign. 

J. A.’s uncle, the late William W. Johnstone (I got to call him “Bill”), had sort of introduced the character of Conrad Morgan through the creation of Frank Morgan, Conrad’s father and protagonist of the “Last Gunfighter” novels Bill was still writing (with J.A.) at the time of Bill’s death. 

At the time Bill, Robert Kammen and I were walking the grounds of the Little Big Horn in the summer of 1987, I was more familiar with Bill’s work with the post-apocalyptic “Ashes” series and his unusual horror novels.  I didn’t really see Bill’s Westerns until some years later and now, in reprints, I see them all over the place.

The plot of this particular book is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones story in that there is a search for a lost treasure and the villain is right out of "The Wild, Wild West" (the TV show, not that dung-heap Will Smith movie).  Very interesting book and it moves right along nicely.

“The Loner” series is a good place to start if you’re looking for crackerjack Western novels.  Read them in order, though, if for no other reason than continuity. 

THE LONER: KILLER POKER

A new series using characters created by her late uncle, William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone carries on the family tradition here.  Nice cover art.  I've only read the first two and although I do have them all, I've misplaced the third in the series.  I am loathe to read them out of sequence, so the search among my stacks continues.