This was a great entry in the Frontier Overland Company series, it had that Western feel that I enjoyed about the Johnstone’s writing. The characters were everything that I was looking for and glad they worked in this time-period, it worked with everything that I wanted and glad I read this.

In William Johnston's Dry Road to Nowhere (Pinnacle 2024), Book 2 of the Frontier Overland Company, Former Texas Ranger Butch Keeler and his buddy Tucker Cobb start their own stagecoach line, eager to be their own boss without someone else making the decisions. Book 1 tells of a somewhat rocky but successful start. Book 2 picks up as they become blacklisted by King Charles Hagen, the power house rich guy in the area who won't take no for an answer when he tells them he is going to buy them out. When they refuse, Hagen decides it'll be just as easy to run them out of business. Butch and Tucker don't quit, doing everything possible to attract what business they can and survive until--hopefully--Hagen will give up. The stakes get deadly when the woman Cobb is in love with--a soiled dove--becomes part of Hagen's plan to drive the the feisty stagecoach owners off the map.

It's a good story, a bit predictable at times, a few spots where plot points seem forced rather than organic, but it is kept interesting by the uncommon nature of the two main characters. I would like more details about running a stage coach line in the late 1800s since this isn't a storyline covered in many other old west books. Overall, a good read and I had no problem finishing the book.

First, the title doesn't fit the book. The volume is so well done, it deserves a more related moniker.

This is the first Johnstone Clan series that is working as a serial. This is the 2nd entry and, as the book ends, there will be a 3rd. That's fine with me. This series is in my top 5 of the current Johnstone Clan books.

This one has the buddies in a few adventures and is written smoothly to the point, at the end, it's hard to imagine that the book had started with indians and defending a fort. The bulk of the book is a very well written story of two men immersed in the chaos brought by an unseen enemy and those that work for him. The bouncing back and forth to two cities and bad guys cleverly dropped in unexpected places makes a thrilling book.

This is certainly one of the best Johnstone Clan books of the past few years. Trouble being waiting for #3 int he series.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of ten points.
This book made available via NetGalley.com.

Of all the Western stories that the Johnstone syndicate has done, the ones set in Wyoming and related to "King" Hagen are my least favorite. With that said, this one dealing with two ornery mule skinners turned stagecoach drivers is one of the better in this category. Butch Keeler and Tucker Cobb are a crew and are two men to ride the range with. They have been friends and partners for a while now and each of them is pretty tough.

This story seems to mostly focus on Hagen and his attempts to prevent them from operating the Frontier Overland Company. But there is a twist of a Madam Pinochet and her hired man who runs an opium den along with a beautiful lady who happens to be friend with Cobb. They are determined to help the "King" ruin the lives of the coach drivers.

A few other examples of running through rampaging Native Americans to get to a besieged fort enter into the story as well as struggling to survive and taking on almost any job to do so. This includes transporting some good, dark bock beer made by a German immigrant. So, there are twists and turns.

Culminating in a trial concerning a death which some think is a murder and others think is self-defense. Climax has some different endings than you might expect. Not a bad overall story but still not a huge fan of this book.