Triumph of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 18th book I’ve read in the Smoke Jensen series and found that far too many of these are only about “treeing”, or taking over, a town. Here is still another and one of the better. There is far more substance to this entry in the Smoke Jensen Treeing Town series than others. There’s more character development and an entire side story of, Smoke’s wife, Sally with her troubles at home.

Most all of the other Treeing stories are rather illogical and preposterous. This is in that zone, too, but has far more logical efforts to protect the town and logical results. There is also a really good allegory that has was a strong part of the early Johnstone work. As the various series has worn on, that theme has been very dampened. This book is of a controlling interest in a town AND it’s townspeople. To, basically, enslave them. There are comparisons throughout the book, yet no direct connection to contemporary life. Though it’s hard to miss the connection of Big Business and Big Government making the people it’s subjects for it’s own selfish wants.

The writing is OK. The handling of the side Sally Jensen story is a bit clunky, though the meaning shines through. This book may be thought to be more preachy than it should be. That is what really set the Johnstone series apart from so many other books and drove to it’s success.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of 10 points.

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