Title: Showdown (The Last Gunfighter #5)
Author: William W Johnstone
Format: e-book
Year: 2016
Publisher: Pinnacle
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The Last Gunfighter series centers around a character named Frank Morgan. Frank also carries the moniker Drifter because he never is able to stay in one place for very long, because someone is always looking to build their reputation by facing him. In previous books in the series, readers learn how Frank was once married, has a very rocky relationship with his son and how his feet were set on a path of drifting. Frank is a peaceable, loving man by nature, but trouble seems to dog his steps no matter where he goes. Frank has at times worn the badge of sheriff or marshal, travels all over with just his Horse and Dog.
In the story Showdown, Frank is provisioning up in a town when he learns that someone has put a price on his head, but that isn’t the worst of it. The setup is that he is to be hunted and only when the man running the show says when the hunt begins. What makes it more dangerous is that the last person standing gets a bonus, which means that Frank is not the only one being hunted. Now the hunters are also prey.
When a company of folks from the East shows up in a small town, that is when the tension begins to build. The folks coming from the East aren’t used to roughing it or doing without and they have no clue what they have set into motion by this madness of a hunt. Frank is alone. How is he to best over fifty gunslingers? Then, when the eastern folks become victims themselves by what they set in motion, who do readers think will set out alone to save them?
In the story, there are some interesting characters like Bob, who owns the livery, or Doc who is the one who the town is named after and pretty much runs it. Frank Morgan is a gunfighter who aims to live away from folks and trouble but seems to find himself ensnared in it anyway. No matter how many times Frank just wants to get on his Horse and ride, leaving folks to deal with their mess, he doesn’t. Frank makes a stand, helps out a town and its folks, and in this one he even rescues those who meant him harm.
For great wild west adventure, pick up Showdown! If you enjoy reading books in order, The Last Gunfighter series starts with The Drifter, followed by Reprisal, Ghost Valley and The Forbidden.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

I'm still enjoying the series. ( )