I've read other Johnstone books and enjoyed them but I just couldn't get into this one. All the characters were shallow. The bad guys were really bad and the good guys were really good. There was nuance of character at all. The book was full of clichés and I had to put it down without finishing it. I can't recommend that anyone waste their time with this. ( )

Title: Savage Territory (Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man #4)
Author: William W Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone
Format: e-book
Year: 2009
Publisher: Pinnacle
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Matt Jensen, born Matt Cavanaugh, is a young man whose rough start in life has made him tough, able to handle trouble and a quiet man. After Matt’s family was massacred, he lived for a time in an orphanage and then ran away to what he hoped were better pastures. Matt took the name Jensen after being rescued and taught how to live off the land by Smoke Jensen.
In the previous books, audiences can read of Matt’s exciting adventures beginning with Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man followed by Deadly Trail, and Purgatory. In Savage Territory, Matt is attempting to fulfill a promise he made to his friend before he died. In order to do so, Matt travels to St. Louis to locate the dead man’s brother only to find out he needs to head south to Arizona. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But Matt Jensen is about to find out that there are men out to take what isn’t theirs at all costs and leave no witnesses to tell their tale.
As I read the series, I am realizing how much like Smoke Jensen Matt has become. Matt doesn’t seek fame or fortune; he lives simply and helps others whenever he can. One thing too, Matt will stand up to those who want to take what isn’t theirs and hurt others for the fun of it. In Savage Territory, Matt faces some very tough and rough villains, scouts for the Army and a tough opponent in hand-to-hand combat to the death.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone but reading them in order also helps a reader see how the character develops. Matt Jensen doesn’t seek trouble, but he doesn’t run from it either. He is unattached, goes where he wants and wants to experience the many opportunities life offers. I look forward to reading more of Matt Jensen in the next installment titled, Snake River Slaughter. Join me for wild west adventure at its best!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )