Books On Board
series Reading Order

Abilene Books in Order

16 Books
1988 – 1990 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Abilene Series

If you want to experience the gritty frontier adventures of Marshal Luke Travis and Deputy Cody Fisher, the best path is straightforward: read the books in their original publication order. The series follows a sequential progression of their efforts to bring law and order to Abilene, Kansas, in the 1870s.

Here is the recommended reading list:

  1. The Peacemaker (1988)
  2. The Sharpshooter (1988)
  3. The Pursuers (1988)
  4. The Night Riders (1988)
  5. The Half-Breed (1988)
  6. The Hangman (1989)
  7. The Prizefighter (1989)
  8. The Whiskey Runners (1989)
  9. The Tracker (1989)
  10. The General (1989)
  11. The Hellion (1989)
  12. The Cattle Baron (1990)
  13. The Pistoleer (1990)
  14. The Lawman (1990)
  15. The Barlow Brides (1990)
  16. The Deputy (1990)

Publication vs. Chronological Order

Because the series was published rapidly over just two years (1988–1990) and maintains a consistent setting in 1870s Kansas, publication order matches the chronological timeline of the narrative. There are no prequels or time-skips that would require a different chronological reading order.

Who Wrote the Abilene Series?

The books are officially credited to Justin Ladd, which was a house pseudonym created by Pocket Books. In reality, the prolific Western author James Reasoner penned almost the entire series. The only exception is the very first book, The Peacemaker, which was ghostwritten by another unidentified author before Reasoner took over the reins for the remaining 15 novels.

Spin-offs and Related Western Series

While the Abilene series does not have any direct spin-offs or crossovers featuring Marshal Travis and Deputy Fisher, readers who enjoy James Reasoner's classic, fast-paced Western voice should check out his other prominent Western contributions. Reasoner has written extensively under his own name and other pseudonyms for popular series like Cody's Law, Longarm, Lone Star, and The Trailsman.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Abilene series?

The recommended reading order is the publication order, starting with The Peacemaker (1988) and concluding with The Deputy (1990).

QWho is the real author behind the Justin Ladd pseudonym?

The prolific Western novelist James Reasoner wrote 15 of the 16 books in the series. The first book, The Peacemaker, was written by another ghostwriter.

QWhere does the Abilene book series take place?

The series is set in the 1870s in the frontier cow town of Abilene, Kansas.

QWho are the main characters in the Abilene series?

The stories center on the town's lawmen: steadfast U.S. Marshal Luke Travis and his loyal deputy, Cody Fisher.

QAre there any spin-offs or sequels to the Abilene series?

No, the series ended with the 16th book, The Deputy, in 1990. However, fans can check out James Reasoner's other Western series like Cody's Law.

QHow many books are in the Abilene series?

There are 16 novels in total, all published between 1988 and 1990.