Books On Board
series Reading Order

Ben Blue Books in Order

18 Books
2013 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Reading the Ben Blue Series

For the best reading experience, you should start the series at the very beginning with Hickory Jack. This first novel establishes Ben Blue's origin story, introducing him as a 12-year-old boy in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. After being orphaned by outlaws, Ben begins a lifelong journey of grit, growth, and justice that shapes the entire 18-book saga.

Ben Blue Books in Publication Order

Lou Bradshaw wrote the Ben Blue series in a linear timeline. The chronological story matches the publication order, tracking Ben's transition from a boy into a rancher and lawman. Here is the recommended reading order:

  1. Hickory Jack (2013)
  2. Blue (2013)
  3. Ace High (2014)
  4. Blue Norther (2014)
  5. Cain (2014)
  6. One Man Standing (2014)
  7. Spirit Valley (2015)
  8. Hell's Gate (2015)
  9. Rubio: The Legend (2015)
  10. Palouse (2016)
  11. Right Thing to Do (2017)
  12. Abe (2017)
  13. True Blue (2018)
  14. Along the Way (2018)
  15. Blue Valley (2019)
  16. Gilligan's Demise (2019)
  17. Rubio II (2019)
  18. Man With No Face (2020)

The Lou Bradshaw Shared Universe

Lou Bradshaw’s novels are set in a shared, interconnected post-Civil War American West. While you do not need to read the other series to enjoy Ben Blue, you will find overlapping characters and references. The universe consists of three main focal points:

  • Ben Blue: Represents the settled ranch life, community, and the pull of home.
  • JL Tate: Follows the strict enforcement of the law and the badge through the JL Tate series.
  • Shad Cain: Explores the rugged, solitary mountain man survivalist lifestyle. Shadrac Cain is introduced in book five of the Ben Blue series (Cain) before spinning off into his own 11-book series starting with a separate novel also titled Cain (2014).

Style and Tone Guidance

Bradshaw's writing is frequently compared to classic Western authors like Louis L'Amour. Readers appreciate the series for its clean, profanity-free prose, strong moral themes, and detailed depictions of frontier life, ranching, and Native American interactions.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading Ben Blue?

You should start with Hickory Jack (2013), which establishes Ben Blue's origin story as an orphaned 12-year-old surviving the post-Civil War frontier.

QAre the Ben Blue books suitable for readers looking for clean fiction?

Yes. The series is highly regarded for its clean, profanity-free storytelling, balancing Western action, saloon brawls, and moral depth without explicit content.

QDoes chronological order differ from publication order?

No. The publication order matches the chronological progression of Ben Blue's life, making it the ideal path to follow his journey from youth to adulthood.

QHow does Shad Cain connect to the Ben Blue series?

They exist in the same shared Western universe. The character Shadrac Cain appears in the fifth Ben Blue book, Cain, and also stars in his own standalone Shad Cain series.

QHow many books are in the Ben Blue series?

There are 18 books in the main Ben Blue series, written by Lou Bradshaw between 2013 and 2020.

QIs Lou Bradshaw still writing Ben Blue books?

No. Author Lou Bradshaw passed away in 2024, meaning the series concluded with the 18th book, Man With No Face, in 2020.