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Blood Bond Books in Order

16 Books
1989 – 2012 Published
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How to Read the Blood Bond Series

The Blood Bond series, created by the prolific Western author William W. Johnstone and later continued by his niece J.A. Johnstone, follows the unbreakable brotherhood between Matt Bodine, a white rancher's son, and Sam Two Wolves, a half-Cheyenne warrior. Because the narrative progresses chronologically with their travels across the American West, the best way to read this series is in publication order.

You should definitely start with the first book, Blood Bond (1989), which establishes how the two main characters met and underwent a Cheyenne ritual to become blood brothers. From there, you can ride along with them on their standalone adventures as they confront outlaws, range wars, and historical conflicts like the Great Indian Wars.

Blood Bond Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete sequence of the 16 novels in the series:

  1. Blood Bond (1989)
  2. Brotherhood of the Gun (1990)
  3. Gunsight Crossing (1991)
  4. Gunsmoke and Gold (1992)
  5. Devil Creek Crossfire (1992)
  6. Shootout at Gold Creek (1993)
  7. San Angelo Showdown (1994)
  8. Death in Snake Creek (1994)
  9. Slaughter Trail (2006)
  10. The Hanging Road (2007)
  11. Ride for Vengeance (2008)
  12. Texas Gundown (2008)
  13. Deadly Road to Yuma (2009)
  14. Moonshine Massacre (2010)
  15. Arizona Ambush (2011)
  16. A Hundred Ways to Kill (2012)

Understanding the Authorship & the Publication Gap

Readers often notice a major twelve-year gap between Death in Snake Creek (1994) and Slaughter Trail (2006). This transition occurred because the series creator, William W. Johnstone, passed away in 2004. His niece, J.A. Johnstone, who had long worked as his assistant and researcher, stepped in to continue the saga, keeping the spirit and style of the original books intact.

Are There Spin-offs or Co-authored Books?

While there are no direct spin-off series focusing on side characters from Blood Bond, the books published from 2006 onward are officially credited to both William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. Fans of this series will find a very similar style and thematic focus in Johnstone's other legendary Western series, including the Mountain Man and Eagles sagas.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Blood Bond series?

You should start with the first novel, Blood Bond (1989). This book introduces the main characters and explains how Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers.

QDo I need to read the Blood Bond books in order?

While each book features a standalone adventure, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order to appreciate the gradual development of their partnership and avoid minor character spoilers.

QWhy is there a twelve-year gap between books 8 and 9?

Series creator William W. Johnstone passed away in 2004. After his death, his niece and longtime assistant J.A. Johnstone took over the writing duties, resuming the series in 2006 with Slaughter Trail.

QHow many books are in the Blood Bond series?

There are 16 books in total, starting with Blood Bond in 1989 and ending with A Hundred Ways to Kill in 2012.

QAre there any direct spin-offs or crossovers?

No, there are no direct spin-offs, but the books share the same gritty, action-packed style as William W. Johnstone's other famous Western universes like the Mountain Man series.

QWho actually wrote the later Blood Bond books?

The books published after 2004 were written by J.A. Johnstone (and potentially ghostwriters under the estate) to preserve the legacy of William W. Johnstone.