How to Read Cody’s Law
The recommended reading path for the Cody’s Law series is simple: follow the publication order. The books track the career and personal trials of Texas Ranger Sam Cody in chronological sequence, so reading them in order ensures you see his growth and the progression of the frontier he protects.
Cody’s Law Books in Publication Order
The series consists of twelve novels published between 1991 and 1995. Here is the complete list of titles in order:
- Gunmetal Justice (1991)
- Die Lonesome (1991)
- Border Showdown (1991)
- Bounty Man (1992)
- Mano a Mano (1992)
- Renegade Trail (1992)
- End of the Line (1992)
- Eagle Pass (1993)
- The Prisoners (1993)
- A Gallows Waiting (1993)
- Red Moon's Raid (1994)
- Comanche Code (1995)
The Authors Behind Matthew S. Hart
While published under the house pseudonym Matthew S. Hart, the series was written by two Texas writers: James Reasoner and Bill Crider. Reasoner wrote the first seven novels on his own. Starting with Eagle Pass (Book 8), he teamed up with Crider, his long-time friend. For these co-authored books, Reasoner drafted the outlines and polished the final manuscripts, while Crider wrote the initial drafts.
The Strange Case of The Prisoners
While most of the series features traditional, gritty Western stories of law and order, The Prisoners (Book 9) is famous among fans. Reasoner famously described it as the only Western with an "incest/cannibal/lesbian/vampire vibe." Despite these bizarre undertones, the book remains a classic Western at its core, pitting Ranger Cody against a blizzard and eccentric ranch characters.
Why Was the Series Cancelled?
Although the original contract with Bantam Books called for fourteen novels, the publisher cancelled the series after the twelfth book, Comanche Code, leaving the final planned adventures unwritten.