Books On Board

Lawman Books in Order

  • 11 Books
  • 1900 – 2013 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, readers should follow the Lawman series in publication order. While the books are largely episodic, standalone adventures featuring self-contained cases (like pursuing moonshiners, hunting cult leaders, or stopping outlaws), Jack Slade's personal life, relationships, and career progression build chronologically across the series.

You should start with the debut novel, The Lawman (2007), which sets up Slade's backstory, explaining how his brother's murder drives him to take up a badge. From there, read the books in the order they were published to watch his transition from a wandering gambler to a hardened, award-winning lawman who eventually finds love and tackles increasingly dark territory.

The Lawman Series in Publication Order

  1. The Lawman (2007) - Jack Slade returns to Lawton, Oklahoma, after his brother Jim is murdered, forcing him to balance a new deputy marshal's badge with a hunger for personal revenge.
  2. Slade's Law (2008) - Slade investigates a fellow marshal's mysterious murder in the deceptively peaceful town of Serenity.
  3. Helltown (2008) - Pitted against two ruthless, competing tycoons, Slade must prevent the town of Gehenna from collapsing into absolute chaos.
  4. Massacre Trail (2009) - Slade hits the trail to maintain law and order in the face of brutal frontier violence and outlaws.
  5. Hanging Judge (2009) - When a judge is assassinated by a skilled sharpshooter during a public execution, Slade is tasked with bringing the sniper to justice.
  6. Manhunt (2010) - Slade hunts twin outlaw brothers, Evan and Ethan Frain, utilizing his understanding of brotherly bonds to predict their next moves. This installment won the 2010 Peacemaker Award.
  7. Avenging Angels (2010) - After a family is murdered in Alva, Kansas, Slade investigates a dangerous religious cult led by a self-proclaimed prophet and his deadly followers.
  8. Blood Trails (2011) - Slade is forced to delay his honeymoon to hunt down a serial killer targeting women in the territory.
  9. Reckoning (2012) - Slade faces off against old enemies and new threats in another high-stakes showdown on the frontier.
  10. White Lightning (2013) - Following the death of a fellow lawman, Slade tracks down a gang of moonshiners while navigating his complex relationship with Faith Connover.
  11. Trackdown (2014) - Ambushed and left for dead while escorting prisoners, Slade must gather his strength to hunt down the escaped fugitives alone.

What to Know Before You Start

The Lawman series was written by the incredibly prolific action-adventure and true-crime author Michael Newton under the pen name Lyle Brandt. The books are set in the late 1890s Oklahoma Territory, using authentic historical details of the post-Civil War era to build a dusty, realistic backdrop.

Jack Slade's character is heavily inspired by classic Western archetypes, such as Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name." He is stoic, quick on the draw, and driven by a personal code of honor that frequently clashes with the corrupt officialdom of the frontier. The series is celebrated for its lean, fast-paced prose and its exploration of moral ambiguity—making it a perfect match for fans of gritty, traditional Westerns.

Spin-offs and Companion Series

While there are no crossover characters or shared timelines, readers who enjoy Lyle Brandt's storytelling style can check out Michael Newton's other Western series written under the same pseudonym:

  • The Matt Price Series: A five-book saga tracking the exploits of a legendary gunfighter.
  • The Gideon Ryder Series: A two-book series featuring a post-Civil War U.S. Secret Service agent.

Frequently Asked

Can the Lawman books be read as standalones?

Yes. Each novel features a self-contained plot, such as solving a specific murder or hunting down a particular outlaw gang. However, reading them in publication order is recommended to follow Jack Slade's career and relationship progression.

Who wrote the Lawman series?

The series was written by Michael Newton under the pseudonym Lyle Brandt.

Where does the Lawman series take place?

The books are primarily set in the late 1890s Oklahoma Territory during the transition from a lawless frontier to a civilized society.

Which Lawman book won an award?

The sixth novel in the series, Manhunt, won the prestigious Peacemaker Award in 2010.

Who is Jack Slade's love interest in the series?

Slade's primary love interest and eventual wife is Faith Connover, whose relationship with Slade is a recurring storyline in later books like Blood Trails and White Lightning.