Saddle up and step into the dusty trails of the Stringer series, where a quick-draw reporter named Stuart 'Stringer' MacKail dodges bullets, chases scoops, and charms the ladies in the wild Old West! Written by Lou Cameron, this fifteen-book saga blends gritty journalism with heart-pounding action and a dash of romance, offering a rollicking ride through frontier America. From treasure hunts to tangling with outlaws, Stringer’s adventures capture a land teetering between lawless chaos and the dawn of modernity.
With his sharp wit and sharper aim, Stringer isn’t your typical cowboy. As a freelance stringer for the San Francisco Sun, he’s sent to uncover truths that others would rather keep buried. Whether it’s a long-lost stagecoach treasure or a plot to assassinate a president, MacKail’s nose for news lands him in hot water—and readers in for a thrilling tale.
How Stringer Began
Lou Cameron, a prolific author with over 300 titles, launched the Stringer series in 1987, tapping into the 'adult Western' subgenre he helped pioneer. A former comic book artist and World War II veteran, Cameron drew on his knack for vivid storytelling to craft a hero who was part journalist, part gunslinger. Inspired by the fading days of the Wild West and the rise of print media, he created Stringer to explore a world where truth was as dangerous as a loaded revolver. The series, published by Ace Books, ran until 1989, delivering fifteen action-packed novels.
The Heart of Stringer
The series kicks off with Stringer (1987), where MacKail returns to his hometown in Calaveras County to investigate a legendary stagecoach robbery by 'Sulky Jack.' Bullets fly as he uncovers a treasure hunt that’s still claiming lives fifty years later. In Stringer on the Assassin’s Trail (1987), he’s covering a Teddy Roosevelt speech in Wyoming when a stray bullet sparks a deadly chase—unsure if he or Teddy was the target. Stringer and the Hangman’s Rodeo (1988) sees him in Cheyenne, sniffing out corruption amid a rodeo and a notorious murder case. Finally, Stringer in a Texas Shoot-Out (1989) pits him against vigilantes and a self-proclaimed marshal in a chaotic West Texas town.
Beyond the gunfights and saloon brawls, the series weaves themes of truth, justice, and the clash between old and new. Set in the early 20th century, Stringer’s world is one of telephones and 'party lines,' yet still ruled by six-shooters and grit. Cameron’s prose, laced with sharp dialogue and a touch of humor, paints a vivid West where MacKail navigates moral gray areas, lusty encounters, and the cost of exposing secrets. Fans love the blend of historical nods—like references to Joaquin Murrieta or the Wild Bunch—with pulp-style thrills.
Why Stringer Resonates
Though not as famous as Cameron’s Longarm series, Stringer carved a niche in the adult Western genre, blending hard-boiled journalism with frontier adventure. Its gritty take on the West, paired with MacKail’s roguish charm, appealed to readers craving more than traditional cowboy tales. The series’ focus on a truth-seeking hero resonated in an era of historical revisionism, echoing films like Dances with Wolves. Today, Stringer remains a hidden gem for Western fans, its fast-paced stories offering a nostalgic escape into a world where one man’s pen—and gun—could change the game.
- Publication Years: 1987–1989
- Number of Books: 15
- Author: Lou Cameron
- Genre: Adult Western
Ready to ride into the sunset with a reporter who’s as handy with a revolver as he is with a typewriter? Grab Stringer and dive into this action-packed Western world!