Where to Start Reading Ash Lingam's Westerns
With over a hundred novels and short stories, tackling Ash Lingam's vast Western bibliography can feel like staring down a dusty, branching trail. Fortunately, his work is organized into distinct character-driven series. Depending on what style of Western you prefer, there are three ideal starting points:
- For Classic Texas Ranger Action: Start with Sundog Comanche (2022), the first book in the Sundog series, which introduces the legendary lawman Ridge Creek.
- For Gritty Frontier Law Enforcement: Begin with Buffalo Keeper (2022), launching the Texas Ranger: Capt. Bates series. This serves as the foundation for multiple spin-offs.
- For Wild Rockies Survival: Start with Pathfinder (2022), the debut of the 25-book epic saga, Levi Johnson: Mountain Man Scout.
The Ridge Creek & Sundog Universe
One of Ash Lingam's most popular characters is the Texas Ranger Ridge Creek. His story is told across two main series that are deeply intertwined, and reading them in sequence is highly recommended.
1. Ridge Creek Books
This series introduces the character's origins. Ridge is orphaned by a smallpox plague, raised by a retired gunfighter, and joins the Texas Rangers at a young age.
- Ragged Ridge Creek (2017)
- Chisholm Trail To Deadwood (2017)
- Lonsome Canyon (2017)
- The Battle of Lost Valley (2022)
2. Sundog Books
The Sundog series continues Ridge Creek's career as he matures into a feared, dead-eyed lawman. Notably, the first book, Sundog Comanche, is an expanded, re-released version of the original character introduction, making it a perfect bridge between the two series.
- Sundog Comanche (2022)
- Sundog Daze: A Western Adventure (2022)
- West to Ranger Creek (2022)
- Ranger Creek & the Gunslinger (2022)
- Old West Adventure (2022)
- West To Tombstone (2022)
- Tombstone's Bloody Bucket (2022)
- Cowboy Justice (2022)
- Range War (2022)
- Full Circle (2022)
The Rowdy Bates Universe and Spin-offs
Captain Rowdy Bates of the Texas Rangers anchors his own 15-book series. While the main series is a thrilling read on its own, it serves as the launching pad for two major spin-off series focusing on popular side characters.
Texas Ranger: Capt. Bates Main Series
The main series should be read in publication order to track the changing frontier and the recurring cast of lawmen.
- Buffalo Keeper (2022)
- One-Eyed Jack Black (2022)
- Riverboat (2022)
- Rustlers (2022)
- Comanche (2023)
- Streets of El Paso (2023)
- Kansas State Prison (2023)
- Bushwhacked (2023)
- Carrizo Springs (2023)
- Hurricane (2023)
- Tuc And Potak (2023)
- Old Rangers Die Hard (2023)
- Unwanted Reunion (2023)
- Forever Texas Rangers (2023)
- Blood And Guts (2023)
Spin-off 1: Jack Black Books
Introduced in the second book of the Captain Bates series (One-Eyed Jack Black), this spin-off follows the exploits of the lethal outlaw-turned-lawman Jack Black.
- Seven Killers (2022)
- The Scribblers (2022)
- Lawless (2022)
- Justified (2022)
- Outlaws (2022)
- Yuma Prison (2022)
Spin-off 2: Tuc & Pokak Books
Tuc and Pokak are native scouts who assist Captain Bates. Their dedicated series begins after their prominent appearance in Captain Bates Book 11 (Tuc And Potak).
- Tonkawa (2023)
- Buffalo Hump (2023)
- Comanche Killer (2023)
- Seven Sinners (2023)
- Sinner Killer (2023)
- Old Wolf (2023)
- Medicine Man (2023)
- Courage And Redemption (2023)
Levi Johnson: Mountain Man Scout
This is a sprawling, 25-book epic following the rugged mountain man scout Levi Johnson as he navigates the high wilderness, tribal wars, and outlaw gangs of the Rockies.
Crossover Alert!
This series features two critical crossovers that link Ash Lingam's universe to other prominent Western authors:
- Jubal Stone Crossover: Book 23, The Hunt For Captain Forrester (2024), is a direct crossover with the Jubal Stone: U.S. Marshal series, appearing as Book 57 in that series.
- Nathan Gage Crossover: Book 25, Trailed By Evil (2024), is a collaboration with author C. Wayne Winkle, bringing Levi Johnson face-to-face with Winkle's famous character, Nathan Gage.
Jubal Stone: U.S. Marshal & Casey Nash Collaborations
The Jubal Stone series is a massive Western franchise created by Casey Nash. Ash Lingam joined as a key co-author for dozens of entries, contributing to the fast-paced action and snappy dialogue. The books should be read in publication order to appreciate the ongoing story arcs of U.S. Marshal Jubal Stone.
Additionally, Lingam and Nash co-wrote the Wagon Train From Texas Western series, which follows the Hardwood brothers leading settlers along the Chisholm Trail. This series is a quick, self-contained three-book trilogy: Deadly Trail, The Trail North, and The Chisholm Trail (all published in 2022).
Other Notable Western Series by Ash Lingam
For readers looking for shorter series, Lingam has written several other standalone stories and smaller sagas:
- Hammer and Grizz Mountain Man: An 11-book survival series that started in 2022, following two rough-and-tumble mountain men.
- The Gunslinger: A gritty 3-book bounty hunter series following the famous real-life figure Tom Horn.
- Jed & Jodi: Desperados: A fast-paced 3-book run following a pair of outlaws on the run.
- U.S. Marshal Sling Dolan: A brief 2-book lawman adventure consisting of Gunsmoke and Wanted Dead Or Alive.