C.J. Petit Books in Order

Where to Start Reading C.J. Petit

If you are new to the Western worlds of C.J. Petit, you have two primary entry points depending on your reading preferences. For those who enjoy following a multi-generational family and watching characters grow over time, the absolute best starting point is Dylan's Journey, the first book in the Evans Family Saga. This series is his most famous work and highlights his signature blend of frontier challenges, romance, and tight family bonds.

If you prefer a character-focused adventure with a classic Western scout, you should begin with Unwanted, which kicks off the Joe Beck series. For readers looking for a quick taste of Petit's storytelling style without committing to a series, his standalone novels such as The Saloon Lawyer or Riding Shotgun serve as excellent entry points. Most of his standalones are entirely self-contained, meaning you can pick up almost any of them without worrying about backstories or cliffhangers.

Understanding C.J. Petit's Reading Order

C.J. Petit was incredibly prolific, publishing 96 novels between 2016 and 2024. While the vast majority of his catalog consists of standalone books, his structured series should ideally be read in publication order. Chronological order matches the publication order for these series, so you do not need to worry about complicated timelines or prequels.

His standalone novels can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order can be an interesting journey to observe how his writing style evolved from his first novels in 2017 like Nueva Luz and Nora to his later works in 2023 and 2024.

The Evans Family Saga Reading Order

The Evans Family Saga is a seven-book series that follows the trials, triumphs, and romances of the Evans family. The series is deeply character-driven, dealing with life-altering historical events like coal mine collapses and gold rushes, while keeping family loyalty at the center. You should read this series in the following order:

1. Dylan's Journey (2019) — Follows Dylan Evans as he leaves his family's coal-mining past to forge a new path in the West.
2. Bryn's War (2019) — Shifts focus to Bryn Evans, dealing with the fallout of a mine disaster and the fight for survival.
3. Huw's Legacy (2019) — Continues the family lineage, focusing on Huw Evans and the legacy left behind for the next generation.
4. Lynn's Search (2019) — Follows Lynn as she searches for answers and her place in the family's expanding frontier empire.
5. Bethan's Choice (2020) — Highlights one of Petit's trademark strong female protagonists, Bethan, as she makes a crucial life decision.
6. Alwen's Dream (2020) — Follows Alwen's personal aspirations and romantic pursuits amidst the rugged Western landscape.
7. Dylan's Memories (2020) — Brings the saga full circle, reflecting on the journey of the family patriarch and the memories that shaped them.

The Joe Beck Series Reading Order

The Joe Beck series is a traditional Western adventure following a young scout on the Laramie Plains. This series is more episodic than the Evans Family Saga but still features a strong overarching character arc for Joe Beck as he navigates love, loss, and the changing frontier. The recommended reading order is:

1. Unwanted (2021)
2. Reunion (2021)
3. The Divide (2021)
4. The Laramie Plains (2022)
5. Idaho City (2022)
6. Spring Surprises (2022)
7. Friends Lost and Found (2022)
8. Passing Years (2022)

The Trouble Shooter Duology

For a shorter, fast-paced action story, Petit wrote a two-part Western series called The Trouble Shooter. It is best to read these two books back-to-back:

1. The Trouble Shooter: Part One (2023)
2. The Trouble Shooter Part Two (2024)

C.J. Petit's Standalone Novels

C.J. Petit's standalone novels make up the bulk of his bibliography. These books can be read in any order, but for completeness, here is the order in which they were published:

• Nueva Luz (2017)
• Nora (2017)
• Mister Thor (2017)
• Zack (2017)
• Slow John (2017)
• Marsh's Valley (2017)
• Abandoned (2018)
• Retribution (2019)
• The Witch of Dakota (2019)
• Inevitable (2019)
• Scandal in Topeka (2019)
• North of Denton (2019)
• Rock Creek (2019)
• Sheriff Joe (2019)
• Gabe Owens (2019)
• Conn Jackson (2019)
• Return to Hardeman County (2019)
• Ted Shepard: Return to Wilmore (2019)
• War Adams (2019)
• Fort Selden (2019)
• Will Scott (2019)
• Haven (2019)
• Mac's Cabin (2019)
• Chance (2019)
• Sam's County (2019)
• Doc Holt (2019)
• Matt Dunne (2019)
• Ben Gray (2019)
• Scotts Bluff (2019)
• South of Denver (2019)
• The Last Four (2019)
• Miles City (2019)
• Deception (2019)
• Hopewell (2019)
• Baker City (2019)
• Max (2019)
• The Silver Widows (2019)
• The Gun Smith (2019)
• Wilmore (2019)
• Gus (2019)
• Hunting Pearl (2019)
• Bessie (2019)
• Finding Bucky (2019)
• The Debt (2019)
• The Eclipse (2019)
• The Scalawags (2019)
• Hitch (2019)
• The Stampede (2019)
• The Wake of the Bertrand (2019)
• Cole (2019)
• Luke (2019)
• A.J. Smith (2019)
• The Second Star (2019)
• Tate (2019)
• Virgil's Herd (2019)
• Alex Paine (2019)
• Garrett's Duty (2020)
• The Nothing Man (2020)
• Rhody Jones (2020)
• Cy Page: Western Union Man (2020)
• Tabby Hayes (2020)
• Letter for Gene (2020)
• Grip Taylor (2020)
• East of the Cascades (2020)
• The Iron Wolfe (2020)
• Wade Rivers: Conversations with Mooney (2021)
• Ghost Train (2021)
• The Inheritance (2021)
• Cap Tyler (2021)
• The Photographer (2021)
• Jake (2021)
• Riding Shotgun (2021)
• The Saloon Lawyer (2021)
• Rusty & Bug (2022)
• Poole's Gold (2022)
• Clara's Crusade (2022)
• The Brakeman (2023)
• Travis (2023)

What to Know Before You Start C.J. Petit's Books

Before diving into C.J. Petit's catalog, it is helpful to understand his unique approach to the Western genre. Petit began writing in 2016 following a long retirement from the Air Force and severe health challenges due to throat cancer. Frustrated by the lack of character depth and the abundance of pointless violence in many Westerns he read, he decided to write stories that focused more on human connection, honor, romance, and family values.

His stories often feature decent, hard-working heroes who are forced into difficult situations but choose to do the right thing. Strong female characters are a constant highlight of his books, which set him apart from more traditional, male-centric Western novels. Romance also plays a significant role in his stories; instead of just gunfights, you will find heartfelt relationships and family dynamics at the core of almost every book. His style is simple, direct, and conversational, making his books easy to read but hard to put down.