Deep in the Kentucky hills, justice is still dealt from the end of a rope. When John Milton stumbles into a small town plagued by scams, secrets, and a brutal criminal family, he plans to keep his head down. But after a deadly ambush leaves him tied up and dragged into the Appalachians, Milton finds himself face-to-face with an ancient tree—and a noose meant for his neck. As he fights to survive, Milton uncovers a sprawling a crooked banker, a string of ruined lives, and a drug operation hiding in plain sight. With time running out and bodies piling up, Milton must bring the whole operation crashing down. The Hanging Tree is a relentless, edge-of-your-seat thriller packed with action, vivid characters, and the cold steel of frontier justice. This book was previously available on pre-order as The Butcher. It will be available in September 2025.