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The Last Gunfighter book cover 1
The Last Gunfighter book cover 2
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The Last Gunfighter
Series · 24
books · 2000-2024

Books in series

Drifter book cover
#1

Drifter

2000

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY The bestselling novels of William W. Johnstone's Last Gunfighter series rank among the most boldly authentic portrayals of the American West and the indomitable men and women who carved out a place there. Now, relive how the legend began with this first chapter in the ground-breaking saga of warriors and outlaws, lawmen and adventurers, and innocents in need of a hero. The Drifter Once, Frank Morgan had a wife and a future on the land—until a rich man with a grudge drove him out of Colorado. Since then, Morgan’s taken up the one skill that always came easy—gunfighting—and drifted to a mining town in the New Mexico Territory. But there’s nothing easy about two vicious gangs descending on the town and threatening to wreak havoc. With his reputation preceding him, Morgan is elected to stand in the outlaws’ way. And with nothing left to lose, he’s the last man who will ever back down . . .
The Morgan Men book cover
#1

The Morgan Men

Legends of the American Frontier

2024

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. FAMILY FIRST. EVERYBODY ELSE DIES. Relive the legends of the American West as only William W. and J.A. Johnstone can tell it in this ground-breaking saga of warriors and outlaws, lawmen and adventurers, and innocents in need of a hero. FRANK MORGAN, THE LAST THE DRIFTER Driven out of Colorado by a rich man with a grudge, Frank Morgan’s taken up the one skill that always came easy—gunfighting. Elected to stand in the way of dueling gangs in New Mexico Territory, and with nothing to lose, Morgan’s the last man who will ever back down . . . CONRAD BROWNING, THE LONER When Conrad Browning's wife disappears in the untamed frontier, Conrad finds himself assuming the identity of his famous gunslinging father, Frank Morgan, to find her. So he fakes his own death and starts calling himself the Loner, becoming the deadliest gunfighter this side of his own father . . .
Reprisal book cover
#2

Reprisal

2000

New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone continues his masterful storytelling with The Last Gunfighter—a boldly authentic series of the wild American west . . . REPRISAL Frank Morgan rides with a brace of six guns, a reputation for knowing how to use them, and a private score he’s vowed to settle. Known on the frontier as the Drifter, Morgan has come to Colorado in pursuit of the hombres who killed the only woman he ever loved. But two vicious outlaw gangs are running roughshod over the territory in a stampede of murder, robbery, and rape. And now they’ve made an enemy of Frank Morgan—taking his own son hostage. Suddenly, one against one hundred makes for even odds. Because Frank Morgan is a man who has forgotten how to fear—and he’s getting more dangerous every day . . .
Ghost Valley book cover
#3

Ghost Valley

2001

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone continues his masterful storytelling with The Last Gunfighter—a boldly authentic series about lawmen, outlaws, and the innocents caught in between. The Valley of the Shadow Outlaws have taken Frank Logan’s son, and with all the good gunfighting men either dead or dying, Logan knows he’ll be riding after the kidnappers alone. But just as he gets close to the men he’s hunting, he comes upon a ghost town nestled into a Rocky Mountain valley. For Logan, the mystery of what happened to the town—and of a deadly spirit that haunts it—has to take second fiddle to what’s brought him this far. Determined to free his son, he’ll lure his enemies to this godforsaken place, where amidst the ghosts, the gunfighters, and the gunsmoke, he’ll make sure the killing is real.
The Forbidden book cover
#4

The Forbidden

2001

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone continues his masterful storytelling with The Last Gunfighter—a boldly authentic series about lawmen, outlaws, and the innocents caught in between. The Forbidden Outlaws had smashed his life, left his wife dying, and carried off his son. Now all Frank Morgan wants is to hang up his guns and settle down in peace. But all that changes when he rides into the middle of a Montana range war, where a valley has been ripped apart by hatred and fear . . . and where his legend proves to be as dangerous as his gun. The blood of innocent men, women, and children has been shed. On one side is a small army of ranchers, on the other a stubborn band of farming families. With each side suspecting that the other brought in Frank Morgan, the gunman’s reputation fans the flames of war. But a strange thing happens to a man who has been living a wanderer’s life. In a battle that’s not his, Frank must choose a side, make a stand, and be willing to die for a place some people will call home . . .
Showdown book cover
#5

Showdown

2002

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone continues his masterful western storytelling tradition with The Last Gunfighter—a boldly authentic series of the American West . . . Showdown Frank Morgan has drifted down to Idaho after a wild range war in Montana, and his fame as a gunfighter is traveling fast and far ahead of him. With his face on the covers of newspapers and dozens of dime novels, he’s got nowhere left to hide. Because gunning down a legend like Frank has become more than an obsession to some men—it’s a high stakes sport. Now, bankrolled by rich and powerful men from the East, a dozen highly-skilled killers have finally gotten what they wanted: the elusive Frank Morgan in their sights. But Morgan is deadliest when he’s cornered—and he’ll be damned if he dies for any man’s greed.
Imposter book cover
#6

Imposter

2002

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY The New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone delivers the powerful story of a lone man’s journey across the wild west—among outlaws, adventurers, and brave men and women building a new land. Imposter With his legend dogging him everywhere he goes, Frank Morgan longs for a place to settle down. His choice is a remote corner of untamed Northern California, a land of towering trees and rugged hills. But for Frank, the haven is a hell. A man who is his exact look-alike has been terrorizing the local population, and when the townspeople get their hands on Frank, a hangman’s rope is sure to follow. If he’s going to be taken for an outlaw, Frank Morgan is going to act like one. Busting out of jail with a six-gun and a plan, he’s leaving this paradise behind—and won’t come back until he's planted a killer in the ground . . .
Rescue book cover
#7

Rescue

2003

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITER OF THE 21ST CENTURY William Johnstone single-handedly shaped the landscape of frontier fiction with his classic Mountain Man series. Now he returns to the West with a gritty, realistic tale of blood struggles, revenge, and honor—the saga of a man whose legend would spread across a brave new land. Rescue In California, Frank Morgan nearly found a home. But now he's pulled up stakes and hit the road again, aiming to reach the high desert of Arizona. For Frank, the plan changes when he steps into a saloon in a dusty boomtown called Los Angeles. That’s where he learns that his nemesis, Val Dooley, has found a new the selling of young women into prostitution, with the victims as young as twelve years old, and the survivors ending up drugged and beaten. Frank wastes no time tracking his enemy, traveling from California to New Mexico and West Texas. What he doesn’t know is that Val Dooley has been waiting for him all for one last chance to bring the last gunfighter down—in a hail of lead . . .
The Burning book cover
#8

The Burning

2003

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITER OF THE 21ST CENTURY William W. Johnstone's Last Gunfighter novels have made him a national bestselling author and confirmed his standing as America’s most popular chronicler of the Wild West—and of the men and women who tamed it. Now, he brings his gritty, hard-edged vision of the frontier to a story of greed, power, and courage, as a beautiful land is caught in the grips of a dirty little war . . . The Burning When Frank Morgan sets up camp in a lush valley in Montana, the last thing he expects to see is fires lighting up the night sky as fields, farms and homes are torched by so-called “range detectives” working for two powerful ranchers. For the ranchers, the battle lines have been drawn in the form of newly settled farmland that’s cutting through the ranges, separating cattle from grazing land and water. But the settlers are breaking no law, and no one is going to prevent them from building their homes and towns—until the ranchers turn to a pair of vicious mercenaries who won’t stop until they run out of bullets. Now, Frank Morgan finds himself taking gun in hand once more to help folks who desperately need it. Having fought his way across the frontier, he knows his time may be up—but anyone fixing to kill the last gunfighter had better to be ready to die.
No Man's Land book cover
#9

No Man's Land

2004

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITER OF THE 21ST CENTURY In his authentic, powerfully told tales of the American frontier, William W. Johnstone has defined the Western hero and established an action-packed series that ranks among the bestselling in print. In this rugged new novel, Johnstone sets his sights on the one place that was too wild even for the Wild West . . . No Man’s Land Kansas doesn’t want it. Neither does Texas. The 35-mile wide strip of land destined to become the Oklahoma panhandle is a place unlike any other on the with no laws, no rules, and a powerful attraction for killers, looters, and fugitives. Frank Morgan, a gunfighter feared by all and hated by some, has been warned to stay the hell out of “the strip.” But warnings never did work well on Morgan, and he’s more determined than ever to stay—when an ambush nearly takes his life. Soon, in a remote cabin in the heart of No Man’s Land, Morgan will wake up to discover that he has just cause and a burning need to go out and fight. All he lacks is an ally—in a place where all his enemies want him dead . . .
Manhunt book cover
#10

Manhunt

2004

- First time in print! - Five of the books in this series were USA Today bestsellers. - William W. Johnstone is the author of over 125 published books, with more than 10 million copies in print.
Violent Sunday book cover
#11

Violent Sunday

2005

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITER OF THE 21ST CENTURY National bestselling author William W. Johnstone is the premier chronicler of rough-and tumble American West—and of the kind of iron-willed men who defined a nation. This gritty, action-packed new adventure in the Last Gunfighter series captures the fury of a Texas range war . . . LIVE BY THE GUN . . . DIE BY THE GUN When iron clears leather, anything can happen. In Frank Morgan's case, a sudden duel with an assassin has left an innocent woman with a bullet in her back—and a friendship between Frank and a young Texas Ranger in tatters. Wanting to make up for his part in the tragedy, Frank rides to central Texas to help Ranger Tyler Beaumont put down the so-called Fence-Cutting War. But as big ranchers battle small ones, an outlaw gang has hellish plans of its own. Now, as an innocent town is threatened with annihilation, Frank must make his final stand on a hot Sunday in Texas—when the dying will say their final prayers . . .
Renegades book cover
#12

Renegades

2005

William W. Johnstone is the premier chronicler of the American West—and of the brand of iron-willed men who would define a nation. His action-packed novels capture the untamed frontier in all its glory, tragedy and brutality—as ordinary Americans wage extraordinary battles to settle an unforgiving land. Now, Johnstone returns to the saga of the drifting gunman Frank Morgan, a man willing to walk into any storm—and blast his way out again. . . Shoot First. Die Last. On the border between Mexico and Texas, Frank Morgan is caught between two warring ranchers, men who speak different languages but share the same stubborn courage—and are both being terrorized by a raider called the Black Scorpion. Texas Rangers are struggling to bring law and order to the chaos. But as the air is split by the sound of gunfire and men and women die, Morgan starts to see a different picture—and even comes face to face with the Black Scorpion himself. Suddenly, amidst deceptions, double-crosses and secret liaisons, the last gunfighter has become the next renegade. And in this war, Frank Morgan's worst enemies are wearing their own kind of masks—and killing in plain sight. . .
Savage Country book cover
#13

Savage Country

2006

USA Today bestselling They're up against killers—but they've got kin on their side . . . National bestselling author William W. Johnstone and Fred Austin write about the wild American West as if they dodged every bullet ever fired in those bygone times—and the legendary Frank Morgan, the Last Gunfighter, is one of their deadliest, most unstoppable heroes . . . Bullets are his business For Frank Morgan, a reunion with his estranged son brings back bittersweet memories of another time and place. Conrad Morgan is an Eastern businessman trying to build a railroad through an untamed corner of New Mexico Territory. Even though Frank has revenge-hungry killers on his trail, his kin needs him now. So with a gun-toting, hard-loving beauty named Rebel by their side, father and son ride straight into a pitched battle with hired killers and furious Apache warriors. It's a firestorm more treacherous and evil than Frank Morgan has ever faced. Because a criminal mastermind is in the middle of it, waiting for a chance kill two Morgans for the price of one . . .
The Devil's Legion book cover
#14

The Devil's Legion

2006

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY National bestselling author William W. Johnstone is the premier chronicler of the glory days of the brutal American West—and Frank Morgan, the Last Gunfighter, is one of his greatest sharpshooting legends . . . EVERY BODY DESERVES A BULLET In the Mongollon Rim country of Arizona, Frank Morgan walked into a blood feud between two powerful cattle barons. When the shooting stopped and the smoke cleared, Morgan had killed one of the men. Now, the dead man's family wants revenge and the surviving rancher wants to silence Frank Morgan forever. Suddenly, the last gunfighter is on his own against a devil's brew of murderous enemies. And amidst the lying and the killing is the beautiful young woman whose father Frank shot down-and one last thing worth dying to defend . . .
Avenger book cover
#15

Avenger

2007

William W. Johnstone's epic westerns brilliantly pit the courage of a man alone against the rugged landscape of frontier America. Weaving actual historical characters and events with hoof-pounding suspense, Johnstone's new Frank Morgan adventure finds the West's last gunfighter facing his toughest enemy yet. Death Is Not The End—Sometimes It's Just The Beginning When Frank Morgan finds there's a price on his head, there's only one thing to do—kill the man who put it there—and if he avenges the death of his beloved doing so, the sweeter the justice. But the trail of revenge hides many an ambush. From hired killers to hooded night riders, there's no rest for the last gunfighter, especially when a beautiful young trick rider needs his help. Guns blazing, the dust never settling, vengeance comes to a showdown in a Nevada ghost town, where an army of gunmen lies in wait. . .
Hell Town book cover
#16

Hell Town

2007

From the harsh, windswept prairies to the rough and bare-knuckle mountain towns, USA Today bestseller William W. Johnstone has chronicled one man's epic journey of survival, justice and a longing for a place to call home. Now, Frank Morgan is a lone lawman in a living hell.Buckskin, Nevada, was once a boomtown, then died a peaceful death. But when a fresh vein of silver is struck, Morgan lets himself get pinned with a tin badge at the worst possible time. It's not the crooked gamblers, the petty swindlers, or the stray murderer or two that will give Morgan problems. Instead, the governor sends his militia unbidden, an iron fisted military commander has an agenda of his own, and an outlaw gang decides the time is ripe for an all-out assault on Buckskin. Now, to put out the fire that's stoking a murderous cauldron, the last gunfighter will break rules of law and God-and duel the men who've come to make a killing of their own-with Morgan their first target.
Ambush Valley book cover
#17

Ambush Valley

2008

Yuma Prison is a fetid hellhole filled with the dregs of humanity - killers, thieves and backstabbers who'd kill over a scrap of meat. Now it's home to Frank Morgan, who's posing as an inmate. A ruthless outlaw named Cicero McCoy has buried a fortune in stolen bank money in a harsh, desolate little piece of hell known as Ambush Valley. To get Cicero to lead him to the loot, Frank has become Cicero's new best friend behind bars - and co-plotter of a daring breakout. Soon, the last gunfighter and a stone-cold killer are blazing away at enemies on both sides of the law. Until the time comes for Frank Morgan to make a fatal choice - and for one of them to die...
Killing Ground book cover
#18

Killing Ground

2008

A battle over a silver mine may have to be settled with lead in this action-packed Western by the USA Today bestselling author . . . Gunslinger Frank Morgan serves as marshal of his Nevada town, where the mine known as the Lucky Lizard is full of silver. But now a stranger named Dex Brighton has ridden in from the East, saying he has a claim to it. Morgan sends for help from San Francisco to sort the problem out and determine the rightful owner. But the lawyers don't make it there alive, and Morgan's growing suspicions about the stranger have him reaching for his gun . . .
Slaughter book cover
#19

Slaughter

2009

In his towering Last Gunfighter series, USA Today bestseller William Johnstone chronicles a frontier legend—a drifter, a fighter and a man you only want on your side. . . Before It Was The City Of Angels, It Was A Perfect Place To Die With The Devil When Frank Morgan gets to a town called Los Angeles, he can see the forces gathering around him. For the Spanish landowners, wealth is measured in cattle on the open range. For hardnosed oilmen, a fortune is in the ground—in the form of shining black crude oil... When blood is spilled on the sun-seared land, Morgan allies himself with a beautiful, widowed rancher—even as he cuts a deal with an ambitious wildcatter. Morgan is not trying out treachery. He's just trying to get to the truth about a cycle of violence that's about to explode. But when he discovers that a third party has entered the fray, Morgan knows the rules have changed and justice will only be forged with bullets.
Sudden Fury book cover
#20

Sudden Fury

2000

In his epic saga of bloodshed and bullets, USA Today bestseller William Johnstone follows the violent trail of gunfighting legend Frank Morgan. Now this lone hero is about to come face to face with another kind of legend-one that stalks the woods of northern California... Half Man, Half Beast, All Terror It kills like an animal. Growling Clawing. Ripping. The loggers call it "The Terror of the Redwoods." A local timber baron has put a bounty on the hide of this man-beast, and the woods are teeming with so many trigger-happy dolts and half-cocked drunkards that someone's bound to get hurt-and bad. Frank Morgan doesn't believe in such creatures and decides to get to the bottom of this tall tale. But when he meets the timber baron's beautiful daughter, all bets are off. Something is out there. Someone's set a trap. And Morgan just stuck his Bigfoot right into it...
Winter Kill book cover
#21

Winter Kill

2010

William Johnstone's bestselling The Last Gunfighter novels have become a new classic in frontier adventure. Now, Frank Morgan, the last of a dying breed, sets off from the Pacific Northwest for Alaska—and into a raging blizzard of violence and death. A Hail Of Lead. . .. It was a favor to a dead Frank Morgan is shepherding a group of mail-order brides to a brawling Alaska boomtown called Skagway. A bushwhacking, a storm-racked sea voyage, and an anything-but-friendly reception isn't enough to stop Morgan and his blushing brides. But a beautiful woman has a lucrative plot on her mind—in the wild, wild north where men are mad with greed and loneliness. Now the last gunfighter will need skills he didn't know he had—plus a few he knows he does. Because this Alaska winter has turned into a death trap. And only the brave, the fierce and the lucky will be alive to see the winter thaw. . .
Dead Before Sundown book cover
#22

Dead Before Sundown

2011

The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st Century In his bestselling Last Gunfighter novels, William Johnstone chronicles a clash of adventurers, outlaws, lawmen and innocents. Among them all, one man with a gun stamped the frontier with a legend all his own. Journey Across A Killing Ground. . . Frank Morgan survived his first trip to Alaska. Barely. Now, in Western Canada, Morgan and a band of survivors encounter an arch enemy with a fortune in ill-gotten gains—money he'll use to supply murderous Metis rebels with stolen U.S. Army Gatling guns to use for a bloodbath—and the Last Gunfighter is now in their way. But before the rebels can kill him, a daring U.S. secret agent joins his side. In a harsh and untamed land, Frank Morgan will soon face the ultimate battle for survival—before an all-out civil war explodes.
Montana Gundown book cover
#23

Montana Gundown

2012

A lethal father-son reunion is afoot in this adventure by the bestselling authors of Dead Before Sundown . Like Father. Like Son. Like Hell. Frank Morgan has one son he knows of—and Kid Morgan has become famous in his own right. But in Montana, Frank comes face-to-face with a young man with a deadly swagger and a stunning that he’s Frank’s son, too. And he’s here to gun his old man down. For Frank, the first thing to do is find out if Brady Morgan is truly his own flesh and blood. That means tracking down a woman he once loved, and then untangling her lies, lust, and a scheme to steal prime Montana ranchland. Suddenly, Frank is in the middle of an exploding range war—and he’s standing on the opposite side from young Brady Morgan. In a clash of guns and greed, two Morgans will face each other one last to decide who will live and who will die…

Authors

William W. Johnstone
William W. Johnstone
Author · 497 books

William Wallace Johnstone was a prolific American author, mostly of western, horror and survivalist novels. Born and raised in southern Missouri, Johnstone was the youngest of four children. His father was a minister and his mother a school teacher. He quit school when he was fifteen and worked in a carnival and as a deputy sheriff. He later served in the Army and, upon returning to civilian life, worked in radio broadcasting for 16 years. Johnstone started his writing career in 1970, but did not have any works published until 1979 (The Devil's Kiss) and became a full-time writer in 1980. He wrote close to two hundred books in numerous genres, including suspense and horror. His main publication series were Mountain Man, The First Mountain Man, Ashes and Eagles and his own personal favorite novel was The Last of the Dog Team (1980). He also authored two novels under the pseudonym William Mason. Johnstone had lived for many years in Shreveport, Louisiana, yet died in Knoxville, TN, at the age of 65. J. A. Johnstone is continuing William W. Johnstone's series.

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