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Will Tanner
Series · 7 books · 2016-2022

Books in series

Will Tanner book cover
#1

Will Tanner

U.S. Deputy Marshal

2016

A series debut from America’s greatest Western storytellers. One man’s epic fight for justice begins as so many legends in a hailstorm of bullets. After spending most of his young life driving cattle from Texas to Nevada, Will Tanner is ready to wash the trail dust from his throat. Maybe it’s fate that brings him to the Morning Glory Saloon near Fort Smith—or just plain bad luck—because no sooner does he sit down than three rough-looking characters walk into the bar with vengeance in their eyes, guns at their sides . . . and fingers on their triggers. The trio’s target is the famous U.S. Deputy Marshal Dove who arrested one of their kin—and who’s sitting in the bar near Will Tanner. Seeing that Dove is facing losing odds, Will Tanner makes a decision that changes his life forever. He draws, takes aim, and saves the deputy’s life. Tanner has himself a new job, a badge, and enough grit to make him a legend on the American frontier. Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “For most fans of the Western genre, there isn’t a bet much surer than a book bearing the name Johnstone.”— True West “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
A Stranger in Town book cover
#2

A Stranger in Town

2016

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY America’s greatest western storytellers begin the explosive new legend of Will Tanner, a U.S. deputy marshal who will risk everything to save a friend, and bring two desperados to justice . . . The train grinds to a halt somewhere in the Indian Nations, and the bandits get onboard. They take everything on the train worth stealing and gun down a guard to make their escape—just another notch on the belt for Ben Trout and Zack Larsen, two of the most savage killers in the west. U.S. Deputy Marshal Ed Pine follows them to Muskogee. There the trail runs cold, and Ed Pine diappears. To save his friend, Deputy Will Tanner rides for Muskogee, where justice extends only as far as the range of a Colt .45. Tanner earned his badge in a blistering gunfight, when he got the drop on a trio of killers and saved the life of another fellow marshal. Now, he’ll have to be just as quick—and just as deadly. To bring in Trout and Larsen, Tanner must set his badge aside, and resort to the law of the gun.
Powder Burn book cover
#3

Powder Burn

2017

From America’s greatest storytellers comes a bold new chapter in the Will Tanner saga, an epic quest for justice at the crossroads of history—in a crossfire of bullets… DAY OF THE AVENGER U.S. Deputy Marshal Will Tanner earned his badge the old-fashioned way. He shot the bad guys, saved the good guys, and won the fear and respect of everyone in between. That’s how legends are born. But when he visits a friend at his ranch—and swaps lead with a trigger-happy horse thief—Will earns the wrath of the deadliest, lowlife killers west of the Mississippi. This is how legends die . . . Turns out the horse thief is a desperate ex-convict fresh out of Arkansas State Prison. His father is the notorious Colorado outlaw, Scorpion Jack Lynch. And Will Tanner is nothing but a moving target on a bloodsoaked trail of revenge. From a bar-room shootout in Texas, to a Chickasaw showdown in Oklahoma, to a dangerous encounter with a hellion named Hannah, Deputy Marshal Tanner has his hands full, his finger on the trigger—and his life on the line . . . Also Available in Audiobook
Evil Never Sleeps book cover
#4

Evil Never Sleeps

2018

The bestselling masters of the American West add a deadly new twist to the epic saga of U.S. Marshal Will Tanner. The hunter becomes the hunted . . . He’s the most notorious cattle rustler in all of Texas. His name—Jebediah Cotton—strikes fear into the hearts of every rancher in the territory. So it’s more than a little strange that someone would shoot Cotton’s youngest son in the back. Whoever did it is either a coward, a fool, or a crazy man. Whoever did it must die. Even if he’s a U.S. deputy marshal named Will Tanner . . . So begins not one, but two of the deadliest manhunts in frontier history. As Will Tanner sets off into Oklahoma Territory in pursuit of godless bank robber, Jebediah Cotton sends his five remaining sons and cold-blooded brother-in-law after him. Will has no idea he’s being stalked. But when there are this many players in the game, a U.S. deputy marshal has two kill them all or die trying . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “For most fans of the Western genre, there isn’t a bet much surer than a book bearing the name Johnstone.”— True West “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Dig Your Own Grave book cover
#5

Dig Your Own Grave

2019

Johnstone Country. Keeping the West wild. U.S. Marshal Will Tanner is one hell of a manhunter. But this time, he’s chasing six men across three states with one gun and no backup. This isn’t justice. This is a suicide mission . . . DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE It starts with a prison break in Missouri. When notorious bank robber Ansel McCoy busts out, he teams up with five other outlaws. Then he and his gang rob a bank in Kansas. Now they’re crossing state lines into Oklahoma Indian Territory. And that’s where U.S. Marshal Will Tanner steps in. Other marshals from Kansas and Missouri have already lost the trail. Which means Tanner has to go it alone. Deep in the wilderness. Outnumbered and outgunned. One good man against six blood-crazed killers. Even if he manages to survive the elements and find McCoy’s hideout, it’s not just the end of his search. It’s his funeral . . . Live Free. Read Hard.
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#6

Pray for Death

2020

Johnstone Country. Outlaws Need Not Apply. U.S. Marshal Will Tanner is a man of the law, not a gun for hire. Except when a friend’s in danger and needs the Tanner brand of help that comes out the barrel of a gun. PRAY FOR DEATH There’s serious trouble brewing in the Choctaw nation, and it goes by the name of Tiny McCoy. This small-time cattle rustler is expanding his brand by brewing batches of whiskey in the Chocktaw territory of Muddy Boggy Creek. Tiny and his partner have also turned the illegal brewery into a robber’s roost for outlaws, cutthroats, and killers of every bent. Local lawman Jim Little Eagle is under attack and out-gunned. But when he sends a wire to Fort Smith asking for backup—and the U.S. Deputy Marshal Tanner shows up, Little Eagle knows they’re in for one hell of a bloodbath. If anyone can drive those murdering devils to their knees and saying their prayers, it’s Will Tanner. Live Free. Read Hard. www.williamjohnstone.net Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
The Violent Storm book cover
#7

The Violent Storm

2022

Johnstone Country. Forecast: Deadly. Will Tanner is no ordinary lawman. He’s a force of nature. But when he’s outnumbered by rustlers, outgunned by outlaws—and stalked by a killer fresh out of jail—he’s in for the fight of his life . . . THE VIOLENT STORM There’s a storm brewing in Oklahoma Territory, and this time, it’s deadly serious. Local cattle ranches are being targeted by Texas rustlers—and the only man who can keep it from turning into a bloodbath is U.S. Deputy Marshal Will Tanner. The newly married lawman hates to leave his beautiful bride Sophie, but duty calls—for better or worse. In Tanner’s experience, it’s usually worse. An unexpected confrontation with outlaws is just the bloody beginning. Then an escaped convict catches wind of the fact that Tanner killed his brother. Now Will’s really in the crosshairs. Tanner knows he’s riding straight into a perfect storm of vengeance and slaughter, with only one way to end it—a hailstorm of hot lead. Live Free. Read Hard.

Author

William W. Johnstone
William W. Johnstone
Author · 500 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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