Lewis B Patten Books in Order

Lewis B Patten’s Western stories follow people confronting sudden violence, misplaced hatred, and the harsh demands of life on the land. This selected collection gathers his short fiction, exploring how ordinary lives survive or break under the pressures of the frontier.

Mart Joliffe and his father defend their Colorado cattle ranch when John Robineau brings sheep onto its grazing land. Violence leaves Mart uneasy, and the ensuing lies, betrayal, and bloodshed threaten to turn their dispute into something far worse.

Two short westerns follow Norah Forrest, who inherits a Denver stagecoach business amid murder and sabotage, and Jeff Hueston, who must drive family cattle to Union-occupied New Orleans despite wanting to join his brothers in the Confederate Army.

Arriving in Denver City in 1861, Clee Fahr finds Civil War loyalties dividing the town. A Confederate arms buyer and a Union recruiter both view him as a threat, leaving his mixed sympathies dangerous in a place ruled by suspicion.

Two stories explore ranch conflicts driven by mistrust and manipulation. Brothers Tom and Dayton Roark confront violence sparked by gossip, while young Dan Iles investigates diverted water and becomes entangled in a rancher's wife's plans to escape her marriage.

Deputy Brady Royal hunts two killers responsible for the deaths of his brother, the sheriff, and innocent townspeople. Traveling alone through empty country, he seeks vengeance while the fugitives recognize that killing him may be their only escape.

This pair of westerns follows men facing violence and suspicion on the range. In Sharpshod, Will is blamed for a tormentor's death; in the title story, Barton Pruitt returns to find his father's ranch controlled by his killer.

Rancher Jim Baron opposes powerful cattle boss Sam Clegg during a Wyoming conflict between cattlemen and farmers. Without reliable support from the law or settlers, he must defend his town against hired gunmen determined to eliminate him.

Drought strains the ranches of Wild Horse Valley, but Nick Kenyon’s diversion of the remaining creek water pushes Walt Rand toward violence. Already blamed by neighboring ranchers for their troubles, Rand decides to defend his threatened property with gunfire.

Gene Autry travels undercover to help a rancher receiving threats near Black Mesa. Mysterious cattle thefts have turned neighbors against his friend, and Gene must investigate the elusive Ghost Riders before suspicion leads to more violence.

Asked to help prevent war between Arapaho people and settlers, Gene Autry rides out with his horse Champion. Resistance on both sides complicates negotiations, and an ally shares his effort to find a peaceful way through the conflict.