Ride into the Sunset with 9 Action & Adventure Novels Featuring Cowboys
Book RaiderWho hasn't daydreamed about donning a Stetson, slipping into a pair of dusty boots, and riding off into the sunset with the soundtrack of a classic Western spinning in the background? There's just something about the rugged charm of cowboys that never gets old. Even as skyscrapers replace saloons and Wi-Fi edges out Wild West, the tales of these hardy horsemen continue to captivate hearts and imagination around the globe.
Yet, while you't really saunter into the sunset (your boss might frown at the idea), you can sure dive into the wild terrains through ink and paper. A great action & adventure novel with a cowboy warbling a tune from a far-off mesa has a peculiar brand of magic that makes reality feel as thrilling as any frontier. Slip into the pages and snag a front row seat to the adventures that ensue when a lawless landscape meets the unrestrained spirit of our pistol-packing protagonists.
Depth of Winter
by Craig Johnson
Why Depth of Winter is on this list: This book takes you on an adrenaline-pumping ride through the wild west, with a tough-as-nails cowboy as your guide. If you were hoping to snuggle up with a page-turner filled with cowboy antics, your wish is this book's command.
Depth of Winter has Sheriff Walt Longmire, our tough cowboy, in a personal struggle for his very survival. Our guy Walt treks into the Mexican desert alone, with only odds and ends for protection, to save his kidnapped daughter. Captivating settings, nail-biting suspense, and the kind of cowboy grit Hollywood dreams of - it's all there in ample measures. So grab your boots (and maybe a cowboy hat for authenticity?), because you're in for a heck of a ride.
What readers like: Readers love the unpredictable twists and the raw, rugged depiction of the wild west. A whiff of danger around each corner coupled with a face-off with a deadly Mexican drug lord- what else could an action lover want? Thanks to Johnson's knack for storytelling, readers also appreciate how they feel as if they've been whisked away to another world, all while lounging in their favorite reading nook.
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The Ways of Wolfe
by James Carlos Blake
Why The Ways of Wolfe is on this list: The Ways of Wolfe won't just take you for a ride, it'll have you kicking up dust and leaving tumbleweeds in your wake. Cowboys? Check. Action? Double check. Adventure? We've got that in spades, partner.
This novel traces the high-stakes life of Axel Prince Wolfe, a sharp guy who gives even sharper shots. He's a man in the old school, rough-and-tumble world of Texas who becomes an outlaw in Mexico. If you're craving for some striking cowboy escapades and ruthless cartel conflicts, then buckle up, because navigating Axel's life is like riding a bucking bronco.
What readers like: Fans can't get enough of Blake's razor-sharp writing that cuts right to the chase. They love the gritty realism of the old west combined with the high-stakes underworld of today's Mexico. But it isn't all guns and gambling -- at its heart, this novel is a deep and poignant exploration of a man's struggle with his own personal code of conduct in a world that doesn't always play by the rules.
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A Thousand Falling Crows
by Larry D. Sweazy
Why A Thousand Falling Crows is on this list: Loaded with cowboy spirit and packed with heart-racing action, this novel sees our hero adopt a life on the fringe of civilization, in the wild west. There's enough adventure to rival any sunset horse ride.
A tale of recovery, revenge and redemption set in the dusty plains of 1930s Texas. Sonny Burton, an ex-Texas Ranger forced into retirement after a run-in with Bonnie and Clyde, is plucked from his whiskey-soaked sorrow when he takes under his wing a murder of crows. Yes, a murder, an unkindness, a storytelling, or however you'd like to call it. As Sonny heads on his heart-pounding journey, he becomes more crow than man. It's a wild ride, folks.
What readers like: Readers have found themselves completely invested in Sonny's character, cheering on his every move. The historical era and setting, combined with the unique twist on the classic cowboy journey, have made this book a firm favorite. Folks also appreciate the author's skill in making a murder of crows an unusual yet compelling part of the blend.
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Hawke's Prey
by Reavis Z. Wortham
Why Hawke's Prey is on this list: Got a thing for rough and ready cowboys solving mysteries and kicking up dust? Well, look no further, 'cause Hawke's Prey fits that bill like a well-worn Stetson.
Set in the rugged Texas landscape, it's about Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke, who finds himself stuck in a deadly cat-and-mouse game with an extremist group hell-bent on bringing chaos to the Lone Star state. Get ready for gunfights, desert chases and no shortage of thrilling cowboy action as Sonny takes a stand.
What readers like: Readers who've tried the saddle on this book rave about the authentic, detailed setting that plunges them right into the texan desert. They also love the genuine cowboy spirit of Sonny Hawke, his no-nonsense approach to justice and the edge-of-your-seat suspense that keeps the pages turning way past bedtime.
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The Trailsman #395: Black Hills Deathblow
by Jon Sharpe
Why The Trailsman #395: Black Hills Deathblow is on this list: An action-packed rodeo involving cowboys, what more does an adventure novel need? Plus, it's got plenty of cowboy wisdom, horse riding, and bar brawls to make it a perfect fit for our list.
Set in the rugged Black Hills of Dakota, our cowboy hero Skye Fargo finds himself in a heated feud with murderous gold miners. Between battling the bad guys and navigating harsh terrains, he does more than just 'ride into the sunset'. Expect a lot of bullets flying, dynamites exploding, and of course, the underdog succeeding. It makes for a real knock-your-boots-off-kind-of-tale.
What readers like: Readers appreciate the breakneck pacing, relentless action, and surprisingly deep character development. They also really dig the authentic wild west atmosphere, and the way Sharpe incorporates historical details into the narrative. And, of course, there's the thrill of riding alongside Skye Fargo as he delivers justice in the most cowboy way possible.
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Texas Vendetta
by Elmer Kelton
Why Texas Vendetta is on this list: Imagine galloping on a horseback, puffs of dust swirling around with the wind, and your cowboy hat tipping in the Texan sun. That's the spirit of Texas Vendetta that aligns perfectly with our list of cowboy-action adventures. The novel is the embodiment of wild west action and true grit.
Set in the lawless land of Texas, this book features a tenacious ranger Andy Pickard on a perilous mission to rescue a kidnapped boy. When things take a treacherous turn, he finds himself caught up in a deadly vendetta. Biting dust and spitting bullets, Andy rides and fights like a true cowboy.
What readers like: Readers enjoy the crisp narrative and nail-biting suspense that keeps the pages turning. They love the intricate details that transport them straight into the wild, wild west. Kelton's authentic portrayal of the cowboy life and non-stop action makes this a real page-turner for fans of cowboy tales.
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Long Range
by CJ Box
Why Long Range is on this list: Ever imagined being a cowboy detective? Well, Long Range is exactly the kind of book you are looking for. It not only deals with the wild, wild west, but also has a feral sense of action that mirrors the true spirit of a cowboy. Ride into the sunset indeed, accompanied by an unfathomable mystery.
This action-packed adventure features our favorite, ruggedly charming cowboy Joe Pickett, the town's game warden. This time around, he's hot on the trail of a highly skilled sniper. With the life of a dear friend hanging in the balance, Joe must use his cunning and courage to solve the case. Between freezing weather and a dangerous murderer on the loose, it's all our cowboy can do to keep things from going south.
What readers like: Fans of Long Range appreciate the authentic cowboy depiction, the thrilling plot and the vividly described Wyoming landscapes. They love Joe's determined character and the suspense in the story keeps them glued till the very end. The book is not only a ride into the cowboy's sunset but also a journey into their wounded hearts, telling readers that even under a tough exterior, cowboys have a soft side.
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Last of the Breed
by Louis L'Amour
Why Last of the Breed is on this list: If you're looking forward to riding with cowboys through wild adventures, 'Last of the Breed' won't disappoint you. It's packed with thrilling escapades in the wilderness, horse chases and survival tales - just what you'd expect from the cowboy life.
This novel introduces us to Major Joe Mack, a cowboy-style officer in the American Air Force, who gets captured by the Soviets. Using his ancestral Native American survival skills, Mack attempts a daring escape across Siberia, staying one step ahead of his captors. The book's captivating narrative feels like a cowboy struggling against a frontier, albeit a cold one.
What readers like: Readers have praised this book for its captivating plot, the unforgettable character of Joe Mack and L'Amour's vivid depiction of the harsh Siberian landscape. It's a riveting action and adventure story combined with the rugged charm and determined spirit of cowboy life. If you enjoy books where brains and raw survival instincts come into play, you'd relish every page of this one.
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The Son
by Philipp Meyer
Why The Son is on this list: The Son paints an epic tale of cowboys combined with action and adventure that makes you feel like you're right there in the wild wild west. The book, infused with historical significance, exposes the reader to intense cowboy personalities and their captivating lifestyle.
The Son is a multigenerational saga centered on the McCulloughs, a Texas ranching and oil dynasty. Eli McCullough, kidnapped at a young age in 1849 by Native Americans and later becoming a ruthless patriarch, transforms into a cowboy symbol within his lifetime. This novel is a steak charred to perfection, filled with wild Indian raids, cattle drives, brutal scalping, oil barons, and of course, cowboys.
What readers like: Readers absolutely adore this book due to its vivid details, deep character development and twisty plots. Eli's stunning transformation from helpless boy to hardened cowboy is well appreciated. The raw depiction of the American frontier captures the beauty and heartbreak of life in the wild. The book's realistic portrayal of the cowboy lifestyle takes the reader right into the stirrup of a saddled horse, ready for a fast paced adventure.
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