“Ryan Coleman delivers a stunning epic first novel that shows you the young man behind the outlaw legend and takes readers inside the war for Lincoln County with gun-blazing ferocity.” Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author
Description
Age 14: Orphan
Age 15: Inmate
Age 16: Outlaw
Age 17: Killer
In 1870s New Mexico, the territory is at a crossroads. The indigenous population is being driven out—and driven down—by the white settlers migrating west after the Civil War. The center of power isn’t the governor but rather the Santa Fe Ring, a group of wealthy politicians, businessman, and landowners who exercise power through organized crime, theft, graft, and murder. Their main source of income is a mercantile store in Lincoln known as the House.
After escaping jail, William Bonney—a.k.a. Billy the Kid—is a seventeen-year-old orphan who’s been on the run for the better part of two years. All he wants is to belong—to find a place he can call home and people he can call family.
He’d have been better off alone.
Billy falls in with a gang of ruthless rustlers and murderers who work as muscle for the House. But when Billy crosses one of the members, the gang sets out to kill him.
Billy narrowly escapes, finding refuge under the tutelage of John Tunstall, an English immigrant new to the territory who has his sights set on opening a business in Lincoln—and he’s intent on competing directly with the House. But when Tunstall is murdered, any positive effect the mentor had on Billy is eradicated, leaving the Kid with only one thing on his mind …
Revenge.
From orphan to outlaw to killer, this is the untold story behind the legend of Billy the Kid.
Praise
“Ryan Coleman delivers a stunning epic first novel that shows you the young man behind the outlaw legend and takes readers inside the war for Lincoln County with gun-blazing ferocity.” Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author
“Billy the Kid: The War for Lincoln County is part western, part historical fiction, with Coleman’s fine craftsmanship and ace storytelling making for a worthy addition to the history of Henry McCarty (a.k.a. William Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid). Coleman’s depth of character and attention to detail bring us even closer to the near-mythic figure we thought we knew. This is a must-read for western lovers and history buffs alike.” James Wade, Spur Award–winning author of Hollow Out the Dark and All Things Left Wild
“A stunning debut from a gifted new author.” T. J. Newman, #1 bestselling author of Falling
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Oct 14, 2024 |
| Release Date | October 15, 2024 |
| Release Date Machine | 1728950400 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Historical Fiction, Westerns |
Author Bio
Ryan C. Coleman was born in Chicago, grew up in Dallas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He has previously written for television, including the smash hit The Walking Dead, and currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and pup. Billy the Kid is his first novel.
Narrator Bio
Roger Clark is a professional actor and voiceover artist who lives in New York City. He is best known for his award-winning portrayal of Arthur Morgan in the 2018 video game Red Dead Redemption 2. He has performed in over forty-five countries. His first venture in audio narration was as a child, helping his father record local newspapers for the blind and visually impaired.
Overview
Age 14: Orphan
Age 15: Inmate
Age 16: Outlaw
Age 17: Killer
In 1870s New Mexico, the territory is at a crossroads. The indigenous population is being driven out—and driven down—by the white settlers migrating west after the Civil War. The center of power isn’t the governor but rather the Santa Fe Ring, a group of wealthy politicians, businessman, and landowners who exercise power through organized crime, theft, graft, and murder. Their main source of income is a mercantile store in Lincoln known as the House.
After escaping jail, William Bonney—a.k.a. Billy the Kid—is a seventeen-year-old orphan who’s been on the run for the better part of two years. All he wants is to belong—to find a place he can call home and people he can call family.
He’d have been better off alone.
Billy falls in with a gang of ruthless rustlers and murderers who work as muscle for the House. But when Billy crosses one of the members, the gang sets out to kill him.
Billy narrowly escapes, finding refuge under the tutelage of John Tunstall, an English immigrant new to the territory who has his sights set on opening a business in Lincoln—and he’s intent on competing directly with the House. But when Tunstall is murdered, any positive effect the mentor had on Billy is eradicated, leaving the Kid with only one thing on his mind …
Revenge.
From orphan to outlaw to killer, this is the untold story behind the legend of Billy the Kid.