What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding citizens of Riverton, Wyoming held in a grip of fear, John Stranger assumes the identity of a new pastor. Using a Bible and a Colt .45, can he free the town and bring a young man out of corruption?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Al Lacy
113 books95 followersAl Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 29, 2025
I did not expect to like this book. I only read it because my dad was practically begging me to read it. This was the first western I ever read and I LOVED it! I'm not gonna lie, the main character (John Stranger) was lowkey a baddie lol. I didn't like the first half of the book as much, but it got a lot more interesting later on.
January 20, 2016
Okay, as a Christian reader that really appreciates historical accuracy, and good mysteries, I have read every book of this series and rated them all 5 stars. However, as a an entire series, I have some issues.
So, if you read this series (7 books), you'll quickly see that the story is obviously not over, so you should move onto the Angel of Mercy series (10 books). Even though all 17 books are original storylines, and well-executed plots, the plot and mysteries that are underlying throughout the entire two series (again, that's 17 books), are hardly resolved.
1) The handsome Stranger we are met with in book one is a devout Christian, faster than any other man on earth with his gun, preaches amazing sermons, is from a distant, mysterious land, and is rich beyond belief. In all 17 books, we NEVER find out why. Where IS he from?! How IS he SO rich?! For a while I thought "He has to be an angel, or something...?", but then he flatly told somebody he wasn't an angel. And then they alluded to telling where he is from, and mentioned that going by a pseudonym was no longer impartive, at one point, but still nothing is revealed. So... that big, 17-book mystery was never solved. Such a pity.
2) In my last point I mentioned the Stranger giving up his pseudonym, and he does, eventually. But let me just say how hard it was to have him be called by Stranger for books and books and books, and then, all of the sudden, his name is changed, and he is never called by Stranger again.
3) Both this Stranger, and the woman whom holds his heart (the Angel of Mercy focuses more on her adventures, while the Journeys of the Stranger focuses on his), are basically perfect. The worst thing either of them do in all 17 books is fear for their life when an outlaw holds a gun to their head, or not have very strong faith that God will save them from a most certain death. It's just not natural. Everybody has a weakness, and it's hard to relate to a fictional character that has no weaknesses for one book, let alone 17.
With that being said, I do, truly, recommend this series. Especially for the readers out there that appreciate some good history, and some quick-draw action. And Christians will appreciate the clear Gospel presented in every book, in cleverly unique ways. I wish Mr. Lacy could do just one more book and clear up the Stranger's past, but since that will never be, I will be content.
Each book individually: 5 stars, most definitely.
Entire series (all 7 Journeys books, and all 10 Angel books): 4 stars
So, if you read this series (7 books), you'll quickly see that the story is obviously not over, so you should move onto the Angel of Mercy series (10 books). Even though all 17 books are original storylines, and well-executed plots, the plot and mysteries that are underlying throughout the entire two series (again, that's 17 books), are hardly resolved.
1) The handsome Stranger we are met with in book one is a devout Christian, faster than any other man on earth with his gun, preaches amazing sermons, is from a distant, mysterious land, and is rich beyond belief. In all 17 books, we NEVER find out why. Where IS he from?! How IS he SO rich?! For a while I thought "He has to be an angel, or something...?", but then he flatly told somebody he wasn't an angel. And then they alluded to telling where he is from, and mentioned that going by a pseudonym was no longer impartive, at one point, but still nothing is revealed. So... that big, 17-book mystery was never solved. Such a pity.
2) In my last point I mentioned the Stranger giving up his pseudonym, and he does, eventually. But let me just say how hard it was to have him be called by Stranger for books and books and books, and then, all of the sudden, his name is changed, and he is never called by Stranger again.
3) Both this Stranger, and the woman whom holds his heart (the Angel of Mercy focuses more on her adventures, while the Journeys of the Stranger focuses on his), are basically perfect. The worst thing either of them do in all 17 books is fear for their life when an outlaw holds a gun to their head, or not have very strong faith that God will save them from a most certain death. It's just not natural. Everybody has a weakness, and it's hard to relate to a fictional character that has no weaknesses for one book, let alone 17.
With that being said, I do, truly, recommend this series. Especially for the readers out there that appreciate some good history, and some quick-draw action. And Christians will appreciate the clear Gospel presented in every book, in cleverly unique ways. I wish Mr. Lacy could do just one more book and clear up the Stranger's past, but since that will never be, I will be content.
Each book individually: 5 stars, most definitely.
Entire series (all 7 Journeys books, and all 10 Angel books): 4 stars
June 21, 2011
After reading the series "Angel of Mercy" about Breanna, I had to read about John Stranger.....(smile).....& I was not disappointed except still not knowing where "the stranger from a far country" came from. (smile) According to the books, only Breanna knows and she's not telling.
The Stranger goes around the western country and helps catch outlaws; helps folks whether it is physical, medical, or financial; & does a little preaching ever now and then. He's fast as lightening when it comes to the quick-draw of his "Peacemaker" & is tough as nails with his fists. Rides a big black stallion named Ebony who will not let anyone else ride (except of course, Breanna). Can speak many of the Indian dialects & befriends many as well as brings the Gospel to their peoples.
And, he always, always gives the plan of Salvation to the outlaws he captures while taking them back to turn them in at the local jails. Ends up winning some to Jesus along the way.
The Stranger goes around the western country and helps catch outlaws; helps folks whether it is physical, medical, or financial; & does a little preaching ever now and then. He's fast as lightening when it comes to the quick-draw of his "Peacemaker" & is tough as nails with his fists. Rides a big black stallion named Ebony who will not let anyone else ride (except of course, Breanna). Can speak many of the Indian dialects & befriends many as well as brings the Gospel to their peoples.
And, he always, always gives the plan of Salvation to the outlaws he captures while taking them back to turn them in at the local jails. Ends up winning some to Jesus along the way.
April 16, 2014
In my eye, this book was a top notch western, right beside Mike Blakely's. It was well paced, action packed, and clean (there's violence, but not over the top). And I'm hoping the rest of the series is just as good.
If they ever turn this into a movie, I would suggest Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Stranger. Afterall, who else has could possibly fire two double barrelled shotguns and not be blown away from the recoil.
"I've been hit by alot of big men, but not like that"
If they ever turn this into a movie, I would suggest Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Stranger. Afterall, who else has could possibly fire two double barrelled shotguns and not be blown away from the recoil.
"I've been hit by alot of big men, but not like that"
February 18, 2022
A rare mixture of wild west gunslingers - romance - Christian teaching
July 26, 2026
Legacy is where it all begins and Al Lacy hooks you from the first page — a hero unlike anything else in the western genre. I went on to read every single book in the Journeys of the Stranger, Return of the Stranger, and Angel of Mercy series and loved every one. Watching John go from mysterious drifter to Chief U.S. Marshal and family man across the series is deeply satisfying, and Breanna is a wonderful character throughout.
My only disappointment across the entire series is that Al Lacy never revealed where John actually came from. The "stranger from a far country" mystery is built up throughout every book but never resolved — even Breanna keeps it secret to the end. I'd also love to know the story behind those distinctive twin jagged scars — a mystery almost as compelling as his origins that always stuck with me.
After reading everything my suspicion is that John is Australian. His skin tone is described as darker, closer to a Native American's — exactly what you'd expect from a man of European descent raised in the Australian outback. His long riding coat looks remarkably like an Australian drover's coat. The phrase "far country" fits Australia better than anywhere else on earth, and his extraordinary toughness makes complete sense if he grew up in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Frontier Australia in the 1800s was also rough and lawless enough that he would have developed serious experience with a gun long before he ever set foot in America.
The timeline lines up too. Whether his parents died young or he simply decided to seek a new life, he could easily have left Australia at around 16 to 18, arrived in America just as the Civil War was breaking out, enlisted, served through to 1865, and then spent the next few years drifting and building the mysterious reputation we first encounter in Legacy in 1869. Everything fits together remarkably cleanly.
But honestly I could be completely wrong! I'd love to know where everyone else thinks John Brockman is from — drop your theories below!
My only disappointment across the entire series is that Al Lacy never revealed where John actually came from. The "stranger from a far country" mystery is built up throughout every book but never resolved — even Breanna keeps it secret to the end. I'd also love to know the story behind those distinctive twin jagged scars — a mystery almost as compelling as his origins that always stuck with me.
After reading everything my suspicion is that John is Australian. His skin tone is described as darker, closer to a Native American's — exactly what you'd expect from a man of European descent raised in the Australian outback. His long riding coat looks remarkably like an Australian drover's coat. The phrase "far country" fits Australia better than anywhere else on earth, and his extraordinary toughness makes complete sense if he grew up in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Frontier Australia in the 1800s was also rough and lawless enough that he would have developed serious experience with a gun long before he ever set foot in America.
The timeline lines up too. Whether his parents died young or he simply decided to seek a new life, he could easily have left Australia at around 16 to 18, arrived in America just as the Civil War was breaking out, enlisted, served through to 1865, and then spent the next few years drifting and building the mysterious reputation we first encounter in Legacy in 1869. Everything fits together remarkably cleanly.
But honestly I could be completely wrong! I'd love to know where everyone else thinks John Brockman is from — drop your theories below!
March 16, 2019
Enjoyable read - Christian western.
October 9, 2021
I loved the subtle romance. It makes you want to keep reading. Overall, it's a well written work.
January 21, 2025
Had never read a Christian western book. Loved it.
August 2, 2025
Best fiction book I've ever read!
August 4, 2025
I read this way back in 94 when it came out, and decided to read the series again. Great read, and I am looking forward to re-reading the rest of the series.
June 8, 2008
Al Lacy is great at telling stories full of history and exemplifying the grace and mercy of God. These books are full of drama, action and suspense that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat!
June 4, 2010
must be read by everyone. one of the best books ive ever read
February 21, 2021
This is the first book in an enjoyable series... I really like John Stranger and his style...
June 22, 2016
Gunsmoke meets a Christian lone ranger. Not my favorite. A lot of gunslinger action.
July 27, 2010
An inspirational western; first of a series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews