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A Carson Stone Western #1
Dead Man's Trail
The first in a bold, new, gun-blazing Western series introducing Carson Stone. He may be reformed, but he's still a wanted man. Unless he can track down the biggest, baddest outlaw on the Dead Man's Trail!
Reformed outlaw Carson Stone, in this razor-sharp Western, stakes his claim in the untamed, bloody Idaho Territory, only to find himself trapped in a bullet-riddled nightmare he may not walk away from . . .
Former thief and wanted man Carson Stone dreams of a peaceful life on a ranch built by his own hands, but dreams don't always come without a steep price. To earn a stake, Carson rides west to collect the reward on a claim-jumper. The land is beautiful, but times are hard as the territory is ravaged by the latest Indian war and a mining boom gone bust.
When Stone steps in to defend a family ambushed by murdering marauders, he makes a terrifying discovery: one of the hired killers carries a death list full of names and dollar amounts. But the names on this list belong to upstanding citizens, not criminals. When the local sheriff is gunned down in broad daylight, Carson takes on the one job he never wanted--pinning on a lawman's tin star to protect the innocent.
A gang of ruthless killers are storming back to finish their work--and Carson Stone has just moved to the top of the death list.
Reformed outlaw Carson Stone, in this razor-sharp Western, stakes his claim in the untamed, bloody Idaho Territory, only to find himself trapped in a bullet-riddled nightmare he may not walk away from . . .
Former thief and wanted man Carson Stone dreams of a peaceful life on a ranch built by his own hands, but dreams don't always come without a steep price. To earn a stake, Carson rides west to collect the reward on a claim-jumper. The land is beautiful, but times are hard as the territory is ravaged by the latest Indian war and a mining boom gone bust.
When Stone steps in to defend a family ambushed by murdering marauders, he makes a terrifying discovery: one of the hired killers carries a death list full of names and dollar amounts. But the names on this list belong to upstanding citizens, not criminals. When the local sheriff is gunned down in broad daylight, Carson takes on the one job he never wanted--pinning on a lawman's tin star to protect the innocent.
A gang of ruthless killers are storming back to finish their work--and Carson Stone has just moved to the top of the death list.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 29, 2022
62 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 30, 2022
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author, Nate Morgan.
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS
#WINNER!
#KUDOS!
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS
#WINNER!
#KUDOS!
March 31, 2023
Bill Cartwright wanted power he had money he had success but power eluded him so he decided to hire every killer he could fine that could or would stop him from having the power he wish for. unfortunately for Bill Carson Stone and Colby Tate befriended a man name laughing otter Who would set them on the trail of not just one Killer but a bunch and one of them is Kate the woman who shot Carson in the past. Although she tried to disguise herself you tend not to forget someone who tried to kill you. It will be a long road and a deadly one but it all makes for such a great Western. I have never read a Nate Morgan western before but I will definitely be reading more from him in the future. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I received this book from NetGalley and the Kensington books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
May 30, 2023
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
Carson Stone has had a rough life. He's a wanted man, a former thief, but what he really wants in life is to build his own ranch house and live a peaceful life. To help him earn his stake for a piece of land, he heads west to claim the bounty on a claim-jumper.
Carson gets an old pal, Colby Tate, to join him on this honest escapade and along the way, they help a family defend themselves from some dishonest claim-jumpers. Carson discovers a list on one of the now-dead criminals - that list is a series of names of good, honest, upstanding citizens who are being targeted for death because of a part they played in the capture of a criminal gang. Carson knows he can't just leave this good people to die at the hands of criminals, so he'll do whatever it takes to protect them ... even putting on a badge.
There's also a man buying up property around the town, at a very low price so that he can turn around and sell that land to the railroad for a healthy profit. That man has the current sheriff do a little arm-twisting to make sure they sell. When Carson discovers this, he turns to one of the only people he thinks he can trust - a local woman who serves on the town council.
There's really a lot to like about this book. It's a pretty standard or classic western with clear 'good guys' and clear 'bad guys'. But our good isn't any angel. He's been on the wrong side of the law, but in many ways this makes him more likeable - we believe he wants to turn his life around and be a better man. And of course we see this in action throughout.
The women in the book suggest that Carson might find romance in future books, but this book doesn't see him acting out of fondness or affection for anyone - just the moral 'rightness' of his actions. Until the end, that is ... "I gunned down a woman for you ... now you've got to marry me."
I've been reading westerns off and on for 40+ years and I've wished that there were more modern writers writing in this classic genre. The last few years have definitely seen an increase in the genre (thanks to the e-reader perhaps?) - primarily through this publisher - and this is one of the more accessible, enjoyable westerns I've read in awhile.
Looking for a good book? Dead Man's Trail by Nate Morgan is the first book in a new series with criminal-turned-sheriff Carson Stone standing up for what's right.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Carson Stone has had a rough life. He's a wanted man, a former thief, but what he really wants in life is to build his own ranch house and live a peaceful life. To help him earn his stake for a piece of land, he heads west to claim the bounty on a claim-jumper.
Carson gets an old pal, Colby Tate, to join him on this honest escapade and along the way, they help a family defend themselves from some dishonest claim-jumpers. Carson discovers a list on one of the now-dead criminals - that list is a series of names of good, honest, upstanding citizens who are being targeted for death because of a part they played in the capture of a criminal gang. Carson knows he can't just leave this good people to die at the hands of criminals, so he'll do whatever it takes to protect them ... even putting on a badge.
There's also a man buying up property around the town, at a very low price so that he can turn around and sell that land to the railroad for a healthy profit. That man has the current sheriff do a little arm-twisting to make sure they sell. When Carson discovers this, he turns to one of the only people he thinks he can trust - a local woman who serves on the town council.
There's really a lot to like about this book. It's a pretty standard or classic western with clear 'good guys' and clear 'bad guys'. But our good isn't any angel. He's been on the wrong side of the law, but in many ways this makes him more likeable - we believe he wants to turn his life around and be a better man. And of course we see this in action throughout.
The women in the book suggest that Carson might find romance in future books, but this book doesn't see him acting out of fondness or affection for anyone - just the moral 'rightness' of his actions. Until the end, that is ... "I gunned down a woman for you ... now you've got to marry me."
I've been reading westerns off and on for 40+ years and I've wished that there were more modern writers writing in this classic genre. The last few years have definitely seen an increase in the genre (thanks to the e-reader perhaps?) - primarily through this publisher - and this is one of the more accessible, enjoyable westerns I've read in awhile.
Looking for a good book? Dead Man's Trail by Nate Morgan is the first book in a new series with criminal-turned-sheriff Carson Stone standing up for what's right.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2024
Dead Man's Trail, Nate Morgan (western, mystery)
Jeff Book Review #297
"Dead Man's Trail" starts with two buddy bounty hunters, Carson Stone and Colby Tate, tracking a profitable bounty. Stone is the main protagonist and he's hoping to only work on a few more bounties, not happy with the bloody and dangerous work, only planning to chase bounties until he has enough money to start up his own quiet ranch outfit.
This one has a slightly comicy feel to it; the boss villain Bill Cartwright could have a dastardly twisting mustache and it would fit him, his hired bad guys are all individually stereotypical in their own ways, and the two bounty hunters have their own shady pasts that factor into the investigation. Even the evil plan is a bit over-the-top, but in a fun James Bond villain sort of way.
Because Morgan lets us in on the evil plan at the beginning we as readers just take in all the events and points of view of the various characters as they fit into the crime while it's being investigated. Then there's a twist at the half-way mark that makes it more fun.
Verdict: The first in a new 2023 series, a Spur winner, and a really fun short western read. I'm looking forward to the next installment. "Dead Man's Trail" is probably not in my top 20 favorite westerns ever but is actually very close.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
Jeff Book Review #297
"Dead Man's Trail" starts with two buddy bounty hunters, Carson Stone and Colby Tate, tracking a profitable bounty. Stone is the main protagonist and he's hoping to only work on a few more bounties, not happy with the bloody and dangerous work, only planning to chase bounties until he has enough money to start up his own quiet ranch outfit.
This one has a slightly comicy feel to it; the boss villain Bill Cartwright could have a dastardly twisting mustache and it would fit him, his hired bad guys are all individually stereotypical in their own ways, and the two bounty hunters have their own shady pasts that factor into the investigation. Even the evil plan is a bit over-the-top, but in a fun James Bond villain sort of way.
Because Morgan lets us in on the evil plan at the beginning we as readers just take in all the events and points of view of the various characters as they fit into the crime while it's being investigated. Then there's a twist at the half-way mark that makes it more fun.
Verdict: The first in a new 2023 series, a Spur winner, and a really fun short western read. I'm looking forward to the next installment. "Dead Man's Trail" is probably not in my top 20 favorite westerns ever but is actually very close.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
August 4, 2025
Carson Stone is spinning his wheels, assisting a friend as a bounty hunter in the 1870s west. They've made it as far as Idaho territory, when the search for a wanted man involves them in the schemes of Bill Cartwright, a wealthy robber baron who aims to get wealthier and has enlisted a team of hired killers to help him do so. The author's past as a comic book writer and comic mystery novelist stands him in good stead in terms of action and occasional wisecracks; however, the problems with "Dead Man's Trail" are that it spends much time ambling along, punctuated by intense bursts of violence. No Western writer wants to be a clone of Louis L'Amour, but L'Amour understood for many of his novels that succinctness and brevity was better. Morgan hasn't gotten that memo: the novel is a third longer than it should be. In addition, shifting points of view to the many different characters tends to dilute the reader's identification with and sense of Carson Stone, a mis-step when trying to establish a hero who will carry a series forward. The novel isn't unentertaining. Hopefully future installments of the series will tighten up and make a bigger impact.
November 28, 2022
First let me say I received this by a Goodreads giveaway.
Former thief and wanted man Carson Stone dreams of a peaceful life on a ranch built by his own hands, but dreams don’t always come without a steep price. To earn a stake, Carson rides west to collect the reward on a claim-jumper. The land is beautiful, but times are hard as the territory is ravaged by the latest Indian war and a mining boom gone bust.
When Stone steps in to defend a family ambushed by murdering marauders, he makes a terrifying discovery: one of the hired killers carries a death list full of names and dollar amounts. But the names on this list belong to upstanding citizens, not criminals. When the local sheriff is gunned down in broad daylight, Carson takes on the one job he never wanted—pinning on a lawman’s tin star to protect the innocent.
I had never read Nate Morgan before but am fond of the western genre. The story line is good and the characters believable though could use a little more filling out. I will be looking to try out the next in the series, hopefully it only improves as it goes.
Former thief and wanted man Carson Stone dreams of a peaceful life on a ranch built by his own hands, but dreams don’t always come without a steep price. To earn a stake, Carson rides west to collect the reward on a claim-jumper. The land is beautiful, but times are hard as the territory is ravaged by the latest Indian war and a mining boom gone bust.
When Stone steps in to defend a family ambushed by murdering marauders, he makes a terrifying discovery: one of the hired killers carries a death list full of names and dollar amounts. But the names on this list belong to upstanding citizens, not criminals. When the local sheriff is gunned down in broad daylight, Carson takes on the one job he never wanted—pinning on a lawman’s tin star to protect the innocent.
I had never read Nate Morgan before but am fond of the western genre. The story line is good and the characters believable though could use a little more filling out. I will be looking to try out the next in the series, hopefully it only improves as it goes.
September 24, 2022
In Nate Morgan's Dead Man's Trail (Pinnacle Books 2022), Carson Stone and Colby Tate have become reluctant bounty hunters. They were owl hoots together until Carson realized bounty hunting would make better money. He pulled Tate in to help him on a few jobs and the two found they were a good team. Stone becomes involved in one job where he hopes to make enough to stake himself in a ranch and ends up defending a woman and her family from claim jumpers. One of the attackers he kills is carrying a kill list of all the people involved in bringing justice to a ruthless gang that has since broken out of prison. There are bounties on many of the escaped prisoners, but what motivates Carson is that the people on this list don't deserve to die. To protect them, he must do what he never wanted to do: Pin on a lawman's star.
This is a good western paced just right with a nice mix of motivations. Recommended for those who like seeing good prevail with a happy ending.
This is a good western paced just right with a nice mix of motivations. Recommended for those who like seeing good prevail with a happy ending.
November 5, 2022
Dead Man’s Trail
I grew up on westerns both written and on screen and though I read a lot of fantasy, thrillers, horror and other stuff I still like to go back to a good western but really good ones (new) are getting harder and harder to find all the time. This one is a decent start to a new series, plot and storyline was believable( though saddening for the unnecessary slaughtering due to the trickery), pacing was good, characters were relatable. One issue I had and don’t really know why it jarred me so bad but when I grab a hilt, it’s my knife; on gun it’s the butt,or grip… anyway most people probably won’t think anything of it but every time the hilt of gun was mentioned it broke my flow 🤪. Got this ARC through Netgalley and this is my views on the book. I thought was good start and would give next a read for sure although if title of next one deserves title of “The Death List” more than this one it must be a real doozy!
I grew up on westerns both written and on screen and though I read a lot of fantasy, thrillers, horror and other stuff I still like to go back to a good western but really good ones (new) are getting harder and harder to find all the time. This one is a decent start to a new series, plot and storyline was believable( though saddening for the unnecessary slaughtering due to the trickery), pacing was good, characters were relatable. One issue I had and don’t really know why it jarred me so bad but when I grab a hilt, it’s my knife; on gun it’s the butt,or grip… anyway most people probably won’t think anything of it but every time the hilt of gun was mentioned it broke my flow 🤪. Got this ARC through Netgalley and this is my views on the book. I thought was good start and would give next a read for sure although if title of next one deserves title of “The Death List” more than this one it must be a real doozy!
December 4, 2022
I read westerns. Every time I say that, I draw comments. I'm quite sure those readers who say they don't like westerns have never read a good western story or followed a series that takes you through some interesting periods in history. Nate Morgan has captured the "flavor" of a good western. Clear lines are drawn between the good guys and the bad guys. The good guys may not have been good their whole lives, but they have decided to become honest, hard working citizens. This introduces us to Carson Stone.
Carson is a reformed criminal who is just trying to keep his head above water and stay out of trouble. When his journey takes me into troubles path, his decisions will lead him to take up the sheriff's star and protect a town from a group of outlaws for hire.
This is the first book in a new series. It definitely holds it's own against some of the other westerns I've read. As the characters in this series mature, Nate has so many great stories built in.
Carson is a reformed criminal who is just trying to keep his head above water and stay out of trouble. When his journey takes me into troubles path, his decisions will lead him to take up the sheriff's star and protect a town from a group of outlaws for hire.
This is the first book in a new series. It definitely holds it's own against some of the other westerns I've read. As the characters in this series mature, Nate has so many great stories built in.
November 5, 2022
Dead Man’s Trail
I grew up on westerns both written and on screen and though I read a lot of fantasy, thrillers, horror and other stuff I still like to go back to a good western but really good ones (new) are getting harder and harder to find all the time. This one is a decent start to a new series, plot and storyline was believable( though saddening for the unnecessary slaughtering due to the trickery), pacing was good, characters were relatable. One issue I had and don’t really know why it jarred me so bad but when I grab a hilt, it’s my knife; on gun it’s the butt,or grip… anyway most people probably won’t think anything of it but every time the hilt of gun was mentioned it broke my flow 🤪. Got this ARC through Netgalley and this is my views on the book. I thought was good start and would give next a read for sure although if title of next one deserves title of “The Death List” more than this one it must be a real doozy!
I grew up on westerns both written and on screen and though I read a lot of fantasy, thrillers, horror and other stuff I still like to go back to a good western but really good ones (new) are getting harder and harder to find all the time. This one is a decent start to a new series, plot and storyline was believable( though saddening for the unnecessary slaughtering due to the trickery), pacing was good, characters were relatable. One issue I had and don’t really know why it jarred me so bad but when I grab a hilt, it’s my knife; on gun it’s the butt,or grip… anyway most people probably won’t think anything of it but every time the hilt of gun was mentioned it broke my flow 🤪. Got this ARC through Netgalley and this is my views on the book. I thought was good start and would give next a read for sure although if title of next one deserves title of “The Death List” more than this one it must be a real doozy!
May 27, 2023
A great book for you if you like the old time western
I love this book, I bought it and read it on the off chance that it would be Bea reminding me of the old black-and-white westerns. I used to watch when I was a kid, and as it turns out, it is exactly like them, except in reading it, which actually makesit even a little bit better because there are things you can read that have been thinking that when you watch the show you really don’t i’m definitely now going to check to see if the next one is out and if it is I’m getting it. If not, I’m pre-ordering it. I definitely Ramak recommend it to anybody that likes the old westerns.
I love this book, I bought it and read it on the off chance that it would be Bea reminding me of the old black-and-white westerns. I used to watch when I was a kid, and as it turns out, it is exactly like them, except in reading it, which actually makesit even a little bit better because there are things you can read that have been thinking that when you watch the show you really don’t i’m definitely now going to check to see if the next one is out and if it is I’m getting it. If not, I’m pre-ordering it. I definitely Ramak recommend it to anybody that likes the old westerns.
March 31, 2024
This is a western novel for fans of RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2.
I grew up reading Louis L'Amour novels, and while DEAD MAN'S TRAIL is a decent story, it's just not up to that same level of quality (or maybe my memory is just playing tricks on me). That said, it's still a "decent story." If you got into westerns with RDR or RDR2, I think this might be right up your alley.
I grew up reading Louis L'Amour novels, and while DEAD MAN'S TRAIL is a decent story, it's just not up to that same level of quality (or maybe my memory is just playing tricks on me). That said, it's still a "decent story." If you got into westerns with RDR or RDR2, I think this might be right up your alley.
April 22, 2023
Wild west troubles
Excellent western novel with a fast pace and everyday dialogue. I like the characters and plot. And the west background that fires my imagination. Enjoyed it very much.
Excellent western novel with a fast pace and everyday dialogue. I like the characters and plot. And the west background that fires my imagination. Enjoyed it very much.
Read
November 21, 2022Amazon sent this book title to my device, but when I opened it, it was a completely different story. I would have loved to read Dead Man's Trail, but its contents was not delivered.
December 3, 2022
I just finished this book. I liked it. I have read westerns and this was clearly not a western. It was more of a murder mystery in today's age.
May 8, 2023
Good
I enjoyed it and hope u do also. Good book to read and to me well t bought out also
I enjoyed it and hope u do also. Good book to read and to me well t bought out also
June 6, 2023
I’m kinda getting into westerns, and this was a good one!
January 9, 2025
A good read though a little slow at times.
March 11, 2023
I finished this book a little while ago. I had won the Kindle copy of this and the title did not match what was on the inside of the book, so I managed to find the print copy in Wal Mart and bought so I could read it that way. The title did match what was on the inside this time. I like westerns and this was a good westerns and exciting to read, Carson Stone and Cole Tate were very good.
October 15, 2022
Dead Man’s Trail by Nate Morgan was an excellent western. I grew up going to western movies and as I was reading this book, my mind was seeing it played out. Sam Elliot would be the main character Carson. Only one drawback, I have to wait until spring of ‘23 to read another book by Nate Morgan. An unknown author to me but he is one to watch for.
All words and opinions are my own. I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
All words and opinions are my own. I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews