Colton Gray, Deputy U.S. Marshal

Paperback
$15.95 US
| $21.99 CAN
On sale Jun 24, 2025 | 320 Pages | 9781496751829


Johnstone Country. Trust Everyone. But Cut the Cards.

A bold new saga starring Colton Gray, the brazen young deputy marshal from the popular series Old Cowboys Never Die—the story of a one-of-a-kind lawman—and the making of a true Western legend . . .

Colton Gray doesn’t look like your typical deputy marshal. He’s too young and good-looking for a West Texas lawman. At least that’s what his boss thinks. As captain, Marshal John Timmons feels this new kid Colton isn’t up to the job—at least not yet—so he sends him on minor assignments to keep him out of Boot Hill. But to everyone’s surprise, young Colton manages to track down Eli Doolin and Casey Tubbs, the notorious “Old Man Bank Robbers.” Not only that, he claims he gunned them down in a shootout, earning high praise from the West Texas chief marshal’s office. And a legend is born . . .

But there’s a hitch to the story: Colton Gray lied.

Truth is, he never killed Doolin and Tubbs—not after learning the righteous reasons behind their crimes. Instead, he let those good old boys go free, as long as they promised to stop robbing banks. Sure, Colton may have bent the rules a little. But Colton knows he did the right thing. Sometimes a man has to forge his own path on the road to justice—even if that means going outside the law. Or lying to your boss. In his heart of hearts, Colton Gray knows he was born for the job of U.S. deputy marshal. And sometimes that job gets a little dirty . . .
William W. Johnstone is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of over 300 books, including Preacher, The Last Mountain Man, Luke Jensen Bounty Hunter, Flintlock, Savage Texas, Matt Jensen, The Last Mountain Man; The Family Jensen, Sidewinders, and Shawn O'Brien Town Tamer . His thrillers include Phoenix Rising, Home Invasion, The Blood of Patriots, The Bleeding Edge, and Suicide Mission. Visit his website at www.williamjohnstone.net or by email at dogcia2006@aol.com. View titles by William W. Johnstone
Being the all-around assistant, typist, researcher, and fact checker to one of the most popular western authors of all time, J.A. Johnstone learned from the master, Uncle William W. Johnstone.  

He began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western history library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard—and learned.

"Every day with Bill was an adventure story in itself. Bill taught me all he could about the art of storytelling. ‘Keep the historical facts accurate,' he would say. ‘Remember the readers, and as your grandfather once told me, I am telling you now: be the best J.A. Johnstone you can be.'" View titles by J.A. Johnstone

About



Johnstone Country. Trust Everyone. But Cut the Cards.

A bold new saga starring Colton Gray, the brazen young deputy marshal from the popular series Old Cowboys Never Die—the story of a one-of-a-kind lawman—and the making of a true Western legend . . .

Colton Gray doesn’t look like your typical deputy marshal. He’s too young and good-looking for a West Texas lawman. At least that’s what his boss thinks. As captain, Marshal John Timmons feels this new kid Colton isn’t up to the job—at least not yet—so he sends him on minor assignments to keep him out of Boot Hill. But to everyone’s surprise, young Colton manages to track down Eli Doolin and Casey Tubbs, the notorious “Old Man Bank Robbers.” Not only that, he claims he gunned them down in a shootout, earning high praise from the West Texas chief marshal’s office. And a legend is born . . .

But there’s a hitch to the story: Colton Gray lied.

Truth is, he never killed Doolin and Tubbs—not after learning the righteous reasons behind their crimes. Instead, he let those good old boys go free, as long as they promised to stop robbing banks. Sure, Colton may have bent the rules a little. But Colton knows he did the right thing. Sometimes a man has to forge his own path on the road to justice—even if that means going outside the law. Or lying to your boss. In his heart of hearts, Colton Gray knows he was born for the job of U.S. deputy marshal. And sometimes that job gets a little dirty . . .

Author

William W. Johnstone is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of over 300 books, including Preacher, The Last Mountain Man, Luke Jensen Bounty Hunter, Flintlock, Savage Texas, Matt Jensen, The Last Mountain Man; The Family Jensen, Sidewinders, and Shawn O'Brien Town Tamer . His thrillers include Phoenix Rising, Home Invasion, The Blood of Patriots, The Bleeding Edge, and Suicide Mission. Visit his website at www.williamjohnstone.net or by email at dogcia2006@aol.com. View titles by William W. Johnstone
Being the all-around assistant, typist, researcher, and fact checker to one of the most popular western authors of all time, J.A. Johnstone learned from the master, Uncle William W. Johnstone.  

He began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western history library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard—and learned.

"Every day with Bill was an adventure story in itself. Bill taught me all he could about the art of storytelling. ‘Keep the historical facts accurate,' he would say. ‘Remember the readers, and as your grandfather once told me, I am telling you now: be the best J.A. Johnstone you can be.'" View titles by J.A. Johnstone