Heroic Tales in Gatesville: Colton Gray’s Pursuit of Justice in Johnstone's Latest

COLTON GRAY, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL

Colton Gray, Deputy U.S. Marshal, #1

by William J. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone

Kensington, 2025

★★★★✰

Colton Gray doesn’t look like your typical deputy marshal. He’s too young, too handsome, and too wet behind the ears 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 trouble. That’s the plan. 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. And yes, he fibbed to his superiors about what really happened. But Colton knows he did the right thing. Sometimes a man has to forge his own path on the road to justice—even it 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 . . .

My Dear Western Readers,

Prepare to saddle up as we explore Colton Gray, Deputy U.S. Marshal—the latest installment under the late William W. Johnstone's name, crafted alongside his niece, J.A. Johnstone. It's ghostwritten, leaving us guessing who actually penned this tale. The book is a spinoff of the Old Cowboys Never Die series—a series I have yet to experience firsthand, although I own the first two books, and perhaps one day, I will read them.

As the title implies, Colton Gray takes center stage as our hero, a steadfast Deputy U.S. Marshal dispatched to the dusty town of Gatesville to track down an escaped killer named Billy Fitzgerald, the wayward son of a powerful local land baron. Billy's crime—a senseless murder carried out in cold blood—has stirred the town into a frenzy. After his swift capture, chaos erupted; his father's ruthless enforcers, led by the irascible Webb Slocum, stormed the jail, resulting in the tragic death of a deputy and injuries to the sheriff, ultimately facilitating Billy’s escape. It sets the stage for a gripping, classic Western showdown.

To avoid spoilers, I’ll refrain from revealing too much of the plot, but it's worth noting that Colton Gray, a quintessential good guy who adheres to strict principles, springs into action without delay to recapture both Billy and Slocum—who, I can’t help but think, must be a nod to Jake Logan's Slocum books. Despite receiving a telegram from his boss urging him to return to Waco, Colton remains steadfast in his quest for justice, determined to ensure both Billy and Slocum receive a fair trial. The stakes escalate as Fitzgerald’s henchmen plot their vengeance, yet Colton proves to be a remarkably skilled gunman, more than capable of handling the encroaching threats.

The narrative is packed with relentless action and gripping gunfights; my attention was captivated. The pace is brisk, compelling me to flip pages with fervor, eager to uncover what adventures await Colton Gray—a character who epitomizes the ideal lawman. Picture a young John Wayne—undaunted, devoted, and armed with a badge, ready to dispense justice, even if it means resorting to lethal force when no other option remains.

However, I must mention one caveat: the story feels overextended at just over 300 pages. While the initial momentum is captivating, the latter half drags slightly, as it could have wrapped up neatly around the 275-page mark.

Despite this, the plot kept me glued to the pages. I am left with a curious mind, yearning to know the true identity of the author or authors behind this tale. I have suspicions, yet I remain discreet about my guesses—I wouldn’t want to expose anyone.

Has anyone else read Colton Gray, Deputy U.S. Marshal? If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Who, in your opinion, might be the mastermind behind this story?

⁓B.J. Burgess