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Billy the Kid and the Lazarus Stone
The Lincoln County Wars are over. Billy Bonney—“The Scourge of the Midwest”—and his band of Regulators have lost, and are on the run. When a job offer to “hunt a big cat” menacing a mining operation in the small bordertown of Tascosa, Texas, comes their way, it seems like the perfect chance to flee the law and earn a big stake. Maybe a big enough stake for everyone to make a clean break and go straight for good.
It’s not a big cat killing the miners in Tascosa, however. It’s something ancient and evil, with an unquenchable thirst for human flesh. Even worse, Billy and his pals find themselves in the midst of one man’s obsessive search for the Lazarus Stone, a mythical gem purported to possess uncanny healing powers. According to legend, the last knight of the Templars hid the stone in Cottonwood Mountain, just outside Tascosa. The mining operation was nothing but a sham to find the stone; because Wagner Rutherford III—a wealthy plantation owner and amateur archeologist—believes the stone can resurrect his dead son. Even more—the monsters are drawn to the stone’s power like moths to a flame, and stand between them and the stone.
Since the end of the Lincoln County Wars, Billy the Kid has been without purpose. A gun pointed nowhere. Now, with the help of a former priest-turned occult scholar, a small town sheriff, and itinerant and adventuring frontier doctor, Billy the Kid will find his new purpose—and destiny—or he’ll finally feel the taste of death on his tongue.
It’s not a big cat killing the miners in Tascosa, however. It’s something ancient and evil, with an unquenchable thirst for human flesh. Even worse, Billy and his pals find themselves in the midst of one man’s obsessive search for the Lazarus Stone, a mythical gem purported to possess uncanny healing powers. According to legend, the last knight of the Templars hid the stone in Cottonwood Mountain, just outside Tascosa. The mining operation was nothing but a sham to find the stone; because Wagner Rutherford III—a wealthy plantation owner and amateur archeologist—believes the stone can resurrect his dead son. Even more—the monsters are drawn to the stone’s power like moths to a flame, and stand between them and the stone.
Since the end of the Lincoln County Wars, Billy the Kid has been without purpose. A gun pointed nowhere. Now, with the help of a former priest-turned occult scholar, a small town sheriff, and itinerant and adventuring frontier doctor, Billy the Kid will find his new purpose—and destiny—or he’ll finally feel the taste of death on his tongue.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2023
5 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Lucia
100 books366 followersKevin Lucia is the ebook and trade paperback editor at Cemetery Dance Publications. His short fiction has been published in many venues, most notably with Clive Barker, David Morell, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and Robert McCammon.
His first short story collection, Things Slip Through, was published by Crystal Lake Publishing in November, 2013. He's followed that with the collections Through A Mirror, Darkly, Devourer of Souls, Things You Need, October Nights, and the novellas Mystery Road, A Night at Old Webb, and The Night Road.
His first short story collection, Things Slip Through, was published by Crystal Lake Publishing in November, 2013. He's followed that with the collections Through A Mirror, Darkly, Devourer of Souls, Things You Need, October Nights, and the novellas Mystery Road, A Night at Old Webb, and The Night Road.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 11, 2023
“One more time, fellas,” Billy said, his gaze never leaving Pat’s, “let’s do something together. Something important. Just once more.”
Billy the Kid, a 19 year old infamous outlaw, and his Regulators are not welcome in many places. Trying to stay on the right side of the law, they look to take a lucrative job at a mining town. Seems something has been killing the miners and some of the livestock. The path to a big payout is never as easy as you want it to be.
Kevin Lucia writes Billy as a misunderstood killer. Quick to pull a gun but usually for good reason.
This really felt like it was a sequel. I seemed to have walked into the downfall of Billy and his gang and I want to read the first book. I liked this story a lot but there seemed to be so much that happened beforehand and I want that story also.
Very interesting creatures and lore and loaded with bloody scenes, but this book was deeper than just viscera. It was contemplative while still being exciting.
“‘Eventually’ always comes quicker than we think it will.”
Billy the Kid, a 19 year old infamous outlaw, and his Regulators are not welcome in many places. Trying to stay on the right side of the law, they look to take a lucrative job at a mining town. Seems something has been killing the miners and some of the livestock. The path to a big payout is never as easy as you want it to be.
Kevin Lucia writes Billy as a misunderstood killer. Quick to pull a gun but usually for good reason.
This really felt like it was a sequel. I seemed to have walked into the downfall of Billy and his gang and I want to read the first book. I liked this story a lot but there seemed to be so much that happened beforehand and I want that story also.
Very interesting creatures and lore and loaded with bloody scenes, but this book was deeper than just viscera. It was contemplative while still being exciting.
“‘Eventually’ always comes quicker than we think it will.”
September 10, 2024
I enjoyed this story for it having an alternative view of the life of Billy the Kid. Also it was fairly fast paced, which helped with the enjoyment of it. The chapters were not overly long, which helped with the pacing. I will have to say the supernatural element in the story was blended in very well. Now my wife tells me that I shouldn't nitpick over the factual elements of the story I am reading, but hey I am a history major and can of the Old West.
So when the story has Billy the Kid being the scrounge of the Midwest, I have to say what the heck. Yes he was something of scrounge in the Southwest, I don't remember him rampaging through places like Ohio, Indiana or Illinois back in his day. Then don't get me started on the weapons being used by the characters. I mean by the 1870's muzzle loading shotguns were pretty obsolete in the Wild West replaced by cartridge shotguns. But hey I get a little picky about writers using the right firearms in Westerns.
Still I give this one a five because it was entertaining and that what counts with me.
So when the story has Billy the Kid being the scrounge of the Midwest, I have to say what the heck. Yes he was something of scrounge in the Southwest, I don't remember him rampaging through places like Ohio, Indiana or Illinois back in his day. Then don't get me started on the weapons being used by the characters. I mean by the 1870's muzzle loading shotguns were pretty obsolete in the Wild West replaced by cartridge shotguns. But hey I get a little picky about writers using the right firearms in Westerns.
Still I give this one a five because it was entertaining and that what counts with me.
September 10, 2023
BILLY THE KID AND THE LAZARUS STONE is marvelous. Following William H. Bonney and his group of outlaws, the Regulators, and their journey into the unknown. On the run, the Regulators take up a job to rid the small town of Tascosa, Texas of a beast that is slaughtering miners. After arriving, they come to understand that the task is more nightmarish than they could have ever imagined. A tale of gunslinging and dark magic galore, this is not a novel you want to miss. Kevin Lucia has a style all his own, and we all should thank him for it. A tremendous achievement, and an even more tremendous read.
November 14, 2023
The Kid
Billy the Kid has found a new purpose in life. Facing the biggest challenges ever. Billy has his hands full. Wild west adventure full of action and suspense. Chilling read.
Billy the Kid has found a new purpose in life. Facing the biggest challenges ever. Billy has his hands full. Wild west adventure full of action and suspense. Chilling read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews