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Dismal Trail
From the bestselling author of Coldsmith and Old Dogs comes a gripping new Western novel, Dismal Trail!
U.S. Marshal Morgan “Morg” Fraser has spent a lifetime walking the hard line between justice and survival. Now sixty, and with his days on the trail numbered, Morg wants nothing more than to fade quietly into the Nebraska Sandhills he’s always known. But when he’s unexpectedly tasked with caring for his 12-year-old son, Andy—a boy he’s barely seen since the end of a broken marriage—Morg realizes that some trails don’t end quietly.
Old grudges run deep, and there are those who would see Morg buried before they let him ride off into the sunset. When his enemies strike not just at him, but at the people he loves, Morg is forced to face a reckoning years in the making.
Full of grit, heart, and the quiet strength that fans have come to cherish, Dismal Trail is Ron Schwab at his finest—a poignant Western about legacy, fatherhood, and the cost of doing what’s right, no matter the age or the odds.
U.S. Marshal Morgan “Morg” Fraser has spent a lifetime walking the hard line between justice and survival. Now sixty, and with his days on the trail numbered, Morg wants nothing more than to fade quietly into the Nebraska Sandhills he’s always known. But when he’s unexpectedly tasked with caring for his 12-year-old son, Andy—a boy he’s barely seen since the end of a broken marriage—Morg realizes that some trails don’t end quietly.
Old grudges run deep, and there are those who would see Morg buried before they let him ride off into the sunset. When his enemies strike not just at him, but at the people he loves, Morg is forced to face a reckoning years in the making.
Full of grit, heart, and the quiet strength that fans have come to cherish, Dismal Trail is Ron Schwab at his finest—a poignant Western about legacy, fatherhood, and the cost of doing what’s right, no matter the age or the odds.
- GenresWesterns
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
700 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Ron Schwab
47 books192 followersRon Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 16, 2025
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A GOOD OLD WESTERN & THIS IS UP THERE AS ONE OF THE BEST
☆☆☆☆☆
If you enjoy the good old westerns, the belief in good versus evil, family and friends, neighbors that will show up on your doorstep to just say hi or to bring food, provide labor when needed or just friendship, if you love action, mystery, suspense, and romance, this is a great book for you.
Dismal Trail by Ron Schwab is going to be one of this year's top sellers. The main characters are down to earth family members and their friends, with good morals and loyalty to the end. The situations they find themselves in are truly believable. They are not exempt from being shot in a shootout. They hurt, bleed, and yes, sometimes die. They have losses, they have family struggles, they push forward, and they grow as a person, as a family, and friends. They find love when they have all but given up to be alone in the future.
The suspense and action will keep you on your toes throughout this book, trying to figure out who's behind the wrong side of the law and why.
I have truly enjoyed this book, as well as all the others I have had the chance to read and hope you will do so too.
Quotes:
"The burden of accumulated guilt can get dang heavy when you get to a certain age. You got to put down the load for a spell when you can."
"A person is never too old to be the person they might have been."
"Our animals do talk to us. We just need to listen."
"While we're young, our lives are shaped by environment and heredity and all kinds of things in the world around us that we can't control. But there comes a time in our lives when we have the ability to take charge and mold our own life into what we want it to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, sex, or plain bad luck. We all have the power and ability to recognize what we are today and then to determine what we will tomorrow."
☆☆☆☆☆
If you enjoy the good old westerns, the belief in good versus evil, family and friends, neighbors that will show up on your doorstep to just say hi or to bring food, provide labor when needed or just friendship, if you love action, mystery, suspense, and romance, this is a great book for you.
Dismal Trail by Ron Schwab is going to be one of this year's top sellers. The main characters are down to earth family members and their friends, with good morals and loyalty to the end. The situations they find themselves in are truly believable. They are not exempt from being shot in a shootout. They hurt, bleed, and yes, sometimes die. They have losses, they have family struggles, they push forward, and they grow as a person, as a family, and friends. They find love when they have all but given up to be alone in the future.
The suspense and action will keep you on your toes throughout this book, trying to figure out who's behind the wrong side of the law and why.
I have truly enjoyed this book, as well as all the others I have had the chance to read and hope you will do so too.
Quotes:
"The burden of accumulated guilt can get dang heavy when you get to a certain age. You got to put down the load for a spell when you can."
"A person is never too old to be the person they might have been."
"Our animals do talk to us. We just need to listen."
"While we're young, our lives are shaped by environment and heredity and all kinds of things in the world around us that we can't control. But there comes a time in our lives when we have the ability to take charge and mold our own life into what we want it to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, sex, or plain bad luck. We all have the power and ability to recognize what we are today and then to determine what we will tomorrow."
August 20, 2025
Fun!
Fun western. Lots of action and a cast of good secondary characters. An added bit of mystery upped the ante on the outcome. 4.25 stars!
Fun western. Lots of action and a cast of good secondary characters. An added bit of mystery upped the ante on the outcome. 4.25 stars!
April 25, 2025
Great read
A U.S. Marshal ready for retirement, finishes his career solving a case, and making up with his two grown children. The case involves his ex wife's husband seeking revenge for the death of his brother. Marshal Frazer falls in love and marries a widowed school teacher. Highly recommended.
A U.S. Marshal ready for retirement, finishes his career solving a case, and making up with his two grown children. The case involves his ex wife's husband seeking revenge for the death of his brother. Marshal Frazer falls in love and marries a widowed school teacher. Highly recommended.
July 12, 2025
Morgan & Susana
Morg. the US Marshall, very incredible story. Enjoy the daughter reunion with her father, and forgive him with misplace anger. Definitely didn't see Oxford and Towne being same person. I am confused as to whether are not Towne, or Osborne was the father or May second set of children, overall great story.
Morg. the US Marshall, very incredible story. Enjoy the daughter reunion with her father, and forgive him with misplace anger. Definitely didn't see Oxford and Towne being same person. I am confused as to whether are not Towne, or Osborne was the father or May second set of children, overall great story.
September 2, 2025
Great story with a little romance!
Love it when the story includes young children, dogs, and horses, it’s nice to have great Western characters as well. It was a little hard to believe that a 60-year-old woman, Susanna, was such a great hero in person, but she really added to the story. (although, could it be a fairytale?)
Love it when the story includes young children, dogs, and horses, it’s nice to have great Western characters as well. It was a little hard to believe that a 60-year-old woman, Susanna, was such a great hero in person, but she really added to the story. (although, could it be a fairytale?)
April 7, 2025
Typical for Ron Schwab, Wonderful
When I see new Ron Schwab book on Kindle, I grab it.
He doesn't just write westerns, he writes WESTERNS. There is no formula to his books. They are all different and original. I believe I have read every book that he has on Kindle.
When I see new Ron Schwab book on Kindle, I grab it.
He doesn't just write westerns, he writes WESTERNS. There is no formula to his books. They are all different and original. I believe I have read every book that he has on Kindle.
September 11, 2025
Truly enjoyed the entire book
After reading all of CJ Petit's books I didn't think I could find a good replacement. With this book I found another author I truly enjoyed reading. A great story with lots of action, good humor, great character interactions, and romance. Was historically and geographically accurate. Couldn't put it down.
After reading all of CJ Petit's books I didn't think I could find a good replacement. With this book I found another author I truly enjoyed reading. A great story with lots of action, good humor, great character interactions, and romance. Was historically and geographically accurate. Couldn't put it down.
April 11, 2025
So Much Fun
Westerns are fun to read. The good guys and the bad guys are well defined. Honesty, bravery, hard work, kindness, and endurance are the rules of the day. And even though times might get tough and the road long, right always wins in some form or another. Ron Schwab is one of the best writers there is of tradional American westerns. In Dismal Trail he tells the story of a U.S. Marshall nearing retirement and taking up ranching in 1800s Nebraska. He's got one last case to wrap up, and as personal matters arise he tries to keep his head together to stay alive and protect those he loves. I recommend this book for anyone.
Westerns are fun to read. The good guys and the bad guys are well defined. Honesty, bravery, hard work, kindness, and endurance are the rules of the day. And even though times might get tough and the road long, right always wins in some form or another. Ron Schwab is one of the best writers there is of tradional American westerns. In Dismal Trail he tells the story of a U.S. Marshall nearing retirement and taking up ranching in 1800s Nebraska. He's got one last case to wrap up, and as personal matters arise he tries to keep his head together to stay alive and protect those he loves. I recommend this book for anyone.
April 26, 2025
Great story!
Ron Schwab is a favorite writer of mine and this book was one that was hard to put down. Having the main characters be “more experienced “, made it even better for me. Loved it from beginning to end, sad that it’s finished. Morg and Susana became friends of mine and Dingo was a welcome part of the story.
Ron Schwab is a favorite writer of mine and this book was one that was hard to put down. Having the main characters be “more experienced “, made it even better for me. Loved it from beginning to end, sad that it’s finished. Morg and Susana became friends of mine and Dingo was a welcome part of the story.
May 2, 2025
Excellent as Usual 👏
I'm never disappointed with a book by Mr Schwab who has become my favorite author in the Western Genre. Great characters, dialogue, scenery and setting, along with outstanding writing make for an excellent reading experience. Dismal Trail is an excellent example! I'm looking forward to his next work! 💘🤗
I'm never disappointed with a book by Mr Schwab who has become my favorite author in the Western Genre. Great characters, dialogue, scenery and setting, along with outstanding writing make for an excellent reading experience. Dismal Trail is an excellent example! I'm looking forward to his next work! 💘🤗
June 5, 2025
Actual plot and storyline
So many books seem like the same format with a few name cbanges. This one had a plot and several sub plots. Story form followed with an outline that introduced characters, build up, intrigue, action and conclusion. It reminds me of Louis Glamour and Dorothy Garland. 5 stars.
So many books seem like the same format with a few name cbanges. This one had a plot and several sub plots. Story form followed with an outline that introduced characters, build up, intrigue, action and conclusion. It reminds me of Louis Glamour and Dorothy Garland. 5 stars.
July 30, 2025
Action packed story of a fight for life and justice.
The author has written a very good story of a US marshal’s actions as he fights to bring to justice the man who has sworn to avenge his brother’s death by killing the marshal. Action packed story that will keep you guessing as well as entertained.
The author has written a very good story of a US marshal’s actions as he fights to bring to justice the man who has sworn to avenge his brother’s death by killing the marshal. Action packed story that will keep you guessing as well as entertained.
May 16, 2025
Overall this book was unengaging. The ingredients were good, and halfway thru, I was looking forward to the rest of the book. But then nothing actually interesting happened.
There was never a face off with the baddy. It was never clear what criminal enterprise the criminals were involved with. One romance was unpleasant, the other a fait accompli. There was an unbelievable coincidence that was never explained. The protagonist was unkillable, having one stroke of luck after another in gunfights. The deaf dog thing was stupid. There was a token murder of a nice young person to try to make the reader invest in the story, but that was simply depressing, which is the only emotion the author managed to engender in this reader during the course of the story.
There was never a face off with the baddy. It was never clear what criminal enterprise the criminals were involved with. One romance was unpleasant, the other a fait accompli. There was an unbelievable coincidence that was never explained. The protagonist was unkillable, having one stroke of luck after another in gunfights. The deaf dog thing was stupid. There was a token murder of a nice young person to try to make the reader invest in the story, but that was simply depressing, which is the only emotion the author managed to engender in this reader during the course of the story.
May 18, 2025
Usual Western, few surprises, expected story line
Easy read. Usual western, good guys always winning, bad guys always losing, gun fights, horses, cattle, etc. Main character, an older, self sacrificing, misunderstood, unfairly judged hero. Little to no character development for the bad guys, which was disappointing. There were some interesting relationships among the bad guys :).
Easy read. Usual western, good guys always winning, bad guys always losing, gun fights, horses, cattle, etc. Main character, an older, self sacrificing, misunderstood, unfairly judged hero. Little to no character development for the bad guys, which was disappointing. There were some interesting relationships among the bad guys :).
April 7, 2025
Dismal Trail was amazing
Ron Schwab certainly has a way with words. You love the good guys and want the bad guys punished. I would love a follow up but then I always want a follow up because I fall in love with his characters. This is a good book.
Ron Schwab certainly has a way with words. You love the good guys and want the bad guys punished. I would love a follow up but then I always want a follow up because I fall in love with his characters. This is a good book.
April 12, 2025
Another good book by Ron schwab
Great book by this author,I really enjoy mr. Schwabs writing and highly recommend, all of his books and series are written and researched very well and detailed.
Great book by this author,I really enjoy mr. Schwabs writing and highly recommend, all of his books and series are written and researched very well and detailed.
April 15, 2025
Another good'n by Schwab.
Been follerin' this story teller for years and he never disappoints. Good tale bout an aging Marshall trying to reconnect with his kids while staying alive.
Been follerin' this story teller for years and he never disappoints. Good tale bout an aging Marshall trying to reconnect with his kids while staying alive.
April 17, 2025
Greeeaaatttt!
A fine read. Good couple days entertainment. Gotta love women with backbone and smarts enough to not stomp on the men’s spirit. Of course, men who weren’t threatened by women with surprising skills. Thanks, Ron Schwab, for another fine tale.
A fine read. Good couple days entertainment. Gotta love women with backbone and smarts enough to not stomp on the men’s spirit. Of course, men who weren’t threatened by women with surprising skills. Thanks, Ron Schwab, for another fine tale.
April 18, 2025
Excellent read
This book was a definite page turner with excitement, gunmen and of course love. Was a true mystery and a definite puzzle to figure out. Would highly recommend this to all that enjoy action, killing and love.
This book was a definite page turner with excitement, gunmen and of course love. Was a true mystery and a definite puzzle to figure out. Would highly recommend this to all that enjoy action, killing and love.
April 19, 2025
Fabulous western story
If you like brave men romance and action written superbly then this book is perfect . I’ve read other books by this author and they are all very entertaining.
If you like brave men romance and action written superbly then this book is perfect . I’ve read other books by this author and they are all very entertaining.
April 20, 2025
Wow!
What a great story. Having reached an advanced age, I appreciate a story involving older individuals. The story was really, really good. I 🖤 the characters especially the deaf dog. Keep up the good work.
What a great story. Having reached an advanced age, I appreciate a story involving older individuals. The story was really, really good. I 🖤 the characters especially the deaf dog. Keep up the good work.
April 23, 2025
great reading
As usual Ron great story some what stretched out especially at the ending a lot of people for us older readers to recall. Have you ever thought bout a list or cast of characters? Couldn’t put the book down. Keep them coming.
As usual Ron great story some what stretched out especially at the ending a lot of people for us older readers to recall. Have you ever thought bout a list or cast of characters? Couldn’t put the book down. Keep them coming.
April 25, 2025
The women were better at lassoing than the mem
Enjoyable adventure where the good people won and lived happily ever after. Never did find out what the bad guy, Townes, was doing that had everyone afraid of him????
Enjoyable adventure where the good people won and lived happily ever after. Never did find out what the bad guy, Townes, was doing that had everyone afraid of him????
Read
April 27, 2025My first western novel and what a great read!
I very much got into the variety of characters in this book, with each one having their own special personalities and behaviors. The storyline kept my interest throughout with the well timed action scene changes. A most enjoyable read!
I very much got into the variety of characters in this book, with each one having their own special personalities and behaviors. The storyline kept my interest throughout with the well timed action scene changes. A most enjoyable read!
May 9, 2025
Well written good mix of Action & romance.
An exceptionally well written novel depicting humanistic values both bad and good in a very unique mix. A very good read at a reasonable price. Ron Schwab scores again.
An exceptionally well written novel depicting humanistic values both bad and good in a very unique mix. A very good read at a reasonable price. Ron Schwab scores again.
May 11, 2025
Good Read
Story moved along and didn't drag out. Twist and turns were a surprise. Really liked Morgan ANF Susan's relationship. Could actually get the feel of ranch and Marshal work
Story moved along and didn't drag out. Twist and turns were a surprise. Really liked Morgan ANF Susan's relationship. Could actually get the feel of ranch and Marshal work
May 30, 2025
I love this book!
This book was a marvelous read! The story moved quickly and the characters were well developed so came alive in the book. Wish there was a second book with these characters!
This book was a marvelous read! The story moved quickly and the characters were well developed so came alive in the book. Wish there was a second book with these characters!
July 6, 2025
First class and intriguing from the start
Good story line with endless variations that hold the attention. Evidence that the writer Ron Shwab has thoroughly researched the location and local conditions.
Good story line with endless variations that hold the attention. Evidence that the writer Ron Shwab has thoroughly researched the location and local conditions.
July 7, 2025
Excellent action story!
I have been a few select authors in the western genre and this is one of those people. Enjoy his style and the fast paced method that he uses. Highly recommend that others take the time to read his works.
I have been a few select authors in the western genre and this is one of those people. Enjoy his style and the fast paced method that he uses. Highly recommend that others take the time to read his works.
August 20, 2025
4.5 stars ...
Pretty much everything I want from this genre and the writing style was impeccable. My first by this author and I'm very much lookin' forward to reading everything he's served up! 👍😁👍
Pretty much everything I want from this genre and the writing style was impeccable. My first by this author and I'm very much lookin' forward to reading everything he's served up! 👍😁👍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews