Poisoned Dollars

by Stuart G. Yates

In the quiet Kansas town he now calls home, Byron James works as a school teacher, far removed from the bloodshed of his younger years. But peace is a fragile thing, and James’s past is riding hard on his trail.

Once a war hero turned cowboy, James made a single, tragic choice, which cost him a decade behind bars and marked him for death. When a former student turns outlaw and forces James into hiding stolen money, the threat turns personal—and deadly. With his wife’s life at stake and a relentless U.S. Marshal on his trail, James must walk a razor’s edge between justice and vengeance.

A gritty western set on the American frontier, POISONED DOLLARS is the first book in the Byron James Westerns series by Stuart G. Yates.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2025

About the author

My first published book 'Cold Hell in Darley Dene' (written as Glenn Stuart) was the culmination of years of trying to get myself into print. Back in 1979 I submitted a novel to a publisher, and in 2009 Darley Dene was accepted. Thirty years of honing my skills, and learning a lot about the world. If I had the chance, I'd almost certainly re-write all of my books, improve them, make them more solid, because the more we write, the better we get.This is what has happened to 'Darley Dene'. It's now available as 'Lament for Darley Dene', re-written and improved. Soon, you will find the same with 'The Pawnbroker', a horror story which I am sure many out there will enjoy.
My current day-job is being a teacher, a job I love. Without it I would not be able to continue to write; it also gives me a wealth of characters and so many ideas. The bills get paid too!
I write now as Stuart G Yates in a range of genres. Unflinching is my best-selling Western, but if you like historical fiction, thrillers or spine-tingling horror, I am sure I have a title for you.
For the moment, I live in Spain, which is not so wonderful as people try to make out, and I would dearly love to return to Old Blighty, find a little cottage and write full time. Or the Philippines and be with my fiance, marry her, find happiness. Dreams, but dreams that I am trying very hard to make true. Afterall, it's dreaming what writers do best...don't they?

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story, BUT

A very good story, but it wasn’t complete. You have to wait for the other book. Other than that it was a well written story, with good characters and plot. When I started reading I didn’t know what to expect, but the author handled it very well. The book is worth reading.

[Robert Louis popp jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poisoned Dollars

Top five of my reading great story twist and turns great ending hope you and your family Have a great new week

[Sam parmenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, kept my interest.