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THE THOUSAND DOLLAR JUDGE: A Colt Ryder Thriller
The adventures continue in The Thousand Dollar Judge, the intense, violent and exciting new story in J.T. Brannan's bestselling Colt Ryder series, from a thriller writer at the top of his game.
Looking for peace and quiet in a small town in Alabama, Colt Ryder – an ex-US Army Ranger turned vigilante-for-hire – is forced to save a woman from being attacked by a group of locals. He finds himself arrested for his troubles though, and when presented before the town judge, it turns out to be a kangaroo court and he is sentenced to ten years of hard labor.
He is sent to work on a construction project in the swamps and bayous, part of a chain gang all falsely arrested and imprisoned, and all by the same man, Judge Brian Hesketh.
It is clear that Hesketh – the presiding judge in eleven different towns – is the de facto ruler of Heritage County, and is building an empire on the back of his prisoners’ grueling efforts. And to Colt, the answer to this is also clear – escape from the chain gang with the help of his canine best buddy Kane, and bring real justice to the ruthless Judge Hesketh.
But chained hand and foot together with his fellow prisoners, under armed guard and being worked to death under the scorching Alabama sun, escape is going to be hard won; and with every local sheriff and police department in Hesketh’s pocket, helping to support the crooked judge’s crazed ambitions, taking the fight to the man will be more than dangerous - it might even prove fatal.
The Thousand Dollar Judge is the latest all-action thriller from J.T. Brannan, a supercharged adrenaline-rush of a novel that you won’t be able to put down!
Praise for J.T. Brannan -
"What an absorbing, rollercoaster of a read." - Elly Griffiths, winner of the Edgar Award for The Crossing Places
"Origin is a thrill-a-minute ride of a book." - Simon Toyne, bestselling author of the Sanctus trilogy
"Origin is a truly original novel, seamlessly meshing a modern high-tech chase thriller, stuffed full of guns and gadgets, with elements of ancient history to produce a book that’s both thought-provoking and relentlessly exciting." - James Becker, bestselling author of The First Apostle
"Smart, sophisticated and thrilling, Origin drags you in and makes you hold your breath right to the last lung bursting page." - Sam Christer, bestselling author of The Stonehenge Legacy and The Turin Shroud
Looking for peace and quiet in a small town in Alabama, Colt Ryder – an ex-US Army Ranger turned vigilante-for-hire – is forced to save a woman from being attacked by a group of locals. He finds himself arrested for his troubles though, and when presented before the town judge, it turns out to be a kangaroo court and he is sentenced to ten years of hard labor.
He is sent to work on a construction project in the swamps and bayous, part of a chain gang all falsely arrested and imprisoned, and all by the same man, Judge Brian Hesketh.
It is clear that Hesketh – the presiding judge in eleven different towns – is the de facto ruler of Heritage County, and is building an empire on the back of his prisoners’ grueling efforts. And to Colt, the answer to this is also clear – escape from the chain gang with the help of his canine best buddy Kane, and bring real justice to the ruthless Judge Hesketh.
But chained hand and foot together with his fellow prisoners, under armed guard and being worked to death under the scorching Alabama sun, escape is going to be hard won; and with every local sheriff and police department in Hesketh’s pocket, helping to support the crooked judge’s crazed ambitions, taking the fight to the man will be more than dangerous - it might even prove fatal.
The Thousand Dollar Judge is the latest all-action thriller from J.T. Brannan, a supercharged adrenaline-rush of a novel that you won’t be able to put down!
Praise for J.T. Brannan -
"What an absorbing, rollercoaster of a read." - Elly Griffiths, winner of the Edgar Award for The Crossing Places
"Origin is a thrill-a-minute ride of a book." - Simon Toyne, bestselling author of the Sanctus trilogy
"Origin is a truly original novel, seamlessly meshing a modern high-tech chase thriller, stuffed full of guns and gadgets, with elements of ancient history to produce a book that’s both thought-provoking and relentlessly exciting." - James Becker, bestselling author of The First Apostle
"Smart, sophisticated and thrilling, Origin drags you in and makes you hold your breath right to the last lung bursting page." - Sam Christer, bestselling author of The Stonehenge Legacy and The Turin Shroud
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
113 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Brannan
82 books90 followersJT Brannan is the Bradford-born author of ORIGIN, EXTINCTION, STOP AT NOTHING and DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS (Short Story).
Trained as a British Army officer at Sandhurst, before deciding to pursue a writing career, he is a former national Karate champion and doorman.
He now writes full-time, and teaches martial arts in Harrogate, where he lives with his wife and two young children.
He is currently working on his next novel.
Trained as a British Army officer at Sandhurst, before deciding to pursue a writing career, he is a former national Karate champion and doorman.
He now writes full-time, and teaches martial arts in Harrogate, where he lives with his wife and two young children.
He is currently working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 30, 2025
A definite must read book and series!
After the last huge blow up in California, Colt and Kane have been laying low, well, as much as these two are capable of. Lol! While hanging out in a small town, Colt's caught up in something that he never saw coming, which is a huge surprise in itself. When the situation seems to get worse by the day, he's unsure if he'll be able to get out of this one. Our favorite K-9 is a Hero several times over in this unique, intriguing, devastating, and evil thriller that is a must read.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
After the last huge blow up in California, Colt and Kane have been laying low, well, as much as these two are capable of. Lol! While hanging out in a small town, Colt's caught up in something that he never saw coming, which is a huge surprise in itself. When the situation seems to get worse by the day, he's unsure if he'll be able to get out of this one. Our favorite K-9 is a Hero several times over in this unique, intriguing, devastating, and evil thriller that is a must read.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
October 22, 2025
Exciting Action
If you get on the wrong side of the Thousand Dollar Man, it will not end well for you.
Lots of action and dangerous situations for Colt and his dog Kane. But you know that they are up to it.
A standalone story but go ahead and binge the entire series. You'll enjoy every one!
If you get on the wrong side of the Thousand Dollar Man, it will not end well for you.
Lots of action and dangerous situations for Colt and his dog Kane. But you know that they are up to it.
A standalone story but go ahead and binge the entire series. You'll enjoy every one!
October 31, 2025
Talk about exciting!
Colt Ryder's stories are always such a fast paced read that you just cannot put it down! There is so much action from the beginning that you know it's going to get better the more you read. Wow, I hated to see this end.
Colt Ryder's stories are always such a fast paced read that you just cannot put it down! There is so much action from the beginning that you know it's going to get better the more you read. Wow, I hated to see this end.
October 28, 2025
good read
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews