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Lawman's Curse

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From the bestselling author of Dismal Trail comes the next gripping chapter in the Sandhills Justice series.

Morg Fraser thought his days of chasing outlaws were behind him. But when a haunting plea for help arrives—and a string of strange murders follows—the retired lawman can’t ignore the call. Some say it’s justice. Others call it the lawman’s curse.

Riding back into the Nebraska Sandhills, Morg faces more than just danger on the trail. He faces the chance to mend what years of duty and distance have broken—his bond with his daughter.

Gritty, heartfelt, and steeped in the spirit of the Old West, Lawman’s Curse continues the Sandhills Justice saga, proving that redemption and justice never grow old.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2025

361 people are currently reading
9 people want to read

About the author

Ron Schwab

47 books193 followers
Ron 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.

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5 stars
796 (69%)
4 stars
278 (24%)
3 stars
58 (5%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Fred  Barnes.
120 reviews15 followers
October 31, 2025
A WESTERN NOVEL WRITTEN AS A WESTERN NOVEL SHOULD BE

☆☆☆☆☆

Lawman's Curse (Sandhills Justice Book 2) by Ron Schwab is a very well-written, interesting, suspenseful, action-packed, and thrilling tale of Morg Frazer who as a former U.S. Marshal has taken up the badge again to solve numerous murders taking place in the Sandhills of Nebraska in 1889. Though Morg is getting up there in age where he's just as happy if not more happy to be sitting on his front porch watching the Dismal River run by, he can't help himself when he's asked to solve a series of strange murders in his local area. To his surprise, his somewhat estranged daughter wants to tag along.

Morgan Frazer was referred by both the good and the bad as "among the best with a gun but even more dangerous with his head. He was more likely to take his quarry down with his sharp wit than his gun." Both Morg and his daughter Sheena learn they have more in common than they would ever have imagined and as a team, they are pretty much unstoppable in taking down the worst of the worst criminals dealing in human trafficking, murder, enslavement, and cult worshipers.

I have read everything that I have been able to find written by Ron Schwab and can easily say THEY'RE GREAT and this second book in this series is no exception. If you haven't had the chance yet to read any of Ron's novels, this is a great series to wet your toes into his works. You won't be disappointed. I guarantee you'll find yourself hooked from the first page.
Profile Image for Ken W.
461 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2025
Excellent author

The writing was still top notch… the main characters are great…. new side characters added depth to the story and I liked most of them… the plot, though. Unexpected and disturbing especially for a western. The full moon / werewolf worship was weird… and the extreme (off screen) child abuse was shocking. Thankfully all the bad guys got what they deserved. 4 stars.
7 reviews
November 3, 2025
Consistently Great

Ron Schwab once again delivers with a book that is engaging and entertaining. The characters are unique and well filled out. I always wait with great anticipation for his next read. I am never disappointed!
Profile Image for Jerry Nallon.
65 reviews
November 2, 2025
I couldn’t put it down.

Good book. Excellent writing, interesting characters. As usual, the ending always prompts me to want more.
Hurry and get your next book published Ron.
Profile Image for Becky Wells.
203 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2025
Great Western!

Writer Ron Schwab revives one of the best characters ever in his retired U.S. Marshall Morg Fraser. Settling into a retired life doesn't sit well with Fraser even though he's happily married and reestablishing relationships with his estranged son and daughter. An opportunity arises for him to step in as a temporary county sheriff. Thinking it'll be just enough lawman work to scratch the itch, he's surprised to discover a recent murder spree and a mysterious plee for help from a remote orphanage. The Lawman's Curse, referring to the never ending desire to be lawman once the bug has hit, is a fast paced western set in the Sandhills of Nebraska in the late 19th century. Clearly defined "good guys" and "bad guys" as well as all the elements of the growing frontier and the building of the west define this novel. It's a fabulous, fun read!
45 reviews
December 30, 2025
Family, Orphans, and Moon Worship Evil

Being a lawman appears to continue after you put away the badge. It is in your blood and in your mind. So when the opportunity comes around you put back on the badge and set out to deal with evil again. This book has a look into orphans being abused and violent murders. Of families growing closer by putting aside differences and working together to fight evil.
409 reviews4 followers
January 29, 2026
An adventurous story, but I could do without some of the gory parts. They were only small in at the first..

I guess gory has to come with evil people, and this preacher certainly was on the devil's side. So sad for children that are put in such evil situations, but of course
Morg, US Marshall, came to the rescue and saved the children. Of course they went through a lot of suffering before. A lot of thanks goes to brave Alice. So happy she was rewarded with a happy life!
10 reviews3 followers
November 8, 2025
What I loved most wasn’t just the gunfights or the suspense (though there’s plenty of that), but the heart of this story. The father-daughter bond between Morg and Sheena adds such depth that it’s rare to see that kind of emotional storytelling in a Western. I could feel every mile of that trail, every ounce of pain, and every spark of redemption. Bravo, Mr. Schwab!
8 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2025
From the first chapter, I was all in. The suspense builds perfectly, the characters feel alive, and the emotional depth gives it an edge over most Westerns out there today. Ron Schwab blends action and empathy in a way few authors can. This book deserves every bit of praise it’s getting and then some.
5 reviews
November 17, 2025
Good Reading

I just wait for the new releases. I love Ron's ability to spin a yarn. He holds my attention right from the first page.
He hasn't written anything that I don't like.
I wholeheartedly recommend him as an Author.
His books are very entertaining and take you to a different place and time.
30 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2025
Great sequel!

I hesitated on the Dismal Trail for about 1 week. I kicked myself after I read. I absolutely loved that book. I was happy to see this sequel available. I really enjoyed the story for this book. I hope their are more stories from the sandhills. Good work.
63 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2025
Marvelous story.

I enjoy Ron Schwab’s writing but this storyline was personal, exciting and intriguing. Definitely a book I recommend. The character development was great and the good that came out in folks regarding helping the children was refreshing.
200 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2025
Another Great Western Read

Now this is where family and Frontier Excitement have hit-the-road together. The adventure and gunfights are met head-on by a family of friends and town mates to create a fun and humbling experience.
Profile Image for laurel kingman.
109 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2025
His best book yet

I just loved this book. It grabbed me in the beginning and never let go. Great characters, and there were a lot. I sure hope there is a sequel. Schwab is the best western writer to date, in my opinion.
Profile Image for Linda.
505 reviews7 followers
November 18, 2025
Excellent book

This author writes some of the best books I've ever read. This book as well as the first book are great reads. Would highly recommend this and all other books written by this author.
2 reviews
Read
November 21, 2025
It's just good!

I like the author's writing style(easy to read)and attention to details without being overly wordy. I like the way the story is structured in meshing the characters in a meaningful and delightful way to bring about a satisfying conclusion.

Profile Image for Daniel.
818 reviews169 followers
November 21, 2025
W🤯W! Fantastic!! That Schwab really knows how to spin a yarn! 😲 I was gripped from Prologue to Epilogue ... couldn't get to the end fast enough. Nary a dull moment. Really hoping this series is continued and I'll most certainly be reading many more by this author.
537 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2025
Lawman’s Curse

Although this story was a good conclusion to the story, it was sad to have one of the good guys dying on the rescue mission. All these new characters added in this story could lead to a new series.
30 reviews
December 5, 2025
Great Story

Story highlights included good characters and the rescue of orphans from some very bad circumstances. Werewolves are featured along with family drama and even a deaf dog. Tough to put down and read it in one evening!
429 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2025
Old law-dog and school teacher....

The relationship developing as they arrive to bring justice for orphan and a family closer together. Action filled, and emotion filled, to an enjoyable read.
499 reviews7 followers
December 29, 2025
Excellent👏👏

Another terrific book from a superb author. It never takes more than a few pages to be immersed in one of his stories. He knows his subject and is skilled to portray vividly to his readers all that the storyline encompasses. One of the best in this genre!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
850 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2026
5 Stars

Morgan Fraser and his Daughter Sheena join forces when bizarre murders happen in the Sandhills. There's a connection between the murders and an orphanage they have to figure out.
13 reviews
January 19, 2026
As good as the first one if not better

As good as the first one if not better. The typical American humor style, the characters complexities comprehensive descriptions and the story's action is the author's talent and strength.
309 reviews
November 12, 2025
Great Book

I highly recommend Ron Schwab books! He is a great story teller and he writes great characters. I love the Sandhills Justice series and I think everyone else will too.
9 reviews
November 12, 2025
Werewolves and full moons

Wow! What a great read! So much action and the ending didn't disappoint. I hope there's more adventures coming for Morg and his family
89 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2025
GREAT BOOK. Read it in one sitting. You won't regret buying this book. I am waiting for the next installment of Sandhills Justice.
148 reviews6 followers
November 14, 2025
Sch who's done it again!

Another
Well told tale set in Nebraska sand hills. Retired Marshall has to deal with his school teacher daughter and a werewolf cult who sells kids.
3 reviews
November 17, 2025
Interesting twists

It took a very dark and sinister mind to come up with this one. I congratulate you on a very good book. Lots of evil twists but the ending is impressive.
2 reviews
November 23, 2025
Good Reading

Enjoyed story and fast moving pace. Recommend reading to anyone interested in a different western theme. Good characters and their growth.
Profile Image for Deedee Clouser.
2 reviews5 followers
December 5, 2025
very good read!

Really enjoyed this little series, lots of action but filled with heartfelt family values as well. Good job! Keep them coming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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