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The Lockes #1-3

The Lockes: Western Box Set

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From the bestselling author of Coldsmith and Old Dogs comes this collection of the first three books of the popular Western series, THE LOCKES .

LAST WILL
When the dead body of one of lawyer Ian Locke’s wealthy clients is discovered in a place most unbefitting for a man of his station, it is just one piece of a complicated legacy that Ian must unravel. Who killed Ralph Wainwright? His bitter wife? His son, back in town after a long absence? The discovery of multiple wills further clouds Wainwright’s relationships and motives others may have had in wanting to see him dead. From the countryside to the courtroom, the small town of Borderview to the burgeoning metropolis of Omaha, Last Will is a tale of mystery and suspense set in 1880s Nebraska, as lawmen and law wranglers must navigate the ripple effect a murder has on the community and their families. MEDICINE WHEEL
A murder trial would normally be of little interest to Thad Locke, who escaped the "family disease" of law wrangling, but two women--one the accused murderess, the other a member of her defense team--have intertwined themselves with both Thad and his lawyering family. Will Kirsten Cavelle be the first woman sent to the gallows in the state of Kansas? As some members of the community seek to take the law into their own hands, will she even live to see the end of the trial? As the trial unfolds, secrets from the past are revealed, lives are changed forever, and a little known piece of land grows to have resonance far beyond its size. HELL'S FIRE
Thad Locke was not surprised to discover a dead body in the aftermath of a fire on a small homestead in the Kansas Flint Hills. That the cause of death appeared to be a bullet hole through the skull, however, was a surprise. When a member of the Locke family goes missing shortly thereafter, and the sheriff and his deputies are slow to act, the Locke family takes matters into their own hands. As the Lockes begin to piece together clues linking the two, a fiery and deadly climax becomes inevitable.

773 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

400 people are currently reading
17 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
730 (72%)
4 stars
232 (22%)
3 stars
34 (3%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews145 followers
June 16, 2024
More Law Wranglers🐺💪🗡🔫🐎

ADULT Historical Western Adventures💪🗡🔫🐎 and Romance💕.
Three book series.📚

This is a wonderful read about the Lock family in the late 1800's, who make their home in the flint hills of Kansas. Most of them are lawyers who also own ranches.

The books have violent scenes and ADULT scenes, so are not suitable for children. There are also mixed race relationships which the author attempts to make normal, but would have been highly frowned on in this time period.
Overall, its great reading about a simpler time.
I got this e-book from Amazon📚 with kindle unlimited.
Profile Image for Cindy Cooke.
524 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2023
The Lockes Western series could well be 10 stars!

This book set is well written and is reminiscent of Louis L'amour's Sacketts, only better. Ron Schwab fleshed out his stories more, as well as the characters. While a bit grisly in some places, it gives the feel of what I believe the West was truly like with fires, outhouses and neighbors who'd go the distance with you. I can looking forward to reading all of his books. One of the things I enjoyed most in this series was the way people are appreciated for who they are and not their supposed heritage. Everyone is given an opportunity to be who they make themselves. Thanks for a wonderful look at the old West, Mr. Schwab, and for sharing your gift of writing with your readers!
Profile Image for Bob.
556 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2021
I May Be Prejudiced

No, I am prejudiced. I have read 6 books by Mr. Schawb and have enjoyed every one. This series about members of the Locke family of mostly lawyers is no exception. Not only are these books well written and edited, but the are historically correct. They also include tidbits of history that show a depth of research beyond what is expected in a book that runs parallel to known history.

If you are a fan of the western novel and enjoyed Zane Grey and Louis L' Amour, you will enjoy these stories.
200 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2025
Three Books; Deserving 15 * 's

These are a lot of wonderful words that read so great one setting; (sorry, one group of settings) passed quickly as I was ever anxious to get back to it. A better story and well written tale will be hard to find. If it is a great western story you are looking for; this is a must-read set. Enjoy!
536 reviews3 followers
November 25, 2025
The Lockes

I’m glad that I had the this trilogy to read. Getting the Lockes in a set was masterful. It’s too bad tgat neither Ian, Hannah and the wandering Methodist Preacher weren’t included but reading about Lockwood and Hannah gave continuity. Ian was mentioned and just like any military individual that fought in a war, discussing it was not a for others ears.
28 reviews
June 1, 2021
The family Locke

Another great western series by Ron Schwab. Ron is the Louis L’Armour of our time. Exciting and interesting. Like L’Armour these series are stand alone. I enjoy reading them as a series. Come on RON, write faster.
241 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2021
Hot gun smoke and hot legal minds

The books are stand-alone as advertised. However, you get so involved with the characters that not reading the books in order might pull some happy out of the experience.
260 reviews2 followers
August 18, 2021
I was sorry when I reached the end!

I truly hope to read more about the Locke family. Maybe not the Sacketts but nearly as entertaining and engaging. Mr. Schwab is the author I've been hoping for to provide me with Westerns, good, old fashioned, satisfying Westerns.
2 reviews
August 24, 2021
Top quality reading.

I haven’t read a book of Ron’s that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. This book series has impressed me so much I think I’ll bind my 4 books into a single volume.
Leslie Willson.
101 reviews
December 31, 2021
Enjoyed this Series

This is the second series I have read by Mr Schwab and enjoyed it very much. If you like a book with strong characters with a little romance and some action, you will like this series.
43 reviews
March 19, 2022
western, mystery,and love story!

You will love the mystery and the love story set in the 1870s. There are conflicts and some dastardly deeds. A pleasure for some one who likes You smoke and Wagon Train. Loved reading this yarn!
307 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2023
Loved, LOVED THESE BOOKS.

The writing style is so comfortable and easy to read. The logic, the family narrative, so natural. It is written in a manner that shows humans have not changed that much emotionally.
48 reviews
June 23, 2023
A writer you don't want to miss.

A great writer and story teller. He makes it very hard to put the books down. I hated to see the end after reading all three books. Thank you are one of few.
7 reviews
September 28, 2025
"The Lockes" A very good selection of books

Ron is an exceptional writer and never disappoints the reader. Good stories line, I will continue to read all the books by Ron Schwab writes.
Profile Image for LUAYNE.
1,953 reviews5 followers
July 8, 2020
First two books deal with rape and wife beating. Mostly clean language and sex scenes are mild. Read all three books in collection. Will not read again.
509 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2020
Good read good characters

Good characters throughout. Good drama ongoing. Language could have been less in some cases but at least it wasn't continual.
2 reviews
September 8, 2021
Schwab can spin a yarn.

I like these stories that are long on plot and short on shoot outs.
The characters are human and believable.
2 reviews
September 21, 2021
The Lockes:

One of the best series I've read in a while. Hard to find a stopping point to do anything else! Made me a fan of Ron Schwab books. Great stories, great characters.
2 reviews
November 18, 2021
My opinion!

I loved this book ! The author is amazing! Just ordered 2 more books!I highly recommend his books! Thank you!
28 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2022
Interesting, mostly

Too many people to keep track of. Too much time devoted to describe the terrain. Way too much time devoted to the sex. Not much of a western.
411 reviews
December 31, 2023
Amazing

Three stories all together to form a wonderful 3 tales. Extremely well written and just perfect editing. A lively adventure to say the least!
Rock on!
Profile Image for Phyllis Funk.
28 reviews
February 10, 2024
great yarn

Ron Schwab spins a great yarn! I have come to really enjoy the Locke family, and the western stories. Looking forward to a few more.
Profile Image for Patricia J. Dondero.
3 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2025
Love!

I chose this rating because this is a fun and easy read. The characters are well though out and the plot moves well. Enjoy!
7 reviews
October 23, 2025
the book you cannot put down

A must read : none stop from page one to the end the best I have read in years’s. Thanks
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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