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Jeremiah Halstead #4
Born to Hang
Hailed as the Elmore Leonard of a new generation, two-time Spur Award finalist and Peacemaker Award-winning author Terrence McCauley ratchets up the suspense in a 19th century Montana Territory mining town, as Jeremiah Halstead is wrongly marked for death, running for his life—and gunning for justice...
WANTED FOR
DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL JEREMIAH HALSTEAD
Jeremiah Halstead knew it would be hard to uphold the law in a buckwild boomtown like Silver Cloud, Montana. He also knew it would be easy to make some dangerous enemies. But he never counted on a foe as flat-out evil as Ed Zimmerman. This cold, conniving cutthroat may be awaiting trial, but the outlaw bounty he placed on Halstead’s head is still in effect. Warrants have been issued for Halstead’s arrest—and even his once-close friends are looking to put the blast on him. Forced into hiding in the harsh Montana wilderness, Halstead has no choice but to trust a group of friendly trappers. But as he quickly learns, some friendships come with a price. And sometimes that price is comes high—with death.
Alone. Desperate. Hunted like an animal. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeremiah Halstead is about to face his day of judgment. But he won’t do it alone. He will reach out to the last person he can trust—his former partner—and greet that fateful day with blood and agony.
“McCauley's Westerns move at a pace that leaves readers sweating and out of breath. Blood on the Trail is one wild, entertaining ride.” —Johnny D. Boggs
WANTED FOR
DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL JEREMIAH HALSTEAD
Jeremiah Halstead knew it would be hard to uphold the law in a buckwild boomtown like Silver Cloud, Montana. He also knew it would be easy to make some dangerous enemies. But he never counted on a foe as flat-out evil as Ed Zimmerman. This cold, conniving cutthroat may be awaiting trial, but the outlaw bounty he placed on Halstead’s head is still in effect. Warrants have been issued for Halstead’s arrest—and even his once-close friends are looking to put the blast on him. Forced into hiding in the harsh Montana wilderness, Halstead has no choice but to trust a group of friendly trappers. But as he quickly learns, some friendships come with a price. And sometimes that price is comes high—with death.
Alone. Desperate. Hunted like an animal. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeremiah Halstead is about to face his day of judgment. But he won’t do it alone. He will reach out to the last person he can trust—his former partner—and greet that fateful day with blood and agony.
“McCauley's Westerns move at a pace that leaves readers sweating and out of breath. Blood on the Trail is one wild, entertaining ride.” —Johnny D. Boggs
- GenresWesterns
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 26, 2023
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 20, 2023
Born to Hang by Terrence McCauley is the fourth book about Jeremiah Halstead, in this book he is actually not a deputy marshall. He is a wanted man and on the run. I found the third book a bit slow in the first half and thought for a while that I would stop reading this series but I changed my mind and boy am I glad I did. This adventure has everything that got me hooked in the first two books. It is one of the better westerns written nowadays and I have the feeling we will get a whole lot more from this great writer. Terrence has found his place in this beloved category of mine, I have always had a soft spot for westerns and some books out there is not very good. That is not a problem here, although rather dark they are well written and brings something new to the genre and you will not be disappointed with the gunfights or fistfights. He even has some romance in the stories, not that that is vital for me. I thank Kensington Books and Netgalley for making it available to me.
June 9, 2023
In Terrence McCauley's fourth Jeremiah Halstead Western, Born to Hang (Pinnacle Books 2023), former Deputy Marshal Jeremiah Halstead, is now running from the law, trying to prove himself innocent of a crime he didn't commit. If he can't, he'll go back to prison, where he served time before becoming a Deputy Marshall, a place that almost killed him. Halstead sets out just trying to live long enough for his friends Mackey and Billie Sunday to prove his innocence, but when the Judge who has issued the warrant for his arrest tightens the noose around his neck by offering a $5000 reward for his capture--dead or alive--Halstead realizes he must become part of proving his innocence, not wait for others to do it.
The last Jeremiah Halstead Western was a bit depressing. I wondered if I would keep reading the series. This one is as good as any, a great adventure following a justice-driven man who doesn't have 'quit' in his vocabulary. What he does better than anyone else is outthink and out maneuver anyone who sets their sights on him. Great read. I'm--once again--hooked.
The last Jeremiah Halstead Western was a bit depressing. I wondered if I would keep reading the series. This one is as good as any, a great adventure following a justice-driven man who doesn't have 'quit' in his vocabulary. What he does better than anyone else is outthink and out maneuver anyone who sets their sights on him. Great read. I'm--once again--hooked.
September 24, 2023
It was the late author Bill Crider, with his 'Outrage at Blanco' novel that made me love revenge stories so much and in away revenge stories for me will always be a tribute to him.
One of my favorite niches in the Western genre are the lawman ones, this one definitely checks off all the boxes, you would want with that theme and then some.
You can't help, but like Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeremiah Halstead, he's smart, tough, damaged, and good with his guns and when he gets on your trail, your in trouble.
'Born To Hang', is set in Montana, they've just become a State, has Jeremiah on the run, he's a wanted man, set up for a double murder, has a bounty on his head and hoping his bosses can get the warrant torn up. They help him, by giving him supplies, let him get a head start to escape into the mountains, hoping that winter doesn't kill him and delayed, till they need to release wanted posters.
Mix in a desperate Jeremiah, winter has found him low on supplies, he heads into a small town Barren Pines to resupply and wait out a blizzard. Add in his partner Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Sandborne, some twist and turns, suspense, a good verse evil, then down on their luck fur trappers looking to collect the bounty, mix in twin brothers, town residence, a dance hall girl, town Sheriff with his deputies, add a bitter criminal along with his band of mercenaries out for revenge and you end up with my favorite Western read of the year so far.
This is one a Western fan will want to read, so not going to give anything away and can't wait for the next one in this series.
Thanks to both netgalley and Kensington publishing for the advance copy for my honest review and I also purchase a copy.
One of my favorite niches in the Western genre are the lawman ones, this one definitely checks off all the boxes, you would want with that theme and then some.
You can't help, but like Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeremiah Halstead, he's smart, tough, damaged, and good with his guns and when he gets on your trail, your in trouble.
'Born To Hang', is set in Montana, they've just become a State, has Jeremiah on the run, he's a wanted man, set up for a double murder, has a bounty on his head and hoping his bosses can get the warrant torn up. They help him, by giving him supplies, let him get a head start to escape into the mountains, hoping that winter doesn't kill him and delayed, till they need to release wanted posters.
Mix in a desperate Jeremiah, winter has found him low on supplies, he heads into a small town Barren Pines to resupply and wait out a blizzard. Add in his partner Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Sandborne, some twist and turns, suspense, a good verse evil, then down on their luck fur trappers looking to collect the bounty, mix in twin brothers, town residence, a dance hall girl, town Sheriff with his deputies, add a bitter criminal along with his band of mercenaries out for revenge and you end up with my favorite Western read of the year so far.
This is one a Western fan will want to read, so not going to give anything away and can't wait for the next one in this series.
Thanks to both netgalley and Kensington publishing for the advance copy for my honest review and I also purchase a copy.
October 30, 2023
Born to Hang by Terrence McCauley
Jeremiah Halstead #4
Born to hang or a cat with nine lives? Jermiah Halstead has been through the wringer in the first quarter century he has been on earth. This time he’s an innocent man on the run trying to survive as winter settles into the Montana countryside. Will Halstead make it to book five and if so, what will he have to do to stay alive?
What I liked:
* The opening discussion between Aaron Mackey and Billy Sunday as they discussed what to do about Jeremiah
* Joshua Sandborne: deputy marshal, friend of and partner to Jeremiah in the past, coming into his own, loves learning new words, quick, strong, savvy, stalwart, good friend, wise to the ways of men…and women
* Jermiah: star of the series, deputy marshall
* Moses Armand: livery stable owner, twin, respected citizen of Barren Pines, a good man to know
* That the story drew me in, made me feel part of it, and be glad I really was NOT there
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Being able to hate the evil characters and wish they thwarted while liking and applauding the supporting characters that were their opposites
* Wondering if Joshua will have a spin-off series of his own and be hired in place of Jeremiah for a job with the railroad
* The conclusion and knowing that there is another book to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how easy it is for someone to connive and do evil things – even kill - just to make money
Did I enjoy this book? Yes - I stayed up till 2am to finish it
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Kesington-Pinnacle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Jeremiah Halstead #4
Born to hang or a cat with nine lives? Jermiah Halstead has been through the wringer in the first quarter century he has been on earth. This time he’s an innocent man on the run trying to survive as winter settles into the Montana countryside. Will Halstead make it to book five and if so, what will he have to do to stay alive?
What I liked:
* The opening discussion between Aaron Mackey and Billy Sunday as they discussed what to do about Jeremiah
* Joshua Sandborne: deputy marshal, friend of and partner to Jeremiah in the past, coming into his own, loves learning new words, quick, strong, savvy, stalwart, good friend, wise to the ways of men…and women
* Jermiah: star of the series, deputy marshall
* Moses Armand: livery stable owner, twin, respected citizen of Barren Pines, a good man to know
* That the story drew me in, made me feel part of it, and be glad I really was NOT there
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Being able to hate the evil characters and wish they thwarted while liking and applauding the supporting characters that were their opposites
* Wondering if Joshua will have a spin-off series of his own and be hired in place of Jeremiah for a job with the railroad
* The conclusion and knowing that there is another book to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how easy it is for someone to connive and do evil things – even kill - just to make money
Did I enjoy this book? Yes - I stayed up till 2am to finish it
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Kesington-Pinnacle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Read
October 3, 2023 Here we are at Halstead's fourth outing, and there is plenty of steam left in this train. Throughout the Mackey/Halstead series Author Terence McCauley has maintained a great rhythm of closing out a story arc, while simultaneously creating a new one by the end of each book, creating it's own little teaser for the next installment. The Revengers was probably the best example of this so far. Without spoiling that book, it essentially brought Halstead's struggle over the course of three books to a close, but presented a new obstacle-this being that he is now a wanted man!
Becoming wanted through some spiteful, legal BS, Halstead is on the run with a $5000 reward on his head. He has to adapt to harsh living, but soon finds himself venturing into a small town and....you guessed it....lands smack dab in the middle of craziness. He has to deal with a gloryhound sheriff, an old nemesis, a femme fatale-and all this while stripped of his Deputy Marshall title.
Mackey and Sunday and Sandborne of course are also here. Sandborne is more front and center this time out, to the point that I wonder if McCauley is considering giving him his own series!
McCauley set the bar high all the way back at Where The Bullets Fly, and has maintained it ever since. I have read many western series', and while I wouldn't say any of them were bad, I would say some kinda wore out their welcome and should have stopped earlier. Not so here. McCauley knows what beats to hit and how to keep these characters engaging and moving on.
Highly Recommended.
Becoming wanted through some spiteful, legal BS, Halstead is on the run with a $5000 reward on his head. He has to adapt to harsh living, but soon finds himself venturing into a small town and....you guessed it....lands smack dab in the middle of craziness. He has to deal with a gloryhound sheriff, an old nemesis, a femme fatale-and all this while stripped of his Deputy Marshall title.
Mackey and Sunday and Sandborne of course are also here. Sandborne is more front and center this time out, to the point that I wonder if McCauley is considering giving him his own series!
McCauley set the bar high all the way back at Where The Bullets Fly, and has maintained it ever since. I have read many western series', and while I wouldn't say any of them were bad, I would say some kinda wore out their welcome and should have stopped earlier. Not so here. McCauley knows what beats to hit and how to keep these characters engaging and moving on.
Highly Recommended.
September 25, 2023
I’ve always been a fan of Westerns. There is just something about the genre that appeals to me.
I’ve read every Western from Terrance McCauley and I can tell you that I’ve enjoyed all of them.
The last book in the series moved along at a slow pace for me. This book was definitely a step up in pacing.
Once the book got going, it didn’t let up.
Jeremiah Halstead is a man on the run.
With everyone gunning for him, he’ll need to prove his innocence.
Will he do it in time?
This book took off like a bullet from a gun.
I’m looking forward to what McCauley has in store for us next.
I’ve read every Western from Terrance McCauley and I can tell you that I’ve enjoyed all of them.
The last book in the series moved along at a slow pace for me. This book was definitely a step up in pacing.
Once the book got going, it didn’t let up.
Jeremiah Halstead is a man on the run.
With everyone gunning for him, he’ll need to prove his innocence.
Will he do it in time?
This book took off like a bullet from a gun.
I’m looking forward to what McCauley has in store for us next.
October 6, 2023
I have read all eight of Terrence McCauley’s westerns and they are outstanding. The newest addition recently published, BORN TO HANG, the fourth in the Jeremiah Halstead series, is every bit as good as McCauley’s other westerns. The main characters are ones that I have come to know and enjoy … both protagonists and antagonists. New characters have been added and it all makes for a great adventure. Even if the western genre isn’t something you think you’d enjoy, try these. McCauley has created great characters and great writing to make for excellent reading!!
September 15, 2024
Good books to read
I liked how all four books were they kept me wanting to read more but I love a good western book and plan to read all of your books you have out thank you for the good reads
I liked how all four books were they kept me wanting to read more but I love a good western book and plan to read all of your books you have out thank you for the good reads
April 1, 2024
The intrigue and constant action throughout this book is why I gave it 5 stars. I have read many of Mr. McCauley’s westerns and they have been page turners for me.
September 25, 2025
Good western Halstead is a tough guy
November 2, 2023
Are you looking for a western writer that can spin a yarn with plenty of action and excellent character development? Well...grab a cup of your favorite coffee, kick back in the lazy-boy, and crease the spine on a Terrence McCauley western. They will not disappoint!
August 24, 2023
Jeremiah is still on the run for killing Zimmerman and he’s now known as The Butcher of Battle Creek. Something Mr. David Armond the shopkeeper in small town Montana nervously told him. Luckily for Jeremiah Halstead Mr. Moses Armond‘s twin brother who ran the livery was quite the opposite of his nervous sibling. He even offers Jeremiah who is now going by John Ramsey a room to stay in above the livery, something the outlaw is happy to accept. He just wants a place to stay until the weather lets up but it’s temporary stay in small town Montana gets hairy especially when Glenda the singer who is on the wrong side of young and beautiful and is the apple of the local deputies eye, offered him a deal he knows has manipulation and deceit all in it. Soon however familiar faces that aren’t out to get Jeremiah show up but it seems they’re not the only ones who are willing to battle the bad weather to try and get to Jeremiah. And his slow trot to get into small town Montana will not be as deadly as his train ride out. Jeremiah prove he’s innocent or does the battle continue and will Riker shoot him down before he could get his good name back? Oh I love Jeremiah Halsted and I love these books I cannot wait for the third installment it is always a bittersweet feeling when finishing a great western and that is the feeling I got when born to hang by Terrence McCallie ended. This is another five star read from the author and a book I know I will read again in the future like I do most great westerns. I want to think Kensington books and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
September 25, 2023
The western genre is severely under appreciated, but Terrence McCauley is doing his part to change that fact. His Jeremiah Halstead series features a lawman who believes in justice and retribution, even though BORN TO HANG finds him on the run while working to prove his innocence. He can't go home or ask his friends for help, so must keep on the move while being hunted as criminal. This different spin on the good guys vs the bad guys story was a very good one. I've been reading westerns since my uncles got me hooked many years ago and I'm definitely hooked on the Jeremiah Halstead series.
October 6, 2023
I have read all eight of Terrence McCauley’s westerns and they are outstanding. The newest addition recently published, BORN TO HANG, the fourth in the Jeremiah Halstead series, is every bit as good as McCauley’s other westerns. The main characters are ones that I have come to know and enjoy … both protagonists and antagonists. New characters have been added and it all makes for a great adventure. Even if the western genre isn’t something you think you’d enjoy, try these. McCauley has created great characters and great writing to make for excellent reading!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews