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Frontier Justice: A Coogan Mystery
Danny Coogan, a freshly minted Montana Fish and Game Officer and recent Afghanistan veteran, hopes to bury his demons in a simple life in the wilderness around the small town of Darwin. But his life becomes a nightmare when he is shot and left injured and alone in the freezing countryside to struggle for survival. His assailant? A local Native American, he had considered a friend, Edmund Goodrunner.
Thus begins a brutal battle of lies, deception, and revenge with drug runners, weapons dealers, kidnappers, and killers. Danny finds himself thrust into an FBI investigation and forced to juggle the threats of a dangerous domestic terrorist group that threatens every aspect of the community he loves and has vowed to protect.
Danny, along with his surrogate father, Senior Game Warden Ben Whitetail, and the local Tribal Police Chief, instill the rich flavor of rural America through poignancy and down-home humor as they struggle, each in their own way, to bring peace back to their snowy town.
Fans of Craig Johnson and CJ Box will love this outstanding first novel as the author draws on his military experience and deep love of rural America to produce this action/adventure. If you like mysteries and crime stories with resilient heroes, slam-bang conflict, and nail-biting suspense seasoned with a splash of wilderness humor, then you’ll love FRONTIER JUSTICE.
Thus begins a brutal battle of lies, deception, and revenge with drug runners, weapons dealers, kidnappers, and killers. Danny finds himself thrust into an FBI investigation and forced to juggle the threats of a dangerous domestic terrorist group that threatens every aspect of the community he loves and has vowed to protect.
Danny, along with his surrogate father, Senior Game Warden Ben Whitetail, and the local Tribal Police Chief, instill the rich flavor of rural America through poignancy and down-home humor as they struggle, each in their own way, to bring peace back to their snowy town.
Fans of Craig Johnson and CJ Box will love this outstanding first novel as the author draws on his military experience and deep love of rural America to produce this action/adventure. If you like mysteries and crime stories with resilient heroes, slam-bang conflict, and nail-biting suspense seasoned with a splash of wilderness humor, then you’ll love FRONTIER JUSTICE.
- GenresMysteryThriller Suspense
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2023
671 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Michael Cardwell
5 books15 followersAfter thirty-two years of service in the United States Army, I transitioned from the discipline of military life to the craft of storytelling. I studied creative writing at Indiana University, where I began publishing poetry, short fiction, and novellas in literary journals, reviews, and magazines.
Today, my world revolves around writing novels, brewing strong coffee, wrangling enthusiastic dogs, and keeping up with eight energetic grandchildren. I live in Indiana with my wife, Roni.
I am the author of the well-received Coogan Mystery Series, which includes Frontier Justice, Frontier Outlaws, and Frontier Marshal. The fourth novel, Frontier Vengeance, releases November 24, with Frontier Bounty following next year. Each book has earned excellent reader ratings and strong sales, and I am grateful for the support of a growing audience of mystery and western-thriller readers.
Today, my world revolves around writing novels, brewing strong coffee, wrangling enthusiastic dogs, and keeping up with eight energetic grandchildren. I live in Indiana with my wife, Roni.
I am the author of the well-received Coogan Mystery Series, which includes Frontier Justice, Frontier Outlaws, and Frontier Marshal. The fourth novel, Frontier Vengeance, releases November 24, with Frontier Bounty following next year. Each book has earned excellent reader ratings and strong sales, and I am grateful for the support of a growing audience of mystery and western-thriller readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 9, 2024
I saw this book popping up on recommendations for a while and then just dove in and am glad I did.
Danny Coogan just goes through the motions as a probation Fish and Game warden in rural Montana after returning from the army and two tours in Afghanistan. He saw action but is not the special forces hero most fiction books have these days. He is just trying to cope until a routine check throws him into the middle of conspiracies and he gets a purpose again.
The characters were really good with just enough development of them, and the setting was brilliant as well as Montana is still on my bucket list to travel to one day. The action sequences are well described, and it is refreshing to have the hero has his ass kicked more than once, this makes him more human for me. The plot is also intriguing and really held my attention throughout. The ending though was a bit rushed, but it did not ruin a great book for me though.
Overall, a really good book and will continue with this series. At times it reminded me of The Terminal List series by James Carr, of which I am a huge fan. Highly recommended.
Danny Coogan just goes through the motions as a probation Fish and Game warden in rural Montana after returning from the army and two tours in Afghanistan. He saw action but is not the special forces hero most fiction books have these days. He is just trying to cope until a routine check throws him into the middle of conspiracies and he gets a purpose again.
The characters were really good with just enough development of them, and the setting was brilliant as well as Montana is still on my bucket list to travel to one day. The action sequences are well described, and it is refreshing to have the hero has his ass kicked more than once, this makes him more human for me. The plot is also intriguing and really held my attention throughout. The ending though was a bit rushed, but it did not ruin a great book for me though.
Overall, a really good book and will continue with this series. At times it reminded me of The Terminal List series by James Carr, of which I am a huge fan. Highly recommended.
January 18, 2024
Review to follow
April 1, 2023
Okay, where's the rest of the series?! I'm invested! Seriously, I love this book and look forward to more in the series. There has to be more! I love how relatable the key characters are. The storytelling is paced well and realistic. The author does a great job describing the action. I really love that the hero is a fish and game warden and not the typical small town cop or detective. The relationships connecting the rez and neighboring towns are intriguing. Reading this is reminiscent of Longmore. A good mix of humor, mystery, and action. I definitely recommend this book!
April 8, 2023
Michael Cardwell writes a very interesting storyline in “Frontier Justice”. His led character Danny Coogan has lot of interesting characteristics from being an orphan to a staff sergeant in Afghanistan. To bring a rookie Warden Office in Montana’s Game and Fish Department. However, his real calling is that of being a detective and a real “good” guy. I hope to see more books added to this series and to see Danny accept a job as Tribal Policeman who works his way to Detective or Chief of Police.
March 23, 2023
great read
As he tries to adjust to life out of the military, he suddenly finds himself a target of “someone in the shadows “ Is the agents from the FBI who they say they are, is the threat coming from someone on the rez? Or does he have enemies he’s unaware of? Great first book, looking forward to the next.
As he tries to adjust to life out of the military, he suddenly finds himself a target of “someone in the shadows “ Is the agents from the FBI who they say they are, is the threat coming from someone on the rez? Or does he have enemies he’s unaware of? Great first book, looking forward to the next.
January 25, 2023
Decisions
I enjoyed this book. Lots of action and some laughs. The writer Provided humor,action and sentiment all in this book. Looking forward to another.
I enjoyed this book. Lots of action and some laughs. The writer Provided humor,action and sentiment all in this book. Looking forward to another.
February 7, 2024
Wild G & F story
Enjoy the humour in the story. Fast read hard to put the story down. Mystery, adventure, family.
First time reading this authors. Enjoyed it very much.
Enjoy the humour in the story. Fast read hard to put the story down. Mystery, adventure, family.
First time reading this authors. Enjoyed it very much.
April 1, 2023
Very engaging story
I liked that Danny's character wasn't some bad ass SPEC ops guy. But had just been a regular grunt in the Army.
So his ego wasn't what drove him.
The one thing that really bothered me was the ending. Ruth wasn't even mentioned. WTH?!
Hopefully there will be a follow up to this story. I just can't see Danny staying on as a Fish and Game officer.
I liked that Danny's character wasn't some bad ass SPEC ops guy. But had just been a regular grunt in the Army.
So his ego wasn't what drove him.
The one thing that really bothered me was the ending. Ruth wasn't even mentioned. WTH?!
Hopefully there will be a follow up to this story. I just can't see Danny staying on as a Fish and Game officer.
November 22, 2024
Action packed
What a fun read. Lots of shoot ‘em ups but no gory details, no torture, no explicit sex scenes. Unlike some heroes, Danny doesn’t always come out unscathed, but he comes out fighting. Loved the western phrases added into the story. Some people might not understand them all, but if you come from the West, they bring a smile to your face. The beautiful relationship between Danny and his foster parents is priceless. I will look for more Coogan Mysteries.
What a fun read. Lots of shoot ‘em ups but no gory details, no torture, no explicit sex scenes. Unlike some heroes, Danny doesn’t always come out unscathed, but he comes out fighting. Loved the western phrases added into the story. Some people might not understand them all, but if you come from the West, they bring a smile to your face. The beautiful relationship between Danny and his foster parents is priceless. I will look for more Coogan Mysteries.
May 7, 2023
4 stars
Frontier Justice is an entertaining contemporary western filled with action, humor and heart. The comparisons to CJ Box seem inevitable and obvious, but make no mistake, Michael Cardwell has a style and voice entirely his own. The mystery here is excellent, the story is well-paced, and the main character is compelling.
The stage seemed to get a bit crowded toward the end, however, and I found myself struggling to keep track of some of the characters. Minor, but annoying nonetheless. Regardless, Frontier Justice was immensely entertaining and I am eager to continue the series.
Frontier Justice is an entertaining contemporary western filled with action, humor and heart. The comparisons to CJ Box seem inevitable and obvious, but make no mistake, Michael Cardwell has a style and voice entirely his own. The mystery here is excellent, the story is well-paced, and the main character is compelling.
The stage seemed to get a bit crowded toward the end, however, and I found myself struggling to keep track of some of the characters. Minor, but annoying nonetheless. Regardless, Frontier Justice was immensely entertaining and I am eager to continue the series.
June 1, 2023
GoodBook—We’ll Done
Fast-paced with a novel and complex plot, excellent character development, sense of place, with respectful cultural awareness, culminating in a satisfying finish. CardWell’s combat experience increases the character’s’ authenticity. I look forward to the next Coogan book.
Fast-paced with a novel and complex plot, excellent character development, sense of place, with respectful cultural awareness, culminating in a satisfying finish. CardWell’s combat experience increases the character’s’ authenticity. I look forward to the next Coogan book.
September 14, 2023
About Danny Coogan
I really enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the humor in the story. It was a good action read, and a good plot with the right amount of humor mixed in. I loved all of the good guys and hated all the bad guys, and wanted to see the happy ending.
I really enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the humor in the story. It was a good action read, and a good plot with the right amount of humor mixed in. I loved all of the good guys and hated all the bad guys, and wanted to see the happy ending.
October 24, 2023
Very good read, characters were engaging & storyline kept me looking forward to each new chapter.
I enjoyed the suspense with some humor sprinkled in. I also like the Montana location the story was set in.
I enjoyed the suspense with some humor sprinkled in. I also like the Montana location the story was set in.
July 28, 2024
Danny Coogan is a brand new Montana Fish & Game Warden, working for his dad Ben. He is also a former soldier who was stationed in Afghanistan. One day Danny finds himself laying on the ground having been shot by Edmond Goodrunner, a Native American he considered a friend. Edmond leave Danny to die beside another man who was dead because of Edmond. Danny survives but needs to investigate what happened.
As more and more people become involved Danny learns there is a great deal of drug running going on in and around the Reservation. He also learns that Edmond actually saved his life that fateful night. Danny is asked to help the Tribal Police and agrees to do so. Now, the real work begins.
I liked this story as much as I like CJ Box (Joe Pickett) and Craig Johnson (Longmire). I hope Michael Cardwell continues to do well. He will give Box and Johnson a run for their money.
As more and more people become involved Danny learns there is a great deal of drug running going on in and around the Reservation. He also learns that Edmond actually saved his life that fateful night. Danny is asked to help the Tribal Police and agrees to do so. Now, the real work begins.
I liked this story as much as I like CJ Box (Joe Pickett) and Craig Johnson (Longmire). I hope Michael Cardwell continues to do well. He will give Box and Johnson a run for their money.
February 9, 2025
Now a game warden in a rural area, Danny Coogan is learning the ropes. Working for his father Ben is an experience and his territory leans a little between the Native American reservation and the Montana wilds. Most of the time he is making sure no one is poaching, but that doesn’t last long. He soon finds himself lying on the ground with a bullet in his chest and that’s when the story begins to unfold.
I liked everything about this book. It’s one of those hard-to-put-down kind. I noticed some people made reference to a sort of C.J. Box style, and it does have that setting feel. But Cardwell has his own style, one quite different from Box. His books have a different flavor, and they are mesmerizing. I love the characters he has painted. They are from a wide spectrum of personalities, making this even more interesting.
It looks as if there is one more Coogan mystery, Frontier Outlaws. I’m headed for it but sure hope there’s another when I finish.
I liked everything about this book. It’s one of those hard-to-put-down kind. I noticed some people made reference to a sort of C.J. Box style, and it does have that setting feel. But Cardwell has his own style, one quite different from Box. His books have a different flavor, and they are mesmerizing. I love the characters he has painted. They are from a wide spectrum of personalities, making this even more interesting.
It looks as if there is one more Coogan mystery, Frontier Outlaws. I’m headed for it but sure hope there’s another when I finish.
February 28, 2025
This is the first book in the Danny Coogan mystery series by this author. Danny is a Game Warden in Montana. In this mystery, he discovers the dead body of a male murder victim. At first it appears to be a straightforward and an obvious solution to this mystery. The only thing for Danny to do is to round up the bad guy. However, as subsequent events unfold, this murder has a tangled solution as several plot twists come into play. There are also dangerous people and situations, snow storms for example, that Danny Coogan must encounter and triumph over before this mystery is finally resolved. The characterizations are a bit weak and sometimes rather stereotyped. The same is true of the dialogue. But there is plenty of danger, violence, tension and suspense to keep the reader engaged in this mystery.
April 12, 2023
Great Start to A New Series!
Danny Coogan, a discharged combat Vet with multiple tours in Afghanistan, returns to his home in Montana and becomes a probationary Game Warden. He stays with his “family” Native Americans who raised him as their own after he lost his parents. They live just outside the reservation. This story starts with a bang, he’s received a call that an Elk had been poached, responding to the call he discovers it’s not an Elk, but a dead man in the snow, than BANG, Danny is shot in the chest. The authors writing style is so reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, CJ Box and his game warden series With Joe Pickett. I can’t wait to see the next in the Series. WELL DONE Mr Cardwell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Danny Coogan, a discharged combat Vet with multiple tours in Afghanistan, returns to his home in Montana and becomes a probationary Game Warden. He stays with his “family” Native Americans who raised him as their own after he lost his parents. They live just outside the reservation. This story starts with a bang, he’s received a call that an Elk had been poached, responding to the call he discovers it’s not an Elk, but a dead man in the snow, than BANG, Danny is shot in the chest. The authors writing style is so reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, CJ Box and his game warden series With Joe Pickett. I can’t wait to see the next in the Series. WELL DONE Mr Cardwell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 11, 2023
As far as action thrillers go, Frontier Justice is ranked right up there in the top ten percent.
Danny Coogan is a name I tagged for any more books featuring this character.
He'll has come to Darwin, Montana when Danny got ordered as a Fish and Game Ranger to check out a suspected cow killing.
It was not. Instead a dead body lied in the snow and a bullet hit Danny in the chest as he neared the body. Thank goodness for bullet proof vests.
Life in Darwin changed for the worst subsequently.
The characters are well drawn, the plot is surprising and full of twists and turns and I was drawn willy nilly into an amazed page flicking frenzy.
Well done to the author.
Enjoy.
Danny Coogan is a name I tagged for any more books featuring this character.
He'll has come to Darwin, Montana when Danny got ordered as a Fish and Game Ranger to check out a suspected cow killing.
It was not. Instead a dead body lied in the snow and a bullet hit Danny in the chest as he neared the body. Thank goodness for bullet proof vests.
Life in Darwin changed for the worst subsequently.
The characters are well drawn, the plot is surprising and full of twists and turns and I was drawn willy nilly into an amazed page flicking frenzy.
Well done to the author.
Enjoy.
September 27, 2025
Game Warden vs Bad Guys
This book was pretty good and I had to read it in 3:sessions, but, I was anxious to continue reading it each time I picked it up. There were great characters and the tradition of Indian tribal police and white cops not wanting to work together was not to be found here. There were lots of shoot outs and at least twice in the book it was hard to tell the good guys from the bad ones. That’s what made the book so enjoyable; each page brought a new situation to be solved and most of the time resulted in gun fire. Pick this book up and you will need a drink and a snack as you won’t want to stop reading.
This book was pretty good and I had to read it in 3:sessions, but, I was anxious to continue reading it each time I picked it up. There were great characters and the tradition of Indian tribal police and white cops not wanting to work together was not to be found here. There were lots of shoot outs and at least twice in the book it was hard to tell the good guys from the bad ones. That’s what made the book so enjoyable; each page brought a new situation to be solved and most of the time resulted in gun fire. Pick this book up and you will need a drink and a snack as you won’t want to stop reading.
April 23, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. I really like the characters. I was drawn to them almost immediately. There was plenty of action and a decent story. The book felt rushed and a bit amateurish. I thought the editing was sub-par. The paperback was 335 pages long but it was double-spaced, and they counted the blank pages between the chapters, so it read closer to 200 pages. It really could have benefited to be a bit more flushed out. The epilogue didn't even include updates on 3 main characters, Lucy, Ben and Molly.
June 19, 2025
About as good as crime fiction gets!
Frontier Justice, book 1 in the Frontier series, and introduces us to Danny Coogan, Fish and Wildlife officer in Darwin, Montana. The plot keeps you guessing until the very end. The characters are excellent, and Native Americans treated with respect, something I appreciate and isn't always present in fiction. I'm not generally a crime fiction reader, but Frontier Justice came highly recommended by one of my favorite authors, and I'm glad I took the recommendation, as should you! 4/5 stars!
Frontier Justice, book 1 in the Frontier series, and introduces us to Danny Coogan, Fish and Wildlife officer in Darwin, Montana. The plot keeps you guessing until the very end. The characters are excellent, and Native Americans treated with respect, something I appreciate and isn't always present in fiction. I'm not generally a crime fiction reader, but Frontier Justice came highly recommended by one of my favorite authors, and I'm glad I took the recommendation, as should you! 4/5 stars!
March 11, 2023
What an awesome story
There are only a few books that keep me reading until my eyes won't stay open. The characters are so real and the subtle humor between them is real. I give this five stars, I would give it even more! He reminds me of Longmire in so many ways. I now have a new favorite! The really Hugh bummer is there is no second book! Now what I supposed to read that is equal to "Frontier Justice"???
There are only a few books that keep me reading until my eyes won't stay open. The characters are so real and the subtle humor between them is real. I give this five stars, I would give it even more! He reminds me of Longmire in so many ways. I now have a new favorite! The really Hugh bummer is there is no second book! Now what I supposed to read that is equal to "Frontier Justice"???
May 21, 2023
Enjoyable Read.
An easy and enjoyable read - location Montana - time period current.
Story arc includes an infantry vet of recent Afgan conflict w other vets from Afg/ IRQ. Tribal and Indian issues/perspective are well integrated. Guns, hunting, mountains, big pickups, snow, mountain snow storms, and rural perspectives drive the story line.
I hope this is the first of a new series.
An easy and enjoyable read - location Montana - time period current.
Story arc includes an infantry vet of recent Afgan conflict w other vets from Afg/ IRQ. Tribal and Indian issues/perspective are well integrated. Guns, hunting, mountains, big pickups, snow, mountain snow storms, and rural perspectives drive the story line.
I hope this is the first of a new series.
December 13, 2023
Twisted Tale and White Knuckle Suspense
This is the start of a series that I plan to continue reading. The plot has just enough twists and complications to keep it very interesting. Very suspenseful, too. This is also a clear story with little bad language, no gore, and reasonable violence. There is not great detail with the violence and most things happen 'off-screen'. The culture clashes are also kept within a reasonable norm. I am going to continue to read the series.
This is the start of a series that I plan to continue reading. The plot has just enough twists and complications to keep it very interesting. Very suspenseful, too. This is also a clear story with little bad language, no gore, and reasonable violence. There is not great detail with the violence and most things happen 'off-screen'. The culture clashes are also kept within a reasonable norm. I am going to continue to read the series.
June 23, 2025
Damn fine work.
I must say this is a different take on a lawman or should I say Fish an Game Warden. This story flows nicely and leaves you to Try and figure it all out. Yea no such luck. The characters are all outstanding and work great together as a whole. Danny has what it takes to be a great cop but he needs to figure out life its self first. Great story line makes you want more when your done. So bring it on I'm all in. All I can say is one hell of a read!!
I must say this is a different take on a lawman or should I say Fish an Game Warden. This story flows nicely and leaves you to Try and figure it all out. Yea no such luck. The characters are all outstanding and work great together as a whole. Danny has what it takes to be a great cop but he needs to figure out life its self first. Great story line makes you want more when your done. So bring it on I'm all in. All I can say is one hell of a read!!
February 21, 2023
Well-written thriller
Danny Coogan has a lot on his plate - narrowly surviving a gun shot right from the get-go and things only get more tumultuous from there too but it’s certainly an interesting story to follow. Full of twists and turns in this mystery saga
Danny Coogan has a lot on his plate - narrowly surviving a gun shot right from the get-go and things only get more tumultuous from there too but it’s certainly an interesting story to follow. Full of twists and turns in this mystery saga
February 26, 2023
Really good read
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Danny, the game warden, his adoptive parents, the tribal police connection, his doctor love interest, all the veteran characters…I look forward to the next installment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Danny, the game warden, his adoptive parents, the tribal police connection, his doctor love interest, all the veteran characters…I look forward to the next installment.
March 13, 2023
Very enjoyable story with lots of action and twists and turns. Love the juxtaposition of the Native reservation world with the outside world. Danny Coogan is a well developed character and I am looking forward to more adventures.
April 8, 2023
It was okay. Smacks of a "first novel" by an author of some promise. His exploits as a probie game warden are kind of a stretch. FBI agent depiction is odd. They are probably more intrusive and numerous than shown. They don't work so isolated and out of contact. And are more arrogant.
April 30, 2023
This one was recommended by a different author that I follow. Sure glad I took his advice. As one of the characters in this book said, "One more twist in this case and I'm going to tip over." It ws that good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews