Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Ryan C. Coleman’s Billy The Kid: The War for Lincoln County is a riveting historical novel that brings to life the tumultuous events of the Lincoln County War and the legendary figure of Billy the Kid. Narrated by the talented Roger Clark, this audiobook offers an immersive and engaging experience that transports listeners to the lawless frontier of 19th-century New Mexico.

The novel chronicles the rise of Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, against the backdrop of the Lincoln County War. At just 17, Billy finds himself entangled in a violent conflict between rival factions vying for control of the lucrative cattle trade. The story begins with Billy’s brief association with Jesse Evans’s gang, who work for the corrupt businessman Lawrence Murphy. When Billy aligns himself with the honorable rancher John Tunstall, he becomes part of the Regulators, a group seeking justice for Tunstall’s murder.

Roger Clark’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His deep, resonant voice and skillful delivery capture the gritty atmosphere of the Old West and the complex emotions of the characters.

Coleman’s writing is vivid and meticulously researched, providing a rich tapestry of historical detail that brings the era to life. The novel’s structure, composed of short, fast-paced vignettes, keeps the story moving at a brisk pace while maintaining a high level of suspense.

Billy The Kid: The War for Lincoln County explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the corrupting influence of power. It delves into the moral ambiguities of frontier justice and the personal cost of living outside the law.

Billy The Kid: The War for Lincoln County is a compelling and well-crafted historical novel that offers a fresh perspective on a legendary figure. Roger Clark’s exceptional narration elevates the story, making it a must-listen for fans of Westerns and historical fiction. Ryan C. Coleman has succeeded in creating a vivid and engaging portrayal of one of the most iconic outlaws in American history.

Billy the Kid: The War for Lincoln County
Ryan C. Coleman

The setting is 1870 New Mexico. The Civil War is over, and the white settlers are making their way west. The native inhabitants are forced to leave their homes. A group of wealthy politicians, businessman and landowners form a cartel; they hold all the power it by theft, graft, and murder. They own The House, a store in Lincoln.
William Bonney, (Billy the Kid) is a seventeen-year-old orphan. He was jailed when he was 15. The sheriff planned to “scare him straight”, it didn’t work. Billy was so scared he escaped from jail, living on the run from the law ever since. Billy wants a family, a home and people that love him. His mother died. His stepfather is cruel and unloving; he doesn’t want to be bothered by Billy or his brother.
John Tunstall, a gang leader takes a liking to Billy and takes him under his wing. John is new to the area; he dreams of opening his own business in Lincoln, competing with The House. Tunstall is murdered, leaving Billy craving revenge.
Author Ryan C. Coleman demonstrates what it would be like to live in 1870. Billy’s childhood was very sad and that is what brought him to a life of crime. I enjoyed learning about Billy the Kid. He was part of American history that we tend to overlook. Much has been written about the folk hero; author Ryan C Coleman brings the real Billy to life; he comes off the pages brandishing his fire arm ready to fight.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the copy of this book for review. My reviews are my personal opinions.

I’ve been interested in Billy the Kid since I saw the movie Young Guns. This book starts with Billy’s childhood before he was Billy and tells how circumstances led him to a life a crime. Times were difficult and this does a good job of describing what was going on. I listened to this book and Roger Clark did a good job with the narration.

Thank you to the author, Blackstone Publishing- Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy (ALC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

From the publisher:Age 14: Orphaned.
Age 15: Prison inmate.

Age 16: Escaped outlaw.

Age 17: Wanted killer.

In 1870s New Mexico, the territory is at a crossroads. The indigenous population is being driven out—and driven down—by the white settlers migrating west after the Civil War. The center of power isn’t the governor but rather the Santa Fe Ring, a group of wealthy politicians, businessman, and landowners who exercise power through organized crime, theft, graft, and murder. Their main source of income is a mercantile store in Lincoln known as the House.

After escaping jail, William Bonney—a.k.a. Billy the Kid—is a seventeen-year-old orphan who’s been on the run for the better part of two years. All he wants is to belong—to find a place he can call home and people he can call family.

He’d have been better off alone.

Billy falls in with a gang of ruthless rustlers and murderers who work as muscle for the House. But when Billy crosses one of the members, the gang sets out to kill him

Billy narrowly escapes, finding refuge under the tutelage of John Tunstall, an English immigrant new to the territory who has his sights set on opening a business in Lincoln—and he’s intent on competing directly with the House. But when Tunstall is murdered, any positive effect the mentor had on Billy is eradicated, leaving the Kid with only one thing on his mind …

Revenge.

From orphan to outlaw to killer, this is the untold story behind the legend of Billy the Kid.

The first time I saw the movie Young Guns, I loved it. It's a fictionalized version of the Lincoln County War, better known as the story of Billy the Kid. Several years later I read Anything for Billy by Larry McMurtry and enjoyed that as well. So when I saw the Ryan C. Coleman had a book about the Kid called Billy the Kid, I jumped at the chance to read and review it.

Coleman does a nice job giving background on how Henry Antrim became the legend known as Billy the Kid. A combination of an uncaring step-father, a dying mother, and the semi-lawlessness of New Mexico give the Kid a tragic backstory. Fateful encounters with outlaws just add to the tale. Along his journey, Billy meets a man named John Tunstall, who took the Kid in and gave him purpose. When Tunstall was murdered by John Dolan, Tunstall's rival and a member of the Santa Fe Ring, Billy's life became focused on revenge. Corrupt politicians, outlaws, and even the US Army all played a role in the creation of the legend of Billy the Kid.

The story of Billy the Kid is fascinating, and Coleman does a fine job spinning that tale. He provides adequate backstories for many of the characters in the Lincoln Country War. The gunfights are exciting and Billy's relationships with his friends and lovers are given some depth. Even the mercurial nature of Billy's personality is explored. However, there is just something missing that keeps this from being a great book. The best that I can explain is that it seems like Coleman can't decide if he is writing a novel or an historical account of Billy's life. This causes part of the story to be rather dry.

The audiobook narration was performed by Roger Clark. Clark did an excellent job, giving voice and characterization to the varied characters in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed Billy the Kid by Ryan C. Coleman. This was Coleman's first book and I would be willing to look into whatever he writes next. I would recommend this book to fans of Billy the Kid or Young Guns. They would find much to enjoy in this story.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.