Death Stalks the Rangers — James J. Griffin

Texas Ranger Sean Kennedy is preparing to feed his troop's horses their morning rations when he spies an approaching horse. As the animal draws nearer, he recognizes the mount as belonging to fellow Ranger Thad Dutton. Dutton's body is hanging from the saddle, his foot caught in the stirrup. Sean, along with fellow Ranger Levi Mallory, is assigned to track down Dutton's killer, no matter what or how long it takes. With the only clues the trail left by Dutton's horse and the dead Ranger's missing belt, the task seems virtually impossible. A meeting with a rancher and his wife gives Sean and Levi their first real, if slim, lead, a description of the man who may have been Dutton's killer. Once the trail is lost, Sean chooses to head for San Antonio, Dutton's last known whereabouts. Despite many obstacles in their path, including encounters with other outlaws, and having no real hint as to their quarry's identity, Sean and Levi keep on their search, a search that will lead them to a small town controlled by one man, and a completely unexpected reason for Dutton's murder. Death Stalks the Rangers is very much a traditional Western, with strong heroes and plenty of action. It is also a mystery as the two partners try to find the identity of the person or persons behind the murder of a fellow Ranger.