The Diablo Grant — James Reasoner

When a crumbling piece of paper slides from the Bible of Juan Espina, the town drunk, the New Mexico territory settlement of Garrison is royally surprised. It appears to be a centuries-old land grant -- issued by the King of Spain -- that gives Espina a legal claim to the prime land of nearby Diablo Valley. The valley's two wealthy ranchers fly into a rage, and the fearless gavel of Judge Earl Stark is summoned to find a fair and peaceable solution. But when Stark rules in favor of the destitute Espina, sleepy Garrison is pushed violently to the brink of chaos. It will take all of the judge's skill as a sleuth -- and a marksman -- to uncover the true roots of lawlessness in this frontier town....

THE DIABLO GRANT continues the saga of Judge Earl Stark from James M. Reasoner, the acclaimed Western author of many of the books of the Abilene, Cody's Law, and Stagecoach series.