Longarm book cover

The Longarm Series in Order

The Longarm series can be read in any order, though starting with Longarm provides the clearest introduction to the setting and recurring characters. The stories follow Deputy U.S. Marshal Custis Long as he travels across the American West in the 1880s, enforcing federal law while facing outlaws, disputes, and dangerous assignments.

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Longarm Books in Order

434 books total 200 main + 234 companion books

Complete reading order for the Longarm series.

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How to Read the Longarm series

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Mostly standalone stories with recurring characters in a shared setting.

The Longarm series does not need to be read in order. Each book tells a complete story with its own resolution, and continuity is limited to the recurring main character and the consistent Old West setting. Reading out of order does not cause confusion, as the individual adventures are self-contained with only basic familiarity needed for Longarm’s personality and role.

About the Longarm series

Series Premise

Each book sends Longarm on a new mission, often involving train robberies, land conflicts, or pursuits of fugitives. He relies on his wits, gun skills, and experience to bring justice while navigating the rough frontier environment.

Main Characters

Custis Long, better known as Longarm, is the central figure—a tall, capable Deputy U.S. Marshal based in Denver. He frequently works with local lawmen, informants, and women he encounters during his cases, though no single supporting cast carries through all the books.

Setting

The series is set in the American West during the late 19th century. Stories take place across frontier towns, remote ranches, mining camps, and territories from Colorado to Texas and beyond.

Tone & Themes

The books deliver a gritty, action-oriented adult Western tone with straightforward storytelling. Recurring themes include justice versus lawlessness, survival in a harsh land, loyalty, and the moral ambiguities of frontier life.

Is This Series Worth Reading?

This series appeals to readers who enjoy classic Western adventures with a strong central hero and fast-paced plots. It suits fans of traditional Westerns that include elements of action, investigation, and adult situations.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

The series includes violence typical of Westerns, such as gunfights and physical confrontations. It also contains explicit sexual content and mature language common in adult-oriented Western fiction of its era.

The Longarm series offers a long-running collection of Western adventures centered on one determined lawman. Readers can explore the books in any sequence without losing track of the stories. It provides consistent frontier action for those who enjoy episodic tales of the Old West.

FAQ

How many books are in the Longarm series?

434 books total: 200 main + 234 companion books

When will the next book in the series be released?

No new book is currently scheduled. The latest book, Longarm and the Missing Husband, was published in February 2015.

When was the most recent book released?

Longarm and the Missing Husband was published in February 2015.

What was the first book in the series?

The first book in the series is Longarm, published in October 1978.

What genre is the Longarm series?

The series primarily falls into the Historical genre.

Do you need to read the Longarm series in order?

No, the books do not need to be read in order. Each story stands on its own, but recurring characters and the shared setting connect the series.

What is the Longarm series about?

Each book sends Longarm on a new mission, often involving train robberies, land conflicts, or pursuits of fugitives. He relies on his wits, gun skills, and experience to bring justice while navigating the rough frontier environment.

Is the Longarm series finished?

The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.