Jim Glass' long-sought peace is shattered when the ex-soldier and ex-Ranger discovers six of his corralled horses dead, their throats slit. Though he dreads doing so, he'll strap on his weapons and go hunting for the culprit—because someone capable of such a foul, thoughtless killing is capable of anything.The dusty town of Domingo has been targeted by a pair of blood-crazed brothers and their Texas cohorts with robbery, murder and mayhem on their minds, and that's where Glass will make his stand—even though his only support is an old Indian named Hairy Legs and an over-the-hill lawman named Trout. Because a home's the one thing a man's got that's worth fighting—and dying—for.

Captain Gus Rodgers of the Texas Rangers is dying—and before he goes, he needs Jim's help to free his grandson from a Mexican prison. Trouble is, the Federale general holding him wants the head of the boy's brother, Billy, who has already confessed to murdering the general's daughter. Gus believes Billy deserves to die. The old ranger's just worried he won't live long enough to do the deed—which is where Jim Glass comes in.Gus's wild grandsons may be a lot of things—brutal, ignorant, and dangerous, to name three—but they may not actually be guilty of this particular crime. And when the truth comes out, there's bound to be a war. And no one's going to escape unbloodied . . .

Some men return from war to a life of peace. Tom Dooley returned from the Civil War and became embroiled in a tumultuous affair with Ann Foster Melton, a married woman. Their affair was openly known throughout the community. Later, Tom becomes involved with two of Ann's cousins, Pauline Foster and Laura Foster. When it is learned that Tom is about to elope with Laura, who is then found murdered, there are plenty of suspects, Tom being the principal one. He and Ann Foster are arrested for the crime. Tom claims that Ann had nothing to do with the murder, although he does not openly admit his own guilt. He is tried, defended by the state's former governor, Zebulon Vance. Though he is found guilty, there are those who believe Tom is innocent, wondering why he would kill the girl he was going to run away with.