Yakima Henry by Frank Leslie
The Yakima Henry series by Frank Leslie is a thrilling collection of Western novels. It follows the life of Yakima Henry, a half-Indian, half-white drifter who is constantly caught between two worlds. With his sharp instincts, deadly skills, and a knack for finding trouble, Yakima’s adventures are filled with danger, betrayal, and survival in the untamed West. Each book offers a gripping tale of action, moral dilemmas, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
Publication Order of Yakima Henry Books
- The Lonely Breed (2007)
- The Thunder Riders (2007)
- The Wild Breed (2008)
- The Killing Breed (2008)
- The Savage Breed (2009)
- The Dangerous Dawn (2009/2010)
- Bullet for a Half-Breed (2011)
- Revenge at Hatchet Creek (2011)
- Dead River Killer (2011)
- The Canyon (2012)
- Dead Man’s Trail (2012)
- Ambush at Apache Pass (2014)
- Redemption Trail (2020)
- Blood of the Horsetooth Widow (2021)
- Bloody Arizona (2021)
- Wildcat of the Sierra Estrada (2021)
- Chiricahua Blues (2021)
- Canyon of Death (2021)
- Stripped and Branded (2021)
The Lonely Breed (2007)
Meet Yakima Henry, a man caught between two worlds. He’s sweeping floors at a local brothel when four men try to carve up one of the working girls. Yakima steps in with his Arkansas Toothpick knife, becoming the girl’s protector and finding himself hunted by a vicious bounty hunter. This first adventure sets the tone for the entire series – gritty action, moral choices, and a hero with nothing to lose.
The Thunder Riders (2007)
Yakima leaves his White Mountains ranch for supplies and rides straight into a shootout between townspeople and bandits. When the outlaws steal his prized stallion Wolf and kidnap a saloon girl, Yakima’s pursuit turns personal. The sleepy desert town becomes a powder keg of raw emotion and flying lead as Yakima fights to reclaim what’s his.
The Wild Breed (2008)
Yakima ventures south of the Mexican border to rescue an old flame’s brother from prison. His journey pits him against deadly Apaches, scalp-hunting Rurales, and zealous revolutionaries. This blood-soaked adventure tests Yakima’s survival skills and moral code as he navigates foreign dangers.
The Killing Breed (2008)
Finally finding peace at his small Arizona horse ranch with his love Faith, Yakima thinks his troubled days might be behind him. But a man from both their pasts arrives seeking vengeance, threatening to destroy everything Yakima has built. His hard-won happiness hangs in the balance as old debts come due.
The Savage Breed (2009)
To escape jail, Yakima accepts a dangerous proposition from wealthy couple Mr. and Mrs. O’Shannon. They need a tough man to lead them through hell to save their family and fortune. Yakima agrees in exchange for his freedom, but soon discovers that freedom means nothing if you’re not alive to enjoy it.
The Dangerous Dawn (2009/2010)
When Yakima steps in to help an older man being bullied by outlaws, he becomes a target for both bandits and lawmen. His good deed puts him in the crosshairs of men driven by revenge and greed, forcing him to rely on his wits and fighting skills to survive.
Bullet for a Half-Breed (2011)
Yakima’s mixed heritage continues to make him an outcast. When he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit, he must clear his name while dodging bullets from those who want him dead. This installment explores the prejudice Yakima faces and his determination to overcome it.
Revenge at Hatchet Creek (2011)
A personal vendetta leads Yakima to Hatchet Creek, where he uncovers a web of corruption and violence. His quest for justice puts him at odds with powerful enemies who control the town. Yakima’s sense of right and wrong drives him to fight against overwhelming odds.
Dead River Killer (2011)
A series of brutal murders near Dead River draws Yakima into a mystery that becomes increasingly personal. As he hunts the killer, he discovers connections to his own past that force him to confront painful memories while racing to prevent more deaths.
The Canyon (2012)
Trapped in a remote canyon with dangerous pursuers closing in, Yakima must use every survival skill he possesses. The harsh landscape becomes both refuge and prison as he plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with enemies who want him dead.
Dead Man’s Trail (2012)
Following a trail that supposedly leads to a dead man, Yakima uncovers secrets that powerful people want to keep buried. His journey takes him through ghost towns and wilderness, facing dangers both human and natural as he seeks the truth.
Ambush at Apache Pass (2014)
Yakima rides into an ambush at the notorious Apache Pass, barely escaping with his life. His fight for survival against both Apache warriors and white outlaws tests his skills and resolve as he navigates treacherous terrain and shifting alliances.
Redemption Trail (2020)
Seeking redemption for past actions, Yakima follows a dangerous trail that leads to unexpected allies and enemies. His journey becomes one of personal growth as he confronts his demons while fighting external threats that push him to his limits.
Blood of the Horsetooth Widow (2021)
A mysterious widow from Horsetooth draws Yakima into a blood-soaked adventure involving hidden treasure and deadly secrets. His attraction to the widow complicates matters as he discovers her connection to a violent past that threatens their future.
Bloody Arizona (2021)
The Arizona Territory becomes a battleground as Yakima faces corrupt officials, ruthless outlaws, and Apache raiders. The harsh desert landscape mirrors the brutality of the conflicts as Yakima fights for justice in a lawless land.
Wildcat of the Sierra Estrada (2021)
In the Sierra Estrada mountains, Yakima encounters a fierce female outlaw known as the Wildcat. Their initial antagonism evolves into an uneasy alliance as they face common enemies. This story explores Yakima’s complex relationships with strong women who match his own fierce independence.
Chiricahua Blues (2021)
The dangerous Chiricahua Apache territory becomes Yakima’s hunting ground as he tracks kidnappers who’ve taken someone important to him. His knowledge of Apache ways helps him navigate this perilous mission, but also forces him to confront his own divided heritage.
Canyon of Death (2021)
A notorious canyon living up to its grim name becomes the setting for Yakima’s desperate fight against overwhelming odds. Trapped with limited supplies and surrounded by enemies, he must use every trick and skill to survive the deadly gauntlet.
Stripped and Branded (2021)
Yakima suffers the humiliation of being stripped and branded by enemies seeking revenge. His journey back from this degradation becomes a quest for retribution that tests his physical and mental strength as he hunts those who marked him.
Why You’ll Love Yakima Henry Series
The Yakima Henry series offers a gritty, authentic vision of the American West that doesn’t shy away from its harsh realities. You’ll love these books if you enjoy:
- A complex hero who doesn’t fit neatly into society
- Fast-paced action with realistic consequences
- Rich descriptions of frontier landscapes
- Moral dilemmas with no easy answers
- Strong supporting characters, especially powerful women
- Authentic historical details about life in the Old West
- Unflinching portrayals of violence and justice on the frontier
Frank Leslie (Peter Brandvold) writes with a direct, punchy style that keeps pages turning. His vivid descriptions put you right in the saddle alongside Yakima as he faces down danger after danger.
Books Similar to Yakima Henry Series
If you enjoy the Yakima Henry adventures, check out these similar Western series:
- The Lou Prophet Series by Peter Brandvold – Following a bounty hunter with his own code of honor
- The Revenger Series by Frank Leslie – Featuring Clint Adams, a man seeking justice in the lawless West
- The Ben Stillman Series by Peter Brandvold – Chronicles of a retired lawman pulled back into action
- The Longarm Series by Tabor Evans – Adventures of Deputy U.S. Marshal Custis Long
- The Edge Series by George G. Gilman – Dark, violent Western tales featuring a half-breed protagonist
- The Gunsmith Series by J.R. Roberts – Following gunsmith and adventurer Clint Adams