American West Trilogy books in order

Q: "How many books are in the American West Trilogy series?"

"There are three books in the American West Trilogy series, published between 2012 and 2016."

Q: "What is the first book in the American West Trilogy series?"

"The first book in the American West Trilogy series is Hard Country, published in 2012."

Q: "How does the American West Trilogy connect to the Kevin Kerney series?"

"The trilogy is a prequel of sorts — it follows the Kerney family across three generations, from the open-range frontier of the 1870s through two world wars and the arrival of the nuclear age in New Mexico. The books provide the family history that informs Kevin Kerney's identity and his connection to the land, though each series works independently."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Hard Country	2012	Michael McGarrity	Buy
2	Backlands	2014	Michael McGarrity	Buy
3	The Last Ranch	2016	Michael McGarrity	Buy

The American West Trilogy by Michael McGarrity traces the Kerney family across nearly a hundred years of New Mexico history. Hard Country (2012) begins in the 1870s with the frontier ranching life; Backlands (2014) follows the next generation through World War I and the Depression; The Last Ranch (2016) takes the family into World War II and the atomic age.

The trilogy is McGarrity’s most ambitious work, moving from the mystery genre into sprawling historical fiction. The New Mexico landscape anchors every book, and the family’s relationship to the land — earning it, losing it, fighting to keep it — drives the narrative across all three generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the American West Trilogy series?

There are three books in the American West Trilogy series, published between 2012 and 2016.

What is the first book in the American West Trilogy series?

The first book in the American West Trilogy series is Hard Country, published in 2012.

How does the American West Trilogy connect to the Kevin Kerney series?

The trilogy is a prequel of sorts — it follows the Kerney family across three generations, from the open-range frontier of the 1870s through two world wars and the arrival of the nuclear age in New Mexico. The books provide the family history that informs Kevin Kerney’s identity and his connection to the land, though each series works independently.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order