This action packed western novel follows a displaced Wyoming cowboy, Justin Gentry, who has come to Colorado to start a new ranch in the late 1800s. After interrupting an attempted holdup and rescuing the victims, a budding romance develops between Justin and a widow from Tennessee. When his good friend the Elbert County Sheriff is murdered by rustlers, Justin tries to get an unethical judge and the incompetent newly appointed acting sheriff to bring the murderers to justice. But when his efforts fail, Justin decides to take the law into his own hands.