The Night Riders of Hardin County

Against the backdrop of sweeping prairies and rugged frontier towns, the tranquil village of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, becomes the center of a clandestine gang of counterfeiters and horse thieves. The lives of five innocent brothers are irrevocably shattered after the gang commit a chilling murder. As a result, two brothers are assassinated by a local mob of vigilantes, while another pair find themselves condemned to life in prison. Amidst the brothers’ desperate struggle for freedom, a beacon of hope emerges from a small-town physician, Dr. Nathan Morse. He dedicates himself to unraveling the web of deceit that ensnared the innocent brothers, and embarks on a quest to see the truth, vowing to right the grave injustice.

Based on actual events, the story comes alive with unspeakable betrayal, unyielding loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of redemption.

Fans of historical fiction, thrilling westerns, and compelling mysteries will devour this captivating tale of intrigue; a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of one man's unwavering dedication to right the wrongs of the past.

©2023 Lance Hansmann (P)2025 Lance Hansmann

Very well written

This is a well written book about tragic true events. It isn't my usual genre, but something drew me to this book and kept my attention all the way through it. That in itself is impressive. I found myself getting very upset about the many occasions of injustice and ignorance. Thankfully, there were also some bright moments of compassion and generosity.

The Truth About The Night Riders of Hardin County

This book is a very captivating read. I was watching a western show Rawhide and there was mention of the Night Riders in an episode. This was a very troubling time at the beginning of Steamboat Rock Iowa. In the end this is a redemption story. Clearing the names of the innocent caught in the crossfire of a money laundering scheme.

Amazing history

I grew up in Iowa yet never heard about this “Wild West” saga! So interesting to see how good people were swayed by some bad actors and newspaper propaganda into believing facts about a family that had no basis in evidence. Even worse, these falsehoods led to murder and long unjustified incarceration. I hate to see these things are still happening today with half the country believing the untruths of bad actors in our government. There is always hope however, goodness prevailed through the diligent efforts of Dr. Morse and others, finally bringing the true story to light and getting the governor to grant the innocent brothers a pardon. I enjoyed this audiobook very much! The icing on the cake is that the talented narrator is my cousin, Glen Wiebel, and I am very proud of him!

A Great Listen

The author and narrator do a great job bringing the characters and historical events to life.

Great detail

Very interesting story about betrayal. I love when a book transports me back in time. I really felt like I was in the early 1900s.