Frank F. Fiore’s Revival of the Western: Why He Chose the Cowboy Sleuth

For years, the Western genre seemed like a relic of the past—an echo of dusty saloons, outlaw duels, and stoic sheriffs. But now, it’s galloping back into the cultural spotlight, reimagined for a new generation. At the forefront of this revival is bestselling author Frank F. Fiore, who’s taking the genre into uncharted territory with his latest creation: Jonathan Smyth Cowboy Sleuth: The Case of the Screaming Tunnel.

But why Westerns? And why now?

According to Fiore, it was never about chasing trends. It was about reviving a legendary genre—and giving it a supernatural twist that no one saw coming.

A Genre Ready to Rise Again

Frank F. Fiore is no stranger to thrillers. With a portfolio spanning from techno-suspense to action-packed historical fiction, he’s always been drawn to the pulse of a good mystery. But the Western, he realized, had something deeper: moral complexity, untamed landscapes, and characters who walk the line between justice and vengeance.

In other words, the Western is the perfect playground for a story that’s as chilling as it is courageous.

With The Case of the Screaming Tunnel, Fiore does more than just revisit the genre—he redefines it. By blending traditional Western archetypes with a slow-burning paranormal mystery, he creates a world that feels both nostalgic and brand new.

Why the Cowboy Sleuth?

Frank wanted a hero who embodied the grit of the classic cowboy but had the sharpness of a detective. Enter Jonathan Smyth, a man of few words but many insights. A cowboy with a badge, a brain, and a deep sense of justice—haunted more by the lies of the living than the whispers of the dead.

Smyth isn’t chasing bounty. He’s chasing the truth.

In a haunted tunnel. In a terrified town. In a world where legends kill—and no one wants them uncovered.

The Author’s Mission: A Story That Sticks

For Fiore, this isn’t just a one-and-done story. It’s the beginning of a larger journey. He’s already working on future installments in the Cowboy Sleuth series, each one unfolding a new case, a new legend, and deeper insight into Smyth’s past.

He’s also actively developing a streaming series adaptation—bringing the eerie, cinematic world of Jonathan Smyth to life for a wider audience.

This is more than a revival. It’s a reinvention. And it’s already turning heads.

🎬 Learn more about the potential streaming series adaptation

Conclusion: A Writer Unafraid of the Unknown

Frank F. Fiore didn’t write The Case of the Screaming Tunnel to follow the trail. He wrote it to blaze one.

He’s a writer who isn’t afraid to ask: What happens when we bring mystery into the mythic West? What happens when the cowboy is also a detective? And what happens when the ghosts of the past aren’t just metaphors—but very real threats?

The answer? You get one unforgettable ride.

📚 Discover the story that’s redefining Western fiction.🔗 Read Jonathan Smyth Cowboy Sleuth on Amazon