Relentless

Sam Watchman #1

by Brian Garfield

A Native American sheriff chases a gang of bloodthirsty bank robbers

Were it not for the copper mine, San Miguel wouldn't exist. A hardscrabble town hewn out of the Arizona desert, it's long on sand and short on excitement. For fun its citizens go to Las Vegas twice a month, just after picking up their paychecks. Because most of the miners take their pay in cash, every two weeks more than a million dollars moves through San Miguel's little bank, watched over by heavy security from the sheriff's department.

This week, the security is not strong enough. A team of shotgun-wielding men burst into the bank. They disable the guards with mace, killing one, and leave with the largest bank haul in Arizona history.

Sam Watchman, a Navajo state trooper, is on their trail. But these men aren't just robbers; they're psychopaths. Watchman is in for the hunt of his life.

Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Crime, Action

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Brian Francis Wynne Garfield was a novelist and screenwriter. He wrote his first published book at the age of eighteen, and gained prominence with 1975 his book Hopscotch, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. He is best known for his 1972 novel Death Wish, which was adapted for the 1974 film of the same title, followed by four sequels, and a remake starring Bruce Willis.

His follow-up 1975 sequel to Death Wish, Death Sentence, was very loosely adapted into a film of the same name which was released to theaters in late 2007, though an entirely different storyline, but with the novel's same look on vigilantism. Garfield is also the author of The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Garfield's latest book, published in 2007, is Meinertzhagen, the biography of controversial British intelligence officer Richard Meinertzhagen.

Brian Garfield was the author of more than 70 books that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and 19 of his works were made into films or TV shows. He also served as president of the Western Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.

Pseudonyms:
• Bennett Garland
• John Ives
• Drew Mallory
• Frank O'Brian
• Brian Wynne
• Frank Wynne

Reviews

[Geoff Loftus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid suspense as a seemingly over-matched Arizona State highway patrolman, Navajo Sam Watchman, goes after a Green Beret team turned bank robbers in the wilderness of Arizona. Garfield is at his usual professional level here, developing characters and keeping the tension throughout.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an astoundingly taut novel. It is amazing that it has not been made into a movie.

[James S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Another strong entry from Garfield, one of several novels he wrote that year. Not as good as his best work, Relentless is still a suspenseful read with some interesting things to say about the Western genre. And as always with Garfield, this book has a lot of narrative nicotine to it. Recommended.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't really decided how I feel about this book. I enjoy Brian Garfield's books quite a bit. While his writing style isn't a thrill a second, his storyline are enthralling. The problem with this book is the story is a fairly straightforward one and his muted writing style doesn't elevate the storyline. Overall, it's ok book.

[Chris Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This was a very good thriller. I liked how the author split his time between the good guys and the bad guys. It gives the reader a chance to get to know both sides and form connections which, in my opinion, makes the book more thrilling.

I highly recommend this book.