South of the Border

Gatling #4

by Jack Slade

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the late 19th century and the U.S. government is looking to dig a canal through Panama. Gatling, our gun totting hero is sent down there with an expedition party to try out new weapons in the field, cause that's his job. Trying out munitions in live combat situations. With surveyors, marines and the rich obnoxious head of the expedition, he lands in the sweltering jungles of Panama. They are aware that not only do they have the harsh climate, blood thirsty natives and rebels to deal with, they are also being tracked by a group of mercenaries that are being well paid to see that the group fails and never returns.

I'm not the biggest western fan but I am liking a few more books that I use to in this genre. I'll pass on the Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour's vision of the old west. Give me B-grade pulp any day. That's why I like this book. These pot-boiler's are what makes the genre fun for me. Another thing I like is that it takes place in Panama, before the canal was built instead of sagebrush and stage coach American old west. Not rip roaring action, which would of gave it the fifth star, but nice pacing and great dialog. There seems to be only six books in this series. I hope to find the others soon.