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Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch #8
Robert B. Parker's Blackjack
Itinerant lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch return in the gritty new installment of the New York Times –bestselling series.
Appaloosa, the hometown of Territorial Marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, continues to prosper, but with prosperity comes a slew of new carpetbaggers, gamblers, migrants, peddlers, drifters, thieves, and whores, all boiling in a cauldron of excess and greed. And there’s a new menace in a wealthy, handsome easterner—and the owner of Appaloosa’s new casino—Boston Bill Black.
Boston Bill is flashy and bigger than life. He’s a prankster and a notorious womanizer, and with eight notches on the handle of his Colt, he’s rumored quick on the draw. When he finds himself wanted for a series of murders, he quickly vanishes. Cole and Hitch locate and arrest him, but Boston Bill escapes once again. Another murder sets the duo on his trail, eventually taking them back to Appaloosa—where one woman in particular may, or may not, prove to be the apple of Boston Bill’s eye.
Appaloosa, the hometown of Territorial Marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, continues to prosper, but with prosperity comes a slew of new carpetbaggers, gamblers, migrants, peddlers, drifters, thieves, and whores, all boiling in a cauldron of excess and greed. And there’s a new menace in a wealthy, handsome easterner—and the owner of Appaloosa’s new casino—Boston Bill Black.
Boston Bill is flashy and bigger than life. He’s a prankster and a notorious womanizer, and with eight notches on the handle of his Colt, he’s rumored quick on the draw. When he finds himself wanted for a series of murders, he quickly vanishes. Cole and Hitch locate and arrest him, but Boston Bill escapes once again. Another murder sets the duo on his trail, eventually taking them back to Appaloosa—where one woman in particular may, or may not, prove to be the apple of Boston Bill’s eye.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
363 people are currently reading
1083 people want to read
About the author
Robert Knott
14 books157 followersChosen by the Estate of author Robert B. Parker to carry on the Cole and Hitch series of western novels.
Robert Knott is an actor, writer, and producer. His list of stage, television, and film credits include the feature film Appaloosa based on the Robert B. Parker novel which he adapted and produced with actor and producer Ed Harris. Also among his credits is the television mini-series The Stand based on the Stephen King novel. Longtime friend, co-writer and frequent co-star with Ed Harris.
Robert Knott is an actor, writer, and producer. His list of stage, television, and film credits include the feature film Appaloosa based on the Robert B. Parker novel which he adapted and produced with actor and producer Ed Harris. Also among his credits is the television mini-series The Stand based on the Stephen King novel. Longtime friend, co-writer and frequent co-star with Ed Harris.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
November 12, 2025
Virgil and Everett arrested Boston Bill Black for killing his lying woman after discovering she was actually married to the son of the Denver Police Chief (motive). During Black’s trial, a surprise witness appeared for the prosecution saying he witnessed Black strangle her. The jury convicted Black. Virgil and Everett were suspicious and tried to talk to the judge but it fell on deaf ears…. It’s one of the better ones in this western series.
March 30, 2016
We've now reached a point where Robert Knott has written four Cole & Hitch novels, the same amount Robert B. Parker wrote before his death. Fortunately, while there have been some rough patches, Knott has improved with this novel, my favorite of his entries to date.
While, of course, neither this novel nor any of Knott's previous novels captures Parker or his characters perfectly, it's not like there are a ton of other Western series on the market to choose from, and this series scratches that itch nicely.
While, of course, neither this novel nor any of Knott's previous novels captures Parker or his characters perfectly, it's not like there are a ton of other Western series on the market to choose from, and this series scratches that itch nicely.
March 8, 2016
I'm reading these books mainly as a habit. The terse style and the simple plots make these books easy to read and digest. But I feel something is lacking. As the books continue, I find Virgil and Allie increasing hard to like and while I enjoy Hitch's voice and character, no-one grows or changes. The slight mystery in this book is overshadowed by the Western violence and the killing of interesting and likable characters is becoming annoying. It's likely I will continue to read this series because I still have a deep respect for Robert Parker, but Knott just doesn't seem to have the same balance of character and morality.
March 12, 2024
Robert Knott's solid entry as a "Legacy Author" for the Parker Estate...Though, not the perfect adaptation, Knott, with his eighth story in the Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series, does an admirable job giving us the essence of Parker...I've been on quite a Robert B. Parker kick, as of late, catching titles that I've missed along the way...This effort has been made up of both original Parkers and legacy Parkers and provides me with an appreciation of the choices the Parker Estate has made with regard to authors continuing each series...In Blackjack, our intrepid heroes in a murder mystery that, both, at home in Appaloosa, and far away Denver...Great twist at the end is very rewarding...Just good Stuff from a legacy author!
February 1, 2025
This is another lackluster installment in an average series that I’ll still finish because I’m an unabashedly self-imposed completist.
📚
I finished and enjoyed Parker’s Spenser series and his Jesse Stone series, but Knott’s attempts just aren’t going anywhere for me. Having said that it would be a worse audio book due to the short, terse writing throughout.
🐎
The characters don’t develop and the dialogue is flat, but the book goes by quickly and doesn’t require much deep thought.
📚
I finished and enjoyed Parker’s Spenser series and his Jesse Stone series, but Knott’s attempts just aren’t going anywhere for me. Having said that it would be a worse audio book due to the short, terse writing throughout.
🐎
The characters don’t develop and the dialogue is flat, but the book goes by quickly and doesn’t require much deep thought.
June 10, 2016
This is the eighth adventure of Robert B. Parker's laconic lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, and the fourth written by Robert Knott. Like its predecessors, it is mind candy, all fluff and sugar, and a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Unlike its predecessors, this outing drags a bit in spots, it's language is too contemporary, and the dramatic denouement is no surprise. Also, there is little gunplay, which is what one reads westerns for in the first place. I have devoured each of these books as soon as I could get my hands on them, which I will do when the next is published. However, this is not the best of the lot.
February 26, 2016
I tried. I tried to get past how the dialogue was not the simple, brilliant, funny dialogue of Robert B Parker. I tried to get past how it wasn't the laconic Virgil & the educated but humble Hitch. I tried to read it as a new author, a new story... it just didn't grab me.
February 19, 2016
Right around the time of Robert Parker's death, I lost about four more writers that I enjoyed reading. None of them "serious" (and by that I mean academic or Henry James) writers, but rather the type of writer I read to take a break from more academic reading. Philip Craig who wrote from Martha's Vineyard, Elmore Leonard, Vince Flynn, and a few others. I've written this in complaint before, but the new trend seems to be to hire out writers to take on the deceased writer's style and keep the work spewing out, either for widows or estates in the case of Parker since his wife is now deceased, and I recognize the temptation of having an ongoing money source pouring into the family coffers. However...
I have yet to read one author who is practicing this "estate writing" that completely nails it seamlessly where you don't miss what you've lost. Parker's writers, in particular Robert Knott and Ace Atkins are truly good at their craft--especially Atkins, but there's always just that little "something something" that's missing--that spark that was the true man. Knott's dialogue is sparse and short, just as Parker would have written it, but....not quite. There's a decent plot that studies the behaviors of society and humans, but it doesn't "quite" hit where Parker would have hit.
In essence, and it is essence I am talking about, I find myself wondering why I read these books, and the sole answer is that I miss the writer him or herself. Ruth Rendell died this past year, and she's another one I would read on a regular basis--anything she wrote. Henning Mankell is another. I'm sure the list will continue to grow, for every year I go on. Christopher Hitchens another. Memoriam reading. Death drafts. I don't know. Sooner or later, we are going to have to create a term for this practice.
I do miss Robert B. Parker. He died six years ago this January. At his desk. Working. I wish, in part, his wife and children had left him there.
I have yet to read one author who is practicing this "estate writing" that completely nails it seamlessly where you don't miss what you've lost. Parker's writers, in particular Robert Knott and Ace Atkins are truly good at their craft--especially Atkins, but there's always just that little "something something" that's missing--that spark that was the true man. Knott's dialogue is sparse and short, just as Parker would have written it, but....not quite. There's a decent plot that studies the behaviors of society and humans, but it doesn't "quite" hit where Parker would have hit.
In essence, and it is essence I am talking about, I find myself wondering why I read these books, and the sole answer is that I miss the writer him or herself. Ruth Rendell died this past year, and she's another one I would read on a regular basis--anything she wrote. Henning Mankell is another. I'm sure the list will continue to grow, for every year I go on. Christopher Hitchens another. Memoriam reading. Death drafts. I don't know. Sooner or later, we are going to have to create a term for this practice.
I do miss Robert B. Parker. He died six years ago this January. At his desk. Working. I wish, in part, his wife and children had left him there.
March 16, 2016
The only resemblance to the late Robert B Parker in this story are the names of his characters. For this snoozer, 0 of 10 stars
April 16, 2022
I liked the story although it seemed a little long and convoluted. Keep a score card handy to note all of the character names mentioned.
October 4, 2016
I'm not sure why I read this series. Even when Robert B. Parker was writing them I was never satisfied with the books. Robert Knott does a fine job of continuing the spirit of Parker's books. Nevertheless, I start them and then ask myself why. Perhaps it's loyalty to Parker for his Spenser books, which I enjoyed. This might be the last Cole/Hitch book I read, but I've said that before. The plots are shallow, which might be an homage to old spaghetti westerns. The extended plotline about Cole being cock-of-the-walk and repeatedly corralling Allie French, his sometimes wandering significant other, gets tiresome. Everett Hitch is the only character in the entire series that I like. I would gladly read the further adventures of Everett Hitch or, better yet, a back-story about his army days or life before meeting Virgil Cole. Hey Robert Knott - can you get to work on that?
February 11, 2022
just a lot of irrelevant dialog. This is such a departure that they only relevance to a western is the date of the story.
Knott has not shown me that he can continue Parker's style. If this is the best that the owner's of his rights can find, then let the sun set on Cole and Hitch.
Knott has not shown me that he can continue Parker's style. If this is the best that the owner's of his rights can find, then let the sun set on Cole and Hitch.
February 20, 2018
Robert B. Parker’s Blackjack
By Robert Knott
Putnam
February 20, 2016, Hardcover, 322 pp., $27.00
ISBN 978-1-1019-8253-2
January 3, 2017, Paperback, 384 pp., $9.99
ISBN 978-1-1019-8252-5
Reviewed by Theodore Feit
The late Robert B. Parker created several memorable characters, notably Spenser. But there was also Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall to round out the mystery/crime series. Parker also wrote standalones and a western series with the popular marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch as protagonists. Robert Knott has continued to employ Virgil and Everett in his efforts to continue the westerns conceived by Parker.
“Blackjack” is pretty much of a straightforward story in which a new casino is being built in their hometown of Appaloosa. An important employee, Boston Bill Black, a notorious gambler and womanizer, has hired two gunmen as bodyguards. One day, he is confronted in the street by a lawman from Denver seeking to serve him with an arrest warrant. One of the gunmen shoots the Denver representative, who eventually dies. It turns out that the warrant accuses Black of murdering the lawman’s wife, with whom he had had relations, in Denver. Virgil and Everett now turn their attention to capturing the gunman and bringing him to justice.
Eventually Black also is captured, charged with murder and tried. He maintained his innocence, but was found guilty instead, sentenced to be hanged. The tale continues from that point, but to reveal any further plot would constitute a spoiler. There is little action but a lot of talk, as the novel wends its way to the conclusion which contains quite a twist. However, the story is hardly a western in the true sense except for the setting and some of the dialog. It could have taken place anywhere and at anytime. Still a good read, and it is recommended.
By Robert Knott
Putnam
February 20, 2016, Hardcover, 322 pp., $27.00
ISBN 978-1-1019-8253-2
January 3, 2017, Paperback, 384 pp., $9.99
ISBN 978-1-1019-8252-5
Reviewed by Theodore Feit
The late Robert B. Parker created several memorable characters, notably Spenser. But there was also Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall to round out the mystery/crime series. Parker also wrote standalones and a western series with the popular marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch as protagonists. Robert Knott has continued to employ Virgil and Everett in his efforts to continue the westerns conceived by Parker.
“Blackjack” is pretty much of a straightforward story in which a new casino is being built in their hometown of Appaloosa. An important employee, Boston Bill Black, a notorious gambler and womanizer, has hired two gunmen as bodyguards. One day, he is confronted in the street by a lawman from Denver seeking to serve him with an arrest warrant. One of the gunmen shoots the Denver representative, who eventually dies. It turns out that the warrant accuses Black of murdering the lawman’s wife, with whom he had had relations, in Denver. Virgil and Everett now turn their attention to capturing the gunman and bringing him to justice.
Eventually Black also is captured, charged with murder and tried. He maintained his innocence, but was found guilty instead, sentenced to be hanged. The tale continues from that point, but to reveal any further plot would constitute a spoiler. There is little action but a lot of talk, as the novel wends its way to the conclusion which contains quite a twist. However, the story is hardly a western in the true sense except for the setting and some of the dialog. It could have taken place anywhere and at anytime. Still a good read, and it is recommended.
August 27, 2025
Robert B. Parker's Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch 08 Blackjack by Robert Knott
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus: Yes
One of the things that I am growing to love about Robert Knott's writing (though it is NOT Robert B. Parker) is him finding the goodness in humanity, even the people that are broken (like us all).
In this story, we see (again) Allie and her struggle to being loved, and receiving the love that Virgil has for her. It isn't always (rarely ever) on her terms, but she mostly only sees Virgil's reticence to care for for (to the level she desires).
Also, in this story, we are introduced to Daphne. At first we see only the good in her, but we are all three dimensional, and the author brought it out of her, too.
The idea of "mob mentality" was shown in this tale. Or fitting the crime to the narrative. Did Black to what he's been accused of doing? That is the question of the novel.
To see how Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch wrestle with this, and try the best to not railroad an innocent man, while also seeing justice (true justice) done.
The Colorado contingent had their thoughts on the matter, for sure. The spectators had their thoughts, and it was up to Virgil and Everett to sift through the entire thing, to actually see the truth.
I really enjoyed this tale.
I will forever miss Robert B. Parker's writing, but I believe that the baton has been passed successfully to Robert Knott...and he's made these characters his own, and I appreciate that immensely.
This story was told so well. The character growth was amazing, while staying to their characters.
Next up, is Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch 09 Revelation.
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus: Yes
One of the things that I am growing to love about Robert Knott's writing (though it is NOT Robert B. Parker) is him finding the goodness in humanity, even the people that are broken (like us all).
In this story, we see (again) Allie and her struggle to being loved, and receiving the love that Virgil has for her. It isn't always (rarely ever) on her terms, but she mostly only sees Virgil's reticence to care for for (to the level she desires).
Also, in this story, we are introduced to Daphne. At first we see only the good in her, but we are all three dimensional, and the author brought it out of her, too.
The idea of "mob mentality" was shown in this tale. Or fitting the crime to the narrative. Did Black to what he's been accused of doing? That is the question of the novel.
To see how Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch wrestle with this, and try the best to not railroad an innocent man, while also seeing justice (true justice) done.
The Colorado contingent had their thoughts on the matter, for sure. The spectators had their thoughts, and it was up to Virgil and Everett to sift through the entire thing, to actually see the truth.
I really enjoyed this tale.
I will forever miss Robert B. Parker's writing, but I believe that the baton has been passed successfully to Robert Knott...and he's made these characters his own, and I appreciate that immensely.
This story was told so well. The character growth was amazing, while staying to their characters.
Next up, is Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch 09 Revelation.
February 8, 2022
I was an avid fan of the Appaloosa novels when Mr Parker began the series. When the franchise was passed over to Mr Knott, I continued to read the later books because of my affection for the wonderful Virgil and Everett characters, sort of like a pair of slippers that were too comfortable to part with. Well, time to let go. This latest installment left me cold. It's largely absent of the action that was part of the attraction for me. The dialogue between Virgil, Everett, and Allie has become hackneyed and predictable.
One particular exchange was truly annoying and set me off: one of the main characters was being questioned by Virgil about his whereabouts when he offered that he'd been in Las Vegas prior to arriving in Appaloosa. The man is a gambler and he added that he liked "Vegas", implying that he'd spent time there gambling. The use of the phrase "Vegas" caught me attention, sounding rather modern for a western set in the 1880s (?). Out of curiosity, I looked up the history of Las Vegas and learned that it had been originally settled in 1905. A little thing, I know, but sloppy, making me question the authenticity of the whole milieu. The plot itself was meandering and somewhat boring, suddenly culminating in a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.
Adios, mis amigos....vaya con dios!
One particular exchange was truly annoying and set me off: one of the main characters was being questioned by Virgil about his whereabouts when he offered that he'd been in Las Vegas prior to arriving in Appaloosa. The man is a gambler and he added that he liked "Vegas", implying that he'd spent time there gambling. The use of the phrase "Vegas" caught me attention, sounding rather modern for a western set in the 1880s (?). Out of curiosity, I looked up the history of Las Vegas and learned that it had been originally settled in 1905. A little thing, I know, but sloppy, making me question the authenticity of the whole milieu. The plot itself was meandering and somewhat boring, suddenly culminating in a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.
Adios, mis amigos....vaya con dios!
August 2, 2018
Mean men from the Wild West! And they could be mean. Don't ACT like you are going to draw because then you are dead. Carrying a weapon is call heel or he is heeling. Weird huh? And then some of the other phrases, I wish I had kept tract of all of them back then. Texas. They live in Texas territory. Yes, I finished a book on my 47th wedding anniversary, lol, in Las Vegas, while Steve worked at the furniture market.
November 18, 2018
Gets better and better.
December 15, 2025
Great read it flew by with short chapters
February 28, 2017
Feb 28, 2017 I looked at some of the Goodread reviews AFTER I gave this book 5 stars. The reviewers ran the gamut from no stars to 5 stars and everything in between. I agree with the 5 star reviews..... Knott is a very good writer and the voices he uses are terrific and in keeping with Parker. I would even give five stars for the"Acknowledgments" at the end (I rarely read "Acknowledgments). Very clever!!! I liked the story and I liked the ending. So - count me as one of the 5 star groupies - I am not ashamed of my enjoying this book.
October 18, 2017
The publishers again demonstrate their contempt for their readership. This is Robert Parker's Blackjack, trading on the deceased author's name. It's a western, and I believe Parker wrote some westerns, probably back in the sixties. I'm sure his are good, I'd like to see one. Parker was an excellent writer with vivid scenes, sharp characters, and clever plots. Not all his books were gems, but he had a lot winners. One annoying thing about Parker's writing is that he liked dialogue to carry the scene, almost every scene. Apparently, that's what the hired hack was told to do here to make it sound more like Parker. He succeeded in that and failed in all else.
Could this plot move any slower? No. The characters sit around and talk. 'How you doin'?' 'Fair 'nuff.' 'You figure it's gonna rain?' 'Might be. Seen some clouds this morning.' And so on ad-nauseam. If only someone could have told this pretender that you cut the dialogue down to the interesting parts and let us imagine the dull parts. Also, everyone speaks in the language of 19th century royal court: they use $64 words, they address each other formally, AND EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE SOMEBODY LOOKS at SOMEBODY. 'Nice lookin' horse'. Virgil looked at me. 'He is a fine animal.' I looked at Jack, who looked at Virgil. The language is wrong, feels wrong for these tough hombres, but even worse, it makes the characters indistinguishable. Every one of them is apparently the product of a long and arduous finishing school, focused on language skills. Every one of them is in fact the same cardboard cutout. I cared about them as much as I care about the cardboard cutout of the Michelin Man in front of Tires Plus.
If you collated the active verbs in this book, 'looked' would win 10,000,000 to 20 over the next closest.
Bonus torture for me: I was listening to the audio version. Every meaningless, tiresome dialogue bit is followed by 'he said' or 'Virgil said' or 'Jack said', even when it's obvious who said it. When you read the printed version, your brain can largely skip over the attribution. But in audio, the reader has to say it. As a result, I heard mainly this: 'blah, blah, blah' Jack said. 'Blah, blah' Virgil said. 'Blah?' I said. 'Blah, blah,' Jack said. 'Blah, blah,' I said. Even as I write this, I find I can read it more pleasantly than I could listen to the book. To share my pain, read the preceding example out loud.
DNF; I only listened because it was the only audiobook onboard for the drive from the cabin.
Could this plot move any slower? No. The characters sit around and talk. 'How you doin'?' 'Fair 'nuff.' 'You figure it's gonna rain?' 'Might be. Seen some clouds this morning.' And so on ad-nauseam. If only someone could have told this pretender that you cut the dialogue down to the interesting parts and let us imagine the dull parts. Also, everyone speaks in the language of 19th century royal court: they use $64 words, they address each other formally, AND EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE SOMEBODY LOOKS at SOMEBODY. 'Nice lookin' horse'. Virgil looked at me. 'He is a fine animal.' I looked at Jack, who looked at Virgil. The language is wrong, feels wrong for these tough hombres, but even worse, it makes the characters indistinguishable. Every one of them is apparently the product of a long and arduous finishing school, focused on language skills. Every one of them is in fact the same cardboard cutout. I cared about them as much as I care about the cardboard cutout of the Michelin Man in front of Tires Plus.
If you collated the active verbs in this book, 'looked' would win 10,000,000 to 20 over the next closest.
Bonus torture for me: I was listening to the audio version. Every meaningless, tiresome dialogue bit is followed by 'he said' or 'Virgil said' or 'Jack said', even when it's obvious who said it. When you read the printed version, your brain can largely skip over the attribution. But in audio, the reader has to say it. As a result, I heard mainly this: 'blah, blah, blah' Jack said. 'Blah, blah' Virgil said. 'Blah?' I said. 'Blah, blah,' Jack said. 'Blah, blah,' I said. Even as I write this, I find I can read it more pleasantly than I could listen to the book. To share my pain, read the preceding example out loud.
DNF; I only listened because it was the only audiobook onboard for the drive from the cabin.
February 24, 2016
#8 in the Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series. #4 written by author Knott, after the first four were penned by series originator Robert B. Parker. The two lawmen have settled into the town of Appaloosa, Cole in the company of the somewhat ditzy Allie French. A quick read with short chapters and lines of terse dialogue such as ""Just awful, " Allie said." ""Was." I said" and ""It wasn't, " Virgil said."
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series - Virgil Cole is still the marshal in Appaloosa, and Everett Hitch is still his deputy, but the town is growing, and with growth comes trouble. Like Boston Bill Black, who is wanted for the murder of a Denver policeman's wife. The aggrieved husband, Roger Messenger, steps off a train intending to arrest Boston Bill, but Messenger is shot first. Bill and cronies decamp, but Virgil and Everett are on their trail. A shootout ensues, but Bill escapes. Complicating matters are, first, the arrival in Appaloosa of a contingent of angry lawmen and, second, the fact that Bill claims to be innocent, and what facts there are may support his position.
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series - Virgil Cole is still the marshal in Appaloosa, and Everett Hitch is still his deputy, but the town is growing, and with growth comes trouble. Like Boston Bill Black, who is wanted for the murder of a Denver policeman's wife. The aggrieved husband, Roger Messenger, steps off a train intending to arrest Boston Bill, but Messenger is shot first. Bill and cronies decamp, but Virgil and Everett are on their trail. A shootout ensues, but Bill escapes. Complicating matters are, first, the arrival in Appaloosa of a contingent of angry lawmen and, second, the fact that Bill claims to be innocent, and what facts there are may support his position.
March 9, 2017
So dissappointing! In his fourth book in the series after he took over from deceased Robert Parker, Knott has suceeded in eliminating all the percussive cadenece of Parker's prose, the sparking verbal interplay beteeen Everett and Virgil and all quirks that made the characters distinctive and individual. Is it a decent enough formula Western for a quick genre fix? I suppose so, but it's sure nothing like Parker's four gems.
February 8, 2022
Used to be Great
I used to really enjoy the series regardless of the author. The more recent books seem to take a step back, and this one took three steps back. Once again, it had an unnecessarily long and dry story that came to an abrupt and unseen end. No gunfights and no manhunts. Virgil & Cole had an indirect involvement in the whole story. I don't get it. This series was previously great. In fact, Iron Horse was one of my favorite westerns.
I used to really enjoy the series regardless of the author. The more recent books seem to take a step back, and this one took three steps back. Once again, it had an unnecessarily long and dry story that came to an abrupt and unseen end. No gunfights and no manhunts. Virgil & Cole had an indirect involvement in the whole story. I don't get it. This series was previously great. In fact, Iron Horse was one of my favorite westerns.
May 11, 2016
Well, phooey. I saw that one coming a mile off. I'm tired of likeable secondary characters getting offed willy-nilly. And Allie is grating on my last nerve. Mr Knott is doing a serviceable job keeping Virgil and Everett going for me, and I'm appreciative, but I can't help missing Robert Parker today....
March 2, 2016
I found this book to be the dullest story of the Virgil Cole/ Everett Hitch series. Characters seemed out of sort from what you could expect based on the earlier books. It is almost like another author wrote this book. Very disappointed as I looked forward to reading another book in this series.
September 26, 2020
This book was Terrible. Nothing like the books written by Robert B. Parker. If you enjoyed the Cole/Hitch books written by Parker, please don’t read this. Boring, sophomoric plot and embarrassing effort.
February 18, 2016
Good character development but short on action. A female accountant might eradicate a ledger but commit a violent murder; makes you wonder.
October 7, 2021
Not very memorable.
September 12, 2021
This was a short easy read. I try not to compare the author, Robert Knott, with Robert B. Parker. I read his books as a stand-alone, but this one didn't quite have that western feel I like - larger than life lawmen, plenty of real bad hombres, damsels in distress, saloons, perilous action scenes, etc. There are a couple but not enough. There is still some witty repartee between Virgil and Everett and others, but Parker had the knack of minimalist conversation between the two but with plenty of meaning. The book is written in 1st person by Everett who is more literate than Virgil. I miss the misnomers Virgil would use when he said one thing and meant another.
Denver lawman, Roger Messenger, arrives in Appaloosa to serve notorious gambler and womanizer, Boston Bill Black with a warrant for his arrest. When he reaches into his pocket for the warrant, he is shot by one of Black's bodyguards. Territorial Marshals, Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch have finally settled in Appaloosa and are notified of the shooting. They discover that Boston Bill is wanted for the brutal murder of a Denver woman named Ruth Ann Messenger, Roger's wife who was not a refined woman but an embarrassment. Boston Bill was to be the operator of the new casino in town. He and his two sidekicks, Truitt Shirley and Ricky Ravenfield leave town and disappear. Virgil, Everett, and a deputy named Skinny Jack take out to apprehend them. This doesn't turn out well. They capture Truitt, Bostin Bill gets away, and someone we like dies.
Then a couple of Denver lawmen arrive in Appaloosa - one to bluster about confidentiality in the Denver murder, and the other to reveal what happened and that Roger Messenger was the son of the Denver Chief of Police. They return home with the body, and later a bounty hunter arrives with captured Boston Bill. He is charged with murder, but stringently denies killing Ruth Ann. The bounty hunter's name is Valentine Pell and he just happens to be Virgil's older brother of which no one but Virgil knew about.
There is plenty of courtroom drama when Boston Bill is put on trial. Denver officials didn't want the trial held in Denver but in Appaloosa yet they all arrive including the Chief of Police - Roger Messenger's father seeking revenge. There are some twists and turns and a surprise during the trial. And all along Boston Bill keeps pleading innocence. A surprise witness is brought in, Boston Bill goes berserk, he is found guilty, and is about to hang when Pell has another surprise for everyone.
Allie, Virgil's girl is still Allie. She is somewhat ditzy and provides comic relief. Everett has found Daphne Angel to share his bed. She is the refined bookkeeper for the owner of the new casino which will be named after her - Maison de Daphne. She just might be the one Everett is looking for, but is she? The ending was kind of abrupt in that we don't know the motivation for the murderer to kill Ruth Ann other than a very general explanation. A good read if you like westerns - just not the old fashioned kind.
Denver lawman, Roger Messenger, arrives in Appaloosa to serve notorious gambler and womanizer, Boston Bill Black with a warrant for his arrest. When he reaches into his pocket for the warrant, he is shot by one of Black's bodyguards. Territorial Marshals, Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch have finally settled in Appaloosa and are notified of the shooting. They discover that Boston Bill is wanted for the brutal murder of a Denver woman named Ruth Ann Messenger, Roger's wife who was not a refined woman but an embarrassment. Boston Bill was to be the operator of the new casino in town. He and his two sidekicks, Truitt Shirley and Ricky Ravenfield leave town and disappear. Virgil, Everett, and a deputy named Skinny Jack take out to apprehend them. This doesn't turn out well. They capture Truitt, Bostin Bill gets away, and someone we like dies.
Then a couple of Denver lawmen arrive in Appaloosa - one to bluster about confidentiality in the Denver murder, and the other to reveal what happened and that Roger Messenger was the son of the Denver Chief of Police. They return home with the body, and later a bounty hunter arrives with captured Boston Bill. He is charged with murder, but stringently denies killing Ruth Ann. The bounty hunter's name is Valentine Pell and he just happens to be Virgil's older brother of which no one but Virgil knew about.
There is plenty of courtroom drama when Boston Bill is put on trial. Denver officials didn't want the trial held in Denver but in Appaloosa yet they all arrive including the Chief of Police - Roger Messenger's father seeking revenge. There are some twists and turns and a surprise during the trial. And all along Boston Bill keeps pleading innocence. A surprise witness is brought in, Boston Bill goes berserk, he is found guilty, and is about to hang when Pell has another surprise for everyone.
Allie, Virgil's girl is still Allie. She is somewhat ditzy and provides comic relief. Everett has found Daphne Angel to share his bed. She is the refined bookkeeper for the owner of the new casino which will be named after her - Maison de Daphne. She just might be the one Everett is looking for, but is she? The ending was kind of abrupt in that we don't know the motivation for the murderer to kill Ruth Ann other than a very general explanation. A good read if you like westerns - just not the old fashioned kind.
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