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Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch #9
Robert B. Parker's Revelation
Itinerant lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch return to confront an escaped criminal in the grittiest entry yet of the New York Times bestselling series.
Territorial marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch figured things had finally settled down in Appaloosa when Boston Bill Black’s murder charge was dropped. But all that changed when Augustus Noble Driggs was transferred to a stateside penitentiary just across the border from Mexico. Square-jawed, handsome, and built like a muscled thoroughbred stallion, Driggs manages to intimidate everyone inside the prison walls, including the upstart young warden.
In a haunting twist of fate, Driggs and a pack of cold-blooded convicts are suddenly on the loose—and it’s up to any and all territorial lawmen, including Cole and Hitch, to capture the fugitives and rescue the woman kidnapped during their escape. But nothing is ever quite what it seems with the ever-elusive Driggs. Finally free, he’s quickly on his own furious hunt for a hidden cache of gold and jewels--and for the men who betrayed him and left him for dead.
With an unlikely and unconventional Yankee detective by their side, Cole and Hitch set off on a massive manhunt. As horses' hooves thunder and guns echo deadening reports, Driggs discovers one of the lawmen on his trail is none other than a fellow West Point graduate he'd just as soon see dead. Ruthless and willing to leave a bloody path of destruction in his wake, Driggs seeks vengeance at any cost.
Territorial marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch figured things had finally settled down in Appaloosa when Boston Bill Black’s murder charge was dropped. But all that changed when Augustus Noble Driggs was transferred to a stateside penitentiary just across the border from Mexico. Square-jawed, handsome, and built like a muscled thoroughbred stallion, Driggs manages to intimidate everyone inside the prison walls, including the upstart young warden.
In a haunting twist of fate, Driggs and a pack of cold-blooded convicts are suddenly on the loose—and it’s up to any and all territorial lawmen, including Cole and Hitch, to capture the fugitives and rescue the woman kidnapped during their escape. But nothing is ever quite what it seems with the ever-elusive Driggs. Finally free, he’s quickly on his own furious hunt for a hidden cache of gold and jewels--and for the men who betrayed him and left him for dead.
With an unlikely and unconventional Yankee detective by their side, Cole and Hitch set off on a massive manhunt. As horses' hooves thunder and guns echo deadening reports, Driggs discovers one of the lawmen on his trail is none other than a fellow West Point graduate he'd just as soon see dead. Ruthless and willing to leave a bloody path of destruction in his wake, Driggs seeks vengeance at any cost.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2017
628 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Robert Knott
14 books154 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 194 reviews
April 4, 2017
Some of the worst, boring dialogue I've come across. 0 of 10 stars
March 10, 2017
The worst of the Cole/Hitch series written by Parker's successor. Robert Knott has for some reason decide to break from Parker's style (which was wholly from Hitch's point of view) and instead to alternate chapters from the point of view of the hero to the point of view of the villain. Chapters from Driggs (the villain) point of view add almost nothing. Only one or two of his chapters add any action. In most, he has sex with 'the princess' (his female companion), looks out the window, and drinks a glass of whisky. To make matters worse, the book designer decided to set all of Driggs chapters in italics. Italics should be used sparingly. Passages longer than a few words strain the reader. Whole chapters in italics become unbearable.
Not recommended.
Not recommended.
February 20, 2017
Read: U.S. marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch.
Think: John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers in the Old West, where horses are rode hard and put away wet, proper ladies wear long dresses bolstered by frilly petticoats and the new-fangled telegraph is considered a cut above carrier pigeon (albeit begrudgingly).
Add in cold-blooded killers, loose women and seasoned lawmen whose questions rarely exceed four words (answers, just one), and you've got the makins' for a mighty fine shoot-'em-up novel.
This is, I believe, the ninth in this series started by the late, great Robert B. Parker, who passed away in 2010. I admit it's only my second - I read Bull River in 2014 - and it was 4-star-worthy. This one is the better of the two, IMHO, although I warn readers it leans heavily toward the grizzly. No question that it held my attention throughout; I had to fight the urge to stay up an hour or so later than usual to get it finished in one day.
Virgil and Everett have settled down in the small western town of Appaloosa. Virgil is sweet on girlfriend Allie, though not to the point of tying the knot. Thanks to a generous out-of-town benefactor, Appaloosa is an up-and-coming place, and Allie has just opened a dress shop - calling it Mrs. French's because she believes her late husband's last name sounds elegant.
Meanwhile, a dastardly man who goes by the name of Driggs is languishing in solitary confinement in a prison not too much of a fer piece from Appaloosa. His only solace, as it were, comes from reading the Bible the prison warden's beautiful wife gave him (and other prisoners) - and his favorite is The Book of Revelation (aha moment: wherefore cometh the title of this book). Because of his reputation as a cold-blooded killer, the handsome, West Point graduate Driggs is given a wide berth by the other prisoners. But then one night the unthinkable happens; Driggs and a handful of other prisoners escape, kidnapping a woman in the process. Finally, he's free - and he's hell-bent on tracking down the men who, during a heist of major proportions, betrayed him, left him for dead and are the reason he's spent so many years behind bars.
It is then that Virgil and Everett are called in to take up the chase - and what a chase it is. Every single one of the escapees is as dangerous as they come, although clearly Driggs holds the top spot in the bad guy department. The two marshals will have to muster up all the investigative skills they have to find and capture their targets - and dead or alive matters not. Ultimately, the trail to Driggs leads back home, but can they get there in time? I won't spill the beans other than to say there's more than one twist near the end that I didn't see coming.
Yee, haw!
Think: John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers in the Old West, where horses are rode hard and put away wet, proper ladies wear long dresses bolstered by frilly petticoats and the new-fangled telegraph is considered a cut above carrier pigeon (albeit begrudgingly).
Add in cold-blooded killers, loose women and seasoned lawmen whose questions rarely exceed four words (answers, just one), and you've got the makins' for a mighty fine shoot-'em-up novel.
This is, I believe, the ninth in this series started by the late, great Robert B. Parker, who passed away in 2010. I admit it's only my second - I read Bull River in 2014 - and it was 4-star-worthy. This one is the better of the two, IMHO, although I warn readers it leans heavily toward the grizzly. No question that it held my attention throughout; I had to fight the urge to stay up an hour or so later than usual to get it finished in one day.
Virgil and Everett have settled down in the small western town of Appaloosa. Virgil is sweet on girlfriend Allie, though not to the point of tying the knot. Thanks to a generous out-of-town benefactor, Appaloosa is an up-and-coming place, and Allie has just opened a dress shop - calling it Mrs. French's because she believes her late husband's last name sounds elegant.
Meanwhile, a dastardly man who goes by the name of Driggs is languishing in solitary confinement in a prison not too much of a fer piece from Appaloosa. His only solace, as it were, comes from reading the Bible the prison warden's beautiful wife gave him (and other prisoners) - and his favorite is The Book of Revelation (aha moment: wherefore cometh the title of this book). Because of his reputation as a cold-blooded killer, the handsome, West Point graduate Driggs is given a wide berth by the other prisoners. But then one night the unthinkable happens; Driggs and a handful of other prisoners escape, kidnapping a woman in the process. Finally, he's free - and he's hell-bent on tracking down the men who, during a heist of major proportions, betrayed him, left him for dead and are the reason he's spent so many years behind bars.
It is then that Virgil and Everett are called in to take up the chase - and what a chase it is. Every single one of the escapees is as dangerous as they come, although clearly Driggs holds the top spot in the bad guy department. The two marshals will have to muster up all the investigative skills they have to find and capture their targets - and dead or alive matters not. Ultimately, the trail to Driggs leads back home, but can they get there in time? I won't spill the beans other than to say there's more than one twist near the end that I didn't see coming.
Yee, haw!
March 14, 2017
Do you trust me? Have I ever lead you astray? Don't spend your hard-earned euros. Do not waste your time. Go on and read "War and Peace;" go on and read "The Fall of the Roman Empire;" or go on and read "Lassie Comes Home." I don't care what you read--just don't read this nothing of a
so-called novel. I read some of the other reviews; some gave it three stars; some gave it four stars; I think I even remember a couple of five stars. I cannot fault these people for their opinions. Maybe they had a troubled childhood; or maybe they contracted some jungle virus. But I have been told by my many followers that my reviews can be trusted to be spot on. (I heard someone say that recently; and it is now my go to phrase.) I gave "Revelation" two stars; and I think I am being generous with that. I read all of Bobby's works. I gave him my thumbs up when deserved; and advised him to make certain, but few, changes when needed. Nuff said--I believe I made my point.
so-called novel. I read some of the other reviews; some gave it three stars; some gave it four stars; I think I even remember a couple of five stars. I cannot fault these people for their opinions. Maybe they had a troubled childhood; or maybe they contracted some jungle virus. But I have been told by my many followers that my reviews can be trusted to be spot on. (I heard someone say that recently; and it is now my go to phrase.) I gave "Revelation" two stars; and I think I am being generous with that. I read all of Bobby's works. I gave him my thumbs up when deserved; and advised him to make certain, but few, changes when needed. Nuff said--I believe I made my point.
November 17, 2025
Not one that I enjoyed so much. Not because of the writing just the story. And what an abrupt ending.
July 1, 2017
First of all, Robert Knott should never be allowed so much as the privilege of even writing his own mother again!
This is drivel! I gave it 1 more star than it will ever deserve. The dialogue was as painful an experience as I've ever had. I could almost watch my life seeping away every time there was another "I said, Virgil said, she said, he said …". It was all I could possibly bear to simply finish the book.
Any resemblance between this & a western is completely coincidental! In fact, the book should actually be considered soft porn. There's lots of gratuitous butchery & it seems that he has a total disdain bordering on hatred for women. It's completely obvious that he is fascinated by sadistic gratuitous sex. Also, it is so thoroughly laced with so much profanity, so many F-bombs, & "gd's" as to make the book completely unpleasant to any degree. I'm no prude, but this is right up there with Al Pacino's Scarface. If you're not having your life leached away by the complete ineptitude of his dialogue, then it's either sappy syrupy sexual innuendo, or being pummeled by the profanity.
My suggestion: rather than read this hot mess, simply take a sledgehammer to both your feet or any other body part you wish to take out your frustrations on & be done with it. Whatever you decide, avoid this at all cost!!!
This is drivel! I gave it 1 more star than it will ever deserve. The dialogue was as painful an experience as I've ever had. I could almost watch my life seeping away every time there was another "I said, Virgil said, she said, he said …". It was all I could possibly bear to simply finish the book.
Any resemblance between this & a western is completely coincidental! In fact, the book should actually be considered soft porn. There's lots of gratuitous butchery & it seems that he has a total disdain bordering on hatred for women. It's completely obvious that he is fascinated by sadistic gratuitous sex. Also, it is so thoroughly laced with so much profanity, so many F-bombs, & "gd's" as to make the book completely unpleasant to any degree. I'm no prude, but this is right up there with Al Pacino's Scarface. If you're not having your life leached away by the complete ineptitude of his dialogue, then it's either sappy syrupy sexual innuendo, or being pummeled by the profanity.
My suggestion: rather than read this hot mess, simply take a sledgehammer to both your feet or any other body part you wish to take out your frustrations on & be done with it. Whatever you decide, avoid this at all cost!!!
March 10, 2023
I’m a big fan of a good book series or even an above average series. The more books in the series the better. Character development reigns supreme followed by a tie between plot, setting and pacing.
🐎
Revelation was enjoyable enough and a good one to fit into a full work week because it reads quickly and doesn’t require deep thought. It was entertaining at 3 stars but I wouldn’t read twice or recommend… unless your brain is fried and you want a quick, western-themed escape. Also probably a disappointing audio book due to the intentionally terse, Parker-inspired dialogue which Parker pulled off best.
🐎
Revelation was enjoyable enough and a good one to fit into a full work week because it reads quickly and doesn’t require deep thought. It was entertaining at 3 stars but I wouldn’t read twice or recommend… unless your brain is fried and you want a quick, western-themed escape. Also probably a disappointing audio book due to the intentionally terse, Parker-inspired dialogue which Parker pulled off best.
July 10, 2018
I think you’d have to be down with Western literature to really get into the groove of this. I was easily half way through and still waiting for the plot to engage me. I really struggled with the amount of dialogue which was prevalent throughout the book but didn’t always indicate who was speaking. For the most part, the book was comprised of very long periods of talking, conjecturing and repetitive but unnecessary genuflections to minor characters; these long periods of pedantry were followed by sporadic and spontaneous bursts of action, which only seemed to underline how very slow the earlier text was. Again, if you were familiar with or are a fan of Western-style literature I believe you would see this through perhaps a different lens. However, one tangent I did find was between this style and classic detective novels. There is often a cataclysmic event, followed by a long period of pondering, discussion and slow escalation to a second explosive/revealing event. Overall, I would suggest you approach this book from the perspective you would if you wanted to try something new, or are already comfortable with the genre. Another quick disclaimer: there is a great amount of gratuitous violence at the end so you may want to avoid this.
January 27, 2022
Dumb book. Dumb title. Knott (author) is dumb.
Done, so very done, with this series.
What Robert B Parker brilliantly created, knott recklessly destroyed.
Done, so very done, with this series.
What Robert B Parker brilliantly created, knott recklessly destroyed.
August 20, 2019
A rather disappointing entry in the Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch series created by the wonderfully gifted Robert B. Parker. The plot was fairly interesting but the dialogue seemed stale and Virgil Cole barely impacted the novel.
Greed is King... as usual. Sorry Bob.
2019 update: I liked this novel better the second time around. I'll upgrade it to 3 Stars.
Greed is King... as usual. Sorry Bob.
2019 update: I liked this novel better the second time around. I'll upgrade it to 3 Stars.
June 11, 2022
What a gruesome ending!
September 16, 2018
Horrible. Parker is probably rolling over in his grave as Knott continues to decimate his beloved characters. Cole and Hitch have almost no chemistry together throughout this entire story and merely appear to be bumbling from one direction to the other with no real thought or logical process behind their actions.
Hear the author also breaks from the the normal pattern for the rest of the series and decides tell the story from the antagonist point of view, which amounts to repeated stories of him "plowing" his woman, meandering through town while drinking and smoking, and quoting of the Bible. The entire half of the story scene from the antagonist Viewpoint add zero to the story and is a complete waste of time. Nothing is gained or learned about the character and the character experiences no growth throughout the entire tail.
Also, Knott has decided to evolve his writing by peppering cuss words throughout the novel at an exceptionally high rate of frequency. I guess this makes him feel edgy. All it does is cheap in the writing and make it feel dumb.
If you have previously enjoyed Virgil and Everett stale, I highly suggest you stick to the first books written by Parker and skip the rest as if they are some sort of horrible fanfiction. I can tell you here now, this will be the last book I read of the series.
Hear the author also breaks from the the normal pattern for the rest of the series and decides tell the story from the antagonist point of view, which amounts to repeated stories of him "plowing" his woman, meandering through town while drinking and smoking, and quoting of the Bible. The entire half of the story scene from the antagonist Viewpoint add zero to the story and is a complete waste of time. Nothing is gained or learned about the character and the character experiences no growth throughout the entire tail.
Also, Knott has decided to evolve his writing by peppering cuss words throughout the novel at an exceptionally high rate of frequency. I guess this makes him feel edgy. All it does is cheap in the writing and make it feel dumb.
If you have previously enjoyed Virgil and Everett stale, I highly suggest you stick to the first books written by Parker and skip the rest as if they are some sort of horrible fanfiction. I can tell you here now, this will be the last book I read of the series.
July 5, 2017
Robert B. Parker must be turning over in his grave. The "authorized" writer is nothing like Parker. No witty dialogue or interesting characters. I did not realize it was written by someone other than Parker, but it took about one paragraph to see the difference. I will miss the intelligent writer and his characters, but I will not be fooled again by a Parker "wannabe". He was a prolific writer, so I will enjoy his books but not the money hungry people who want to profit from a writers name but fail to have his talent.
February 20, 2017
This is not a Parker style story.
As a stand alone with new characters it would be better. But readers looking for a good story and dialog will be disappointed. Not a realistic western, more like B horror movie. Parker would not approve or his loyal fans of Cole and Hitch.
As a stand alone with new characters it would be better. But readers looking for a good story and dialog will be disappointed. Not a realistic western, more like B horror movie. Parker would not approve or his loyal fans of Cole and Hitch.
May 7, 2017
Virgil and Everett
Loved it. Looking forward to another. My wife says I have started talking like Cole and Hitch. I said ain't.
Loved it. Looking forward to another. My wife says I have started talking like Cole and Hitch. I said ain't.
August 30, 2025
Robert B. Parker's Revelation by Robert Knott
4.0 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
This was a VERY dark story, especially for this Western universe...that we've been experiencing.
A prison breakout...and the repurcusions of what happens when these types of violent men are set loose in the world.
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are tasked to find them and bring them back, or if they resist...just shoot them.
This is a brutal world, and this type of justice given out (hopefully) by men of good character.
We are following one of the prisoners that fled the prison. We know his name...and there is something in his past that eventually connects with one of our protagonists.
I was truly surprised by how dark it got. Not that I like that type of story, but it felt accurate for the time. The ability to exact vengeance on humanity, with a fairly anonymous shelter (no photographs or fingerprinting), but their character eventually "outs" them.
Done with this story, and now...on last story to be told in this series...Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch 10 Buckskin.
4.0 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
This was a VERY dark story, especially for this Western universe...that we've been experiencing.
A prison breakout...and the repurcusions of what happens when these types of violent men are set loose in the world.
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are tasked to find them and bring them back, or if they resist...just shoot them.
This is a brutal world, and this type of justice given out (hopefully) by men of good character.
We are following one of the prisoners that fled the prison. We know his name...and there is something in his past that eventually connects with one of our protagonists.
I was truly surprised by how dark it got. Not that I like that type of story, but it felt accurate for the time. The ability to exact vengeance on humanity, with a fairly anonymous shelter (no photographs or fingerprinting), but their character eventually "outs" them.
Done with this story, and now...on last story to be told in this series...Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch 10 Buckskin.
March 22, 2017
This was my first taste of the Robert Knott "fan fiction" continuance of Robert Parker's characters Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. As with any review, this is simply my opinion.
I thought it was decent.
When Robert Parker first published Appaloosa more than a decade ago, I felt like he'd captured something magical and revitalized the Western. It was different from the Spenser series, and yet, familiar enough to make it feel like I was coming home. I thought those four novels were truly something great. And timeless. He wasn't chasing what's en vogue; he was writing something special.
While Knott's interpretation of the characters and setting is okay, I think it falls flat when compared to how this series began. Some of the dialogue felt a little forced. The plot involved a few situations that were somewhat outside the odds of probability, enough to leave me wondering versus being engrossed.
If you're a fan of Western novels, I think you'll find enough to keep yourself entertained. But if you are expecting the magic that Parker created, this isn't it. I'm debating whether I should read the others by Knott--this wasn't bad--but I suppose I am disappointed because it's not great, either. I think the author should create his own characters and series (if he hasn't) and see what happens versus living in Parker's significant shadow.
I thought it was decent.
When Robert Parker first published Appaloosa more than a decade ago, I felt like he'd captured something magical and revitalized the Western. It was different from the Spenser series, and yet, familiar enough to make it feel like I was coming home. I thought those four novels were truly something great. And timeless. He wasn't chasing what's en vogue; he was writing something special.
While Knott's interpretation of the characters and setting is okay, I think it falls flat when compared to how this series began. Some of the dialogue felt a little forced. The plot involved a few situations that were somewhat outside the odds of probability, enough to leave me wondering versus being engrossed.
If you're a fan of Western novels, I think you'll find enough to keep yourself entertained. But if you are expecting the magic that Parker created, this isn't it. I'm debating whether I should read the others by Knott--this wasn't bad--but I suppose I am disappointed because it's not great, either. I think the author should create his own characters and series (if he hasn't) and see what happens versus living in Parker's significant shadow.
October 5, 2020
As another reviewer said, the dialogue was awful but the book was pretty good. Robert Knott is not however Robert B. Parker. This is a good series but if the next one I read dialogue is as awful as this one I’m done with Mr. Knott 🤔
February 12, 2018
Excellent stuff. A well-orchestrated surprising conclusion.
February 28, 2017
A number of convicts escape from prison including Augustus Noble Driggs who was in solitary confinement. Marshalls Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch join in the search for these men who are determined not to return to jail peacefully.
I've read every book in this western series started by Robert B Parker. Spending my childhood in the 60s, I watched lots of westerns on TV and I still love to read a good western. I really like the duo of Cole and Hitch. Readers need to keep in mind this book depicts the wild, wild West so the language is rough and the killings are rougher. The last third of the book really ramps up the action as the author reveals the reason Driggs has come to Appaloosa.
I've read every book in this western series started by Robert B Parker. Spending my childhood in the 60s, I watched lots of westerns on TV and I still love to read a good western. I really like the duo of Cole and Hitch. Readers need to keep in mind this book depicts the wild, wild West so the language is rough and the killings are rougher. The last third of the book really ramps up the action as the author reveals the reason Driggs has come to Appaloosa.
February 3, 2020
Of all the Knott Parker books, I liked this on the least. Cole and Hitch seem to have lost their personalities in the book, and I found myself bored and skipping past segments of it. It's hard for me to put my finger on exactly, but I agree with another reviewer who said that spending chapters on the bad guy's point of view really detracted from the story for me. He was SUCH an evil dude, but during the times that we spend with him, he's mostly just having sex and drinking and having a good time. Not very compelling stuff, to me. Running hither and yon trying to track down bad guys, and the worst of the guys are busy trying to act respectable, and succeeding, too. Too much time spent waltzing from here to there and not doing much of anything, as well. I was quite disappointed in the entire book, and felt let down when all was said and done. Sorry to say, I would not recommend.
October 23, 2017
Someone beat me to saying "Robert B. Parker must be rolling in his grave." Maybe I need to go back & read Parker's books in the series but I'm pretty sure they were not full of misogynistic & sadistic violence. There were enough positive reviews I found that I finished the book & was sorry I did. I "read" the audio version but I don't imagine that made it worse, just took longer & I didn't have to deal with chapters in italics, referred to by another reviewer. I think re-reading the Real Parker is a better use of time than reading rot by Knott. Probably the current U.S. president would enjoy this book. Please vote in whatever election is happening where you live.
August 4, 2020
Simply awful, with extreme violence, nearly senseless, and loosely strung together very bad guys, sharp knives and 10 gauge shotguns serving as plot points. Parker would be ashamed to see what author Knott has done to his fine Hitch and Cole characters, and his intricate plots. Robert Knott is on my list of NOT authors now.
July 12, 2018
I did not like this. The graphic descriptions of physical and sexual violence were totally out of place for this series. It was a very poor decision to add that to what could have been a good story.
And way too much dialogue.
And way too much dialogue.
August 29, 2020
Six hours gone forever
If you're a fan of Virgil Cole or Robert Parker, you'll likely not like this one. Foul language and miserable ending. Hope I don't forget this title because I'd sure hate to read it again.
If you're a fan of Virgil Cole or Robert Parker, you'll likely not like this one. Foul language and miserable ending. Hope I don't forget this title because I'd sure hate to read it again.
June 19, 2017
You know the saying you have to kiss a few frogs to find a prince? This is one of the frogs....
March 15, 2023
Cole and Hitch are in Appaloosa. Alison is opening a dress shop. Allie has met Margie who agrees to work with her in the shop. Vernon Vanderoort has moved to Appaloosa and is developing shops all up and down Vanderoort Ave. Everret sees a man and a woman walking down the street. He thinks he recognizes the man, calls out his name, and when the man does not turn assumes he was mistaken.
Cole and Hitch learn of a prison break at Cibola near Yaqui. Nine hardened criminals have escaped from Murderer’s Row. One of them happens to be Augustus Driggs who served with Everett in the Indian wars.
Meanwhile, Hal who owns Hal's Cafe reports to hitch that he's being shaken down for money every week. He gives them a description of the two men. A tall thin man and an older man who wears a bowler. They learn that the both of them have been seen at Meserole’s. There is a shootout at Meserole’s. Cole and Hitch arrive just in time to view the carnage. The thin man is dead, as is Meserole. The man in the bowler got away.
Sheriff Stringer is pulling together a posse to go after the convicts. Cole and Hitch agree to join him. From this point on until almost the end of the book Cole and Hitch are on the move discovering one crime scene after another. Always arriving too late. Yet, one by one, all but two of the escaped convicts are captured or killed. They return to Appaloosa just in time to learn that Sheriff Chastain has been murdered. Two of the convicts, Degraw and Driggs battle with each other and end up in the middle of the street. Driggs goes to the gala for his final act of revenge. Allison comes under the gun.
This book is filled with a great deal more carnage than any of the other books. And it seems that Cole and Hitch are not really part of the action.
Cole and Hitch learn of a prison break at Cibola near Yaqui. Nine hardened criminals have escaped from Murderer’s Row. One of them happens to be Augustus Driggs who served with Everett in the Indian wars.
Meanwhile, Hal who owns Hal's Cafe reports to hitch that he's being shaken down for money every week. He gives them a description of the two men. A tall thin man and an older man who wears a bowler. They learn that the both of them have been seen at Meserole’s. There is a shootout at Meserole’s. Cole and Hitch arrive just in time to view the carnage. The thin man is dead, as is Meserole. The man in the bowler got away.
Sheriff Stringer is pulling together a posse to go after the convicts. Cole and Hitch agree to join him. From this point on until almost the end of the book Cole and Hitch are on the move discovering one crime scene after another. Always arriving too late. Yet, one by one, all but two of the escaped convicts are captured or killed. They return to Appaloosa just in time to learn that Sheriff Chastain has been murdered. Two of the convicts, Degraw and Driggs battle with each other and end up in the middle of the street. Driggs goes to the gala for his final act of revenge. Allison comes under the gun.
This book is filled with a great deal more carnage than any of the other books. And it seems that Cole and Hitch are not really part of the action.
April 4, 2018
When Robert B Parker died in 2010, I thought that that was the end of his characters. Fortunately, other authors have stepped up to keep his various series going, and that is a great thing for Parker’s dedicated readers. Spenser is, of course, the most famous and iconic of his characters, but I have a great affection for Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. These westerns are just plain fun, even this book, which is very dark indeed.
Robert Knott does a great job in capturing Parker’s style of writing, it never feels forced or stilted. Are these books exactly what Parker would have written? No, how can they be. But the books feel familiar, and that is all any can reasonably ask.
I don’t like spoilers so I am not going to give away the plot but suffice it to say that it is action-filled and exciting, albeit even darker than usual. Virgil and Everett are their usual heroic selves, and Allie is just as irritating as ever. The secondary characters are finely drawn, and the villains even more dastardly in this book than in some of the earlier ones.
This book is an excellent addition to the series, and worth reading.
I received an ARC through the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Robert Knott does a great job in capturing Parker’s style of writing, it never feels forced or stilted. Are these books exactly what Parker would have written? No, how can they be. But the books feel familiar, and that is all any can reasonably ask.
I don’t like spoilers so I am not going to give away the plot but suffice it to say that it is action-filled and exciting, albeit even darker than usual. Virgil and Everett are their usual heroic selves, and Allie is just as irritating as ever. The secondary characters are finely drawn, and the villains even more dastardly in this book than in some of the earlier ones.
This book is an excellent addition to the series, and worth reading.
I received an ARC through the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion.
March 15, 2018
I forgot that I didn't like the last one until this one came for me from the library. I kept putting it off but I ran out of books. I decided to forget Robert B Parker & just enjoy this story from a new author. Surprise! He brought back some of my favorite qualities of the two friends & told a great tale. Three & a half stars.
May 30, 2017
The Parker estate has done a wonderful job of choosing its "legacy authors" & Robert Knott doesn't disappoint...Knott catches the rhythm of Parker & dialogue in our 19th Century Versions of Spenser & Hawk, Everett & Virgil...in this one they're confronting desperadoes who've escaped from prison and are threatening area citizens, including Appaloosa....usual good stuff!
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