March 31, 2008
Parker applies his customary vigor to this sequel to Appaloosa
(2005), in a sparse, bullet-riddled rumination on law and order, friendship and honor. Narrator and hired gun Everitt Hitch takes a job as lookout in Amos Wolfson's Blackfoot Saloon and, in short order, guns down local upstart Koy Wickman and stands up for the town's beleaguered prostitutes. Without fully intending it, he creates a haven of orderliness amid the chaos of sheriff-less Resolution. But larger forces are at work as Eamon O'Malley, competing with Wolfson for control of Resolution, hires freelance thugs Cato and Rose to replace Wickman. Lest Everitt end up outnumbered, his old friend Virgil Cole turns up just as Wolfson and O'Malley amass armies for a decisive battle. Wolfson's army turns out to be the more unsavory and dishonorable, winning the day against O'Malley—but Virgil, Everitt, Cato and Rose are prepared to settle things the honorable way. Though the plot meanders its way to a too-fast climax, Parker's dialogue is snappy and his not-a-word-wasted scenes suit this Spartan western.
May 1, 2008
Parker's writing is a pure pleasure to readterse and strong, it carries a good story and lays its messages between the lines. His latest Western picks up where "Appaloosa" left off with Everett Hitch and Virgil Cole together again working as hired guns for a nasty SOB named Wolfson. Wolfson wants to own the whole town of Resolution, but Eamon O'Malley, the local mine owner, stands in his wayEamon with his gunslingers Cato and Rose. Wolfson is also squeezing the local farmers and small ranchers out of business. A range war is inevitable, and Cole and Hitch wind up champions of the little guys. This is more of a shoot-'em-up than "Appaloosa" wasplenty of action, not too much character development, fast and fun to read. Could this be the beginning of a new series? The film version of "Appaloosa" starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, and Renee Zellweger is set to be released later this year. Highly recommended for all Western collections.Ken St. Andre, Phoenix P.L.
Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 15, 2008
Mystery stalwart Parkers 2005 western Appaloosa may have surprised a few folks, but really, where better than the Old West for his terse, punchy dialogue; buddy-bond themes; and propulsive, rock-steady storytelling? This follow-up finds Everett Hitch in the town of Resolution, drawing pay for peacekeeping the Blackfoot Saloon, owned by a scheming cross-eye who goes by the name of Wolfson. When trouble starts, Hitch remembers the words of his partner, Virgil Cole: Sometimes you got to kill one person early, to save from killing four or five later. Well, Virgil aint always right, and after he arrives in town to lope around with Hitch, a war breaks out between Wolfson and pretty much the rest of the community. Between gunfights, the two heroes moralize on the lawthere isnt a stranger or funnier scene in any western than the two gunmen jawing over The Social Contract by Russoand wonder if they arent on the wrong side of the fight. With a healthy, but not overly graphic, body count and a gravelly cadence of yep- and nope-based banter, it doesnt take Parker long to clean up a town. If hes disposed to take much more time away from Spenser et al., heres to hoping hell linger awhile with Cole and Hitch.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)