Western

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. ( )

This is the eight book in the series about Virgil cole and Everett Hitch, U. S. Marshals in the later day of the "cowboy" west. The series was originated by Robert B. Parker, who wrote the first four books in the series. The last four, including this book, have been written by Robert Knott.

In this story a police officer from Denver is murdered by a man hired to provide protection to Boston Bill Black, a gambler. It turns out he was attempting to serve a warrant for Black's arrest for the murder of his (the police officer's) wife. Black flees and Cole and Hitch are unsuccessful in their attempt to capture him but soon a bounty hunter captures Black and bring him back to Appaloosa for trial. Several complications occur as the story unfolds. The bounty hunter, Valentine Pell, turns out to be Cole's estranged half brother. Valentine, Cole, Hitch, and others have doubts about Black's guilt and wonder if the husband (the now murdered police officer) committed the crime. Hitch is attracted to a beautiful young woman who is serving as a bookkeeper for the developer opening the casino Black that Black was opening for.

This is somewhat better than Knott's previous effort previous effort and I found it to be a quick read that maintained my interest throughout. Actually, the book became more interesting as it approached the climax but I found the final resolution to be somewhat weak.

One complaint: this is at least the fourth story in this series that has created a romantic interest for Hitch only to bring it to an end at the conclusion of the book. My advice: either introduce a new continuing character or give the romance angle a rest.

On a more positive note, it was pleasing to see the psychological growth in Cole's wife, Allie. ( )

Another well crafted western from Robert Knott. I enjoyed the mystery and especially the surprises near the end. Virgil and Hitch are solid characters that never cease to entertain. Nicely done! ( )

I guess I've gotten used to Robert Knott trying to write like Robert B. Parker, something that Knott can not pull off. He's much much too wordy to be writing a Parker story. His writing is fine, just a different style; however, the plot in "Blackjack" was ho-hum and the big reveal of "who did it" that comes at the end was easily discernible about 1/2 way through the book. ( )