From BooklistThis is Knotts second entry in the late Parkers western series, following Ironhorse, published earlier this year (Knott also wrote the screenplay for Appaloosa, the Ed Harris vehicle drawn from an earlier Parker western). Here lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch return for another adventure, mouthing their clipped dialogue that wobbles between droll asides and self-parody. They capture and bring in the dangerous Alejandro Vasquez, accused of two murders. But simultaneously, theres a bank robbery, with the bank president making off with the loot, though only because the real criminal holds his wife hostage. The two are brothers, and ultimately they lead Virgil and Everett into Mexico. But first comes Virgil and Everetts clever detective work and, of course, considerable shooting. The lawmen spring Alejandro, who provides mysterious insights concerning the brothers, and journey to Veracruz, where a showdown looms, though not before Virgil, Everett, and Alejandro gun down some Federales. Knott seems to enjoy himself in Mexico and portrays the country vigorously. His story is almost all dialogue, so it reads lightning fast, and its certainly suspenseful. --John Mort Praise for Robert B. Parkers Bull River A twisting, turning rideand a welcome second edition to the return of these delightful western characters.The Oklahoman Straddles that boundary between the whodunit and the gunslingers. The result is one that should be particularly satisfying to fans of both genres.Bookreporter.comClever detective work and considerable shooting. It reads lightning fast...Suspenseful. Booklist Provides fans exactly what theyre looking for.Kirkus sAnd for the Cole and Hitch NovelsHits with the intensity of an eight-gauge shotgun blast.Tulsa World "Robert Knotthas penned the next great saga. Parker fans are going to love it!"Ed Harris, Academy Award-nominated actorHitch and Cole, reminiscent of the steely eyed, soft-spoken lawmen Randolph Scott played in the movies, speak volumes to one another with a few words and a nod of the head.The Associated PressAdd Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch to all the great characters that Robert B. Parker created over the decades to give us enjoyment and entertainment.BookReporter.comA page-turner of the first order, and updated western that feels as fresh as anything out there.Virgil Cole never misses, not when it matters. Parker didnt either.The Boston Globe About the AuthorRobert B. Parker was the author of seventy books, including the legendary Spenser detective series, the novels featuring Police Chief Jesse Stone, and the acclaimed Virgil ColeEverett Hitch Westerns, as well as the Sunny Randall novels. Winner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award and long considered the undisputed dean of American crime fiction, he died in January 2010.Robert Knott is an actor, writer, and producer. His extensive list of stage, television, and film credits includes the feature film Appaloosa, based on the Robert B. Parker novel, which he adapted and produced with actor and producer Ed Harris. He is also the author of Robert B. Parkers Ironhorse, a Cole and Hitch novel. what are some good ideas for a website Robert B. Parker's Bull River (A Cole and Hitch Novel)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The spare prose, tension and buildup are missing.By Matthew LalaRobert Knott's version of Cole is just a little off... he seems to talk too much and too freely. Hitch feels right and the setting and supporting cast are fleshed out. Alejandro is a bit cartoonish, and the final showdown is very theatrical, not at all like the gritty gunfights that finish off the other books in the series.My main gripe is the pacing.The early books built up to a showdown and there were few words exchanged, but lots left unspoken. In this book there's a pretty lengthy distance to travel between the lawmen and their goal, and everything is slowed down as a result, with little to no action in between.Cole's endless cuckolding by Allie is alluded to, but that whole subplot is basically absent. I was hoping to see that resolved eventually and not just be an eternal theme in every book.I'd say read this if you want a book that will last you a while, rather than something you will burn through in a couple of days. The lack of tension and slow pace allow you to put it down a little more easily than the earlier books.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A DisappointmentBy Jan B.This is not the Cole and Hitch that I love.After loving every sentence in the first four books, and being delightfully pleased with the fifth, I had to push myself to finish this book. First, there are a lot of boring and unnecessarily long descriptions of scenes, never a problem when our friend Robert B. wrote a book. Next, almost all of the plot movement occurs during dialog, which means that there is just less total action in this book. Also, the language of the conversations is so skewed to be colorful that I often was unsure just what the characters were saying. Since so much of the story is told only within this dialog, it's unforgivable to have the meaning unclear. The upshot: the action was hard to follow. Finally, I love Titus Welliver as a narrator, and I did not enjoy Rex Linn as much.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Typical Everett and HitchBy jon of irvineIf you like Everett and Hitch, this is a typical chapter in their heroic lives. The pace is moderately slow. This story has some interesting twists which take the reader down to Mexico. The writing is vanilla enough that you can share with your pre-teens, as long as they have been introduced to the birds and the bees. People die, sometimes violently, but it happens without going into unnecessary gory detail. If you like "who dun nits," and this style of writing, you may also enjoy Parker's "Spencer" detective books which take place mostly in Boston during contemporary times.