Johnsenclan

Book thirty-six in 52 books in 52 weeks

Robert Parker is one of my favorite authors, and though he’s stumbled a few times, Appaloosa isn’t one of those.  Most of his fiction are crime stories set in the present, but this one is a western taking place in the past.  And it’s brilliant.

I’m not sure how I missed it (though after reading it I found out he has two other westerns I’ve never read), but this one came to my attention when I saw the trailer for the movie staring Viggo Mortenson.  It was interesting enough that I wanted to know more, which led me to the book.

Virgil and Everett become the sheriff and deputy in the town of Appoloosa after the former sheriff is killed.  Members of the town council want someone to take control, and they’re paying enough for the two to keep the peace while trying to arrest the killer.  It sounds pretty generic as far as westerns go, but the plot is tight and as usual Parker’s dialogue is spot on.  He doesn’t waste a single word getting his characters to make the point.  They talk to each other in snappy sentences, and say exactly what they think.  The lead character is so low key, there are chapters he does nothing more than nod, but I was kept interested through his actions and how he treated other people.

There’s a chase through Indian territory, a woman who may not be what she seems and a final showdown.  Each part filled with interesting characters that I was anxious to read more about.  It’s a simple but enjoyable novel.   I’ll be getting his other two Westerns now.

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My other books in 52 weeks.

Other people doing the 52 week thing

Tags: 52 books in 52 weeks, books