Robert Knott’s take on the late Robert B. Parker’s Cole and Hitch characters has quickly and steadily drilled its way onto my “most anticipated” book list. There has been a revival of the Western genre in popular fiction recently, and this fine historical series, which features the pairing of the laconic and taciturn US Territorial Marshals, has been first rate since its conception right through to Knott’s takeover. REVELATION, Knott’s fifth volume in the series, finds him stepping out of Parker’s stylistic shadow and giving at least partial rein to his own vision, while remaining true to Parker’s unique Cole and Hitch partnership and the post-Civil War setting of the series. The result is a tale that you will want to linger over even as you’re compelled to read the paragraphs and turn the pages. What a wonderful problem to have.

"For those of you who love westerns, you will feel as if you have arrived in heaven. If you are not a fan of the horse operas, but feel the need to broaden your literary horizons, this is the book you should read. It will make you a fan of the genre."

Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are short on words and long on action. REVELATION, as is the series’ practice, is (primarily) narrated by Deputy Marshall Hitch, as the extremely competent team is removed from the familiar environs of their base in Appaloosa. A group of prisoners have escaped from a stateside penitentiary just across the border from Mexico. While none will be mistaken for Girl Scouts, the apparent leader is particularly heinous and is no stranger to Cole and Hitch.

A good deal of the book is devoted to rounding up and, where appropriate, dispatching the escapees to their final reward. The pursuit takes a number of days, during which Cole and Hitch are given to remark on the changes taking place not only in what was once the wilderness but also in Appaloosa. And there is danger --- perhaps the greatest menace of all --- back home, unbeknownst to Cole and Hitch. Yet another escapee, who has a history with Hitch, has made his way back to Appaloosa with some very unexpected company. He has unfinished business in the form of vengeance in mind, even as the once small cattle town prepares to celebrate the bounty of a wealthy benefactor who is investing heavily in the development of real estate in the city and is prepared to provide it with retail goods to buy and sell.

Meanwhile, yet another force quietly gathers, waiting to be unleashed against one of the players of the piece. Everything comes together in a cataclysmic and surprising ending, most of which you will never see coming.

There is plenty of violence in REVELATION and a bit of sex as well. Oh, and there is a mystery here, one that is very nicely done, along with tragedy, revenge and...well, you just have to read the book. For those of you who love westerns, you will feel as if you have arrived in heaven. If you are not a fan of the horse operas, but feel the need to broaden your literary horizons, this is the book you should read. It will make you a fan of the genre.