Author: Willaim S. Brady (aka Angus Wells and John Harvey)
First Published: 1981
Pages: 128pp
Publisher: Fontana
Not currently available in eBook format
Peacemaker is a companion book series by the same team that produced Hawk, Angus Wells and John Harvey writing as William S. Brady. As I hinted at in my review of Hawk #1 The Sudden Guns, this series has as its central hero, John T. McLain who was an influence on Jared Hawk. The Peacemaker stories appear to cover the early days of McLain, before he eventually teams up with Hawk and passes on his knowledge and advice.
That is not to say though, that McLain is portrayed as a young man in the books. In fact he is already facing early middle age, having just "signed the amnesty"with his fellow Confederates (I presume this puts the date at around 1863 as its not explicitly stated in the story). It transpires that despite being a Missouri man, McLain was enticed to join the cause after the modest farm he had established was the victim of raiders out of Kansas - reducing his home to ashes and killing his wife. He joined Bloody Bill Anderson's outfit, becoming an expert in guerilla tactics and military strategies. Making it through the Civil War unscathed, McLain went home. But the land was changed, and as his riding partner, Josey Wells, said "There ain't nothing left for us here", he acked his bags and travelled South.
This where we pick up the story with McLain. He finds himself pinned down by Nokoni Comanche Indians, with limited ammunition and even less water under a searing heat. The only thing in his favour is that the enemy are armed with just hatchets and lances. Despite the odds, he manages to survive and makes his way to the nearest settlement close to the San Antonio River, named Rio Verde. But on his approach his notices that the Mission is under seige by a large gathering of Comanche. Once he manages to gain access to Rio Verde he is quickly identified as a former Confederate by the Union Cavalry defending the small outpost. He agress to help them out, and is sent to find their commanding officer who has taken a small force out, but has yet to return, Captain Frank Donnely.
Although its not in his nature to assist, he is clearly charmed by the wife of the saloon owner, Alice Patterson. She treats his wounds and tells him of her plans for Rio Verde. She sees the run down encampment as a future thriving township, a place that could make a mark in the area. He agress to try and locate Donnely and bring the troop back to fight of the Comanche tribes gathering on thier doorstep.
I was so impressed with Hawk #1, that I immediately decided to read Comanche! next. Angus Wells was the author of the first Hawk book and is also taking first shot here. Overall he handles things well, his easy writing style and pared back descriptions are on a par with The Sudden Guns.
This particular scene was a stand-out:
Don't be fooled into thinking this makes for a less violent affair though. Wells delivers in spades, and in fact seem to be in ultra slow-motion movie mode when he is describing the action. there are many descriptions of the paths bullets take through the human body, and graphic detail of the exit wounds and the resultant gushes of blood and gore. If this is part of your addiction, then rest assured you will get your fix.
Although I wasn't as impressed with Comanche! as I was with The Sudden Guns, this is still a good book and I have decided to try out more of the series - the ending promises a more serialised structure than other Westerns of this type. Not so much a cliffhanger, more like a continuation with recurring characters and locations. We will see.
Although not as totally satisfying as the first Hawk book, I would recommend this one to fans of British Western Fiction.
Publisher: Fontana
Not currently available in eBook format
Peacemaker is a companion book series by the same team that produced Hawk, Angus Wells and John Harvey writing as William S. Brady. As I hinted at in my review of Hawk #1 The Sudden Guns, this series has as its central hero, John T. McLain who was an influence on Jared Hawk. The Peacemaker stories appear to cover the early days of McLain, before he eventually teams up with Hawk and passes on his knowledge and advice.
That is not to say though, that McLain is portrayed as a young man in the books. In fact he is already facing early middle age, having just "signed the amnesty"with his fellow Confederates (I presume this puts the date at around 1863 as its not explicitly stated in the story). It transpires that despite being a Missouri man, McLain was enticed to join the cause after the modest farm he had established was the victim of raiders out of Kansas - reducing his home to ashes and killing his wife. He joined Bloody Bill Anderson's outfit, becoming an expert in guerilla tactics and military strategies. Making it through the Civil War unscathed, McLain went home. But the land was changed, and as his riding partner, Josey Wells, said "There ain't nothing left for us here", he acked his bags and travelled South.
This where we pick up the story with McLain. He finds himself pinned down by Nokoni Comanche Indians, with limited ammunition and even less water under a searing heat. The only thing in his favour is that the enemy are armed with just hatchets and lances. Despite the odds, he manages to survive and makes his way to the nearest settlement close to the San Antonio River, named Rio Verde. But on his approach his notices that the Mission is under seige by a large gathering of Comanche. Once he manages to gain access to Rio Verde he is quickly identified as a former Confederate by the Union Cavalry defending the small outpost. He agress to help them out, and is sent to find their commanding officer who has taken a small force out, but has yet to return, Captain Frank Donnely.
Although its not in his nature to assist, he is clearly charmed by the wife of the saloon owner, Alice Patterson. She treats his wounds and tells him of her plans for Rio Verde. She sees the run down encampment as a future thriving township, a place that could make a mark in the area. He agress to try and locate Donnely and bring the troop back to fight of the Comanche tribes gathering on thier doorstep.
I was so impressed with Hawk #1, that I immediately decided to read Comanche! next. Angus Wells was the author of the first Hawk book and is also taking first shot here. Overall he handles things well, his easy writing style and pared back descriptions are on a par with The Sudden Guns.
This particular scene was a stand-out:
The hand that shuttered Amos Wallis's mouth closed didn't let up its grip until the spurt of blood from the windpipe had faltered to a thin pulsing from the dying heart. It stayed there, dragging back his head intil his last goutings were spent. And then left him propped against the poles of the corral.John T. McLain is a different man however, and therefore Wells gives us a more experienced cowboy. This man is a little more pleasing to strangers, not necessarily someone you should be wary of when first encountering. McLain has a sadness about him that is less threatening than Jared Hawk. He is also more prone to considering a peaceful way of resolving conflict. He holds back from causing serious harm to an opponent during a fist-fight, and offers an enemy the chance to surrender rather than be shot down. I can't see Hawk making the same choices.
Don't be fooled into thinking this makes for a less violent affair though. Wells delivers in spades, and in fact seem to be in ultra slow-motion movie mode when he is describing the action. there are many descriptions of the paths bullets take through the human body, and graphic detail of the exit wounds and the resultant gushes of blood and gore. If this is part of your addiction, then rest assured you will get your fix.
Although I wasn't as impressed with Comanche! as I was with The Sudden Guns, this is still a good book and I have decided to try out more of the series - the ending promises a more serialised structure than other Westerns of this type. Not so much a cliffhanger, more like a continuation with recurring characters and locations. We will see.
Although not as totally satisfying as the first Hawk book, I would recommend this one to fans of British Western Fiction.
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