Just like in the previous novels in the series, the weakest parts of this installment were the ones where Knott tries to sound like Parker instead of going with his own style. At this point, it does not even make sense - Knott had written more novels in the series than Parker did and I suspect that most people who are following the series because of Parker had long ago realized that Knott is a different author with a different style.

The territorial marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are trying to have a nice day in Appaloosa (despite the town growing way too fast for their taste) when the news of an escape from one of the worst prisons in the area reaches them. Meanwhile, in an alternating narrative, we meet the man who engineered the escape. Cole and Hitch go chasing after the escapees and then investigating the escape, the escaped criminal goes on implementing his own plans - in Appaloosa. Anyone reading the novel knows that two two lines need to meet somewhere and when they do, Knott manages to pull a rare surprise (despite the double narrative) that ties the whole book together.

At this point I read these mostly as candy - they are not great (or sometimes even good) but they are familiar and short of the quality going down rapidly, they are a nice palate cleaner. Although this one was a lot more violent than any of the previous ones - and the series is violent to start with. Not a good place to start the series but if you are reading the series, it is actually not the worst of them (which is not exactly a ringing endorsement I know). ( )

ugh. Don't bother with this one. ( )

Revelation is Robert Knott's 5th attempt to continue the Cole and Hitch series started by the late Robert B. Parker. His attempt is no better than his previous ones, and in some ways, it is worse.

The plot is bare - bones. Several convicts have escaped from the Territorial prison, and Marshals Cole and Hitch join in the search for escapees. One escapee (Driggs) has a particular purpose in escaping -- revenge. He is a cardboard villain, as vile as he is unbelievable.

The tale is gruesome, filled with horror and bloody violence. My overall reaction to the book was disgust, and it was all I could do to finish it. I consider the book an affront to the memory of Robert Parker. ( )

A prison break occurs 200 miles from Appaloosa and the escapees are all convicted murderers. If you deduce that Territorial marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch will set out to round up the escapees and that most of them will be killed in shoot-outs with Cole and Hitch you will be right. Not a lot of mystery here.

We learn of the prison break in the first few pages of "Revelation" but unfortunately readers have to wade through 80 pages (in the large print edition) of mundane conversations between Cole, Hitch and others before the marshals depart. Then we are treated to scads of additional conversation as they ride along. Not a lot of action here.

But at least readers can enjoy the Cole-Hitch repartee you might guess. If so you are new to this series. The conversations consist of the short, clipped sentences ("I do." "Me too." "Sure.") characteristic of the earlier entries in this series.

Eventually we learn that the primary villain, endowed with charismatic powers of interpersonal influence that border on the supernatural, was involved in an earlier robbery. His partner shot him in the back, left him for dead, and absconded with the money. You will immediately deduce the identity of the partner and predict that the climax will involve a deadly confrontation between them. Again you will be correct.

Don't waste your time on "Revelation." There's no mystery, only sporadic action spread across 432 pages, and a plot that is almost non-existent. ( )

I have read all the books in the Virgil Cole – Everett Hitch Western series. This was the worst in the series. I did not find the story interesting. The characters have not evolved since the first book. I hated the ending – – it seemed to come out of nowhere. Very disappointed! ( )