Robert B. Parker's The Bridge (A Cole and Hitch Novel)

After seeing the movie and reading the book Appaloosa I have become quite a fan of the lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series. I just finished reading Robert B. Parker’s 370 page paperback novel, The Bridge (A Cole and Hitch novel) by Robert Knott and found it to be a compelling read. When the sheriff and deputies disappear without a trace and a bridge is blown up, Cole and Hitch begin searching for answers. This story reads like a detective novel as Marshal Cole and his deputy Hitch try to find out what is behind the missing lawmen and a blown up bridge. There is also a little bit of ghostly black magic with a beautiful mysterious woman who seduces and enchants Hitch. I never like to give away too much information when I review a novel because it spoils it for anyone who might read the book; however, if you are a fan of the Cole and Hitch western series you may want to check out this book. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Use of the Martial Arts ring for seniors and the physically challenged).

It was good, but while written in the Parker style, and using his characters, it was clearly different in little, nuanced ways. I found myself re-reading many of the passages, thinking "would Hitch really have spoken this much", or "would Robert have written it this way?" It lacked depth in describing characters and setting scenes. Was sometimes hard to follow. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying in a manner that seemed the writer just wanted to get it over with.

Of the Knott continuing tales of the late great Dr. Parker's Hitch and Cole- this one was somewhat refreshing- in a bit of a different direction but ultimately thwarting those who'd do the developing decent citizens of the west wrong. My question is- when are we going to see Ed Harris direct and star in some sequels to Appaloosa? (After all Knott has EH read each novel!)

The bridge being built near Appaloosa is blown up before it can be completed. When the sheriff and his deputies disappear as soon as they show up to investigate, Territorial Marshalls Hitch and Cole fall into the investigation themselves. When the insurance company insists there may be fraud involved, a motive begins to make sense. Good book, full of twists and turns and personal issues.

I am a Robert B. Parker addict. I have every story in print. I was very sad when he passed away. Robert Knott has (until now) done an excellent job of continuing the saga and keeping alive the voice of Robert B. Parker. This is the only novel of his I would not have rated Great, and, to be brutally honest, only because of the dramatic increase of cursing by the characters over earlier books. I know next to nothing about the cowboys and town folk in the time of Cole and Hitch, but I do know a fair amount about them in the 50's and 60's in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and they didn't swear all that much, and when they did it was pretty mild and not GD this and GD that and three or five GD's on a page. Soldiers and construction, yes, but the punchers and ranchers, and even the rodeo crowd tended to be circumspect and controlled in their speech, especially around women. I found the amount of cursing to be distracting. (But the story is still great)

It’s very obvious that this Cole and Hitch book was not written by Parker. A lot of the ingredients are the same but there are enough differences in Cole and Hitch as well as events to betray the change. Unfortunately the changes are not favorable.

A really great book.. It would appear that Robert Knott has this Parker series down pat. I really enjoy the Cole and Hitch western series. I've read them all. I hope he has another in the well somewhere.. I picture and hear Ed Harris everytime I read one of these Parker westerns.

"The Bridge" starts a little slow but soon Hitch and Cole are back solving the crime and taking care of bad guys. I love these Parker characters and was not disappointed one bit. And the plot does take some turns and required not just brawn but brains to solve. Thanks and keep them coming.