| After a saloon fight Rattler, an Indian scout, is
chained and readied to be shipped to Florida along with the recently surrendered Geronimo. Given a last chance for freedom Rattler is aided in an escape. He must now bring in the last of the Apache hold-outs, Kothluni and his band. Federales add to
Rattler's problems as does Tombstones lawman Perry Owens. General Miles also has a part to play in this gritty tale. John Dyson has had many books published by Hale so perhaps I was expecting more from this story than I should have been? The book raced
along at a fast pace and had more than enough action, which at times was quite brutal. Trouble was I didn't relate to any of the characters, they all seemed pretty despicable. Emotion was lacking, even when Rattler meet his mother after not seeing her
for years, it was all portrayed as matter-of-fact. When the girl, Pearl, witnesses the death of her parents she dosen't seem to give a damn, it's just one of those things. All this added together meant I really didn't care whether the mission succeeded
or whether any of the main characters lived or died. Having said that I did find the book readable, in fact read it in two sittings, and I will try another John Dyson book in the future. As Hale have published so many of his books I'll just hope
this one isn't one of his best. |
