Gunman's Rhapsody

Gunman's Rhapsody, I was pleased to find, is up to Parker's usual page-turning standards.It's a fictional retelling of the Wyatt Earp saga "with the full weight of American history behind it," according to the publisher. If that be so, then Kevin Costner's recent film portrayal of Earp is closer to history than the earlier versions by Burt Lancaster and Henry Fonda.And Parker's insights both deepen and widen the Earp reputation. Parker's pen brings to life a host of storied characters, including Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson, friends of Wyatt and the other Earp brothers, as well as foes such as Clay Allison, John Ringo and Curley Bill Brocius.And Parker puts real flesh on the bones of the oft-told story of the feud between Sheriff Johnny Behan and Wyatt over showgirl Josie Marcus, which led to the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral.Josie was the love of Wyatt's life, but in hindsight one almost wonders if all the blood spilled over that romance was worth it. If for none other, it's almost reason enough just for the joy of reading Parker's retelling of this cornerstone saga of the wild and wooly old American West.

In 1879 thirty-one-year-old Wyatt Earp, his spouse Mattie, several of his brothers, and their wives leave Dodge City to relocate in Tombstone. Three days pass in their new town when Wyatt sees traveling actress Josie Marcus for the first time. He cannot help but compare the vibrant, beautiful woman to his own wife. He realizes that Mattie, who was fun as an alcoholic whore, is a pathetic domestic. Wyatt did not desire Mattie long before his eyes feasted on Josie.Josie is not only beyond Wyatt's reach, he sees her with Johnny Behan. Worse to come is when Behan introduces Josie to Wyatt as his fiancee. Johnny tells Wyatt that Pina County will probably split in two. He wants to become sheriff of the newly formed Cochise County when it is formed. He needs Wyatt to resign his current position as under sheriff so that he can accept it as a stepping stone when the split happens. Regardless of Wyatt's decision the woman and the job forces a dangerous feud to form.Mixing history with his legendary story telling abilities, Robert B. Parker effortlessly switches genres to provide readers with a powerful tale of the old west. The exciting story line centers on Wyatt, turning him into more than just a dime store character. The plot allows the cast to appear real and the rivalry to develop without slowing down the plot for even a moment. GUNMAN'S RHAPSODY shows that Mr. Parker has the talent to become a superstar in a second genre.Harriet Klausner

I was expecting a new Spenser novel. Imagine my surprise when this reserved book turned out to be a "Western!" However, knowing that I've loved all of Parker's novels, I took it home to read.I could not (nor did I want to) put it down. I read it in one day and was sad when the end came.I recommend this book to all readers, whether they are fans of the western genre or not.

Being the author of a recently published mystery novel in which Tombstone's shootout at the O.K. Corral plays a small part, I am very much aware of the complex relationship between western and mystery fiction. Several leading mystery writers--Loren Estleman, Elmore Leonard, and Bill Pronzini immediately come to mind--also write western fiction. In GUNMAN'S RHAPSODY, Robert B. Parker takes on the task of writing a western. He succeeds masterfully in his effort. With echoes from his Spenser series echoing throughout his story, Parker's Wyatt Earp is a man who adheres to his own strict personal code of what he considers honor. Once he arrives in Tombstone, he finds himself falling hard for a beautiful showgirl, Josie Marcus. She's the lover of Johnny Behan, an Earp political rival, and this rivalry eventually leads to the legendary shootout. All the usual suspects--Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and Johnny Ringo--play their parts in the story. Along the way, Parker presents his interpretation of American society at that point in history. He presents a largely lawless Tombstone split along Union/Confederate and townfolk/rancher grounds. He shows people attempting to live their lives as they best can with the values they hold. I have always enjoyed the Spenser series, and I enjoyed GUNMAN'S RHAPSODY. I continue to be amazed by Robert B. Parker's writings. He is a master working at the top of his form.