Navarro

Since Ralph Compton's demise a few years back, several authors have taken up where Ralph left off. In writing 'his' books I know not whether they have free will in choosing what they write or whether it from his template. But either way some very good material is to be found in today's Ralph Compton books, with additional volumes coming out into early 2009 at least. This present volume from Peter Brandvold has as it protagonist one 'Taos' Tommy Navarro ex-military scout and slick gunman, now aging around 50 years and foreman of a ranch. Probably filling that role brings him as much trouble as either the Apaches or gunfighters ever did. And the present trouble comes from one Karla Vannorsdell, a young lady who if Tom Navarro were younger would be a lover but at his age fills more the role of daughter. Once she takes off alone into the desert, due the danger present there, Navarro and crew must soon be close behind. As the Apaches are out in Arizona Territory in the Dragoon Mountains on rampage, with scalpers and slavers similar to Comancheros also lurking about. Each of these groups respect no one, least of all a comely, young white gal, and will kill, rape, or scalp as the opportunity allows. Into all this half the crew of Bar-V ride, only to be thwarted in most of their efforts. By book's end of course both the Apaches and Comanchero types have run their course, and an ending of sorts is reached. The main thing is that Mr. Brandvold is an excellent writer and his books are always interesting. I have several others on my western shelves under his name and under the 'Frank Leslie' name and find them all enjoyable, if sometimes very unrealistic as to the 'true' west. Though the stories are always interesting the history can sometimes be somewhat tangential, but since these ARE novels each can be digested as such. I say keep writing Mr. Brandvold and we western readers will continue to purchase and enjoy. Happy trails as Dale and Roy would say. And for any reader unaware, another Ralph Cotton book written by Peter Brandvold entitled BULLET CREEK continues the 'Taos' Tommy Navarro story. Semper Fi.

Peter Brandvold adds his own flavor and touch to this Ralph Compton book and does a good job. It is ripe with action, good dialogue and has enough convincing Arizona scenes to make it highly entertaining. My only criticism is with the convenient wrapped-up ending. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a longer book to get where it did but I suspect that's more the publisher's red pen domain than it is the author(s). For that alone I gave this book four stars.It has a lot of interesting characters- a few sonsofbitches and other people who'd stab you in the back at the drop of the proverbial Stetson...kinda like Congress only with better ethics!

Ex-gunslinger Taos Tommy Navarro now works on the Bar-V ranch, but even though he's trying to forget his past others aren't willing to let him. Karla Vannorsell, the Bar-V owner's granddaughter comes to him in a time of need and he turns her away. Now she's gone missing, hunting for her man, a Mexican vaquero who she intended to marry, a man her grandfather thought beneath her, a man he sent away. Now Karla is out looking for him in a harsh and deadly desert ruled by ferocious Apaches. Once more Peter Brandvold presents the reader with a fast moving tale that has a tough male lead and an equally tough heroine in Karla. It's her that will face the toughest challenge, the cruelest lesson as she discovers that love can mean killing the thing you cherish... Navarro seems to find himself one-step behind Karla and her fate seems set when she's taken by a group of vicious slavers and imprisoned in an outlaw town. This presents Navarro with impossible odds, a challenge he's got to take on. If you want an action packed book filled with a harsh landscape, savage men - and women, and brutal violence all combined in an exciting read then you can't let this slip by you. Me? I'm eagerly looking forward to Peter Brandvold's next novel.