If you’re a fan of Robert B. Parker’s popular western franchise set in Appaloosa during the 1800s, get ready. . . because Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are set to ride again in an all-new novel from Robert Knott.
Robert B. Parker’s Buckskin, the 10th book in the New York Times bestselling Cole and Hitch series, is scheduled to hit bookstores on February 5th, 2019.
Originally, this title was set to be a 2018 release but was pushed back for unknown reasons. Still, the timing is perfect, as westerns have recently experienced a resurgence in popularity with book series and television shows — such as Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire and C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett, along with HBO’s Westworld and the Paramount-produced Yellowstone — remaining in the forefront of today’s pop culture. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Ace Atkins (who now writes the Spenser books), Reed Ferrell Coleman (who’s continued the Jesse Stone series), and Knott, Robert B. Parker’s brand remains strong — with more than fifteen new co-authored titles selling over a million copies since the legendary author passed away in 2010.
Last time out, in Robert B. Parker’s Revelation (2017), Cole and Hitch teamed up to go after a murderous convict who escaped from prison. This time around, the dynamic duo will investigate a potential serial killer. Check out the plot details and cover art below!
Itinerant lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch pursue a vicious killer in the grittiest entry yet of the New York Times bestselling series.
After marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch lay Appaloosa’s sheriff to rest, an emerging handful of men eagerly vie for the deceased sheriff’s vacant office. No sooner are various campaigns under way when gold is discovered in the foothills just outside of town, sending Appaloosa buzzing with excitement.
With the strike, a slew of new problems develop for Cole and Hitch. Two shrewd mining factions and their hired gun hands square off over the claim. And on the eve of the new sheriff’s appointment, a powerful snowstorm blankets Appaloosa. As the town braces for the severe weather, Cole and Hitch’s problems multiply with the emergence of anonymous letters to the editor of the Appaloosa Star, leading the duo to a series of murders and the pursuit of a vicious serial killer.
Robert Knott, who is also an actor, screenwriter, and producer when he’s not penning Cole and Hitch books, was chosen by Parker’s estate to continue the franchise prior to his first series entry, Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse, back in 2013.
While Parker wrote the first four books in the series himself, Knott has authored the last six. Knott also co-wrote and produced the film adaption of Parker’s Appaloosa (2008), which starred Ed Harris (Apollo 13, National Treasure: Book of Secrets) as Virgil Cole and Viggo Mortenson (Lord of the Rings, A Perfect Murder) as Everett Hitch.
Other recent or forthcoming releases under Parker’s name include Robert B. Parker’s Old Black Magic (Spenser #47) by Ace Atkins, which came out on May 1st of this year, Robert B. Parker’s Colorblind (Jesse Stone #17) by Reed Farrel Coleman, available September 11th, and Robert B. Parker’s Blood Feud (Sunny Randall #7) by Mike Lupica, which comes out November 7th.
Praised as “one of today’s finest book reviewers” by New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds, Ryan Steck (“The Godfather of the thriller genre” — Ben Coes) has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). He currently lives in Southwest Michigan with his wife and their six children.