Parker, Robert B.: Gunman’s Rhapsody

     Whether you are a Parker fan because of his popular “Spencer” series, or you are a “Tombstone” fan or if you like history or westerns, this book may appeal to you. I personally am a Parker fan and have read all his Spencer and other mysteries and loved every one. After a visit to Tombstone a few years ago, I became enthralled with the Tombstone lore and legend. When I saw this book in our Western section, I had to read it. It had Parker’s name on it, it was about Tombstone. What’s not to like?

     Gunman’s Rhapsody centers around the time period of the famed “Shoot-out at the OK Corral.” In detail Parker explores the daily lives of the Earp brothers, their relationship with each other, with their respective women and the people around them. You learn about all his brothers, the wives, and Josie, the love of Wyatt’s life. Of course, it is fiction, but I have enough faith in Parker’s research and writing expertise to feel like he understood and was able to convey the feeling of the way the brothers Earp lived their lives and how the tension between the cowboys, the rustlers, the miners and the various factions of the law escalated and resulted in so many deaths. 

     The sparse snappy dialogue is traditional Parker. The dry wit and quiet humor of Spenser finds its way into the Earp family, and indeed may be very realistic. Gunmen probably wouldn’t be given to lengthy dialogue. They were busy keeping an eye on all the six-shooters, rifles and shotguns in the room or on the street around them. After a visit to Tombstone and watching the town play, it was easy to keep track of the action in this book and entertaining to hear the story enlarged upon.

     Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Ike Clanton, Mattie and Josie; they’re all here portrayed by Parker as we’d probably all like to see them. Allen Street, the Crystal Palace, and the Birdcage Theater are all part of the daily lives of these people. It is believable, but still legend. Parker also includes historical inserts presumably from newspapers of the time: advertisements for patent medicines, military, political and cultural events all make this story seem even more real. 

Review by Robert B. Parker