What do you think?
Rate this book
Nick Walker, UF Marshal #3
Rebel Guns of Alpha Centauri
Eight years ago, when Nick Walker was a twenty year-old Star Marine, his unit was deployed to Alpha Centauri 2 to put down an insurrection by the Rebel Coalition. Eighteen months of hard fighting led to a dramatic showdown in the little mountain town of Trimmer Springs, where Nick’s unit—cut off, surrounded, and outnumbered—held out for two days until relief arrived. With most of his comrades dead or wounded, Nick took a sniper rifle into the church tower and became a one-man killing machine, stopping the rebel forces cold for more than thirty-six hours.
Now a United Federation Marshal, Nick returns to Trimmer Springs to keep the peace. The war is over, but memories remain. Most of the men Nick killed in those terrible two days still have relatives living in the area, and they know who he is. Fueled by hatred and cultic religious fervor, some have vowed to take revenge, by any means necessary…and they don’t care who gets hurt along the way.
Guns of Alpha Centauri is Nick Walker’s third assignment as U.F. Marshal, and his most deadly to date. At least he isn’t alone this time—Suzanne Norgaard, his stunning Vegan girlfriend, is with him, and she’s a crack shot with a rifle…but how long can the two of them survive against a quarter million rabid religious fanatics?
104,500 words (equivalent to 392 pages in mass market paperback form)
Rated "R" .
Now a United Federation Marshal, Nick returns to Trimmer Springs to keep the peace. The war is over, but memories remain. Most of the men Nick killed in those terrible two days still have relatives living in the area, and they know who he is. Fueled by hatred and cultic religious fervor, some have vowed to take revenge, by any means necessary…and they don’t care who gets hurt along the way.
Guns of Alpha Centauri is Nick Walker’s third assignment as U.F. Marshal, and his most deadly to date. At least he isn’t alone this time—Suzanne Norgaard, his stunning Vegan girlfriend, is with him, and she’s a crack shot with a rifle…but how long can the two of them survive against a quarter million rabid religious fanatics?
104,500 words (equivalent to 392 pages in mass market paperback form)
Rated "R" .
- GenresScience Fiction
365 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2012
14 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 29, 2015
Great hard SF, fans of police and military SF will LOVE this author.
I have been addicted to SF for over 60 years, and Mr. Bowers is as good as it gets. His work reminds me of Keith Laumer's more serious works. Great stuff!
I have been addicted to SF for over 60 years, and Mr. Bowers is as good as it gets. His work reminds me of Keith Laumer's more serious works. Great stuff!
March 16, 2024
This is supposedly the 3rd book in the Nick Walker series. The first book hasn’t been published, but the second, Sirian Summer, came out last year.
In time, this book follows directly behind Sirian Summer. Nick has been reposted to another small town on a world of two suns (but not as hot as Sirius was). Nick has been here before, as a Star Marine, when two local cults joined forces in an attempt to take over the world. When they attacked this particular town, Nick distinguished himself and became a hero to the locals.
Now, as the new Federation marshal for the area, the townsfolk are thrilled to have him back, but the cult members would rather he leave — or die.
The story lives up to everything I’ve come to expect from John Bowers. Great characters, a thrilling plot, and enough action to keep this “action junkie” happy.
I particularly liked the way Suzanne keeps Nick off balance in their relationship (yes, she’s still with him).
Nick Walker continues to ROCK! And Suzanne is still “easy on my [mental] eyes”.
In time, this book follows directly behind Sirian Summer. Nick has been reposted to another small town on a world of two suns (but not as hot as Sirius was). Nick has been here before, as a Star Marine, when two local cults joined forces in an attempt to take over the world. When they attacked this particular town, Nick distinguished himself and became a hero to the locals.
Now, as the new Federation marshal for the area, the townsfolk are thrilled to have him back, but the cult members would rather he leave — or die.
The story lives up to everything I’ve come to expect from John Bowers. Great characters, a thrilling plot, and enough action to keep this “action junkie” happy.
I particularly liked the way Suzanne keeps Nick off balance in their relationship (yes, she’s still with him).
Nick Walker continues to ROCK! And Suzanne is still “easy on my [mental] eyes”.
July 4, 2015
Great addition!
Continue to enjoy Nick's exploits. High emotion and high adventure. Will definitely continue to read the series. Kick more butt, Nick!
Continue to enjoy Nick's exploits. High emotion and high adventure. Will definitely continue to read the series. Kick more butt, Nick!
September 4, 2019
Following his time on Sirius, Nick Walker has been posted to Trimmer Springs. He was last there 8 years ago, during the war, in which he helped save the town and become a local hero to some, evil incarnate to others!! Dealing with religious cults, means it has a serious side, but it is still a good action story.
March 5, 2026
Eight years ago Star Marine Nick Walker, 20, held off a rebel attack on the mountain town of Trimmer Springs, Alpha Centauri.
For two days from his position on top of a church spire killed and wounded so many enemies that the attack, and the rebellion, petered out.
What is not explained is why the spire was not taken out by enemy artillery fire (apparently the town had been under artillery bombardment before the assault). It just seems odd.
Anyhoo … Nick, now a UF Marshal is back in town.
The townsfolk believe he's a hero, but those who fought against him (two groups of religious fanatics) are Old Testament types (a bit like Nick himself).
As in the previous books in the series there is an emphasis on how women are treated (almost always badly).
Within hours Nick is shot at by a hidden gunman.
It is the first of several attempts on his life, some of which cause fatalities.
Those who have read the series so far will find little out of the ordinary in “Rebel Guns of Alpha Centauri” - bad people do bad things and, eventually, get punished for them.
Personally, I am a fan. It's basically a Western series with the emphasis on action.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
For two days from his position on top of a church spire killed and wounded so many enemies that the attack, and the rebellion, petered out.
What is not explained is why the spire was not taken out by enemy artillery fire (apparently the town had been under artillery bombardment before the assault). It just seems odd.
Anyhoo … Nick, now a UF Marshal is back in town.
The townsfolk believe he's a hero, but those who fought against him (two groups of religious fanatics) are Old Testament types (a bit like Nick himself).
As in the previous books in the series there is an emphasis on how women are treated (almost always badly).
Within hours Nick is shot at by a hidden gunman.
It is the first of several attempts on his life, some of which cause fatalities.
Those who have read the series so far will find little out of the ordinary in “Rebel Guns of Alpha Centauri” - bad people do bad things and, eventually, get punished for them.
Personally, I am a fan. It's basically a Western series with the emphasis on action.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews