The Assassins

by F.M. Parker

PAPERBACK

Genres: Westerns

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 27, 1989

About the author

As a boy F. M. Parker hitchhiked around the country working as a sheepherder in Montana, a bellhop in Colorado, and a logger in Ohio. He received a B. S. in Geology from the University of Dayton, and did graduate work in Geology at Ohio State University. He worked in the factories of GM and Chrysler at night to put himself through college. After that he went into the U. S. Navy for 5 « years with service in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans aboard the Timbalier, AVP 54, a seaplane tender.

After the navy he was employed as a geologist in the oil fields of Kansas, and as an exploration geologist in the uranium mines of Utah. After four years as a geologist, Parker became a manager in the Bureau of Land Management, part of the Department of Interior. He worked in several western states and Washington, DC, then progressed up through the ranks to become District Manager of the Vale District in Oregon, which is as much as 5 million acres. He was responsible for the management of the multiple resources of the land and its environmental protection. He was responsible for hundreds of grazing permits, several herds of wild horses, wild rivers, wildlife, recreation, timber, fire fighting and other factors regarding such a large land area.

Doubleday published his first book in 1981. The title was Skinner and there was an interesting story behind that title. The chairman of the grazing advisory board was named Skinner and the Skinner of Parker's novel was a drunkard and a pistoleer, while the real Skinner was a rancher and a straight arrow. Parker wasn't sure how the real Skinner would take the use of his name, but he laughed and thought it was a good story.

Reviews

[Ward G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again.
The author taking time. To add a setting for the characters.
Based on real times, and real events.
In the countries history.

It seems several of his books.
Based on early west coast cities and harbors.
Along with New Orleans, and events.
During the time of war with Mexico. General Scott's invasion of Mexico.

This one set in New Orleans.
Other story, tells things from the Mexican invasion side.
This the struggles in the port city.
Shipping, and the docks. During war time shipping.

A man coming to claim his inheritance.
Another thinking him murdered. Assuming the identity.
A group of men, trying to corner all of the docks and wealth for themselves.
Some assassins, linked with both sides.
As well, as painting.
A nice view of events of the time.
From the wealthy parts of New Orleans.
To plague, and the worst parts of town.
As well as the different classes. Working from historical points of view.

Nice rounded group of characters.
Higher rating here.
Seems he does have a heart when writing.
Previous books read. Almost ALWAYS.
Has main female love interest killed in some way.
After all the struggle, the couple torn apart.

Many major and minor characters die.
Yet this time, looks like a few happy couples survive together.
One thing, keeping it from 5 for me.
Through the story. He exposes the cause of the plague.
As it happens around main characters.
Kind of gives you the feeling.
That maybe one of them would uncover this.
Which they do not.

Redeeming factor.
He does give brief history.
On the how and history. Of the Yellow fever, affecting New Orleans.
Authors note giving base idea.
When the cause actually found.

Still a good, attention holding read.
With good amount of lives, and plot points.
Twisting into, and through each other.