Book Review: No Mercy by Philip McCormac

This Book was provided to me for free to provide an honest review.

Title: No Mercy

Author: Philip McCormac

Publisher: Pioneering Press

ASIN: B01B8LNV5K

Genre: Western

Authors web site: www.philipmccormac.co.uk

Publisher’s website: www.pioneeringpress.com

Print Length: 182 pages

Plot synopsis: Major Zacchaeus Wolfe was known as the Grey Wolf during the Civil War and his notoriety resulted in the Federal forces putting a price on his head. However, with the war now over, Wolfe is determined to live a normal life – a wish that is short-lived when he and an innocent trader’s family is threatened by members of the Prothero family. The resulting gunfight sets their vengeful mother (Tamara Prothero ) against Wolfe and she is determined to destroy Wolfe’s family. The scene is set for a bloody family feud, in which only one side can win.

Philip McCormac does it again - a classic western in the best tradition of the genre!

In this story, in which the main character, Zacchaeus Wolfe, inadvertently starts a family feud, McCormac draws you in with some deliciously drawn characters right from the start. In many books of this genre Wolfe would be the bad character, the outlaw, out to cause death and chaos in a whirlwind of murderous intent, but in this story Wolfe is the good guy.

The narrative style was different from other books I have read by McCormac. There was the same easy, flowing narration, but the style was more relaxed, it was as though we were sitting around a camp-fire and McCormac was regaling me with the tale. Although the descriptions are minimal (which is what I like) the narrative still provided a great sense of place and the dialogue was well written and helped develop the character of the players.

The plot is a revenge story, but reversed, as it is Wolfe, the main character, against whom revenge is being sought. McCormac makes life particularly difficult for Wolfe and his family, and you are kept guessing about whether the family will ever get through the brutal trials and tribulations they suffer at the hands of Tamara and her gang of lackeys.

What others think.

There were no reviews on Amazon.co.uk at the time of writing.

There were seven reviews on Amazon.com, five above 3* and two of 1* (one of which relates to historical faux pas – oops (assuming the criticism is true)).

There was one review on Goodreads.com; which was by one of the reviewers on Amazon.com and a further 10 ratings that ranged across the full scope of star ratings.

Other Books by Philip McCormac.