Apache, the second novel in the Jake Silver Adventure series from newcomer Jere D. James, is a gritty, dark, tough, and action-packed Western novel. Much more traditional than James’ first title, Saving Tom Black, Apache delivers hit after hit of shocking, action-packed scenes.
Set in Arizona, ca 1888, James sends his title character, U.S. Deputy Sheriff Jake Silver, on a blind search for his missing sister who, to escape the stigma of having an illegitimate child, ran away from home to marry a never. well, unknown rancher in southern Arizona. Finding Sophy is Jake’s excuse to leave the comforts of his girlfriend Betsy DuBonnet (Saving Tom Black), but it is equally evident that Jake’s true motivation for leaving on this quest is to have some time on the road to solve the problems. things regarding his relationship with Betsy and the subsequent expectations for the marriage that he sadly finds himself facing.
However, in the months since her arrival in southern Arizona, Sophy Silver has become friends with Nantan Lupan, the last of the Bodonkohe Apaches. James fully explores the taboos of a love story between an Indian and a white woman, showing society’s abhorrence for such a relationship. However, one cannot help but cheer on the hapless Indian and hope that James will bring back this attractive and excellently well-drawn character in a future novel.
New to the series is also Captain Peter Burt, a man who is quite captivated by the attractive Sophy Silver and helps the marshal in his quest. Unlike the cute, often funny Saving Tom Black, such is the seriousness of this work, that the only humor in the book comes from Burt. It is another character that this critic would like to see in a future title.
James does an excellent job in this book of adding a dark dimension to the hitherto perfect Deputy Marshal Jake Silver, making this character even more likeable and lifelike. If Jake seems too good to be true in Saving Tom Black, that image is happily clouded in this reading.
This book takes many unexpected turns as Jake Silver pursues his sister and her lover, and the result of this search is surprisingly new and unexpected. However, the definitive ending of the book will be surprising, even shocking.
James does an excellent job of paving the way for future books in the series, cleverly planting hints along the way. If this writer can continue in this vein, the Jake Silver Adventure series may prove as enduring and popular as some of the other greats. Western series.