“A roaring good read.”—FORBES.com Master sniper Bob Lee Swagger returns in this riveting novel by bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Hunter.The Great Depression was marked by an epidemic of bank robberies and Tommy-gun-toting outlaws who became household names. Hunting them down was the new U.S. Division of Investigation–soon to become the FBI–which was determined to nab the … the FBI–which was determined to nab the most dangerous gangster this country has ever produced: Baby Face Nelson. To stop him, the Bureau recruited talented gunman Charles Swagger, World War I hero and sheriff of Polk County, Arkansas.
Eighty years later, Charles’s grandson Bob Lee Swagger uncovers a strongbox containing an array of memorabilia dating back to 1934–a federal lawman’s badge, a .45 automatic preserved in cosmoline, a mysterious gun part, and a cryptic diagram–all belonging to Charles Swagger. Bob becomes determined to find out what happened to his grandfather– and why his own father never spoke of Charles. But as he investigates, Bob learns that someone is following him–and shares his obsession.
Told in alternating timeframes, G-Man is a thrilling addition to Stephen Hunter’s bestselling Bob Lee Swagger series.
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A great idea for a story – the current generation of the Swagger family looking to uncover the truth of his grandfather, a cowboy sheriff who was hired by the FBI to lead its attack on the notorious bank robbers of the 1930s and died a dissolute loner with a buried treasure. Unfortunately, it took too long to tell that story. Introspection by the primary characters was, of course, essential. But, the fears, foibles and motivations of almost everyone, good guys, bad guys and in between (like the grandfather), dominated the story and became a distraction. Nonetheless, the book kept my attention to the end.
Good story but a bit long.
I didn’t finish. I read 2 chapters and decided to find something that was less work. Enjoyed many of the Swagger novels but not this one. I will try again later.
This is Stephen Hunter at his best. I loved every minute of this book. An old story retold and made infinitely better by the writing abilities of Hunter.
Not my favorite Bob Lee Swagger book. Unlike the others, this one seemed, to me, to kind of drag. All the others, I just raced through, while this one was more of an effort to finish.
Steven Hunter tells a consistently solid story
Stephen Hunter does not disappoint. Ever.
“G-Man” is another chapter in the Bob Swagger saga, this one dialing back to the gangster era of the 30’s. Hunter brings famous outlaws of the era to life in amazing prose that almost puts you beside John Dillinger and especially “Baby Face” Nelson. Even though you know the outcome from history (or Wikipedia), this is a creative rewriting that inserts Sheriff Charles Swagger (Bob’s grandfather) into key parts of the tale. Meanwhile, in the present day, Bob is seeking details of his late grandfather’s exploits as a hitherto unknown special agent of the FBI.
Oh, did I mention there’s also a hidden treasure to be found? Lots of threads, all skillfully woven together only as Stephen Hunter can.
“G-Man” is a compelling story that goes best with a large bowl of popcorn. Five stars? I give it ****** six!
Another great book from Stephen Hunter … Bob Lee Swagger decides to track down some long lost history about his grandpa, Sheriff Charles Swagger … great stuff.
G-Man is supposed to be about Bob Lee Swagger, but it is actually about his grandfather, Charles Swagger. It isn’t nearly as good as his earlier work. Not a disappointment, just not up to Stephen Hunter normal standards.
I just unwrapped this book from my post box yesterday. How could I have read it by now….. 22 hours later. Give me a break. All I can tell you is that the author has been one of my favorites for years, but I notice he’s not as good/fresh as his earlier works. (but then neither am I….)