Saddle up and step into the dusty, thrilling world of the Hawk series, where the Wild West comes alive with grit, gunslingers, and a hero who’s as complex as the frontier itself! Written by John Harvey and Angus Wells under the pen name William S. Brady, this 15-book Western saga follows Jared Hawk, a no-nonsense gunfighter whose adventures captivated readers in the late 20th century. With its raw violence, deep character arcs, and vivid frontier settings, Hawk is a hidden gem for Western fans craving an authentic ride.
How Hawk Began
In the late 1970s, British authors John Harvey and Angus Wells teamed up as part of the 'Piccadilly Cowboys,' a group of writers churning out Westerns for a hungry UK market. Under the pseudonym William S. Brady, they launched the Hawk series in 1979 with The Sudden Guns. Inspired by classic American Westerns but infused with a British flair for gritty realism, the duo crafted Jared Hawk as a morally ambiguous hero navigating a lawless world. Their collaboration also birthed the Peacemaker series, sharing characters like John T. McLain, who mentors Hawk in wielding his deadly arsenal.
The Heart of Hawk
The Hawk series kicks off with The Sudden Guns (1979), where Jared Hawk, a gun-for-hire, faces off against outlaws who refuse to surrender—setting the tone for his brutal yet principled journey. In Blood Money, Hawk is hired to retrieve a kidnapped woman, only to uncover a shocking truth that leads to a bloody showdown. Gates of Death (Hawk 7) sees Hawk escorting a man and his niece, battling foes determined to stop them, while Killer! (1983), the final book, wraps up Hawk’s saga with high-stakes action. Each novel paints the American frontier—dusty trails, saloons, and desolate plains—with vivid detail, immersing readers in a world of danger.
Themes of survival, loyalty, and moral ambiguity run deep. Hawk, armed with his signature cut-down meteor shotgun, lives by a simple code: kill first, ask questions later. Yet, as the series unfolds, glimpses into his past reveal a man shaped by loss and hard choices. The prose, sharp and unflinching, balances brutal action with introspective moments, earning praise for its cinematic quality. Angus Wells’ dedication to cover artist Robert Adams in Gates of Death hints at the series’ collaborative spirit, blending art and storytelling.
Why Hawk Resonates
Though the Western genre faded from British shelves by the 1980s, the Hawk series left its mark. Its unflinching violence and complex hero influenced later gritty Westerns, while its British perspective offered a fresh take on an American genre. Fans still cherish Hawk for its raw authenticity and Jared’s enigmatic allure, making it a cult classic among niche readers. The series’ role in the Piccadilly Cowboys’ legacy underscores its place in British pulp fiction history, bridging cultures through storytelling.
- Publication Years: 1979–1983
- Number of Books: 15
- Authors: John Harvey and Angus Wells (as William S. Brady)
- Key Character: Jared Hawk, gunfighter
Ready to ride into the Wild West? Grab The Sudden Guns and dive into Jared Hawk’s thrilling, bullet-riddled world!