Palomino Dénouement by Tank Gunner is a compelling historical novel that is the final chapter in the interconnected series of stories set in Palomino, Texas. The book masterfully ties together threads from previous works, including "The Redeemer," "Palomino," "Porky Baycann," and "Lucinda Jones," creating a tapestry of characters and events that span decades. The narrative begins on a somber April Fool's Day in 1968, focusing on the funeral of Sergeant Cloud Sea, reflecting the impact of the Vietnam War on small-town America. The story captures the emotional weight of loss and the community's response to the ongoing conflict. The story introduces key characters, including Captain Grady Allen and Lucinda Jones, exploring their relationships and personal growth against the backdrop of war. The dynamics between the characters reveal the complexities of love, friendship, and duty.

There’s a lot to absorb in these pages, and Tank Gunner presents it with finesse and a genuine understanding of war and its impact on communities across America. The characters are well-developed, each with struggles and triumphs. The author skillfully weaves historical events, such as the Tet Offensive and the cultural shifts of the 1960s, into the narrative, adding reality to fiction. The book also revisits familiar faces from previous novels, offering readers closure and continuity. The interconnected stories highlight the resilience of the people of Palomino as they navigate personal and collective challenges, from the impact of war to societal changes. Palomino Dénouement is a fitting conclusion to Tank Gunner's series, delivering a powerful and emotional journey. Fans of historical fiction and character-driven narratives will find this book to be a rewarding and unforgettable read. Tank Gunner is a literary master, and I hope to see more from this author.

Grady is an excellent soldier who always gets promoted ahead of his peers. He is also already a captain when he meets Tommy on their way to Vietnam. Public opinion is already swaying against the war, and the soldiers face other things like the harsh climate and jungle creatures. Tommy and Grady become friends quickly, bonded by the fact that both were from Palomino, though Grady’s family had moved to Marshall. In Vietnam, their first mission goes horribly wrong when Private First-Class Walton Winchester dies from a snake bite on his seventeenth day in Vietnam. Things are hard, but it is Tommy’s death that takes a huge toll on Grady. Will he recover from trauma, and what will happen with his deep urge to get revenge against Captain Vo? Later on, he is asked to attend Sergeant Sea's funeral as a Survivors' Assistance Officer. How will things turn out in Palomino Denoument by Tank Gunner?

Palomino Denoument by Tank Gunner is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected twists and turns and moral dilemmas. The vivid descriptions of events and places help one form a mental image of what is happening. It also paints a picture of battlefield experiences and other problems that soldiers experience. The characters are well-developed, and the seamless flow of the plot ensures no room for confusion. This work is also thought-provoking on issues such as patriotism and the true cost of war in terms of lives, money, and the mental health of those involved. The reader will also appreciate the wonderful narration, which adds to the overall beauty of the book. This was a good story, and I look forward to reading something else by Tank Gunner.

Palomino Dénouement by Tank Gunner is a historical novel that takes the reader into the life of Captain Grady Allen. Set in 1968, the story follows Captain Grady Allen, a Vietnam veteran and Survival Assistance Officer. Grady returns to his hometown of Palomino to deliver the news of Sergeant Cloud Sea’s death. While performing his duties, Grady finds himself pursued by Lucinda Jones, managing editor of the Palomino Press. Lucinda wants to uncover the truth behind the deaths of little Jessie and Sergeant Tommy Franklin. Both are connected to Allen and left scars deeper than the war itself. As the townspeople demand answers, Grady is forced to confront his past and the ghost of the man he once was. As he searched for redemption, Grady had to first fight the inner guilt before it was too late.

Author Tank Gunner created a wonderfully flawed and realistic protagonist in Grady Allen. I loved how Grady is a little rough around the edges; he is not your usual soft protagonist, but he is smart, reliable, and a great character to lead the story. Gunner did a fantastic job of sharing the internal struggles of a Vietnam War veteran. He is not portrayed as a hero; rather, he comes across as honest, guilty, and even confused at times. The small-town setting, with its layers of grief and unresolved tension, becomes a character in itself. I enjoyed the narrative style, the fast pace of the story, and the overall character development. Palomino Dénouement is a wonderful book. I wish I had found Grady sooner.

Palomino Dénouement by Tank Gunner follows Captain Grady Allen’s experiences during the Vietnam War, beginning with his return home to Lamar County after Sergeant Cloud Sea’s funeral. It follows Allen’s military journey from training at Camp Charlie to leading combat missions in Vietnam, including a tense ambush and the controversial killing of two Vietnamese intelligence agents, Hang and Lo. Allen spirals with the consequences of this incident and scrutiny from his superiors like Colonel Midriff and Captain Roman. The timelines shift between battlefield events, such as helicopter crashes, firefights with NVA soldiers, and mission preparations, and then dip into Allen’s difficulty with the psychological and moral challenges of war, including relationships with fellow soldiers like Tommy Franklin, and thoughts on community back home.

Palomino Dénouement by Tank Gunner is a well-written and sharply executed historical military novel that, remarkably, never strays from its own momentum. Gunner’s command of military jargon lends a steady rhythm and authenticity, especially when they are wrapped in scenes of tense training shifts, like a claymore mine demonstration replacing a canceled helicopter rappel, to quiet mess hall discussions on religion and loss. There is a lot of loss, with one standout and tragic image directly in the lap, and here is where the human weight within Task Force Palomino, a name that echoes through the story, feels like a mission that never quite ends. Characters react, adapt, and respond to circumstances that unfold with immediacy and physical consequence. Overall, with confident pacing and precise detail, this book presents its world on its terms and lets it stand unfiltered before the reader.