“The Truckers 1: The Black Knights” is a novel by Guy N. Smith, first published in 1986. It is the first installment in the “Truckers” series, which explores the adventures and misadventures of long-haul truckers in the United Kingdom.
Plot Summary
“The Black Knights” follows the lives of a group of truck drivers who navigate the highways and byways of Britain, hauling cargo across the country. The protagonist, often a seasoned trucker with years of experience behind the wheel, finds themselves embroiled in a series of dangerous and suspenseful encounters on the road.
As the narrative unfolds, the truckers encounter a variety of challenges and obstacles, from treacherous weather conditions to mechanical breakdowns and encounters with unsavory characters. Along the way, they form bonds of camaraderie and friendship, relying on each other for support and solidarity in the face of adversity.
However, their journey takes a sinister turn when they cross paths with a group of mysterious and menacing figures known as the Black Knights. These shadowy individuals seem to be pursuing their own agenda, wreaking havoc and terrorizing anyone who stands in their way.
As the truckers become entangled in the web of intrigue surrounding the Black Knights, they must use all their skills and resourcefulness to outmaneuver their adversaries and stay one step ahead of danger. The novel builds to a climactic showdown as the truckers confront the Black Knights in a final showdown, determined to protect themselves and their way of life from the forces of darkness.
Themes and Style
- Road Thriller: “The Black Knights” is a road thriller that explores the dangers and challenges faced by long-haul truckers as they crisscross the country in pursuit of their livelihood.
- Camaraderie and Friendship: The novel celebrates the bonds of camaraderie and friendship that develop among the truckers as they face adversity together on the road.
- Suspense and Action: Smith’s narrative is filled with suspenseful and action-packed sequences, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the truckers navigate the hazards of the highway.
- Mystery and Intrigue: The novel incorporates elements of mystery and intrigue as the truckers become embroiled in the enigmatic activities of the Black Knights, unraveling the secrets behind their sinister agenda.
Reception
“The Truckers 1: The Black Knights” received positive reviews from readers who appreciated its fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and atmospheric setting. The novel’s exploration of the trucking subculture and its blend of suspense, action, and mystery resonated with audiences, making it a popular choice among fans of thrillers and adventure fiction.
Legacy
“The Black Knights” remains a beloved installment in the “Truckers” series and is considered a classic in the genre of road thrillers. Its portrayal of the challenges and dangers faced by long-haul truckers on the open road continues to captivate readers, cementing its status as a standout work in Guy N. Smith’s extensive bibliography.
During the 1970’s series were big business in paperbacks publishing, usually featuring a main character whose adventures continued from book to book.
Mews Books were located in Connecticut, USA, small publishers who decided to concentrate solely on series and had an arrangement with my own publishers at that time, New English Library, to distribute the books in the UK.
Mews contacted me in 1976 requesting synopses for horror, western and war series. I submitted all 3 genres and was expecting to be commissioned a horror series. Surprise, surprise they asked me to write a Truckers series, so it was back to the drawing board, more synopses and then one of the fastest “go-aheads” I’ve ever had.
The result was 2 novels, published together, “The Truckers No.1 – The Black Knights” followed by No.2 – “Hi-Jack!” The reason for Mews’ choice of this genre came from a smash-hit television series “The Brothers.” They hoped that my books would follow its success, even mentioning the TV series in the rear cover blurb of both novels.
Well, they did not follow in the wake of “The Brothers” because this time the theme had been overdone. The TV series finished and “The Truckers” made little impact.
However, today these titles are scarce and are avidly sought after by GNS collectors, fetching high prices on e-bay and elsewhere.
Guy N. Smith