About
Reviews
Search
Submit
Home

Mystery Books for Sale

[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]


  

IN THE MOON OF RED PONIES
by James Lee Burke
Orion, July 2004
322 pages
12.99GBP
ISBN: 0752861107


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

James Lee Burke became well known in crime fiction annals as the creator of Dave Robicheaux, the recovering alcoholic Cajun detective. The author is renowned for including much that is autobiographical in his work -- for example, he, like Robicheaux, is a recovering alcoholic. The protagonist of this latest release is Burke's other series character, Billy Bob Holland, he who shares an ancestor with his creator. The wonderful CIMARRON ROSE was, in fact, a fictionalisation of family history as researched by Burke.

Billy Bob is a lawyer who now practises in Missoula, Montana. His friend, Johnny American Horse, has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Johnny tells Billy Bob that, in a dream, he saw hired killers on their way to murder him. He obtained the gun to protect himself.

The Hollands have more personal things to worry them. Wyatt Dixon, a psychopath, had buried alive Billy Bob's wife Temple . Dixon was charged with other crimes, the assault on Temple not having been proven and he was sentenced to be imprisoned for 16 years but after 12 months he is free once more. Faults in the prosecutor's case have permitted Dixon's release.

Dixon begins telephoning the Hollands and turning up, unannounced, at their property. He insists he means them no harm and that he is a reformed man, having found religion -- a claim unlikely to convince people who have suffered at his hands despite the 'chemical cocktail' Wyatt takes to maintain his psychological balance.

Johnny American Horse is attacked, as foreseen by him, by two men. In an attempt to defend himself, he kills one of his attackers. Detective Darrel McComb is sent to investigate the case. McComb, however, is infatuated with American Horse's girlfriend, Amber. He is unlikely to do anything that will help Johnny.

There is a strange mix of allegory and fiction in this novel. Burke has also produced some memorable characters none of whom can be described as being entirely good or -- with perhaps one exception -- entirely bad. Darrel McComb is a case in point here, a man whose baser instincts get the better of him at times but who, at heart, manages to remain a good cop.

Billy Bob himself is a man who admits to having extremely violent impulses. He and his former best friend, L Q Navarro, had, when Texas Rangers, killed wicked men, without compunction. Billy Bob must deal with his past, which includes having accidentally killed L Q, while attempting to preserve the present and future for himself, his wife and his illegitimate son Lucas Smothers. Billy Bob, as well as Johnny American Horse and his friends, is appalled at the evil that is overtaking the land but can only do his best to prevent harm coming to those in his immediate circle.

James Lee Burke is a wonderful story-teller. His tales are peppered with action as well as notable and convincing characters. Although he recounts many instances of killing, at least he doesn't dwell on the descriptions of violence and consequent gore in detail that might alienate some more squeamish readers. Given what is obviously the depth of Burke's feelings about the misuse and pollution of the world's natural resources and the callousness of the old bulls of the tribe toward emerging youth, this unforgettable tale will leave an undertone of pessimism to dilute the pleasure one gleans from a well-written narrative.

Reviewed by Denise Pickles, October 2004

[ Top ]


QUICK SEARCH:

 

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]