The Burning Plain

by Michael Nava (Auteur)

Hardcover, 1997

Status

Available

Call number

PS3564.A8746 B87 1997

Publication

Putnam Pub Group (1997), 305 pages

Description

Still reeling after the death of his former lover, criminal defense lawyer Henry Rios unwisely falls for a young actor whom he had successfully defended on trumped-up burglary charges. But just hours after a date with Rios, the man is brutally murdered--and the trail of circumstantial evidence leads an unscrupulous police detective to Rios' doorstep. And when a second young man, and then a third, are found dead, Rios must fight not only to exonerate himself, but to save his very life. Embroiled in his own investigation of the case, Rios exposes an intricate web of blackmail, betrayal, corruption, and violence--a conspiracy that reaches from the Los Angeles criminal courthouse to the studio lots to the mayor's office. And in the end, Rios knows that one more murder won't make a difference to anyone....… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member -Eva-
Tight thriller which makes you want to drop everything and just read. The stakes are extremely high and more than once I wanted to reach into the book and kick someone's ass! The problem? Well, the ending (and "resolution") is so shitty and depressing. The sadistic killer pretty much gets away (not
Show More
really, but his punishment is slight), the raped kid goes to Jesus, and Josh's parents still hate Rios. One would think that Nava wanted to give us some kind of positive slant, but there's no redemption to be had.
Show Less
LibraryThing member susandennis
Michael Nava wrote a series of legal/mystery novels featuring Henry Rios that are wonderful and then he quit. For years. And then last year he brought Henry back and again this year and I'm so glad. Henry is a lawyer in Los Angeles. He's Hispanic and he's gay and he's so very human. The Burning
Show More
Plan centers around gay bashing but with a twist. The story is gripping and the characters are both real and fascinating. I sure hope Henry is back to stay.
Show Less
LibraryThing member yarmando
The darkest of the mysteries, with the most troubling aspects and unsettling end. But Nava is maturing as a writer, and this is the best in the series so far.

Awards

Lambda Literary Award (Nominee — 1997)

Language

Original publication date

1997

Physical description

305 p.; 9.32 inches

ISBN

0399143106 / 9780399143106

Barcode

32345000004011

Other editions

Page: 0.2437 seconds