Reviews
The well-paced action features the usual men at play with fists and guns, but Burke also offers three strong women with pivotal roles, one of whom could be a match for any of the tough guys. Burke [has a] sure hand for crisp dialogue and a compelling story..., James Lee Burke's finest literary work to date, cementing his reputation as one of America's all-time masters., Stunning… Crisp dialogue highlights this tale of redemption and the bonds of family, and the breathtaking conclusion is one that readers won't soon forget., Stunning... Crisp dialogue highlights this tale of redemption and the bonds of family, and the breathtaking conclusion is one that readers won't soon forget., "Mr. Burke has crafted another epic tale in an unforgettable landscape about an imperfect man's search for redemption. Once again, every member of the sprawling cast of characters, minor to major, makes an impression, and rings true...Mr. Burke's novels always offer a compelling story.But, the reader is rewarded with a multitude of haunting themes that run deepand wide. Pick and choose the ones you wish to explore. They are skillfully andnon-intrusively woven into the narrative. But these layers are what always elevate a James Lee Burke novel above any genre tale." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Burke wins us over yet again with another fusillade of lyrical, deeply moving prose that makes us feel the beating hearts of all his characters, demon-wracked though they may be., Two-time Edgar winner Burke sets Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland the task of protecting a precious artifact (is it the Holy Grail?) from a string of villains, including an Austrian arms dealer who sets his sights on Holland's son Ishmael, who serves in the US Army; Burke does not disappoint., Readers of best-selling Burke's novels about the Holland family ( Wayfaring Stranger ) will gravitate to this prequel featuring the well-known and notoriously cantankerous Hackberry Holland. The large cast features complex and compelling characters, and the action deftly builds to a roaring boil., "Mr. Burke has crafted another epic tale in an unforgettable landscape about an imperfect man's search for redemption. Once again, every member of the sprawling cast of characters, minor to major, makes an impression, and rings true…Mr. Burke's novels always offer a compelling story.But, the reader is rewarded with a multitude of haunting themes that run deepand wide. Pick and choose the ones you wish to explore. They are skillfully andnon-intrusively woven into the narrative. But these layers are what always elevate a James Lee Burke novel above any genre tale." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
