The Burning Plain

First of all, I have never particularly been a mystery fan (well... okay, I admit I watched "Murder She Wrote" while I ironed. It was great because I didn't really have to pay very much attention to it -- the program that is, not the ironing... I haven't ironed since it was cancelled, by the way). So why did I pick up this particular book? Although I wasn't specifically looking for a mystery, I DID want something with gay men and women... and this looked interesting...

Interesting. Hmph. I could barely put it down. This was one of those books for me that I a) wanted to take my time reading because I couldn't imagine not having anymore to read and b) wanted to read as quickly as possible to see what happens next. Hard to do both at the same time...

Although I enjoyed the mystery itself, the far more enjoyable mystery is what is going to happen next to the people you've been introduced to. People and personalities change before our eyes, sometimes a sincere change reacting to what's going on around them; sometimes as a result of our finding out the truth about them.

What I appreciate most, I think, is the absolute correct amount of description. Many authors go one way or the other -- they either take you into a room and give you five tedious pages of description, or throw you in without any sense of where and when you are. Mr. Nava gave me just enough to put together a picture of people and places, without forcing me to skip 5 paragraphs just describing someone's eyes.

As a matter of fact, I have only ONE beef with this book... I live in Los Angeles, and I (and my partner) were shocked at the slap at the French Market. Sorry, Michael, but we LIKE the food there!

Couldn't put it down. It's been awhile (probably since the last Michael Nava book!) since I've been so completely wrapped-up in a book. Many layers to the plot of this book, and once I started to realize what was going on, it was impossible to stop reading. I'll take Michael Nava over John Grisham any day.

Michael Nava just keeps getting better and better. THE BURNING PLAIN is his best mystery to date and shows both the development of the writer and the story's protagonist. A beautiful piece of work that is highly entertaining, while keeping you well grounded in some of the grittier sides of life. Hollywood scandal has rarely been treated better, with bits of "noir" and "camp" added in just the right proportion. Highly recommended.

Needless to say this book was exemplary. I've read all of Michael's books and seen Michael develop as a writer and Henry Rios develop as a detective of sorts. There were several nights while I was reading this book where I didn't get to sleep until 1:30 A.M., eventhough I had to get up at 6:30A.M. "Burning Plain" was SO well written and gripping that I literally had to FORCE myself to put it away and get to sleep. There are few books, even from the so-called "bestselling writers," that write with such style and finesse. Every little detail is important and Michael fits them all together like a well constructed puzzle. I had my suspicions about the perpetrator but it really got me! There are many mystery writers and some famous ones that are highly overrated. Michael Nava is highly UNDERRATED and is not getting the following he deserves. If you want an excellent mystery, buy "The Burning Plain." You'll hunger for more of Michael Nava when you're done!

Mexican-American lawyer Henry Rios, reeling from the death of his ex-lover, a victim of AIDS, turns to a former client for comfort. However, his new lover is soon found viciously murdered and Henry is the prime suspect as circumstantial evidence points towards him. It does not help Henry's case that the police officer heading the investigation is a gay basher, who would not mind pinning the rap on him.

Henry begins to work on proving his innocence. Meanwhile, more murders of young homosexual males follow. The police remain disinterested in solving the murder of a few gays. This leaves Henry feeling he must seek out the truth by himself in order to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he did not commit the killings. However, an additional murder of a gay, especially a nosy lawyer, would not bother some high powered individuals who want their secrets kept hidden.

THE BURNING PLAIN is a fast-paced, very interesting police procedural with the added twist that the prime suspect is doing most of the who-done-it investigation. As in THE DEATH OF FRIENDS, Henry remains a great person who though flawed constantly rises above his own limitatations. The terrific story line is comlex, action packed and emotionally moving Michael Nava's Rios novels are must readings for anyone who loves a book with heart and depth.

Harriet Klausner