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Title details for In the Moon of Red Ponies by James Lee Burke - Available

In the Moon of Red Ponies

#4 in series

by James Lee Burke
Tom Stechschulte
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Haunting suspense and captivating villains, the hallmark of James Lee Burke's bestselling novels of evil and redemption, are brilliantly evoked in his new Billy Bob Holland opus, the follow-up to the popular and critically acclaimed Bitterroot.

"James Lee Burke tells a story in a style all his own, in language that's alive, electric. He's a master at setting mood, laying in atmosphere, all with quirky dialogue that's a delight." —Elmore Leonard
In James Lee Burke's last novel featuring Billy Bob Holland, Bitterroot, the former Texas Ranger left his home state to help a friend threatened by the most dangerous sociopath Billy Bob had ever faced. After vanquishing a truly iniquitous collection of violent individuals, Billy moved his family to west Montana and hung out a shingle for his law practice. But in In the Moon of Red Ponies, he discovers that jail cells have revolving doors and that the government he had sworn to serve may have become his enemy.

His first client in Missoula is Johnny American Horse, a young activist for land preservation and the rights of Native Americans. Johnny is charged with the murder of two mysterious men—who seem to have recently tried to kill Johnny themselves, or at least scare him off his political causes. As Billy Bob investigates, he discovers a web of intrigue surrounding the case and its players: Johnny's girlfriend, Amber Finley, as reckless as she is defiant—and the daughter of one of Montana's US senators; Darrel McComb, a Missoula police detective who is obsessed with Amber; and Seth Masterson, an enigmatic government agent whose presence in town makes Billy Bob wonder why Washington has become so concerned with an obscure murder case on the fringes of the Bitterroot Mountains.

As complications mount and the dead bodies multiply, Billy Bob is drawn closer to the truth behind Johnny American Horse's arrest—and discovers a greater danger to himself and to his whole family. How Billy Bob strikes back at evil and protects his kin is the masterful triumph of In the Moon of Red Ponies.

Beautifully written, with an intriguing plot and characters whose conflicts seem as real as life itself, this novel shows James Lee Burke again in the top form that has made him a critical favorite and a national bestseller.

  • Creators

  • Series

    Billy Bob Holland

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    June 8, 2004

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780743539425
      • File size: 171289 KB
      • Duration: 05:56:51

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from May 24, 2004
      In this top-notch fourth novel in Burke's series featuring ex–Texas Ranger attorney Billy Bob Holland, Billy Bob has moved his family and practice to the pastoral city of Missoula, Mont., the setting of his last adventure (Bitterroot
      , 2001), only to discover that the psychopathic ex-biker/rodeo clown, Wyatt Dixon (who buried Billy Bob's private investigator wife, Temple, alive), is out of prison on a technicality and claiming to be a born-again Christian. Billy Bob befriends alcoholic Desert Storm hero Johnny American Horse, a sometime breeder of horses and eco-activist who—when not in the drunk tank—is carrying on a passionate affair with Amber Finley, the daughter of Romulus Finley, a vindictive and bigoted powerful U.S. senator. When Johnny is suspected of murdering the hit man who invaded his home as well as masterminding the burglary of Global Research (a high-tech agricultural lab), making off with its computer files, the action picks up quickly. Noted for quirky characters and intricate plots, Burke introduces demon-driven sheriff's deputy Darrel McComb—an ex–war hero and former mercenary pilot who flew cocaine for the contras—who has an erotic fixation on Amber. Factor in private security agency chief Greta Lundstrum, FBI agent Seth Masterson and Karsten Mabus, CEO of the company that owns Global Research, and the mayhem builds to a gripping, spine-tingling finale. Agent, Philip Spitzer
      . 10-city author tour
      .

    • Publisher's Weekly

      August 2, 2004
      Narrator Stechschulte does an excellent job giving voice to the many eccentric characters in Burke's fourth novel starring former Texas Ranger Billy Bob Holland, last heard from in Bitterroot
      (2001). Billy Bob and his private investigator wife, Temple, have relocated to a ranch in Missoula, Mont. Not long after he hangs his attorney's shingle, Billy Bob receives a visit from ex-biker/rodeo clown Wyatt Dixon, who he helped send to jail for life in Bitterroot
      . Wyatt, free on a technicality, once buried Temple alive before spending time in federal prison. Now a born again Christian, he wants Holland to represent his horse-trading business. Here Stechschulte's talent truly shines. His portrayal of Wyatt's vacuous politeness is unnerving. Billy Bob doesn't trust him, nor does the listener. But should we? This is just the tip of a complicated ecoterrorist plot chock full of multifaceted characters, including an ex-mercenary police detective, a Native American Desert Storm hero/activist and a shady U.S. senator. Stechschulte penetrates the psyche of each of these players with incredible acuity, making this an excellent summer listen. Simultaneous release with the S&S hardcover (Forecasts, May 24).

    • AudioFile Magazine
      James Lee Burke is at his gripping best in this story of murder and conspiracy against Johnny American Horse, a decorated Native American war veteran and eco-activist whose mad, bad lady love is the beautiful daughter of a U.S. Senator. Lawyer (and former Texas Ranger) Billy Bob Holland finds his whole family under threat when he tries to defend Johnny. Tom Stechschulte is particularly delicious in his portrayal of the Southern-fried nut job, Wyatt Dixon, who once buried Billy Bob's wife alive but is now out of prison and praising the Lord. But Stechschulte's ease with all the demands of this top-notch thriller, from violence, to breathless panic, to love, is brilliant, the sum even greater than a series of masterful character parts. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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