In The Moon Of Red Ponies (2004) - Plot & Excerpts
Burke tells a story of the country around Missoula Montana and includes relations with American Indians and corporations that set their own gains above ecological benefit.Johnny American Horse is a war hero. He's an American Indian attempting to stop oil companies from drilling on Indian Land. He senses that the oil companies have put a hit on him and lies in wait while two men attempt the killing. Johnny disposes of the two men, one dies, one hospitalized. When the second man is killed in the hospital, Johnny is arrested for his murder.Billy Bob Thornton is hired as his attorney. Billy Bob is a former Texas Ranger and puts his ranch up for collateral for Johnny's bail.At this time Wyatt Dixon is released from prison. Dixon had almost killed Thornton's wife, Temple in the past and now claims he is reborn and wants to make ammends.The story goes from Billy Bob, Johnny American Horse and Wyatt and their attempt to have a normal life but when there is a break in a research lab and confindential info is stolen the corporate officials do whatever dirty tricks to these characters.The novel is well told, as usual for Burke. We see the average man attempting to rise above corruption and do good. There are some questions left unanswered at the end of the novel but I think that Burke is telling the reader that this is life and all things aren't answered in a convienent manner and sometimes evil is not punished.Recommended.
James Lee Burke- In the Moon of Red Ponies (Pocket Books 2005) 3.5 StarsBilly Bob Holland is a lawyer that used to be a Texas Ranger. Wyatt Dixon, a psychopathic killer who Holland had a run-in with in a previous book, has been released from prison. Although he claims to have changed, Holland does not believe him, but Dixon is not the greatest of his worries. He is representing a Native American activist who has discovered a ring of corruption, blackmail, and even murder, now he must find a way to save his client and figure out what is going on. There was something about the intro pages that I just loved, it drew me in and made me want to read more. Holland is the kind of character that you cannot help but love, he is a hard-nosed, no nonsense kind of man who will do anything to see justice done. I did find that the rest of the characters were a little bit weak however. I also found that at times I was kind of wondering at the point of the scenes, but most scenes had there point if you could figure out what was going on, which Holland eventually put together, although not magically out of thin air like in some books. I recommend In the Moon of Red Ponies to mystery/thriller fans, or those who enjoy Burke’s novels.For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.comTony PetersKids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnappinghttp://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
What do You think about In The Moon Of Red Ponies (2004)?
Oh, my goodness, another great author to know. No wonder his books fly off the library shelf. It has that combination of violence and tenderness that I feel is just phenomenal writing. It also has an element of mysticism that works for the character Johnny American Horse. This is a fast paced mystery that is being solved by Billy Bob Holland. There are many characters. I listened to the audio read by Tom Stechschulte--he does a wonderful job of tailoring his voice to the characters. You could tell who was speaking immediately. One of my favorite characters was Wyatt Dixon, a psychopath who has found God. The dialogue is sometimes laugh out loud funny. The dialogue is quick and witty plus you learn all sorts of vernaculars. There are more in this series that I will have to discover!
—Elizabeth
I've come to like this Billy Bob Holland series more than the Dave Robicheaux books. The last Dave Robicheaux book I really loved and remember is the "Tin Roof Blowdown," about the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. He had alot of fresh material to work with then. But though Robicheaux ismuch loved, and a wonderful character, I'm tried of Dave. He seems too much the same.Perhaps it's time for Burke to let Robicheaux go the way Mankell has allowed Wallander to slip away info retirement and old age. I realized this is absolute mystery-lovers heresy--but one opinion none the less.
—Amanda Spake
This is definitely a 3 1/2 star read, and after a bit of deliberation I rounded the rating up. I make no bones about being a James Lee Burke fan; in my view he is one of the best writers in the US, regardless of genre. But I find the Billy Bob Holland books slightly less to my taste than those featuring Dave Robicheaux, but I still want to read them and I always enjoy them.This one is a bit tighter than earlier episodes, although there are still a lot of diversions into Native American Culture, and I find Billy Bob's conversations with his dead partner a little irritating. The dark side of most of the characters, even Billy Bob, is accentuated and there is a high level of violence.What comes across strongly in this book is Holland and Burke's lack of faith in law enforcement generally and the government at all levels and the fact that the real villains are not only not prosecuted and punished, but very often actually prosper.
—John
