Rag and Bone

by Michael Nava

Book Overview

After Rios suffers a heart attack, he sinks into a depression but he's soon shaken out of it, first by the prospect of new love and then by the appearance a niece he didn't know he had and her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039914708X
• ISBN13: 9780399147081
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Great Ending to A Great Series

I think Michael Nava's Henry Rios books constitute by far the finest gay mystery series extant. I held on to this book for two years before reading it simply because I didn't want the series to end. I began reading with trepidation and sadness but Nava has done a masterful job of wrapping things up by giving Henry so many new beginnings. It's not much of a mystery -- you'll figure it out before Henry does -- but it is well written and believable. As a lawyer who has never done a criminal proceeding, I've appreciated Nava's insights into the law. And he approaches all aspects of his characters in the same methodical way. Thanks Michael for all the joy you've given to so many. Henry Rios is gone and I can accept that but I hope that you will reconsider your decision to not write another mystery.

Compelling and absorbing!

I am very disappointed that this is the last of a captivating series. Rag and Bone is a wonderful book. It is powerful, emotionally charged, riveting and deeply touching. I am glad that there is a silver lining for Rios. However why must Mr Nava ends there. I hope he will change his mind and continue to develop his amazing protagonist's life.

Taking chances on youth, family, love, right, and justice

"Rag and Bone" brings to an end this popular series of seven mysteries by San Francisco lawyer/writer Michael Nava. Five of the preceding books have won Lambda awards for best gay mystery of the year. Nava's final Henry Rios novel is a likely contender for this year's best mystery. Fans will look forward to new works by Nava, co-author of "Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter in America." Admirers of his fiction hope his decision to end the Henry Rios series will free him from the constraints he might have felt in genre writing and will inspire him to deliver the big novel of psychological realism that we believe him fully capable of writing.In "Rag and Bone" we see Henry at his most reflective. A heart attack during court in the first chapter makes him face his own mortality, and the continuing grief over the AIDS death of Josh, his young lover introduced in the series' second novel, "Golden Boy," causes Henry-always a sensitive character-to turn more philosophical. But the turning inward does not mean withdrawal. In this novel Henry discovers whole new dimensions of family as he draws closer to an estranged sister whose long-lost daughter and grandson are caught in a gang homicide case. Henry must defend his niece, whom he dislikes and who is the confessed killer. In his late forties, Henry must not only heal a diseased heart, he must also mend a broken one that never healed from his father's abuse. When he becomes responsible for his ten year old nephew, the image of himself at ten, Henry's independence yields to surrogate fatherhood. Family takes on additional dimensions as Henry finds himself falling in love with John, a washed up minor leaguer now a contractor in Rios' neighborhood. From their first meeting when John helps Henry home from an overly-ambitious walk, the men are attracted to each other. Both are Mexican American; both are in their forties; both love baseball; and, most importantly, both are disarmingly honest about themselves. John, a divorced bisexual, misses his own children and is only too eager to help "father" young Angel. But John has asked Deanna to marry him, and it is unclear just where the new romance with Henry is going. Most of the novel concerns the murder case, but the crime, family, and love are intricately entwined. Typical to the genre, things work out as they should, and Henry's career takes a leap: the governor will name him to a judgeship. Enjoy this novel for its surprise twists and turns of plot and its sleuth-like intelligence at mystery solving. But most of all, enjoy it for the character of its characters-the hard decisions, the earnest decency of wounded men and women willing to risk themselves again for youth, for family, for love, for right and justice.

A Grand Finale & Wonderful Ending!

I have to admit this is only the second Henry Rios mystery I have read. I read the first one many years ago, collected all the others, but have failed to get to them. Shame on me! After reading this wonderful ending to the Henry Rios series, I know now that I will definitely read all his other books ASAP. This was a wonderful story with real characters, and it was a real page turner. These characters are real people, who make up a true & caring family, and it doesn't matter whether they happen to be gay or straight. This book had true passion, something for everyone and plenty of love in many different guises.While Rios is recuperating from a heart attack, he learns that his sister had an illegitimate daughter many years ago, who now has a son of her own and she has come to find her mother for help so she can escape from an abusive husband. Her husband is found shot dead and now it's Rios turn to fight for Vicky's innocence. In the meantime his sister, Elena; Vicky's son, Angelito, and Rios new found love John, slowly become a very close and unexpected family. Proving Vicky's innocence,however, takes on a much darker, and unexpected turn, and causes Rios to even alter some events of his own life. Right up to almost the last chapter you're left wondering how everything will turn out. Michael Nava has ended the Henry Rios novels with another great mystery. It's with sorrow that he has decided to end the series, but it's with a great appreciation that I myself say Thank You to this fine and talented writer. Bravo!!!

A fitting finale to a great series

Gay attorney Henry Rio is working a case at the California Court of Appeals when he suffers a massive heart attack. Though not close, Henry asks for his sister Elena. She visits him in the hospital and tries to mend their breech even informing him that as a teen she gave up the child she birthed for adoption. Henry acts indifferent towards his niece Vicky because he feels that he has nothing left to live for and death seems welcoming.That nothingness changes when Henry meets John De Leon. They become friends and potentially a deeper relationship seems imminent. Another friend encourages Henry to apply for a judgeship that is vacant. Vicky and her son Angel reenter Henry's life when she is arrested for the murder of her husband. The lad moves in with his great-uncle. Vicky pleads battered spouse syndrome, but Henry believes there is more to this situation than that. He begins investigating the case, but needs to gain Vicky's trust if he is to uncover the truth.In a postscript Michael Nava informs the reader that this is not only his last Rios novel, but his final mystery. What a way to end a sparkling career with a fabulous tale. The characters make the tale, as they seem so genuine. For instance, a depressed Henry seeks a place in the world while Vicky's story comes from headlines. RAG AND BONE is a fitting end to a great series starring a very humanistic but flawed individual. Kudos to the author for a supernava finale.Harriet Klausner