The Burning Plain

by Michael Nava

Book Overview

Still reeling after the death of his former lover criminal defense lawyer Henry Rios unwisely falls for a young actor whom he had successfully defended on trumped-up burglary charges.But just hours after a date with Rios, the man is brutally murdered--and the trail of circumstantial evidence leads an unscrupulous police detective to Rios' doorstep. And when a second young man, and then a third, are found dead, Rios must fight not only to exonerate...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399143106
• ISBN13: 9780399143106
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 305 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

BURNING PLAIN sizzles

Michael Nava's Burning Plain is a tightly woven mystery that operates on many levels. Filled with classical allusions to Dante, the novel also provides insights into LA's history,present and past. The complex mystery will keep readers guessing and the end is a tribute to the author's complex mind. No easy answers here. Just strong, complex plotting. You cheer for Henry Rios. The characterizations are complex, balanced and fresh.

Great for Law & Order

I gotta say that this was a great whodunit. The characters were distinct and there were many plot twists that came together well. Nava definitely took the time to create a mystery that could easily be turned into an episode arc on Law & Order. With that said, there was something missing from this story that made his previous Rios novel, The Death of Friends, so compelling. By going so far into throwing multiple plost twists at you, I felt the emotional connection that was available in DoF was mostly missing. I got so deep in the mystery that I stopped paying attention to Henry's involvement in it. Truthfully, by the end, I had mostly forgotten where the story began. Nevertheless, Nava has an amazing ability with pacing and I found it hard to stop turning the pages. I have found that to be true with all of his writing (sans The Hidden Law) and am truly disappointed that he only wrote one more book in the series.

Twist and Turns of a Hollywood Murder Mystery

The main character is Henry Rios. He is a hispanic gay lawyer that has a very unique set of friends that assist him along the twist and turns of this novel. I will be honest and found it so extremely slow at the start of the book I was ready to put it down. I was in the middle of chapter 3 and was committed to give it a try so I was going to stop if it did not grab me soon. Boy it grabbed me and took me along for the ride. The whole first of the book was building to the first murder and his release. By the second murder you were on a ride with this book. I end up loving the book in the end and can not wait to read another Henry Rios Mystery.

I've got to get to sleep! I have work tomorrow!!!

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!

Brilliant writing and as a bonus a great mystery

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