The Sweet and the Dead

by Milton T. Burton

Book Overview

Manfred Eugene 'Hog' Webern, a retired Dallas deputy sheriff, goes undercover in Biloxi, Mississippi, to nail a group of Southern criminals who have been tagged with the lurid name 'Dixie Mafia'. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312343108
• ISBN13: 9780312343101
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Crime with a Southern flavor.

Milton Burton's books are best enjoyed while setting in a straight-backed chair -- the kind with a smooth seat that allows you to slide to the very edge, and strong arms for gripping. Burton's research and knowledge of his subject shines through on every page, as well as his wonderful sense of humor. This is a book you don't want to miss! Joe Prentis

Burton is such a find!

Retired Dallas County deputy sheriff Manfred Eugene "Hog" Webern agrees to go undercover to break up a group of criminals that have come to be named "The Dixie Mafia." Hog left the police force under a well-publicized cloud which gives him entry and credibility with the gang who are planning the biggest heist ever. But Hog begin to wonder who are the real criminals? Late into the field, Burton's first book "The Rogue's Game" is one of which I still think and recommend. There are a lot of characters and a complex plot. Hog has a wonderful, slightly self-deprecating and often humorous voice, but he is also strong with a solid sense of justice. I enjoyed that there was a love interest but it didn't side track the story. Burton has a true skill for creating a time and regional atmosphere that brought me firmly into the story. If you've not yet read Burton's books do yourself a favor: find them, read them, and enjoy them.

Miltom T. Burns does it again in "The Sweet And The Dead"

Tyler, Texas Author Milton T. Burton distinguished himself with the powerful debut novel "The Rogues' Game." Unlike many authors, there is no slump in his stand alone second novel just recently released titled "The Sweet And The Dead." The mystery is complex, the writing is superb, and the read is wonderful. As the novel opens, it is the fall of 1970 and Manfred Eugene "Hog" Webern is deep undercover in Biloxi, Mississippi. Hog is a retired Dallas County Deputy Sheriff, a good man, and a damn good cop despite the word on the street. It is coincidence and nothing more that he got into some money at approximately the same time his former partner was gunned down and a couple of other nasty things happened. The word on the street is that Hog is dirty these days which makes him a perfect candidate to investigate from the inside the group dubbed the "Dixie Mafia." Bob Wallace is a Texas Ranger and a man that Hog has worked with before more than once and a man that Hog trusts without question. Wallace tells him that Curtis Blanchard, one of the chief felony investigators for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety wants Hog to come to Mississippi, hook up with Jasper Sparks, head of the aforementioned Dixie Mafia, and gather enough evidence to bring Jasper and as many others as possible down. Hog agrees for several reasons and before long finds himself deep undercover in a twisting case that seems to know no end. As in the first book, Milton T. Burton has created another powerful main character full of internal demons and unresolved guilt who is seeking his own form of justice. Another dark hero beset by his own failings as well as the failings of others and yet finds a particular brand of honor among some in the criminal element. Once again, through his folksy storytelling style, the author has created a main character that could be anybody and who goes quietly about his business and would never rise to your attention unless he meant for you to notice and feel his judgment. This stand alone novel features another complex tale from what could easily have been in the hands of another writer, a simple straightforward story. A hallmark of "The Rogues' Game" was the author's ability to create so many shades of gray where one wasn't sure about character motivations until the every last word on the page. The same is true here and Hog figures out fairly soon that no one can be trusted--maybe not even himself. Nothing is as it seems and nothing is finished until the last word on the page. The result is another entertaining highly complex novel mystery that results in a simply great read from an author that like his characters, seems to quietly go about his business. He deserves more acclaim than he is getting and his books deserve a place on your reading list. Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2006

Sweet

One wonders what Milton T. Burton has been doing all his life, for whatever it was, it should have been writing. This, his second novel, is even better than last year's outstanding debut, "The Rogue's Game." This is the tale of Manfred Eugene "Hog" Webern, a retired Texas lawman. Set in 1970 Mississippi, Webern is cajoled back to duty undercover in an attempt to foil a suspected caper to be led by the notorious Jasper Sparks, the slick but deadly dandy of the so-called "Dixie Mafia", which in reality is just a loose federation of thugs and bandits working their illicit trade beneath the Mason-Dixon. Turns out Hog is operating under a cloud of suspicion himself, surrounded by innuendo that shortly before retiring, he had "turned", pocketing the money from a bust and murdering his partner. While untrue, Hog does little to dispel the rumors, and instead leverages the bad rap to gain the trust of Sparks and his motley crew. Before long, Hog finds himself in charge of personnel for the heist, and literally as thick as the proverbial thieves with the likes of such upstanding citizens as Lardass Collins, Hardhead Weller, and Slops Moline. But before it is all over, Webern is questioning just who the bad guys really are, and as the politics thicken, the bullets fly, and he begins to wonder who can be trusted. Burton writes with an easy style and homespun wisdom - this is a man who clearly loves to write and thoroughly enjoys his craft. It is a story told with the authority of having been there/done that, colored liberally with frequent diversions off the main plot, some brutal, some humorous, all entertaining. The characters are believable and engaging - main-man Hog Webern and his crowbar subtlety will remind some of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux sidekick Cletis Purcell - while the setting, banter, and situations ring true to the Nixon-era south. In short, if Jim Thompson or Raymond Chandler were alive and writing today, it would come out sounding a lot like Milton Burton. And if there is justice, Burton will soon be recognized as the literary talent he can rightfully way claim to. I'll be anxiously awaiting Burton number three, and hoping for a return of the Hog.

fine Nixon era crime drama

In 1970 Texas Ranger Bob Wallace asks his "disgraced" pal former Dallas deputy sheriff Manfred Eugene "Tush Hog" Webern to help bring down psychopathic Jasper Sparks and his Southern mob, the Dixie Mafia. Fishing since his forced retirement, Webern agrees to go undercover infiltrating the mob as a disgraced former law enforcement official as he and Wallace know that is the insider ticket. In Biloxi, Mississippi, Webern begins his quest to gain entry into the Dixie Mafia by "buddying" with some of the known members at their hangout, the infamous Gold Dust Lounge. He especially goes out of his way to become best friends with Sparks. He succeeds and is brought in on an upcoming heist, but soon will find out what double and triple cross truly means. This fascinating regional historical crime caper focuses mostly on the interrelationships between the gangsters especially Webern and Sparks as they plan the robbery starting with hiring a specialized crew. This technique provides insight into the era in the Gulf Coast, but also slows down the story line as the atmosphere and character development overwhelms the action. Once the plan is set and Sparks sets in motion the caper, the tale accelerates into hyperspeed as the shadows double-cross the criminals and arrange it so that Sparks and the law hold Webern culpable in this fine Nixon era crime drama. Harriet Klausner