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In the Moon of Red Ponies: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.03) - 1,200 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"As ever, a great read, this time featuring Billy Bob Holland, former Texas Ranger and now lawyer, his wife Temple, an investigator, and his son Lucas, who plays just a small role. The controversy centers around a Native American named Johnny American Horse, who marries Amber Finley, the daughter of a US Senator and a cast of not always honest people living in Missoula, Montana. There is intrigue, suspense, and as always, violence. Burke's Missoula is not dull, but would an exciting place to live."
— Marti (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“What keeps the pages turning is the pace and unpretentious clarity of the writing, along with the tension generated by the unpredictable collison of motives and interests.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Burke's distinctive narrative style and a story which grips from the beginning make another first-rate read.”
— Sunday Telegraph (London) -
“Burke has got it right this time, creating a modern western in which Holland oscillates between courtroom law and the law of the gun. Like all his fiction, it deftly blends lyrical passages and penetrating psychological studies.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“Thrilling stuff.”
— Observer (London) -
“The best book James Lee Burke has written…it's likely to be a very long time before anything as good, let alone better, comes along.”
— Evening Standard (London) -
“Of all American crime fiction writers James Lee Burke could be described as the most literary, with his grand themes of redemption and atonement. In this…Burke addresses the big question of the human potential to do good or evil.”
— Daily Mail (London) -
“Rich, lyrical narrative, peopled by ghosts and visions…What he's really writing about, I suspect, is redemption and he does so with passion, skill, and a generous heart. Read it and be refreshed.”
— Literary Review (London) -
“Burke's lyrical descriptions of the beauty of the boundless skies, mountains, forests, and wildlife of Montana are a constant counterpoint to the brutality that Billy Bob has to deal with. His sympathy for the plight of Native Americans and regret for all they have lost push this book way beyond thriller, yet Burke manages to drive the story along with relentless pace and ever-mounting suspense.”
— Irish Independent -
“Top-notch…A gripping, spine-tingling finale.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This latest entry in the series…offers the perfect opportunity to let Billy Bob stand on his own feet.”
— Booklist -
“[A] fast-paced mystery…Ponies is the best yet in the series.”
— Bookmarks magazine -
“Cryptic and clever.”
— Mirror
In the Moon of Red Ponies Listener Reviews
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" James Lee Burke is one of my favorite authors. His style is incredibly rich and beautiful and his characters always resonate. "
— Morgan, 2/15/2014 -
" Like Burke's books set in the bayous, but this is a nice departure--different characters, different premises--still gripping and complex. "
— Marilyn, 1/24/2014 -
" This book is best on CD. Read by Will Patten, it is evil, violent, exciting, and rewarding, in the end. Also has one evil SOB as one of the characters. This is a Billy Bob Thornton mystery--Montana locale. "
— Zack, 1/23/2014 -
" This gets four stars in large part because I love JLB. It is my favorite of the BBH series, but I did not care for the way he ends it. Not the ending but taking 400 pages and then glossing over the conclusion. Dave is still my guy. "
— Linda, 1/14/2014 -
" I'm re-reading some of James Lee Burke. I don't generally like it when authors with iconic characters switch gears and try to create new iconic characters, but I'm digging Billy Bob. "
— Maggard, 1/13/2014 -
" James Lee Burke is one of best writers of our times. He is one of the few writers whose books I will purchase in hard cover because I can't wait for the paperback version to come out. "
— Cammie, 1/12/2014 -
" Billy Bob is in Missoula, and Wyatt is back. "
— Pat, 1/6/2014 -
" Another great effort by Burke. I am amazed that he is so skilled that every book year after year is so well written. "
— Burt, 1/6/2014 -
" The classic struggle of good against evil, most of the characters are various shades of gray, some bad guys even have some redeeming qualities. I'd read a Billy Bob novel quite a while back and I don't remember Lucas being such a backwoods dolt. Not my favorite James LEe Burke but a good read. "
— Jo, 1/5/2014 -
" Enjoy this series and listened to most while travelig to Mexico "
— Boni, 12/31/2013 -
" Another excellent Burke novel, this one featuring Billy Bob Holland and assorted characters. Burke's characters make his books extra special and this one is peopled with plenty of them. Highly recommended. "
— Jeff, 12/24/2013 -
" As always, a handful of "characters" - maybe that should be all caps, underlined - who entertain to the end. It will be a strange day when I when I run out of James Lee Burke. "
— Rex, 12/23/2013 -
" I've always liked the Dave Robicheaux books, but now I'm adding the Billy Bob Holland books to my must-read list. I'll read anything this man writes. "
— Doneen, 12/6/2013 -
" Billy Bob Holland novel. Excellent read. "
— Stephen, 10/16/2013 -
" Almost done. I love James Lee Burke's writing even when the story line gets dark (as this one does). "
— Debbie, 4/13/2013 -
" Former Teaxas ranger Billy Bob Holland is practicing law in Montana when Johnny Americanhorse is arrested. What follows is a mix of eco-terrorism, corporate greed, political intrigue, and murder. "
— Fredrick, 12/7/2012 -
" Excellent read. My James Lee Burke fix. ;) "
— Malia, 12/9/2011 -
" In the Moon of Red Ponies by James Lee Burke (2005) "
— Julie, 8/31/2011 -
" Billy Bob is in Missoula, and Wyatt is back. "
— Pat, 3/19/2011 -
" James Lee Burke is one of my favorite authors. His style is incredibly rich and beautiful and his characters always resonate. "
— Morgan, 1/25/2011 -
" See my review of Bitterwood by James Lee Burke. "
— Michael, 8/31/2010 -
" A follow up to "Bitteroot" with Billy Bob Holland having moved to Montana. One old ex-con antagonist from the earlier book makes this one worth reading. Good stuff, but not as tightly plotted as Bitteroot. None the less, Burke delivers. "
— Mike, 6/14/2010 -
" Billy Bob Holland novel. Excellent read. "
— Stephen, 3/27/2010 -
" Like Burke's books set in the bayous, but this is a nice departure--different characters, different premises--still gripping and complex. "
— Marilyn, 1/25/2010 -
" If we could add half stars, I'd give this 3 1/2. Burke is a smooth writer and his tale has more twists than a tornado--plus a bit of Native American mysticism, a bad/good guy who's a rodeo rider and some anti-Bush philosophizing at the end. <br/>I think you'd like this one, Emily. "
— Judy, 12/27/2009 -
" The villain in this book really creeped me out, but I'm not sure he's beyond redemption. I enjoyed this book very much. "
— Dee, 11/30/2009 -
" Almost done. I love James Lee Burke's writing even when the story line gets dark (as this one does). "
— Debbie, 11/20/2009 -
" This book is best on CD. Read by Will Patten, it is evil, violent, exciting, and rewarding, in the end. Also has one evil SOB as one of the characters. This is a Billy Bob Thornton mystery--Montana locale. "
— Zack, 8/16/2009 -
" The classic struggle of good against evil, most of the characters are various shades of gray, some bad guys even have some redeeming qualities. I'd read a Billy Bob novel quite a while back and I don't remember Lucas being such a backwoods dolt. Not my favorite James LEe Burke but a good read. "
— Jo, 8/15/2009 -
" I loved the language and the sense of place. "
— Joey, 7/1/2009
About James Lee Burke
James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author of forty novels and two short-story collections. He has won the Edgar Award, the CWA Gold Dagger, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policièr. He was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. His novel The Lost-Get Back Boogie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and two of his books, Heaven’s Prisoners and Two for Texas, have been made into motion pictures.
About the Narrators
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.
Will Patton is an award-winning actor and narrator. HIs narrations have earned the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration and also won dozens of AudioFile Earphones Awards. His numerous film credits include Remember the Titans, The Punisher, The Mothman Prophesies, Armageddon, and The Spitfire Grill. He starred in the TNT miniseries Into the West and on the CBS series The Agency and won Obie Awards in the theater for his performances in Fool for Love and What Did He See.