Customer Reviews

Blackheart Highway (Wil Hardesty Novels)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Richard Barre has done it again with his latest novel Blackheart Highway. I started reading this author after a trip to Bouchercon where I heard him read an excerpt from one of his novels. After that I read The Innocents and Bearing Secrets in short order and waited anxiously for The Ghosts of the Morning. Blackheart Highway is Mr. Barres fourth offering and in some ways his best.

One of the most compelling aspects of Richard Barre's writing is the subtle quality of the plot. The characters and events are believable while the feeling of the story has a haunting timbre. As the story progresses the line between villain and victim start to blur as Will finds himself embroiled in much more than vague threats or long ago murders. I am struck by Mr. Barre's understanding of the "little evils" of compromise and need that seem to be the foundation for the monstrous wickedness.

I liked this book very much and liked even more the time between readings. The flavor of the story lingered and I found myself wanting to hurry up and finish whatever silliness I was doing so I could get back to the real stuff of Blackheart Highway.

Michaele Bryant

For anyone who likes spending time with characters and plots that resonate well after the last page is turned, Richard Barre is the author for you. Blackheart Highway, brings the fascinating Wil Hardesty roaring back to life for the fourth time. Barre's writing is spare and exquisitely elegant, his plots are complex and ultimately satisifying. No one writes more realistic and wonderfully rounded characters. I'll follow Wil Hardesty and Richard Barre wherever they will take me. It is a darn good read, but then so were The Innocents, Bearing Secrets, and The Ghosts of Morning. Don't start any of these books late at night, you won't be able to put them down.

Spare, economical tight writing. A complext multi-generational plot. PI Wil Hardesty goes to Bakersfield with a woman he's getting serious about. It's to be a vacation, but after thwarting a robbery, Hardesty is offered a large amount of money to find a recently released and former country western singer who's back in town. There's more to it, and as Hardesty probes deeper, more and more questions arise. This is an outstanding novel without a wasted word. Plots and subplots intertwine with spiraling tension to a very high level. This one is a grabber you'll want to read in a single setting.

Not too often do you find surfing PI's. Especially the hard core "noir" PI's. The only other one I can think of is Harry Bosch, who used to surf as a youngster 35 years earlier.

So Wil Hardesty is a Vietnam Vet with a haunted past. That too sounds a lot like Bosch but also Elvis Cole and Joe Pike and Dave Robicheaux. But that's OK because Wil is his own guy. The interesting point here is that he is in Bakersfield by accident, with his then girlfriend Kari Thayer, when he is retained to help find "Doc" Whitney, a convicted murderer. However, a lot of things don't make sense. The original killing, the passion of these men who just want 'to talk' to Doc, and the tremendous loyalty that those who spend a moment or two in the presence of the ex-country star, have for him.

So Wil has a change of heart and begins trying to figure out what high society in Bakersfield has to hide.

What I thought were high quality strong points were the way Mr. Barre ratchets up the intensity. The story begins slowly and then holds at a higher pace throughout. It doesn't spike, it just climbs. Additionally, the character development is nice. Hardesty has problems living life on life's terms, and so does Bob Tate, Jenelle and Kari.

What I found distracting was that there were too many obligue unexplained references to previous books. Obviously when you have a character that you're going to stick with like the aformentioned Bosch, Cole, and Pike, each successive story must deal somewhat with the past. But Hardesty has too many comments and meanderings and pregnant pauses with past issues that are raised . . . but never explained. If you're are reading this as your first Wil Hardesty novel, as I was, every so often there's a page that leaves you scratching your head.

All in all a good tight novel worth your time. 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury

Richard Barre gets better and better with every book, but it's hard to imagine how he can top this one. The plot is compelling, clear, and complex. The characters have depth and soul. They are real people dealing with real life joys and sorrows. The setting is beautifully realized. Bakersfield and the surrounding Kern River Country are lovingly depicted as a part of the mythic American West. Past, present, and future blend seamlessly. The mystery is taut, filled with unexpected twists and turns that nonetheless make sense when finally revealed. Barre's voice is unique and unmistakable. His terse, yet fluid, use of language adds richness to the story. This is an excellent storyteller at the peak of his craft. Read Blackheart Highway. You won't be sorry.

For various reasons, private investigator Wil Hardesty accompanied his girl friend Kari Thayer to a conference in Bakersfield. Wil plans on relaxing with a book as Kari goes about her business. Instead of reading material, Wil ends up breaking up a robbery in progress.

Two different individuals become aware of Wil's brave action and want to hire him. Two decades ago, singer-songwriter Doc Whitney was on top of the country music world. His luck changed when he was convicted of killing his spouse and two children. Doc has just been paroled to the chagrin of many of the local residents. There are two potential clients want Wil to look into Doc's activities past and present. One of them believes Doc never did the crime. The other wants Doc eliminated. On his mini vacation, Wil walks a thin line, trying to learn the truth about Doc.

BLACKHEART HIGHWAY is the best novel in the great Wil Hardesty series (see THE GHOSTS OF MORNING). The story line is based on an exciting investigation that leaves Wil yanked in two distinct directions. Wil's personal problems, compounded by his time in Nam, have eased due to Kari, but surface in a very clever way with his brawl in the bookstore. What really turns this hard boiled detective tale into must reading for sub-genre fans is the relationship between Wil and Kari that softens his edge while providing new insight into his character. Richard Barre demonstrates why he is an award-winning author with this terrific novel. This is a terrific reading experience by one of tomorrow's superstars.

Harriet Klausner

Once again Barre weaves the past with the present and no one does it better. Wil Hardesty is hired to find someone and in the course of his investigation becomes interested in an old murder case everyone else wants to forget. The writing is superb with wonderful characters, fast pacing, and a plot that wouldn't let me put the book down. I wish I could give it six stars.

I just finished reading Blackheart Highway and really enjoyed it. The story pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout. The setting is so real that you feel as if you have been there too. In subtle ways the story brings to mind days of my childhood spent listening to songs and riding in cars. The dialoge is spare and colorful and after a little getting used to, easy to read. Richard can sure pack a lot into one sentence. Wil Hardesty (the main character) is someone you will want to know and read all you can about him.

A believable anti-hero in a Californian setting which will keep you busy for a while. Richard Barre has managed to develop an interesting and complex character in Wil Hardesty. If you appreciate books by Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane or the earlier books by Stuart Woods - you will love these too.

Blackheart Highway is wonderful ... I read it in one night and am sorry it's over ... kind of like a good rollercoaster ride - twists, turns, the unexpected and then it's over ... sad to see it end, but knowing there will be another great ride ... but at the same time, wanting this ride to go on ...

This is the 4th in Mr. Barre's series, and the other 3 books are just as riviting. His characters are people you want to read about, and bring you right into the stories.