The Death of Friends: A Henry Rios Mystery (Henry Rios Mysteries) [Paperback]

Michael Nava (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004 | Series: Henry Rios Mysteries

Chris Chandler, a closeted California Supreme Court justice and an old friend of Henry’s, has been murdered. The investigation is focused on Chris’s younger lover, Zack, who turns to Henry for help. Devastated by his friend’s death and traumatized by his own lover Josh’s rapid descent towards death from AIDS, Henry isn’t sure he wants to know what his investigation will ultimately reveal about Chris’s double life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] solid, intelligent whodunit...This is a high-quality work of fiction that deserves to be widely discovered."--Chicago Tribune -- Review

From the Inside Flap

Chris Chandler, a closeted California supreme court justice and an old friend of Henry's, has been murdered. The investigation is focused on Chris's younger lover, Zack, who turns to Henry for help. Devastated by his friend's death and traumatized by his own lover Josh's rapid descent towards death from AIDS, Henry isn't sure he wants to know what his investigation will ultimately reveal about Chris's double life.

Michael Nava is the author of seven Henry Rios novels, five of which (Goldenboy, Howtown, The Hidden Law, The Death of Friends, and Rag and Bone) have been Lambda Literary Award winners. He is an attorney in private practice in San Francisco.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555838146
• ISBN-13: 978-1555838140
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in the series so far!, February 14, 2008

By 

NYC1982 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death of Friends: A Henry Rios Mystery (Henry Rios Mysteries) (Paperback)

This book - without a doubt - has been the best of Nava's works that I have read. I actually wish I could go back and lower the score I gave a few of his other books, if only to make this one stand out.

I was a little worried when I picked this up since I felt The Hidden Law, his previous Rios novel, was disjointed and his weakest work to date. But the four-year hiatus obviously paid off as not only was the mystery substantially better, but Rios' personal struggles were fleshed out with great detail and care.

This was the first book of his I read to deal with the death of a loved one (I didn't read the first novel) and the relationships that get strained are captivating to follow. It also allows the mystery and Rios' personal life to join as one narrative, rather than two separate plots, as in the past. The story manages to keep your attention and throw surprises at you even up to the last page.

Nava also manages to connect you to the protagonist by letting you see all of his internal struggles/demons, but doesn't allow them to become overbearing and have the adverse effect of making Henry seem miserable (a balance I thought was lacking in the previous book).

If there is only one Michael Nava book you pick up, I would strongly recommend it be this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Death of Friends, a Henry Rios Mystery, January 18, 2008

By 

John Vermeer (Morgan Hill, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Death of Friends: A Henry Rios Mystery (Henry Rios Mysteries) (Paperback)

Another satisfying Henry Rios mystery in Nava's wonderful legal sleuth series, this book tackles the thorny issue of being gay and commited to a set of human values which include love and honest connections to self and the real world, illustrating the tragedies which can befall us without them.
As usual, Nava's book goes way beyond cheap thrills and leaves the reader reluctantly turning the last page and longing to hear more from him.
I've read the whole series and would recommend every title in it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written on many levels, January 23, 2012

By 

Petronius (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death of Friends: A Henry Rios Mystery (Henry Rios Mysteries) (Paperback)

There are several story lines coursing through the book, each one alone makes the book and "can't put it down". Nava is gifted in writing a who-done-it, but even better in providing the gay philosophical nuances that give the story its depth. The total authenticity makes the book a great read.