Customer Reviews

Rag and Bone (Henry Rios Mysteries)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Gay attorney Henry Rio is working a case at the California Court of Appeals when he suffers a massive heart attack. Though not close, Henry asks for his sister Elena. She visits him in the hospital and tries to mend their breech even informing him that as a teen she gave up the child she birthed for adoption. Henry acts indifferent towards his niece Vicky because he feels that he has nothing left to live for and death seems welcoming.

That nothingness changes when Henry meets John De Leon. They become friends and potentially a deeper relationship seems imminent. Another friend encourages Henry to apply for a judgeship that is vacant. Vicky and her son Angel reenter Henry's life when she is arrested for the murder of her husband. The lad moves in with his great-uncle. Vicky pleads battered spouse syndrome, but Henry believes there is more to this situation than that. He begins investigating the case, but needs to gain Vicky's trust if he is to uncover the truth.

In a postscript Michael Nava informs the reader that this is not only his last Rios novel, but his final mystery. What a way to end a sparkling career with a fabulous tale. The characters make the tale, as they seem so genuine. For instance, a depressed Henry seeks a place in the world while Vicky's story comes from headlines. RAG AND BONE is a fitting end to a great series starring a very humanistic but flawed individual. Kudos to the author for a supernava finale.

Harriet Klausner

I have to admit this is only the second Henry Rios mystery I have read. I read the first one many years ago, collected all the others, but have failed to get to them. Shame on me! After reading this wonderful ending to the Henry Rios series, I know now that I will definitely read all his other books ASAP. This was a wonderful story with real characters, and it was a real page turner. These characters are real people, who make up a true & caring family, and it doesn't matter whether they happen to be gay or straight. This book had true passion, something for everyone and plenty of love in many different guises.

While Rios is recuperating from a heart attack, he learns that his sister had an illegitimate daughter many years ago, who now has a son of her own and she has come to find her mother for help so she can escape from an abusive husband. Her husband is found shot dead and now it's Rios turn to fight for Vicky's innocence. In the meantime his sister, Elena; Vicky's son, Angelito, and Rios new found love John, slowly become a very close and unexpected family. Proving Vicky's innocence,however, takes on a much darker, and unexpected turn, and causes Rios to even alter some events of his own life. Right up to almost the last chapter you're left wondering how everything will turn out.

Michael Nava has ended the Henry Rios novels with another great mystery. It's with sorrow that he has decided to end the series, but it's with a great appreciation that I myself say Thank You to this fine and talented writer. Bravo!!!

"Rag and Bone" brings to an end this popular series of seven mysteries by San Francisco lawyer/writer Michael Nava. Five of the preceding books have won Lambda awards for best gay mystery of the year. Nava's final Henry Rios novel is a likely contender for this year's best mystery. Fans will look forward to new works by Nava, co-author of "Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter in America." Admirers of his fiction hope his decision to end the Henry Rios series will free him from the constraints he might have felt in genre writing and will inspire him to deliver the big novel of psychological realism that we believe him fully capable of writing.

In "Rag and Bone" we see Henry at his most reflective. A heart attack during court in the first chapter makes him face his own mortality, and the continuing grief over the AIDS death of Josh, his young lover introduced in the series' second novel, "Golden Boy," causes Henry-always a sensitive character-to turn more philosophical. But the turning inward does not mean withdrawal.

In this novel Henry discovers whole new dimensions of family as he draws closer to an estranged sister whose long-lost daughter and grandson are caught in a gang homicide case. Henry must defend his niece, whom he dislikes and who is the confessed killer. In his late forties, Henry must not only heal a diseased heart, he must also mend a broken one that never healed from his father's abuse. When he becomes responsible for his ten year old nephew, the image of himself at ten, Henry's independence yields to surrogate fatherhood.

Family takes on additional dimensions as Henry finds himself falling in love with John, a washed up minor leaguer now a contractor in Rios' neighborhood. From their first meeting when John helps Henry home from an overly-ambitious walk, the men are attracted to each other. Both are Mexican American; both are in their forties; both love baseball; and, most importantly, both are disarmingly honest about themselves. John, a divorced bisexual, misses his own children and is only too eager to help "father" young Angel. But John has asked Deanna to marry him, and it is unclear just where the new romance with Henry is going.

Most of the novel concerns the murder case, but the crime, family, and love are intricately entwined. Typical to the genre, things work out as they should, and Henry's career takes a leap: the governor will name him to a judgeship. Enjoy this novel for its surprise twists and turns of plot and its sleuth-like intelligence at mystery solving. But most of all, enjoy it for the character of its characters-the hard decisions, the earnest decency of wounded men and women willing to risk themselves again for youth, for family, for love, for right and justice.

Michael Nava may not be a great mystery writer, so what. What is more important is that he is, simply, a great writer. The truth is that I knew "who done it" about a third of the way through, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that I got to spend time with Henry again. I love this character. From "The Little Death" through "The Death of Friends," we've seen Henry weather it all. Indeed, we've weathered it with him. I love that the author has brought John into Henry's life. Their love affair was much more compelling than the mystery surrounding it. Michael Nava is a very emotional writer. His novels touch on all sorts of issues confronting gay people. I hope that straight people are reading his books, there is so much to be learned from them. I understand that this is the last Henry Rios mystery, I only hope that this is not the last Michael Nava novel, that would be a crime.

I think Michael Nava's Henry Rios books constitute by far the finest gay mystery series extant. I held on to this book for two years before reading it simply because I didn't want the series to end. I began reading with trepidation and sadness but Nava has done a masterful job of wrapping things up by giving Henry so many new beginnings. It's not much of a mystery -- you'll figure it out before Henry does -- but it is well written and believable. As a lawyer who has never done a criminal proceeding, I've appreciated Nava's insights into the law. And he approaches all aspects of his characters in the same methodical way. Thanks Michael for all the joy you've given to so many. Henry Rios is gone and I can accept that but I hope that you will reconsider your decision to not write another mystery.

After waiting for weeks to read the book, I was very happy to get my hands on it. What a shock to read that this was to be the last of the Herny Rios series. I have to admit that it took me a while to warm up to Henry as a character but I am certainly glad that I did. There are not many gay latino characters around and it is a shame to see Henry disappear. Especially when it seemed that things were going well for him. Can't we have a minority character who isn't downtrodden and all messed up? Can't one be successful, even for a little while? I join the rest when I say that I hope Mr Nava changes his mind and decided to let us see what the future holds for Henry. Oh yeah, and I enjoyed the book as well. Mr Nava is a good writer and I hope we decided to keep writing, even if it isn't the Henry Rios series.

I am very disappointed that this is the last of a captivating series. Rag and Bone is a wonderful book. It is powerful, emotionally charged, riveting and deeply touching. I am glad that there is a silver lining for Rios. However why must Mr Nava ends there. I hope he will change his mind and continue to develop his amazing protagonist's life.

I pray that this is truly not the end of the Henry Rios series. If, sadly, this indeed the case, Nava offers his hero and his readers a credible ending to a phenomenal series. After gay attorney Henry Rios suffers a heart attack, he is paid a visit by his estranged sister, Elena. As the two recall their violent childhoods, they slowly being to rebuild the relationship that ended when they were still children. After revealing painfuls secrets to each other, Henry is shocked when his sister reveals that she had a child while she was in college and gave her up for adoption. Desperate and ashamed, Elena prays her daughter will attempt to contact her.

Well, of course she does, and does she bring a lot of baggage with her. Vicky, Elena's daughter and Henry's niece, is fleeing an abusive marriage, a "colorful" criminal history, and is hauling her son, Angel, in tow. Secretive, homophobic, and pious, Vicky is basically obnoxious, but evokes sympathy for her plight. Angel is another matter. Highly intelligent and wise beyond his years, Angel is an old soul who knows more and is capable of more than anyone thinks.

When Vicky stands accused of murdering her husband, Elena begs Henry for help and agrees, but only for the sake of Angel. Encouraged by new love John DeLeon, Henry goes to bat for Angel, and eventually, for Vicky too. Except Vicky can't seem to get her story straight, and doesn't demonstrate the typical behavioral pattern of battered women. Embittered, but desperate, Vicky accepts her uncle's help, and relinquishes temporary guardianship of Angel to him. The more Henry learns about Vicky, the less he likes her, and the fiercer his attachment to Angel becomes.

Clues along the way give the reader a glimpse of what Vicky's hiding, but the finale is less than typical; that is, IT'S GOOD!. Things are resolved, neatly and equitably, allowing the reader to part with Henry with a few tears and best wishes for the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed Rag and Bone. The plot was well developed and the characters are quite realistic. I could easily relate to the abuse story line, having lived that myself as a child. As a gay father, I can relate VERY well to John and to Henry as they learned more about what being a parent is all about. I did find quite a few words that sent me scurrying for my dictionary - a bit frustrating but liveable. I did have to get some help with the spanish words, very few were written so the reader could figure the meaning of the word based on context. Overall, a great book, and now I need to go find the rest of the Rios series. I'm hooked! Have read Goldenboy also.

I had been waiting for another adventure with Henry Rios and was beginning to think that Mr. Nava wasn't going to give us another. This latest was well worth the wait! The characters in all of Nava's Henry Rios series are so well drawn: three-dimensional, flawed, lovable. The life experiences they encounter as human beings enveloped in crime solving always show them to be people you would want to know personally. Nava's writing makes you believe you have.

I'm very sorry to hear that this is the last of the Rios series and must join in with those who are hoping that we might still have more in the future. If not, however, congratulations to Michael Nava for a job very well done. Enhorabuena, amigo y mucha suerte!