Do You like book Howtown (2013)?
This is the third in the Henry Rio's mysteries and we get more into Henry's past and learn a little more about his family. To say that Henry came from a dysfunctional family would be an understatement. Henry had an abusive alcoholic father who ignored or was brutal to his wife and children. Henry had a sister named Elena, who though older,( by 5 years) wasn't really there emotionally for her brother.In actuality, neither sibling was there for each other, instead of coming together in the battles with their father, they drifted apart. So we find Henry getting a call from his estranged sister and driving to Oakland to see her. Elena wants Henry to represent a childhood friend husband in their old hometown. The husband beat the wrap in a pedophile case and comes a affluent family, he's now being held for murder of another pedophile. The case is ugly, and Henry only takes it because he literally ran with ( both were in track in high school) the man's older brother. Henry had a not so secret crush on said brother and still has unresolved feelings for the man. Henry is also protective and in love with Josh Mandell, they both have moved to LA from San Francisco so Josh, who is HIV+ can be closer to his elderly parents. Josh who is 12 years younger then Henry gets angry with the way Henry is constantly hovering and worried about him. Josh feels that by being so protective Henry isn't letting him live. Henry also must face what the truth is about his client and the murdered man and how far does the corruption of his hometown police department goes. This is one of the most intense Henry Rio's mystery that kept me up late in the night. Bravo Mr Nava, you did it again!
—Neet
A slow beginning, filled with too much courtroom procedure (according to my taste), but from the second half on it became really exciting.Henry Rios is a great character and Mr Nava proved himself once again a great author, even when dealing with such an unpleasant topic as paedophilia and child abuse. I’d never felt so much a part of another person as I did then; it was what sex was supposed to be like but, as I discovered soon enough, seldom was.The look that says, if you’re poor, there must be something wrong with you.” An old dog decided to lope its way across the road and I came to a skidding stop. “Sometimes I think what people really want is to criminalize poverty. Not that the law doesn’t already do that, in a way.”Great!!
—Giulio
"Sometimes I defend someone because I think he deserves a break, or maybe just becuase I like him. And sometimes I do it because, whatever the guy's done, worse has been done to him. And sometimes I do it for money. And sometimes I do it because no one else will. Like this case." It was a difficult case for Henry Rios. Normally I empathize with Henry Rios clients, I feel for them, but how to sympathize with Paul Windsor? Does Paul, who had been already charged of child molestation in the past and who escaped a jail by a hair's breadth only because his victim refused to testify against him in court, deserve to be punished for a brutal murder that he probably didn't do?The evidence against him is weak, though he is not very trustful, the police and judicial authority of Henry's hometown aren't proved to be very open-minded, helpful and welcoming, and the publicity in this small provincial town has already made its verdict. Not a particularly good basis for a fair process. I was torn between Law, Justice, Ethic, Morality and my personal Feelings. But Henry is a pro. And he mastered this challenge EXCELLENTLY. And it got an extra bonus from me for some wonderful moments of Henry Rios private life. You won't be disappointed! Great mystery, superb writing!
—Lena♥Ribka
