This is a special filing from me (Webmistress lady) just to say the reviews have started coming and are great.  Go to the Union Tribune for a great first review and also see Amazon (where I see amazingly, they are supposedly selling 1 "used" copy - as it was released today, that seems "suss" to me - or maybe they enjoyed it so much, they read it in one sitting!!)  But I was pointing you to Amazon to see Publishers Weekly's review - another good one, so all the signs are great for another very successful book for Michael.

I myself finished it yesterday -- and I'm here to tell you it's very, very good - a different slant to the series in that it certainly isn't a "who dun it" but a "how do we stop him"!!  And for a long while you watch Craig Larson's descent into escalating violence while law enforcement cannot seem to put a hand on him.  Given the very good reason that Larson has killed his friend and partner as the very beginning of his spree, Kerney flies back from London, dons a New Mexico State Police special investigator's badge and joins Clayton Istee, his part Apache son, in the cat and mouse chase all over New Mexico.  The ending is swift, sure and shocking.

There is some great writing here, and Michael shows how evocative his writing can be in juxtaposing his and Clayton's growing closeness and camaraderie along side Larson's mad-bad psychosis and killing.  My own feeling is that even though the natural beauty of New Mexico seems to take a back seat to all the mayhem in this book, really it is there all the time thwarting and helping first Larson and then the good guys.

And another thing I disagree with is the tendency to equate Michael and his writing with Tony Hillerman and taking over and filling his shoes.  Michael is no imitator and has never been a Tony Hillerman clone.  They both may be adept at portraying the deep love they have for their own corner of the world, but Michael has earned his place as standing tall in his own shoes on his own success.  He is a bloody good writer and this is a bloody good book!!

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did - and let Michael know if you do.  He will let you know when the dates and places for his book tour are available but your reaction means a lot to him.

Oh - and a Happy 2009 to us all!! <G>  

Michael would love it if you could see him on the book tour - To see detais, go here: Tour Dates.