Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Blackheart Highway
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Richard Barre
Class/Genre: Mystery Private Investigator Hard Boiled
Series: Wil Hardesty # 4
Berkley Prime Crime, Jun 1999, $21.95, 336 pp.
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
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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