Book Review: The Last King of Texas

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

The Last King of Texas Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Rick Riordan
Class/Genre: Mystery Private Investigator Academic Ethnic
Series: Tres Navarre # 3
Bantam, Jan 2000, 304 pp.

Dr. Theodore Haimer was forced into retirement after making a racial slur. Soon after, he died from a heart attack. His replacement as an English professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio was Dr. Aaron Brandon. He received several threatening letters. In his first semester at the school, someone murdered Aaron. The administration offers the teaching seat to Tres Navarre. Besides English literature credentials, Tres has the additional experience of working for a private investigator. Tres accepts the position after a home made bomb addressed to Aaron blows up in the office.

The head of the Brandon murder investigation, San Antonio police detective Ana DeLeon, demands that Tres do no sleuthing. The police think Aaron’s murder is personal and tied to the killing of his father several years ago. Tres’ PI boss Erainya Manos also wants him to stay out of the investigation. The university has hired her agency to look into the threatening letters. She wants Tres to teach while another of her operatives, George Berton, uncover the facts. Tres may know his English literature well enough to teach three classes, but he also cannot stay on the sidelines, especially since he potentially could be victim number three.

The third Tres Navarre mystery is an entertaining tale that provides insight into the lead protagonist and several of the repeat supporting cast. The enjoyable story line is filled with action and colorful characters that provide insight into San Antonio. The subplots nicely tie back to the main story line. As with his two previous Navarre novels (see BIG RED TEQUILLA and THE WIDOWER’S TWO-STEP) Rick Riordan writes an enjoyable novel that provides readers with much pleasure.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner