In the Moon of Red Ponies: A Novel

Written by:
James Lee Burke
Narrated by:
Tom Stechschulte

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
17
Narrator
Release Date
June 2004
Duration
12 hours 9 minutes
Summary
Haunting suspense and captivating villains, the hallmark of James Lee Burke’s bestselling novels of evil and redemption, are brilliantly evoked in his new Billy Bob Holland opus, the follow-up to the popular and critically acclaimed Bitterroot.

“James Lee Burke tells a story in a style all his own, in language that's alive, electric. He's a master at setting mood, laying in atmosphere, all with quirky dialogue that's a delight.” —Elmore Leonard

In James Lee Burke’s last novel featuring Billy Bob Holland, Bitterroot, the former Texas Ranger left his home state to help a friend threatened by the most dangerous sociopath Billy Bob had ever faced. After vanquishing a truly iniquitous collection of violent individuals, Billy moved his family to west Montana and hung out a shingle for his law practice. But in In the Moon of Red Ponies, he discovers that jail cells have revolving doors and that the government he had sworn to serve may have become his enemy.

His first client in Missoula is Johnny American Horse, a young activist for land preservation and the rights of Native Americans. Johnny is charged with the murder of two mysterious men—who seem to have recently tried to kill Johnny themselves, or at least scare him off his political causes. As Billy Bob investigates, he discovers a web of intrigue surrounding the case and its players: Johnny's girlfriend, Amber Finley, as reckless as she is defiant—and the daughter of one of Montana's US senators; Darrel McComb, a Missoula police detective who is obsessed with Amber; and Seth Masterson, an enigmatic government agent whose presence in town makes Billy Bob wonder why Washington has become so concerned with an obscure murder case on the fringes of the Bitterroot Mountains.

As complications mount and the dead bodies multiply, Billy Bob is drawn closer to the truth behind Johnny American Horse’s arrest—and discovers a greater danger to himself and to his whole family. How Billy Bob strikes back at evil and protects his kin is the masterful triumph of In the Moon of Red Ponies.

Beautifully written, with an intriguing plot and characters whose conflicts seem as real as life itself, this novel shows James Lee Burke again in the top form that has made him a critical favorite and a national bestseller.
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Reviews
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Kyle

Pretty good book, but it felt like Burke was in rut on this one. He kept trying to bring the story around, but it just never happened. I'd recommend listening to it, but its not one of his better works.

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Cheryl G

Not one of Burke's better books, a little drawn out at times. He was able to keep it suspenseful enough to make it worth listening to. There were time I had trouble distinguishing who the reader was supposed to be, but it made sense all-in-all.

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dlct

Won't set the world on fire but better than some books by this author. It's kind of a far fetched and convoluted tale but the characters are well drawn and interesting, if not entirely believeable. The narrator who has a lovely voice for this genre needs to do a little more research and learn how to pronounce words like SLOUGH... when it's a small body of water it's pronounced 'slew'... and he doesn't. That sort of thing really interferes with the enjoyment of the story. This wouldn't be my first choice as a rental and not worth buying.

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Wendy Hobson

What can I say...I have read all of James Lee Burke's Robicheaux books and I have just started on the Billy Bob series and although Robicheaux will always be my favorites the Billy Bob's are great. Will Patton does a great job as reader...as usual. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery.

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