BITTERROOT

Billy Bob Holland visits Doc Voss, his old Vietnam War buddy, in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. After Doc's daughter is brutally raped, her attackers are tortured and murdered. It falls to Holland to clear Doc of the charges. Montana is the perfect backdrop for Burke, whose characters share an abhorrence for the tyranny of rules. From militant white su-premacists, militia, religious cult members, and sleazy bikers to Native Americans, privacy-loving locals, and Holland himself, Burke presents all points of view, rational and rabid. Tom Stechschulte's powerful narration adds depth to Burke's tightly controlled, richly poetic prose. He provides Holland with an authentic Texas twang, and his compelling voice easily changes from sarcasm to sorrow. Burke is a master storyteller, whether in the Dave Robicheaux series or here, with ex-Texas Ranger Holland. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]