Southtown (Tres Navarre)

Texas PI Tres Navarre, Riordan's series hero, is back in this gritty thriller about an escaped killer seeking revenge on everyone who put him away--including a detective's widow who just happens to be Navarre's partner. Will Stirman, the mastermind behind a human trafficking operation, was brought down by Fred Barrow and Sam Barrera, who killed his wife and stole his seven million dollars. Barrera is slipping into senility, and Barrow's death was a bad dream Erainya Barrow would just as soon forget. But now Stirman holds her life--and her young son's--in his hands, and he won't let go until he gets his revenge as well as his money. There's plenty of violence but not a lot of suspense in this solidly crafted but ultimately forgettable mystery. --Jane Adams