Donn Cortez, The Man Burns Tonight

Though he does not want to go, computer coder Dex Edden needs money so he accompanies client Wade Jickling to the 2003 Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. That first nigh Darth Vader in a "sithy" pink version visits Wade who introduces Dex to his business partner Rafe. However, Rafe lifts his light saber rebar to bash in Wade's head. Dex barely escapes, heading towards the nearest light. Later that night, he sees the paper mentioning that Washoe County Sheriff's Department seeks him as the prime suspect in the murder.

The Fun Man notices Dex looking very pale while the coder drinks coffee. He introduces himself and proves Dex with water as he looks close to needing medical attention due to dehydration. Next the Fun Man takes Dex to meet Lorelei so he can crash in her place. Desperate, Dex tells the truth, revealing who he is and that a killer and the cops want him. The Fun Man gets Lorelei involved as they believe Dex and decide to help him.

THE MAN BURNS TONIGHT is a terrific innocent in trouble thriller that uses the Black Rock City Burning Man event to provide a delightful if somewhat weird backdrop. The storyline is driven by the eccentric cast (pink Darth Vader costume - need I say more), but held together by a misplaced on the lam Dex. Fans will appreciate his escapades in this off the wall locale as he seems helpless, but has made two allies who give him a remote chance to survive the desert, the killer and the cops.

The Man Burns Tonight

Donn Cortez

Pocket, Aug 2005, $6.99, 368 pp.

ISBN: 0743476999

Harriet Klausner