Ross Thomas The Fourth Durango

The Fourth Durango

Ross Thomas

Dunne, Dec 2003, $13.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 0312315856

Already accused of taking a bribe that he never did, former State Judge Jack Adair hides in Durango, California, a place where people voluntarily vanish to when others want them silenced anyway they can. Durango accommodates its "tourist" trade. His world is already is a cesspool due to his family trials. His daughter is a guest of a mental hospital, his son-in-law is a disbarred attorney and his son apparently committed suicide though the Judge believes murder occurred.

Jack's appearance in town leads to a murder spree. Desperate to stop the killings, sometime lovers Mayor Barbara Huckins and Chief of Police Sid Fork seek a serial killer who poses as a priest or as a plumber. The culprit will have no problem eliminating the two locals if they get in the way of killing the Judge.

This reprint of a powerful Ross Thomas thriller is an exciting tale that will please the fans of the great suspense writer as well as introduce his wonderful repertoire to new readers. The story line is action-packed as the heroes try to stop a killing machine from further homicides. Though not quite at the level of some of Mr. Thomas' other works (see the reprint of TWILIGHT AT MAC'S PLACE), THE FOURTH DURANGO is a terrific tale better than much that is offered today.

Harriet Klausner