Burn Out - Hardcover

Muller, Marcia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0446581070 ISBN 13: 9780446581073

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Traumatized by a recent life-or-death investigation, Sharon McCone flees to her ranch in California's high desert country to contemplate her future. Deep depression shadows her days and nights, and a chance encounter with a troubled, highly secretive Native American woman begins to haunt her dreams. Even though she is determined not to investigate anything during her stay--and perhaps not ever again--McCone is drawn into the plight of the young woman and her dysfunctional family. A murder and traces of violence at a deserted resort lead her across the desert and into Nevada, and finally to a remote and isolated ranch, where danger lies closer that she expects and where her future and life itself may hang in the balance.

About this title

About the Author

MARCIA MULLER has written many novels and short stories. Her novel WOLF IN THE SHADOWS won the Anthony Boucher Award. The recipient of the Private Eye Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award--their highest accolade--she lives in northern California with her husband, mystery writer Bill Pronzini.

Reviews

After the travails of The Ever-Running Man (2007), Sharon McCone retreats to her high desert ranch near Yosemite in MWA Grand Master Muller's fine 26th novel to feature the San Francisco PI. Depressed, bored and uncertain about her future in a dangerous business, McCone is unwittingly drawn into a local case—the murder of Hayley Perez, the estranged niece of ranch manager Ramon Perez, and the disappearance of Hayley's teenage sister, Amy, and their alcoholic mother, Miri. As she looks into the Perezes' relationships, McCone uncovers secrets that hint at more than simply family dysfunction. Two more murders and a suicide add to the confusion, which McCone can only untangle, with the help of her husband and her Shoshone birth relatives, by tracing the victims' complex past. By the upbeat ending, McCone has learned that with judicious use of both her investigative and executive skills she can reshape her life. (Oct.)
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*Starred Review* Sharon McCone, who narrowly escaped death on her last case (The Ever-Running Man, 2007), has retreated to the ranch she shares with her husband to wallow in a bit of self-pity and figure out what to do with the rest of her life. Should she leave her successful investigative agency, overwhelmed by the administrative side and tired of risking her life in the field? Although the traumatized detective is determined not to get involved in any new investigations while resting in the high desert, a case finds her when she encounters a young girl in a supermarket parking lot who appears to be a victim of abuse. Although concerned, McCone sticks to her resolution not to get involved. But after she learns that a recent murder victim may have ties to the abused girl, McCone can’t help herself. She begins investigating and discovers a very troubled Native American woman with an extremely dysfunctional family. Two more deaths have her combing a deserted resort, parts of Nevada, and an isolated ranch belonging to a mysterious millionaire. As McCone uncovers a web of murder, betrayal, and hidden identities, her depression lifts, and she reestablishes herself as the strong, capable woman her readers have embraced for decades. Muller’s series launched the modern hard-boiled female detective, and it has been setting a gold standard for the subgenre for more than 30 years. Fortunately, the end isn’t in sight quite yet. --Barbara Bibel

Edition details

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0446581070
• ISBN 13: 9780446581073
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320