Jane M. reviewed on 3/3/2013 + 65 more book reviews

I, too, have come late to the novels of James Lee Burke. First and foremost, I have to say his talent IS all it's cracked up to be. He's an extraordinary writer. His settings are as well-drawn as any I've ever read. His characters are as obvious as the people next door to you and I would expect a LOT more colorful. The plot will keep you turning the page. I read many thrillers and mysteries and I really couldn't figure out how this story would conclude.

That said, I'm only giving it four stars instead of five as a warning to the feint of heart. This novel takes a strong stomach to read. I realize that I picked up a book that said right on the cover it was about the literal crucifixion ("they pinned him to the barn wall with sixteen-penny nails") of a labor leader. But I had no idea this is just where the stunning cruelty and historic brutality were beginning. I used to be a newspaper reporter, so I'm not in any way in denial that these events are completely plausible, nevertheless, I almost put this book down twice. It's a testament to Mr. Burke's incredible writing skill that I just had to see where he was going with this story. I forgive him because, unlike many novels today, this violence was not gratuitous. It was crucial to the lesson of this very difficult story.

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