A Bantam Hardcover (Tres Navarre series #3)
Pub Date: January 2000
ISBN: 0-553-80156-2
A Featured Alternate for the Mystery Guild
When a controversial
English professor is found shot to death, Tres Navarre, P.I. and Ph.D., is the
only local academic crazy enough to accept the emergency opening at the
University of Texas at San Antonio. Police assure him they already have a
suspect, so while they wrap up the open-and-shut case, all Tres has to do is
teach three classes, grade on a curve ... and walk in a dead man's shoes.
It should be an easy assignment, but one thing Tres doesn't
do is easy. When the evidence in the case starts looking a little too perfect,
when the killing doesn't stop, Tres takes on some extracurricular research into
the heart of an assassin and lands in a high-stakes game of gangster honor on
the darkest streets of San Antonio's West Side....
"A terrific sequel -- the wisecracking Tres untangles an intricate web of murderous family rivalries, missing persons and heroin traffic-all the while evoking with bright color the interplay of San Antonio's Latino and Anglo cultures and the joys of Tex-Mex cuisine. "
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Seamless plotting, a vivid setting, multidimensional characters -- this series has it all. As satisfying as an icy cold margarita on a steamy Texas night."
-- Booklist (starred review)
"Riordan's writing sparkles with evocative descriptions and enough tough talk to make a college dean back down."
-- Kirkus (starred review)
"Tres's taste for excess is as ferocious as his addiction to fiery food, and the fearless joy he takes in his roughneck adventures gives a real kick to this colorful series."
-- The New York Times Book Review
"The Last King of Texas is near pitch perfect in its pacing. Riordan leaps from a serious tone to laugh out loud wit within the same sentence, yet never loses his grasp on the story. And like a good carnival ride, just when you think all the surprises have been played out, Riordan pulls out that last little snap, that surprise curve just so you don't forget what a satisfying ride this has been."
-- The Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel
"Raise your margarita to Rick Riordan for the authentic portrait of his hometown, San Antonio. This tale of revenge and remorse sizzles and skids like drops of water on a hot skillet."
-- Texas Monthly
"Riordan weaves a tight tale, capturing the spirit of south Texas and imbuing Tres with his own peculiar flavor--evidence that his style is maturing. This is certain to please fans of the first two Navarre novels and win new ones as well."
-- Library Journal
"A well-crafted private eye novel of the classic mold."
-- The Drood Review
"Riordan is certainly among the princes in a royal family that includes James Lee Burke and David Lindsey. In THE LAST KING OF TEXAS, the San Antonio suspense writer proves he's no pretender."
-- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Riordan's character descriptions shine like soapy water on the cheek. This is '30s noir yanked past the fin de siècle. The action scenes sped by like they were being driven on a closed track with professional drivers. Read this book!"
-- The San Jose Mercury News
"Riordan hits every note perfectly in this appealing story of long-ago treachery and contemporary revenge."
-- The Dallas Morning News
"Tres is an engaging character with something of Travis and Spencer in his makeup and he enlivens an already lively plot. "
-- The Washington Times
"The 'wise hick' tone of a contemporary Mark Twain -- cultural chaos and color-infused action that covers everything from ancient love stories to modern amusement-park rides."
-- The Chicago Tribune
"Riordan combines deeper emotional subcurrents with nonstop action to create a story that will appeal to a wide array of mystery readers."
-- The Washington Post
Appropriately for a tale involving whirligigs and the like, it's a wild ride that picks up pace as it goes along."
-- Orlando Sentinel
"In Rick Riordan's case, believe the hype. He really is that good. With stylistic talent to burn, characters who jump, fully realized, from the page in a matter of seconds, and an enviable sense of both place and pacing, Rick Riordan's novels rock. THE LAST KING OF TEXAS proves he only gets better."
-- Dennis Lehane, author of PRAYERS FOR RAIN
"There's a reason this guy keeps winning awards. THE LAST KING OF TEXAS is Rick Riordan at his best - razor-sharp dialogue, crisp prose, a wonderful sense of place, and PI Tres Navarre, one of the coolest dudes I know. Rick Riordan is a master stylist. I can't wait for the next."
-- Harlan Coben, author of THE FINAL DETAIL
"Riordan has a Texas-sized talent for spinning a great story."
-- Tami Hoag, author of ASHES TO ASHES
The San Antonio
Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division. Come
by and see where Detective Ana DeLeon works.
University of Texas at San Antonio, English Department. Check out Tres Navarre's new employer. Above is the HSS building. That window would be Tres' office, where the book starts with a bang.
Los Barrios Restaurant. One of the locals' favorite Mexican food
restaurants. George, Tres, and two unlucky women have an ill-fated double-date
here . . .
UT Permian Basin. This
is the university where Aaron Brandon taught before he came home to San
Antonio. He probably should have stayed in Odessa, had he wanted to live
. . .
The Navarre Ranch, Sabinal, Texas. This is a view of the Texas Hill County very near Sabinal. Tres escapes to the ranch when things get too hot for comfort in LAST KING OF TEXAS.
Downtown Sabinal. Click here for the home page of Sabinal, Texas.
Jeez, a few years ago the place didn't even have a stoplight. Now it's got
a home page.
The Bexar County
Sheriff's Office/Jail. This is both the jail and the sheriff's HQ. Tres
grew up spending a lot of time here when his dad was the sheriff. In THE
LAST KING OF TEXAS, this is where Deputy Ozzie Gerson works. It's also where
Tres goes to talk to Zeta Sanchez, the incarcerated killer.
The Kiddie Park (above). I had to include this photo. Though not technically in the book, this small amusement park features many rides made by my grandfather Tom Riordan, who ran an amusement ride manufacturing business, San Antonio RollerWorks -- the basis for the fictional business in the novel. My grandfather owned two other manifestations of Kiddie Park, one next door to this one and one on Austin Highway, both now closed. The Kiddie Park above is still in business. Check out the Ferris Wheel, the Boat Ride, and the Flying Saucers, all Riordan handiwork.
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