Death Of A Saint Maker

Rating:
Summary: A realistic view of border life
Review: Allana Martin's novels realistically capture the Rio Grande borderlands of the Big Bend. She has developed several of her characters through her series, so reading more than one work provides the reader with more character depth. Martin paints her heroine in realistic tones, revealing both good and questionable elements of her personality. Texana becomes embroiled in events that reach into diverse pieces of border culture--religious, folk, superstitous, cynical, and ordinary. The deadly influence of the great disparities between the two sides of the border that produce the drug lords, smuggling, and illegal trade in endangered species of this story are grounded in realities that those who live near Presidio know only too well. The local color in these novels runs true. This particular one is a fine example of Martin's style. If you enjoy it, read her others. If not, best stay away.

Rating:
Summary: Misses the target
Review: This book appears to be a forum for expressing a variety of personal opinions. There is something to offend everyone. Pit bulls are misunderstood lambs. All drug users should be thrown in jail. NAFTA makes everybody feel like the losing side. Smoking is good. Owning many guns is a good idea. Too bad freon isn't available anymore. The new stuff doesn't cool as well, environment be .... And on and on. This book would have been much more interesting as a novel instead of political polemic.

Rating:
Summary: New vistas of USA for a pair of Brits
Review: This book opened both my and my husbands' eyes to the haunting beauties and chilling problems facing border dwellers in the Chihuahua desert regions and made us long to visit. Ms Martins' vivid description of Texana and her husband Clay (not to mention Phobe the bob cat) held our attention throughout the book. I did not find the build up slow, the trip to Sanchez's ranch and its contrast with the simple church where the body was found just painted the vast differences to be found in the area. The fact that a pit bull was suspected of being the Saint makers killer was unusual but animals sometimes are what humans teach them to be. Texana's generosity and curiosity lead her into danger (again) and she finds out that things are not always what they seem even for a Saint maker. The denouement was exciting, in all, a thoroughly good read.