Earlier this week on Tuesday,
I reviewed MIDNIGHT
CROSSING. While that is the fifth book in the series, it all began with
THE TERRITORY. I reviewed this book
way back in March of 2012. Make sure you check out the full FFB list over at Todd Mason's Sweet Freedom Blog.
“Mexico blamed the
American lust for drugs and lack of gun laws, and the U.S. blamed Mexico’s
corrupt government and loss of control on the drug cartels. The blame was
somewhere in the middle, so in a strange way, it made sense that the problems
had collected and festered like an open wound in the hundred-mile strip of
middle ground the locals called the Territory.” (Page 75)
Deep in southwest Texas where the
closest town on the United States side is the distant Marfa is the small town
of Artemis, Texas. For the 2500 residents their small town is a refuge against
an increasingly violent and hostile world. The people who live in this place
treasure their isolation from the world. Their remoteness, amidst the harsh
desert beauty of southwest Texas, makes them vulnerable to the escalating drug
war violence spilling out of Mexico.
Something Police Chief Josie Gray knew
long before that fateful summer evening when she watched violence explode
across the river in the small Mexican city of Piedra Labrada. A war is
raging between the “Medrano” and “La Bestia” drug cartels as the Medrano
faction tries to hold onto their crumbling position. Eventually the gun battles
seem to end this night and Josie Gray thinks the violence is over for now.
Unfortunately for her and her town it
isn’t over by a long shot. Out of sight from Chief Gray’s watchtower perch,
Medrano’s ranch was been attacked. Medrano is in route to hospital in Artemis
via ambulance for emergency medical care as he holds dual US and Mexico
citizenship. Despite being outnumbered and out gunned, somehow Chief Gray
and her small force, are supposed to keep him and the medical team alive
despite a near certain assault by gunman from La Bestia who are determined to
finish the job.
The resulting attack on the hospital
brings violence to the US side of the border in ways not seen before. That
night propels the major storyline of the book forward as various events and
complications begin to happen thanks to the ripple effects of the attack. The
cartel had no idea what they were creating in this complex story of murder,
weapons, and the future of those who live in Southwest Texas.
Despite the occasional travelogue feel
to the book (such as the statement about how monsoon season is June 15 to
September 30 each year- though us native Texans know that is only the official
parameters and laughably inaccurate) this is well written and engrossing book.
Police Chief Gray and her small force are detailed complex characters and
interesting as are many of the local residents. The setting plays a major role
in the story from the first page to the end as expected with an author who
captured the “2010 Tony Hillerman Award for Best First Mystery” with this
novel. Filled with two strong storylines, interesting characters, and a hint of
romance for Chief Gray, and plenty of violence, this book is a powerfully good
read.
Simply put- this is one not to miss.
THE TERRITORY: A Mystery
Tricia Fields
A Thomas Dunne Book (Minotaur Books)
October 2011
ISBN # 978-0-312-61378-5
Hardback
278 Pages
$24.99
Material supplied by the good folks of
the Plano Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2012, 2016
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