Carved in Bone (Henry Rios Mystery, #8)

by Michael Nava

[Lynn]

When criminal defence lawyer Henry Dios accepts an offer to work as an insurance claims investigator, he does so begrudgingly. Fresh out of rehab with little work available and bills to pay, the job is a necessity, not a choice. However, when he's assigned to investigate the accidental death of Bill Ryan who lived in the heart of the San Francisco gay community, his findings are not only shocking but a reminder to himself of his own predicaments.

The narrative is split between Henry's life in the present, his personal demons and trying to get his life back on track. Then there's Bill Ryan's life history leading up to his tragic death. Similarities between the two men are exposed; their concerns and insecurities during this volatile time in history. Additionally, likeable and fascinating secondary characters playing important roles in both the men's lives are present along with a twisty plot exposing the unexpected.

This novel is so much more than a crime noir novel. The author's ability to convey the setting with sincerity is palpable. He expresses the emotions and concerns of the gay community during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s with raw sensitivity. When I look back at this era, I remember the Rock Hudson scandal and the hysteria in the press. Therefore Mr Nava's detailed account of life in San Francisco at this time is equally fascinating and sobering. 

The ending is poignant and thought-provoking leaving me, with a greater understanding and a desire to continue getting to know more about Henry Dios.

***arc received courtesy of Persigo Press via Rachel's Random Resources***