Rating: 
Summary: Now I Have To Find His Other Books!
Review: It must be nice to burst on the mystery scene and pick up awards right and left for your books, as Rick Riordan has done. But he's very deserving, if his latest novel is any indication. _The Devil Went Down to Austin_ is the first Riordan book I've read and it was a real stunner. This was an excellent mystery, with an assured authorial voice behind it. I want more. Riordan's PI, Tres Navarre, somewhat reluctantly gets involved when his older brother, Garrett, becomes suspect number one in the murder of his old friend and business partner in a computer start-up, Jimmy Doebler. Neither Jimmy or Garrett, both skilled programmers, has much in the way of business acumen, and it appears that perhaps there's a sinister scheme underway to undermine their product, a potentially lucrative security system, and get them to sell for peanuts. Tres, sho normally works out of a home base in San Antonio, has been hired to teach a summer school course in British literature at the university, so it is his proximity, in part, which draws him into the investigation. There are also unexplored feelings of guilt regarding his brother and an accident in the past which took Garrett's legs. There are some excellent things here: very clear, vivid descriptions of scuba diving; a very frightening, psychopathic killer, whose true identity is continually misdirected; and family infighting among the Doebler clan. Tres is a vivid creation, as are his brother, his old girlfriend, Maia Lee, and the local policeman, Victor Lopez. I had a great time with this book and am eagerly looking forward to reading the others in this series. Receives my strongest recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: A supurb web of suspense and mystery
Review: Rick is a master at painting the scene in pictures. He has outdone himself in this, his 4th Tres Navarre adventure. I was in suspense for page one till the final chapter.
Rating: 
Summary: A Texas whodunnit
Review: Rick Riordan's 'The Devil Went Down to Austin' is a fun little murder mystery, starring PI-cum-lit-prof Tres Nevarre. This isn't the most thought-provoking novel that you'll read this year. But it's a quick and enjoyable whodunnit, with enough plot twists and entertaining characters inside to keep you breezing through the pages. Riordan does a good job of explaining the good guys' and the bad guys' motives. And you'll probably be surprised by the unexpected revelations at the end. 'The Devil Went Down to Austin' is good clean fun. And it's a nice little breather if you've just finished reading something a little bit heavy.
Rating:
Summary: A Texas whodunnit
Review: Rick Riordan's 'The Devil Went Down to Austin' is a fun little murder mystery, starring PI-cum-lit-prof Tres Nevarre. This isn't the most thought-provoking novel that you'll read this year. But it's a quick and enjoyable whodunnit, with enough plot twists and entertaining characters inside to keep you breezing through the pages. Riordan does a good job of explaining the good guys' and the bad guys' motives. And you'll probably be surprised by the unexpected revelations at the end. 'The Devil Went Down to Austin' is good clean fun. And it's a nice little breather if you've just finished reading something a little bit heavy.
Rating:
Summary: A very well written and atmospheic mystery
Review: San Antonio resident English professor and private investigator Tres Navarre looks forward to spending six weeks in Austin teaching literature. Though he will spend time with his older brother Garrett that part of the "paid vacation" is not that appealing. Still blood is blood and Tres will stay with his sibling, who along with a friend and the manís wife has started up a security software company. However, to finance Techsan, Garrett has put up as collateral the family farm. Things still look bright until a hostile takeover begins. Soon, someone murders one of Garrett's partners and though he is wheelbound the police believe he is the culprit. Garrett rejects little brother's interference, but Tres never listened to him when they were growing up so he ignores doing it now. He embarks upon his own brand of investigation in an effort to clear his brother as a suspect. Edgar award winning Rick Riordan proves why he is so highly regarded with his fourth Navarre tale, THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO AUSTIN. The story line is very fresh while providing readers with insight into Tresí personal life through his relationship with Garrett. By incorporating the personal into the who-done-it, readers obtain a smooth mystery that never slows down while gaining a better understanding of the hero. Mr. Riordan may soon need a larger mantelpiece. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: English Prof with a Cat and Gun and No Girl?
Review: There aren't too many Hispanic PI's, but Tres Nevarre is one of the most interesting and tough minded. San Antonio and Texas sized culture are stirred together by this English teacher who knows how to craft a fun page turner, as evidenced by his Shamus, Anthony, and Edgar awards. A great many characters and situations keep you from accurate guessing, or being bored by the focus. Who did what to whom over the software code? Will the bank reposess the ranch? Are any or all of the deaths connected? which woman will become the love interest? How important is the English literature class? Who are the stupidist relatives? Will the Texas bigshot family have a play? Is Robert Johnson a cat? Is the way San Antonio and Austin really are? Are all the characters in this story related? There a enough sinister situations, good guys, and victims and suspects to give you a fun read. The atmosphere and color are delightful and really nail the area. I once lived along the water where this story is framed, and the people and places are dead on. Tres is smart and tough. The writing is carefully, thoughtfully pointed at a large number of possible directions so you can never figger it out and are never board. Those who like quick reads and want all their clues pointed out to them will not like this book. But most mystery readers will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Should have 6 stars
Review: This is a very well-written novel set in Austin, TX, where I live. Admittedly I am a bit biased on that account. However, considering all of the fiction I have read, this novel clearly shows the author's hard work and editing through its consistently descriptive writing, lack of cliches and paragraphs to skim, good story line, interesting characters, and the general flow of the text. I loved it and I believe that Amazon.com should actively promote this writer and his work. Carol Cunningham, attorney on sabbatical and fledgling author
Rating: 
Summary: Unfair review
Review: Tres Navarre is a private eye and English professor. His legless brother, Garrett, mortgages the family ranch to start up a software company in Austin, Texas. A dastardly take-over jackal tries to buy Garrett out for a mere three million and sabotages his new program when he refuses. Then Garrett is framed for the murder of one of his partners. There are suspense-laden scuba sequences. The real killer interpolates commentary into the text.
It is a well-written and ingeniously plotted page-turner and I feel churlish about denying it the fifth star, but the problem for me was a certain lack of originality. We have so many tough male private eyes. The plot involves adopted children and long-lost relatives like Ross MacDonald. The interpolated killer's voice reminds of Thomas Harris. None of this detracts from readability, so as far as entertainment value is concerned it's irrelevant, but it stops me putting Riordan in my pantheon of the great.
Rating:
Summary: Rick Riordan's Back and Better than Ever.....
Review: Tres Navarre, San Antonian private investigator with a PhD in English Lit is, as the saying goes, hip deep in alligators. It seems his paraplegic brother, Garrett, a programming phenom and Jimmy Buffet parrothead, has mortgaged the family ranch to help pay his portion of a high-tech start-up, Techsan Security Software, and the lender is about to foreclose. Techsan's software product has run into all kinds of problems and bugs since a corporate takeover offer was refused and now lawsuits are being filed by all their beta-testers. When Garrett's oldest friend and partner, Jimmy Doebler is found murdered and all the evidence points to Garrett, Tres decides to head on down to Austin, wade into this mess, against his brother's wishes, and see if he can sort out what's really going on..... Rick Riordan has outdone himself with his latest unforgettable mystery/thriller, The Devil Went Down to Austin. His compelling, intricate plot comes at you from several different directions and is full of powerful, riveting scenes and his cast of terrific characters are original and well drawn. But it's Mr Riordan's sharp, witty writing and attention to detail that really make this novel stand out. With a stunning climax that ties up all the loose ends and a very satisfying ending, this is an intriguing story that's a "must read" for all mystery/thriller fans. If you're new to the Tres Navarre series, start at the beginning with The Big Red Tequila and read them all. If you're already hooked, you definitely won't be disappointed this time out!
Rating:
Summary: Rick Riordan's Back and Better than Ever.....
Review: Tres Navarre, San Antonian private investigator with a PhD in English Lit is, as the saying goes, hip deep in alligators. It seems his paraplegic brother, Garrett, a programming phenom and Jimmy Buffet parrothead, has mortgaged the family ranch to help pay his portion of a high-tech start-up, Techsan Security Software, and the lender is about to foreclose. Techsan's software product has run into all kinds of problems and bugs since a corporate takeover offer was refused and now lawsuits are being filed by all their beta-testers. When Garrett's oldest friend and partner, Jimmy Doebler is found murdered and all the evidence points to Garrett, Tres decides to head on down to Austin, wade into this mess, against his brother's wishes, and see if he can sort out what's really going on..... Rick Riordan has outdone himself with his latest unforgettable mystery/thriller, The Devil Went Down to Austin. His compelling, intricate plot comes at you from several different directions and is full of powerful, riveting scenes and his cast of terrific characters are original and well drawn. But it's Mr Riordan's sharp, witty writing and attention to detail that really make this novel stand out. With a stunning climax that ties up all the loose ends and a very satisfying ending, this is an intriguing story that's a "must read" for all mystery/thriller fans. If you're new to the Tres Navarre series, start at the beginning with The Big Red Tequila and read them all. If you're already hooked, you definitely won't be disappointed this time out!
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