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Tres Navarre #6
Mission Road
The triple-crown winner of mystery’s most prestigious awards–the Edgar, the Anthony, and the Shamus–Rick Riordan blasted onto the crime scene with one of its freshest and most intriguing protagonists, Tres Navarre. In Mission Road, Navarre returns in a wrenching crime drama in which he must revisit the sins of the past to catch a killer about to get away with murder…again.
San Antonio private investigator Tres Navarre is used to working on the edge–that razor-sharp line between legal and life sentence. But this time he’s stepped straight into a no-man’s-land. When an old friend appears at his door spattered with blood and wanted for attempted homicide, Tres doesn’t have to think twice about where his loyalty lies–or the consequences.
Ralph Arguello is a criminal who put the street life behind him when he married SAPD detective Ana DeLeon. Now Ana’s been gunned down and her fellow cops don’t need to look far to find a prime suspect. For Ana recently reopened the most infamous cold case in SAPD history–the unsolved murder on notorious Mission Road eighteen years before that threw the San Antonio underworld into bloody chaos. Ana was about to bring charges against the suspected killer: her husband, Ralph Arguello.Tres is sure that Ralph didn’t do it–and that he didn’t shoot his wife. But with the police and the Mafia both out for revenge, there’s no one to turn to for help.
Now, armed and dangerous, the targets of a citywide manhunt, Tres and Ralph have just hours to
discover what really happened on Mission Road almost two decades ago. To find the truth, they must set a collision course with the past–and with a secret that will tear their lives apart.
From the Hardcover edition.
San Antonio private investigator Tres Navarre is used to working on the edge–that razor-sharp line between legal and life sentence. But this time he’s stepped straight into a no-man’s-land. When an old friend appears at his door spattered with blood and wanted for attempted homicide, Tres doesn’t have to think twice about where his loyalty lies–or the consequences.
Ralph Arguello is a criminal who put the street life behind him when he married SAPD detective Ana DeLeon. Now Ana’s been gunned down and her fellow cops don’t need to look far to find a prime suspect. For Ana recently reopened the most infamous cold case in SAPD history–the unsolved murder on notorious Mission Road eighteen years before that threw the San Antonio underworld into bloody chaos. Ana was about to bring charges against the suspected killer: her husband, Ralph Arguello.Tres is sure that Ralph didn’t do it–and that he didn’t shoot his wife. But with the police and the Mafia both out for revenge, there’s no one to turn to for help.
Now, armed and dangerous, the targets of a citywide manhunt, Tres and Ralph have just hours to
discover what really happened on Mission Road almost two decades ago. To find the truth, they must set a collision course with the past–and with a secret that will tear their lives apart.
From the Hardcover edition.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
116 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Rick Riordan
373 books453k followersRick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books, including the Percy Jackson series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 31, 2017
A re-read. I love this series. Southern noir featuring English professor turned PI Tres Navarre and a great supporting cast. A clever and addictive series with really well-drawn characters. As much as I enjoy Riordan's kids books, I wish he'd release more great adult crime novels like this one. Highly recommended if you enjoy Denis Lehane-style crime.
February 6, 2014
This Tres story had him with less witty remarks and for a good reason. This one was darker, with a dark mystery from the past. With bad cops and good bad guys, this one had some very good twist and turns. With great atmosphere and fast paced action, another good addition to the series.
The only bad thing is.....I only have one more Tres Navarre novel to read and that's the last one in the series.
The only bad thing is.....I only have one more Tres Navarre novel to read and that's the last one in the series.
March 20, 2025
The turning of events is so intense, i like that in this book the one who did the investigating is Maia. Its just so sad that Ralph Arguello had to die, and im sad for Ana and baby a Lucia, i hope Ana and Maia grow their friendship. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2023
eponymous sentence:
p8: She was standing on the shoulder of Mission Road, arguing with the young man she was about to murder.
splatter:
p5: Ana stared at the mess on her daughter's bib and realized she was thinking about blood-splatter patterns.
cement:
p141: Then she could see comprehension spread across his face like hardening cement.
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to take a break in between books of this series.
p8: She was standing on the shoulder of Mission Road, arguing with the young man she was about to murder.
splatter:
p5: Ana stared at the mess on her daughter's bib and realized she was thinking about blood-splatter patterns.
cement:
p141: Then she could see comprehension spread across his face like hardening cement.
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to take a break in between books of this series.
April 29, 2013
I rated this mystery a “4” within the category of serialized mysteries.
I enjoy Rick Riordan’s series which set in South Texas. I’m a Texan and, to me, South Texas is a whole other country--separate from the United States, yet different from Mexico. Rick Riordan knows this, and he writes of the area with great insight. I enjoy following the adventures of Tres Navarre and his friends and accomplices.
This is his 6th novel centering on the adventures of Navarre, a somewhat down on his luck P.I. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I try to read any mystery series in order as you can often use facts from the prior novels to inform the one you are currently reading. It is completely disconcerting to me to know that certain characters are dead or that others achieve a more permanent role in future books, prior to these facts being revealing in the text. Let me experience the surprise.
There is but one more book in this series, and Mr. Riordan seems to believe that his calling lies elsewhere. I hope he will reconsider. This story, this location is worthy of further examination and explanation.
In this novel, Navarre finds himself investigating the shooting of a policewoman (and his friend’s wife) who was about to reveal the murderer in a long dead, cold case involving the death of the son of a local mobster. Navarre and the victim’s husband are fingered for the crime and are forced to work while in hiding. Navarre is also facing some significant changes and challenges in his personal life which sometimes cloud his ability to respond to danger as forcefully as he should.
This is one of the best of the series so far. There is tension and there are big surprises. Riordan is a professional at leading you one way and then ambushing you with a completely different outcome, but all logically consistent with what had gone before. In this novel, something happens which literally made me cry out “Oh no, not that.” But such is that power of the author, the creator. This is a fun book and a real page turner.
Write some more, Mr. Riordan.
I enjoy Rick Riordan’s series which set in South Texas. I’m a Texan and, to me, South Texas is a whole other country--separate from the United States, yet different from Mexico. Rick Riordan knows this, and he writes of the area with great insight. I enjoy following the adventures of Tres Navarre and his friends and accomplices.
This is his 6th novel centering on the adventures of Navarre, a somewhat down on his luck P.I. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I try to read any mystery series in order as you can often use facts from the prior novels to inform the one you are currently reading. It is completely disconcerting to me to know that certain characters are dead or that others achieve a more permanent role in future books, prior to these facts being revealing in the text. Let me experience the surprise.
There is but one more book in this series, and Mr. Riordan seems to believe that his calling lies elsewhere. I hope he will reconsider. This story, this location is worthy of further examination and explanation.
In this novel, Navarre finds himself investigating the shooting of a policewoman (and his friend’s wife) who was about to reveal the murderer in a long dead, cold case involving the death of the son of a local mobster. Navarre and the victim’s husband are fingered for the crime and are forced to work while in hiding. Navarre is also facing some significant changes and challenges in his personal life which sometimes cloud his ability to respond to danger as forcefully as he should.
This is one of the best of the series so far. There is tension and there are big surprises. Riordan is a professional at leading you one way and then ambushing you with a completely different outcome, but all logically consistent with what had gone before. In this novel, something happens which literally made me cry out “Oh no, not that.” But such is that power of the author, the creator. This is a fun book and a real page turner.
Write some more, Mr. Riordan.
November 15, 2016
Didn't realize it was #6 in a series; I picked it up because I was curious about this author's adult mysteries (having already read my share of Percy Jackson with the kids.) Will have to go back and see how it all began.
June 27, 2009
This book was fairly entertaining, but it had a lot of profanity. It was neat to read about San Antonio landmarks, though.
October 15, 2014
Could have been more interesting if main culprit and accomplices would not been revealed in the middle of the book. Otherwise very thrilling as detective story should be.
February 27, 2017
Great book. My second favorite of the series after Big Red Tequila.
September 1, 2018
A drastic last five pages blew everything I had considered.
February 11, 2023
Wow, that was fast! Almost as fast as the pacing of this book :) I can't believe I read it this quickly, especially seeing as I'm now almost done with this series. How time flies!
This book was compelling as any of the ones that had come before, although there was nothing new about the plot. Like with the fourth book, Tres has to help clear the name of someone close to him who's accused of murder. This time, instead of his half-brother, Garrett, it's his long-time friend, Ralph Argueo. The only minor difference is that Tres has to clear Ralph's name when it comes to not one, but TWO murders - or, rather, one murder in the past and another attempted murder (the attempted one being his wife, Ana de Leon). Well, I guess Garrett WAS probably suspected of a second murder that occurs in book four after the main one, but it was secondary. I digress...Like with book four, the case against Ralph for at least the first murder is a good one (like it was against Garrett), and you DO briefly consider whether or not he's at least guilty of that one (though you never consider that he shot his wife).
Discussing Ralph any further would involve discussing major spoilers, so I can't put any of that here :)
All that being said, this book makes itself unique from the fourth in that it kind of tells you who did it (more-or-less), which is one of the reasons you know for sure that Ralph didn't shoot Ana (though you also just know he would never do that). You know who shot Ana before you're halfway through the book, and you're given a hint in the first chapter as to who committed the first murder (without being given a name). Then I stupidly forgot that and got distracted, considering other suspects! Shame on me! The mystery then becomes more about the full story behind the events and the motives. In book four, you get e-mails from the killer, but you don't get a way to identify him from them alone.
Like with the last book, you get a dizzying amount of changes in POV. Again, it switches between Tres's 1st.-person POV to the 3rd.-person-limited POV of various characters, from Maya to the villains. The switches seem to even occur in the same chapter. It seems likely that he will finish the series continuing with this trend. Speaking about chapters, this book has long chapters, especially compared to previous books in the series. The first four books tended to have a lot of shorter chapters. Book five had fewer, longer chapters. And this book had relatively few, much longer chapters. That being said, these books seem to be getting much shorter overall as they go on. The first four books hand audiobook lengths between 11-12 hrs. The last three books had lengths between 7:30-9 hrs. This is in contrast to Comoran Strike, where the books are getting significantly longer as they go on. Just a bunch of little side-notes I'd thought I'd mention!
Finally, I'll discuss some spoilers regarding the relationship between Maya and Tres. Turn away now if you don't want to read them! The fact that they got engaged was a detail on which I'd spoiled myself just by reading the synopsis of the next and final book ("Rebel Island") before I finished this book. It was interesting to read Maya's struggle regarding it. But you just KNEW she was going to tell Tres (I would've been mad if she hadn't :)). The proposal scene was very sweet, and I'm VERY glad she decided to keep and embrace the baby in the end :)
I'd like Garrett to make a reappearance before the series ends, and it looks like he does appear in the final book. I'd also like to meet this sister of his he mentioned a couple of times (Shelly? Shirley? Something like that.). I think that would be interesting.
All in all, a worthy read! Can't believe I'm almost done with Tres for good. After burning through this book so quickly, I'll want to take my time and savor it...at least a little bit :)
On to the next one! Let's finish this thing!
This book was compelling as any of the ones that had come before, although there was nothing new about the plot. Like with the fourth book, Tres has to help clear the name of someone close to him who's accused of murder. This time, instead of his half-brother, Garrett, it's his long-time friend, Ralph Argueo. The only minor difference is that Tres has to clear Ralph's name when it comes to not one, but TWO murders - or, rather, one murder in the past and another attempted murder (the attempted one being his wife, Ana de Leon). Well, I guess Garrett WAS probably suspected of a second murder that occurs in book four after the main one, but it was secondary. I digress...Like with book four, the case against Ralph for at least the first murder is a good one (like it was against Garrett), and you DO briefly consider whether or not he's at least guilty of that one (though you never consider that he shot his wife).
Discussing Ralph any further would involve discussing major spoilers, so I can't put any of that here :)
All that being said, this book makes itself unique from the fourth in that it kind of tells you who did it (more-or-less), which is one of the reasons you know for sure that Ralph didn't shoot Ana (though you also just know he would never do that). You know who shot Ana before you're halfway through the book, and you're given a hint in the first chapter as to who committed the first murder (without being given a name). Then I stupidly forgot that and got distracted, considering other suspects! Shame on me! The mystery then becomes more about the full story behind the events and the motives. In book four, you get e-mails from the killer, but you don't get a way to identify him from them alone.
Like with the last book, you get a dizzying amount of changes in POV. Again, it switches between Tres's 1st.-person POV to the 3rd.-person-limited POV of various characters, from Maya to the villains. The switches seem to even occur in the same chapter. It seems likely that he will finish the series continuing with this trend. Speaking about chapters, this book has long chapters, especially compared to previous books in the series. The first four books tended to have a lot of shorter chapters. Book five had fewer, longer chapters. And this book had relatively few, much longer chapters. That being said, these books seem to be getting much shorter overall as they go on. The first four books hand audiobook lengths between 11-12 hrs. The last three books had lengths between 7:30-9 hrs. This is in contrast to Comoran Strike, where the books are getting significantly longer as they go on. Just a bunch of little side-notes I'd thought I'd mention!
Finally, I'll discuss some spoilers regarding the relationship between Maya and Tres. Turn away now if you don't want to read them! The fact that they got engaged was a detail on which I'd spoiled myself just by reading the synopsis of the next and final book ("Rebel Island") before I finished this book. It was interesting to read Maya's struggle regarding it. But you just KNEW she was going to tell Tres (I would've been mad if she hadn't :)). The proposal scene was very sweet, and I'm VERY glad she decided to keep and embrace the baby in the end :)
I'd like Garrett to make a reappearance before the series ends, and it looks like he does appear in the final book. I'd also like to meet this sister of his he mentioned a couple of times (Shelly? Shirley? Something like that.). I think that would be interesting.
All in all, a worthy read! Can't believe I'm almost done with Tres for good. After burning through this book so quickly, I'll want to take my time and savor it...at least a little bit :)
On to the next one! Let's finish this thing!
January 11, 2023
I listened to this audiobook. Jackson Navarre III (nicknamed Tres) is a San Antonio native. He has a pHD in English literature and is a Tai Chi master. He has dabbled in professorship, but his father was a cop and now Tres is a private investigator. This is the 6th in the series and is a great read - especially if you are familiar with San Antonio. Having lived there I really enjoy the descriptions of the city. Ralph Arguello has been Tres's best friend since high school. When he shows with big trouble Tres can't turn him away. Ralph is a former tough guy (and murderer) who has married decorated SAPD detective Ana DeLeon and now has a little one year old daughter. He tells Tres that his wife is on the trail of a cold case that her deceased mother, another decorated cop, investigated 18 years ago. Ana thinks she has solved the case and asks Ralph to leave with their daughter while she meets with someone crucial to the case. Anna is shot and is hanging on to life, but the cops think Ralph shot her because he was the murderer all those years ago. Tres will never abandon Ralph and together they go on the run. The old case is the murder of another of Tres and Ralph's high school classmates - the son of a powerful mobster. Tres and Ralph must find the real murderer and shooter of Ana before the police or the mobsters catch up to them. I love this series and this one is full of recollections of the past and the hurts and crimes that finally come to light.
August 12, 2019
Although I have long been familiar with Riordan's work in YA fantasy (as in Percy Jackson and similar characters) I have only just discovered that he also breathes life into a grittier, more adult genre. In this one, he has created a character, in San Antonio PI Tres Navarre, who is sufficiently gifted to inspire admiration and sufficiently flawed to generate a sense of empathy. This is not a pretty story, by any means, involving villains who are as bad as can be, and others who are torn between morality and a thirst for justice by whatever means necessary. Thus, it explores how people who are basically decent individuals can stray into forbidden territory. It also touches upon what drives young people to explore darkness and leaves the reader to ponder on just where the blame lies in such a circumstance. The fact that it also has more than its share of unexpected twists is another factor in its favor, and it proceeds at a pace that almost demands it be read in one sitting. Think I'll give it four, brilliant stars - and maybe just a hair more.
September 8, 2024
I am a fan of Riordan's young adult mythology based series. I stumbled on this early series at my public library. The first book (Big Red Tequila) was interesting, if a little rough. He got better with each subsequent installation in this series. It was enjoyable to watch his writing voice develop and see how it carried over to the Percy Jackson, etc. books.
The mysteries clip right along, with the bad guys being very very bad and corruption spreading everywhere. I really enjoy the chosen family that Tres has gathered around himself and the attention that Riordan gives to fleshing them out. I am a little impatient with Tres being both very smart and having pretty bad judgement, but it does work for the books. He's certainly not a superhero. On the other hand, he could use some therapy to deal with his communication issues. The plot is both complicated and quick moving. A great escape.
The mysteries clip right along, with the bad guys being very very bad and corruption spreading everywhere. I really enjoy the chosen family that Tres has gathered around himself and the attention that Riordan gives to fleshing them out. I am a little impatient with Tres being both very smart and having pretty bad judgement, but it does work for the books. He's certainly not a superhero. On the other hand, he could use some therapy to deal with his communication issues. The plot is both complicated and quick moving. A great escape.
February 11, 2025
Another excellent Tres Navarre novel. I always think that Mystery novels are most enjoyable when the stakes are high for characters we have an attachment to and that is one advantage several book series have over standalones. Most of the major players in this novel are known to readers who have been following the series and from the very start we get the feeling that not everyone is making it out alive. The Mystery is solid and while I have seen other reviews lamenting that the killer is exposed too soon don't let that discourage you, there is a lot more to uncover than one person's misdeeds in this story and the twists keep coming until the very last page.
July 16, 2019
Interesting read
For one thing only up to the very end did I realize there were different characters and they all spoke the story... what surprised me was this weird fact: usually the characters in a book are no more than one or two characters while this was a whole choir of people... just that fact pulled this book out of a any other book setting and put it on a great alter. Phew!
For one thing only up to the very end did I realize there were different characters and they all spoke the story... what surprised me was this weird fact: usually the characters in a book are no more than one or two characters while this was a whole choir of people... just that fact pulled this book out of a any other book setting and put it on a great alter. Phew!
July 19, 2019
Well what to say! I have liked Rick Riordan as an author for quite a while but mostly in the fantasy YA or children’s genre. I was not aware that he wrote suspense novels. This one is actually the sixth in the series. I will go back and start reading the first in the series.
The characters are well thought out. I could see each one in my mind. The story line is good as well. I enjoyed this a lot.
The characters are well thought out. I could see each one in my mind. The story line is good as well. I enjoyed this a lot.
July 15, 2021
Riordan goes deep with this one, creating a complex, multi-layered plot that keeps up the pace and tension right to the very end. As always, narrator Tom Stechschulte does great work and has no trouble conveying the complex emotions of the characters. I am, however,
October 14, 2021
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that once it got going early on kept me engaged to the final pages. Despite never being in Texas, after reading several books in the series, it feels familiar. The characters feel personal. There is comedy, action, and twists. This feels like one of the strongest in the series. Rick might get the well deserved credit for his Percy Jackson series but his Tres Navarre series should get better recognition.
March 24, 2024
My favorite of the series, so far. I like reading about San Antonio and places I have been. I like Tres. He is not the. Ian character in this one. Instead, Maia, his girlfriend, the attorney from Austin, is the star. The plot revolves around Tres and two high school friends, both dangerous people. Tres goes on the run with one of the. For the other one’s death years before. The only problem is that Navarre didn’t kill Frankie and the reCe is on to prove who did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
Love Riordan's adult novels even more than I enjoyed his various Greek mythology novels. Read #5 and now #6 of the Tres Navarre series. Plan to go back and pick up all the rest. Read it all in one sitting.
I love mysteries and I love them even more when I'm wrong about who-dun-it. Thought I had this figured about half-way through. The final plot twists fit beautifully.
I love mysteries and I love them even more when I'm wrong about who-dun-it. Thought I had this figured about half-way through. The final plot twists fit beautifully.
March 4, 2019
Suspenseful and shocking are the two words that I would use to describe this book. It starts with a cop being shot and the hunt for a suspect. Trouble is the cops already have a suspect and Tres has 48 hours to find them another one, one that isn't his best friend Ralph.
The many surprises at the end, I totally saw none of it coming and I don't get surprised easily.
The many surprises at the end, I totally saw none of it coming and I don't get surprised easily.
November 24, 2023
It never ceases to amaze me how Rick can have you figure out everything in the case, tie it up in a bow, and then still surprise you in the last 10 pages. Also Maya is one of the most powerful female characters of all time. Definitely some warnings for suicide and rape in this book but it wouldn’t be the same if they weren’t written in the way they were. Top 3 out of the series.
August 19, 2022
Here it comes if you are San Antonio local.... strap in for another trip through town accurate descriptions of local sights, a heavy dose of local flavor and a enough plot twists to keep you satisfied.
February 21, 2023
This installment continues to advance the Tres Navarre series. The narrative is split between multiple character focuses, giving the story more depth. Riordan tackles more complex situations and topics. I do wish that the books didn't keep focusing on female trauma and sexual assault.
July 8, 2017
It surprised me. I thought I knew who did it, but I didn't!
April 22, 2018
Shades of Jim Thompson; the same gritty atmosphere and deeply flawed (re: human) characters.
July 9, 2019
Fabulous Main Characters
I care about the characters in this book. I feel like I know Ralph, Tres, Lucia Senior, Maia Lee. Amazing story. Read it tonight.
I care about the characters in this book. I feel like I know Ralph, Tres, Lucia Senior, Maia Lee. Amazing story. Read it tonight.
August 10, 2019
In my opinion this was the best of the series so far. And a delicious, unexpected twist at the end.
August 19, 2019
Chilling Book
Riordan has written a solidly plotted book. Truths are always just out of reach and the threat is always present. The atmosphere does not let up.
Riordan has written a solidly plotted book. Truths are always just out of reach and the threat is always present. The atmosphere does not let up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews