The Little Death (Henry Rios Mystery, #1) in Ask Marshall Thornton

Apr 20, 2014 LenaRibka rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-suspence-thriller

My first of Michael Nava and the first in the Henry Rios Mystery series, with a main character Henry Rios, a gay lawyer, who lives in San Francisco in the 80s.

Being a big fan of a gay mystery genre, I recognize that it is my first gay lawyer as a protagonist.

There were a lot of cops, former cops, active cops, private investigators and detectives, but no lawyer.

I enjoyed the very interesting and well don mystery part.
It was a real page turner! The author kept my attention along the whole stor ...more

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Jun 25, 2014 Laura rated it really liked it

Michael Nava’s The Little Death is a murder mystery awash with privilege, power, rumors, and greed. A visit to an elite world where a little death is considered leverage and necessary to get or remain in power and riches.

“Rich people don’t go around planning to kill each other. They use lawyers, instead.”

We meet attorney Henry Rios in a bit of a burnout period and crisis of heart and mind. To practice law or not? On his last day as a public defender, Henry encounters Hugh Paris—a handsome, sad
Michael Nava’s The Little Death is a murder mystery awash with privilege, power, rumors, and greed. A visit to an elite world where a little death is considered leverage and necessary to get or remain in power and riches.

“Rich people don’t go around planning to kill each other. They use lawyers, instead.”

We meet attorney Henry Rios in a bit of a burnout period and crisis of heart and mind. To practice law or not? On his last day as a public defender, Henry encounters Hugh Paris—a handsome, sad enigma of a man--who draws Henry into love and trouble. Down a path swimming with death, drinks, crooked coroners, cold hearted poets, silence, and sadness. This book has such a quiet voice. A matter of fact, melancholy feel to the action. A tone I couldn’t help following twist by twist and word by word.

Mr. Nava writes beautifully. Breathtaking descriptions and words that formed an intelligent, sophisticated atmosphere filled with politics and law. The language and games here are steeped in legal maneuvers and manners. Henry may feel lost at the moment about his profession, but he is definitely an attorney. In every word and move he makes, you will see and hear the lawyer in him. I still liked the man though. ;)

“From my experience, I did not believe in premeditated murder any more than an agnostic believes in God and for the same reason; there never was any proof. ”

I liked Henry Rios very much actually. BUT I also feel like I don’t know him at all. None of his losses and loves registered with my heart. Yet I can’t seem to shake this atmosphere and mood from my bones. It’s as if, Henry walked in the room, started to say something and left without finishing his thought. I need to follow and find out what he has to say. This book’s energy and power is still trying to work its way through my system. I wish I could explain it better. I just know Michael Nava is under my skin, but just not in the usual hit my heart kind of way.

Looking forward to more time in Henry’s world. More time with Grant too. He intrigues me.

Off to read Goldenboy….

...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Jon added it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-gay-series, favorite-gay-mysteries

I first discovered Michael Nava when he released the first of the Henry Rios series back in 1986 (I still have the original book!) Nava helped define the gay mystery of the day - but, I believe his Rios novels are timeless; The Little Death is short, but a tightly crafted mystery, haunting yet enjoyable read. Gay mystery readers will not be disappointed and I recommend you read all the Henry Rios novels...

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