Badwater, by Clinton McKinzie

Badwater (2005; 384 pages) is the last and final book in the series featuring Special Agent, Antonio “Anton” Burns with Wyoming’s Division of Criminal Investigation. You can say that this series, that started with The Edge of Justice in 2002 was different from your usual thriller fare at the time. Why was it different? Well, for one, the author’s background as a deputy district attorney in Wyoming brings forth a unique perspective and experience to add authenticity to his stories. He created fictional cases that addressed law and ethics that I found enlightening. Throughout the entire series, the author has spotlighted the weaknesses of the justice system from the first person pov of a disillusioned cop with no faith in the system. Another thing that is mentioned a lot is the methamphetamine problem in the state and the critical commentary about the lack of government resources to battle the issue. Also, how many books have you read where cops are mountain climbers? Where mountain climbing is a significant part of the story?

Anton has worked as an undercover agent for 8 years. He’s had a stellar career as an agent until he shot three drug dealers in self-defense in Cheyenne. Nicknamed “Quickdraw” by a reporter (a name he hates), his career has continued to spiral downward. In Crossing the Line, the fourth book in the series, Ant compromised his badge when a federal sting to capture a notorious drug lord was botched. Rumors have circulated about his connection to the missing drug lord in Baja but no one can prove it. Aftermath of the federal operation has left Anton no longer doing investigative work. Demoted, he’s now scouting meth labs.

As the story opens, Anton finds himself arresting tourist, Jonah Strasburg, a musician from New York, for the accidental death of a ten year old local kid in Badwater, Wyoming. The grief-stricken community wants to see this “outsider” hang for it. The election is coming up and this case quickly becomes a political one. Instead of charging “manslaughter” or even “reckless endangerment”, the small town prosecutor charges him with first degree murder. The rest of the story shows the ugly side of the law and the politics involved, in an exaggerated manner but it gets the point across.

Anton is the main protagonist in the series and he has a rather complicated personal life alongside his troubled career. His home is an isolated tent underneath an overhanging cliff a half hours drive outside the city. His only companion is his half-wolf mutt, Mungo. Anton is comfortable with his nomadic lifestyle and doesn’t mind moving from place to place. He does have an infant daughter with his ex-fiance, Rebecca, a journalist, who he’s still half in love with. She lives in Denver. He always tries to call or see his daughter, Moriah, when he can.

Anton is also an athlete who enjoys mountain climbing. It’s a passion instilled into him and his brother Roberto, by their father at an early age. His relationship with his brother, Roberto, is one that is rather complex and stood out the most in this series. Both brothers are passionate mountain climbers but Roberto was the most adept and popular at it, as he was always mentioned in most of the important and popular climbing magazines. Roberto is also charming and charismatic and it’s said he’s also better looking. The Burns brothers are close and as Anton has stated repeatedly throughout this series, he worships his brother, a drug addict and convicted murderer, serving a long prison sentence.

Never have I read a thriller novel where a significant part of the story is mountain climbing. In the first book, there was a crime that was committed that involved the climbing community. In subsequent books, that aspect of the story – mountain climbing stayed and I enjoyed reading it. To get away from the everyday stresses of life and work, Anton goes mountain climbing. He loves getting in the “zone.”

Some people call it flow, or being in the zone. What climbers and surfers and skydivers call it is feeding the Rat. The addictive joy of putting yourself in a situation so primitive and physical that your awareness of everything else in life is turned off completely.

Alas, this is the last book featuring the Burns brothers. The publisher killed the series. There was nothing wrong with this series, btw. I thought the books were well written and the characterizations were top-notch. Maybe the books were too different? I don’t know. I enjoyed the climbing scenes even though it’s a sport I have no knowledge of or interest in but I enjoyed reading them but even without them the books were good. The denouement ended the series in a good place even though Anton’s career in law enforcement is now over. I could accept how it ended even though it made me sad. Good book even though some aspects or antics did go beyond credibility with me. I’d grade this one a B+. Terrific series.

Reading order:

Point of Law (2003)*
Edge of Justice (2002)
Trial by Ice and Fire (2003)
Crossing the Line (2004)
Badwater (2009)

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*Point of Law is the prequel published after Edge of Justice