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	Kristine Johnson is an unpublished mystery writer from Central California. After receiving a B.A. in English from California State University, Fresno she has used her days working as an environmental analyst and nights writing. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Sisters In Crime and is the editor for From The Heart Romance Writers newsletter, Words From The Heart.

THE MAN BURNS TONIGHT
Donn Cortez
Pocket Books, August 2005, ISBN 0-7434-7699-9
353 pages, $6.99

Dex Edden, a computer programmer, reluctantly travels with his boss, Wade, to the week long arts festival called Burning Man in Black Rock City, Nevada. Disturbed by the strange people and events going on in the enclosed city, he stays in the RV with his work. When Dex witnesses his boss’s murder and becomes the next target of a masked man, he runs for his life. Lost and trapped in Black Rock City, he finds help from the very people he wanted to avoid.

Dex must find the killer who framed him for the murder while avoiding the police searching Black Rock City. He discovers Wade’s destructive past at Burning Man and comes up with a list of suspects who may have wanted him dead. With a team of eccentric new friends, costumes, water and a used bike, he searches the unusual and fascinating camps to find the murderer before time runs out.

THE MAN BURNS TONIGHT was not as fast paced as I expected, but the characters were well developed and likable. Burning Man is described in such colorful detail that I felt like I was experiencing the festival for the first time with Dex. The focus of the story is on the characters and the festival rather than the mystery, so this novel is different from Donn Cortez’s previous novel, THE CLOSER. Despite the slower pace, I kept turning the pages trying to understand more about the festival and those who attend it. If you have ever wanted to find out more about the famous festival or just find yourself curious, you’ll enjoy this book.

Kristine Johnson

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