The Lost Are the Last to Die: A Sonny Burton Novel

In Sweazy’s lackluster sequel to 2016’s A Thousand Falling Crows, it’s 1934 and former Texas Ranger Sonny Burton is adjusting to losing his arm after a gun battle with Bonnie and Clyde. Aware of his expertise, the Rangers call on Sonny to track down Billy Bunson, who has escaped from prison, where Sonny put him for life, and taken the warden’s pregnant wife, Dolly Rickart, hostage. Bunson wants to trade Dolly for his incarcerated girlfriend, Donna Del Ray, who was caught aiding him during his escape. Having crossed paths with the fugitive over the years, Sonny knows Billy is as duplicitous as he is dangerous. Aided by his Texas Ranger son, Jesse, Sonny has to react fast to keep up with Billy. Spanning 25 years, the narrative alternates between Sonny and Billy’s respective backstories and the present-day chase. Insufficient context for the two men’s occasionally overlapping pasts and thin characterizations limit this frontier mystery’s appeal. Readers might want to check out Sweazy’s Marjorie Trumaine series instead. Agent: Cherry Weiner, Cherry Weiner Literary. (Nov.)