Crossing the Line

Antonio “Ant” Burns #3

by Clinton McKinzie

Clinton McKinzie writes powerhouse thrillers that are like nothing you’ve ever read— novels that crackle with raw emotion and brilliantly explore the nature of the risk that lovers take, adventurers seek, and men and women live with on both sides of the law. In an unforgettable new novel, set against the breathtaking Rocky Mountain landscape he has made his own, the acclaimed author of Trial by Ice and Fire brings back Special Agent Antonio Burns and his renegade brother, Roberto—two men who have chosen very different lives, now coming together to make a treacherous descent into a world of loss, betrayal, and terror.

Antonio Burns is a cop, not a saint. Having earned the scornful nickname “QuickDraw” for a shooting that went very wrong, the Wyoming narcotics agent is fighting for redemption and holding on to his family with all the strength he possesses. His brother, Roberto, is another story. His quicksilver heart, hair-trigger temper, and unquenchable hunger for adrenaline rushes have landed him prison—and make him the right person for an FBI agent with a plan. Agent Mary Chang—cool, collected, and always under control—wants to go after Hidalgo, a murderous drug lord who has moved his operation from Mexico to a Wyoming canyon. In Roberto, Chang has found someone who can penetrate Hildago’s heavily guarded crime ranch. And she has found a man who can quickly take her to her own wild side.

Now, while Mary and his brother watch over him, Roberto goes to work for Hidalgo for the promise of a free pass from prison. But Roberto can’t stay withany script for long, and soon starts making up the game as he goes along. With Antonio sure that his brother is taking the ultimate death trip, and Chang guarding a secret of her own, the perfect plan starts to veer wildly off course. And no one is prepared for the dark forces that are about to engulf them—or the final betrayal that will send them to the dizzying heights and abysmal depths of love and loss. A novel that plunges like a knife, Crossing the Line is vintage brilliant, breathless, and utterly impossible to put down.

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kara Jorges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to wonder at the personal turmoils of an author when his work takes a sudden, dark turn. The Burns brothers I’ve come to love are back again, this time with wild brother Roberto having turned himself in after escaping prison, and now working with the feds in an operation to take down drug lord Jesus Hidalgo-Paez, known for brutally murdering informants and their entire families. Berto’s younger brother, Wyoming state agent Antonio Burns, is in on the operation, ostensibly to keep volatile Roberto in line. They get their spying station downriver from Hidalgo’s compound set up and send Roberto, an old acquaintance of Hidalgo’s, in to gather information to hopefully put him away for good.

Anton loses his objectivity almost immediately when he realizes the level of danger his beloved older brother is in. He has every right, however, when he learns the two feds running the operation have gone rogue and have sent his brother into harm’s way without the permission of their superiors. Anton’s every instinct is to pull Roberto out as fast as he can, but when they have difficulty obtaining a warrant, the feds push Berto harder and put him at more risk instead.
What happens next sends Anton on a dark journey into the deepest parts of his soul, and we begin to see that the more straight-laced brother may be just as destraillado (unleashed, as their mother says) as the wild brother he always idolized. It is no wonder he goes there, as the very foundations of his life are shaken and he begins to open his eyes to things he did not want to see.

Though I cannot fault this novel for its darkness, which seems to reveal a deeper part of Anton’s character, I found myself wishing I could reach into the book to give him a much-needed hug. Things will have to start looking up for the tougher, harder Anton in the next installment of the series, simply because he got taken so low this time out.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent series and I believe this 4th installment is the best of the bunch. I gave the other 3 books a 4 star rating, but "Crossing the Line" has crossed the line into 5 star territory. The book starts a little slow but the last third really amps up the suspense and intrigue. This novel is fairly believable and though the Burns Brothers have a unique skill set, this book belies the fact that they are only human in their capabilities and flaws. The final solution in the closing pages is different, but somehow I found it plausible and even humorous.

[Becky Kimmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a few years ago. I almost read it a second time Remembered the Wyoming connection and plot line. This is one reason why I like tracking in this program.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Wyoming, the main character is in law enforcement and a climber. The descriptions of the landscapes and of climbing are great. The order of his books are 1. The Edge of Justice, 2. Point of Law, 3. Trial by Ice and Fire, 4. Crossing the Line and 5. Badwater. Though any of these can stand alone, they are much more fun read in order. Mr. McKinzie is an Assistant District Attorney in Colorado so he is well versed on the law.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a bit harder time getting into this one, seemed to move slower. Will have to read the next one though, because I own it and I have to find out what happens to one of my favorite characters.

[Anna Herras · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different attack on an action packed book.

[Bob Stenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun read cover to cover.