Glen Aaron’s book touches on the controversial topics of abortion, interpreting the Constitution, Native American rights, to how trials are handled just to name a few. There is a lot going on this short volume of work that kept me interested in reading it.

As a researcher of past courtroom testimonies, the best part of this book shines with the witness testimonies in the federal case of bringing a trial against the main character of Tommy Jon for the death of Supreme Court Judge Anton Sacerdozio. The testimonies in Tommy’s defense carry the story so quickly that I got so engrossed and didn’t want to put the book down. The way his trial lawyer handles the case is fascinating as new witnesses are called to the stand to testify to clear Tommy.

Aaron touches on the remoteness of West Texas in visual ways that helps readers understand the true vastness of the region, because some places here in Texas you cannot get to without a four-wheeler or airplane. That’s the beauty of this state. I’ve had more than my fair share of windshield time during my driving and Aaron’s touching on it made me reflect if others do the same.

The curse Tommy feels and senses tears at his soul until he goes back to the site where the judge died to cleanse himself. A Native American whose only name is Rio guides him along this journey to rid Tommy of the curse left by the Judge in both life and death. Rio’s character shines during the courtroom testimony where he tells the attorney that he has no birth certificate, no bills – he is just Rio. Gosh to be that free and living in the mountains would be gift on most days. I liked how the author interpreted the Marfa Lights phenomenon as spirits of old ancestors.

Given all these positive attributes the author’s writing could be tighter, along with cleaning up numerous typos in the book. There are big passages where the story flows perfectly. Aaron has the possibility to take this book to a higher level if he made it more conservational and less disjointed. I look forward to reading more by Aaron.

No matter what I’ll always remember the character of Rio.