Books like House of the rising sun by James Lee Burke

James Lee Burke’s "House of the Rising Sun" follows Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland as he pursues a stolen artifact believed to be the Holy Grail, after a violent raid leaves four Mexican soldiers dead. The pursuit draws him into a conflict that puts his son, Ishmael—a U.S. Army captain—into danger at the hands of a ruthless Austrian arms dealer. Along the way, Hackberry encounters three remarkable women who shape his journey: Ruby Dansen, the Danish immigrant who is Ishmael’s mother and Hackberry’s former love; Beatrice DeMolay, a brothel madam with a lineage tied to a crusader who brought the Shroud of Turin; and Maggie Bassett, a former lover of the Sundance Kid whose cunning rivals Shakespearean intrigue. Together they aid Hackberry in reconciling with his son, confronting enemies, and restoring the Grail to its rightful place. The novel blends action, adventure, and a father‑son relationship against a historical backdrop, underscoring themes of love, loss, betrayal, vengeance, and retribution.

First publish date: 2015