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Aramis Black Mysteries #1
The Best of Evil
"Spare your soul," he ranted, "and turn your eyes from greed...."
The tattoos on his arms still reading "Live by the Sword" and "Die by the Sword," Aramis Black is ready for a fresh start. Determined to set aside his violent tendencies, he opens an espresso shop in Nashville and begins to put his childhood memories behind him. The past isn't finished with him, though. One ordinary day at the shop, a man is shot before his eyes, speaking dying words to Aramis that are all too familiar.
Aramis realizes that his path to freedom will demand forgiveness-forgiveness from God and forgiveness of others. Along the way, he must uncover the conspiracy behind a centuries-old mystery and the shocking truth of his mother's death. The question remains: Will Aramis be able to conquer his past, or will evil get the best of him?
The tattoos on his arms still reading "Live by the Sword" and "Die by the Sword," Aramis Black is ready for a fresh start. Determined to set aside his violent tendencies, he opens an espresso shop in Nashville and begins to put his childhood memories behind him. The past isn't finished with him, though. One ordinary day at the shop, a man is shot before his eyes, speaking dying words to Aramis that are all too familiar.
Aramis realizes that his path to freedom will demand forgiveness-forgiveness from God and forgiveness of others. Along the way, he must uncover the conspiracy behind a centuries-old mystery and the shocking truth of his mother's death. The question remains: Will Aramis be able to conquer his past, or will evil get the best of him?
338 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2006
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Eric Wilson
133 books465 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Eric Wilson is a retired NY Times bestselling author with 21 published books in over a dozen languages. He wrote fiction (suspense, mystery, supernatural), film novelizations, and nonfiction (biography, memoir, travel).
Eric's books, in order of publication:
Shattered Nerves
(unpublished--written in high school)
Something Suspicious in Bear Flag
(unpublished--written in college)
Dark to Mortal Eyes
Expiration Date
The Best of Evil
A Shred of Truth
Facing the Giants
Flywheel
Fireproof
Field of Blood
Haunt of Jackals
Valley of Bones
One Step Away
Two Seconds Late
Three Fatal Blows (cancelled)
October Baby
The Eagle's Nest (cancelled)
Amelia's Last Secret
Alice Goes the Way of the Maya
Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Team Tyson
Minutes Before Midnight (cancelled)
Samson
From Chains to Change
American Leftovers
What Are You Going to Do?
Confessions of a Former Prosecutor
Come Back Stronger (date not set)
Through the Storms We Faced (never found publisher)
Eric Wilson is a retired NY Times bestselling author with 21 published books in over a dozen languages. He wrote fiction (suspense, mystery, supernatural), film novelizations, and nonfiction (biography, memoir, travel).
Eric's books, in order of publication:
Shattered Nerves
(unpublished--written in high school)
Something Suspicious in Bear Flag
(unpublished--written in college)
Dark to Mortal Eyes
Expiration Date
The Best of Evil
A Shred of Truth
Facing the Giants
Flywheel
Fireproof
Field of Blood
Haunt of Jackals
Valley of Bones
One Step Away
Two Seconds Late
Three Fatal Blows (cancelled)
October Baby
The Eagle's Nest (cancelled)
Amelia's Last Secret
Alice Goes the Way of the Maya
Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Team Tyson
Minutes Before Midnight (cancelled)
Samson
From Chains to Change
American Leftovers
What Are You Going to Do?
Confessions of a Former Prosecutor
Come Back Stronger (date not set)
Through the Storms We Faced (never found publisher)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 6, 2007
YOU WON'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN
At 27, Aramis Black isn't perfect. He's got a record, and he's nursing a deep and abiding anger directed at his uncle Wyatt, who he believes could have prevented his mother's murder. But now, he's put the past behind him and made a new start.
Things are going well. He's in Nashville, living with his brother, and has worked his way into a partnership in a fashionable coffee shop which he manages.
Then, while standing at the coffee shop counter, a customer is gunned down. His last words to Aramis:
"They're coming for you next."
They? Why him?
As his new life threatens to crumble, Aramis needs answers fast. Instead, he finds only questions. Could his mother have been related to American explorer Meriwether Lewis? Did she die because she knew where Lewis hid the cache of gold he'd prevented from reaching a corrupt bureaucrat?
Aramis has to solve the mystery, and if he hopes ever to put himself on track again, find a way to confront his uncle face to face and free himself of the cocoon of hate he's encased in.
"Best of Evil" is as much about spiritual growth as it is about the mystery of Meriwether Lewis' death. If there's such a thing as a line between good and evil, the author has clearly lived on both sides. When he turns to reflection, its there in the images he creates. The hardness too, but regardless of the author's background, there is no doubt which side Aramis Black wants to be on.
Although the promised denouement never really materializes (the showdown with Uncle Wyatt), and I suspect it's because the target audience is likely to wag a finger at violence from the hero, the plot pulls together well enough without it. For good clean fun, "Best of Evil" is up there with the best Christian writing.
Art Tirrell is the author of the 2007 novel, "The Secret Ever Keeps", of which reviewer Meg W. said, "...Simply put, the best underwater scenes I've ever read..." and which a reader described as, "The best book I never heard of."
http://www/amazon.com/gp/product/1601...
At 27, Aramis Black isn't perfect. He's got a record, and he's nursing a deep and abiding anger directed at his uncle Wyatt, who he believes could have prevented his mother's murder. But now, he's put the past behind him and made a new start.
Things are going well. He's in Nashville, living with his brother, and has worked his way into a partnership in a fashionable coffee shop which he manages.
Then, while standing at the coffee shop counter, a customer is gunned down. His last words to Aramis:
"They're coming for you next."
They? Why him?
As his new life threatens to crumble, Aramis needs answers fast. Instead, he finds only questions. Could his mother have been related to American explorer Meriwether Lewis? Did she die because she knew where Lewis hid the cache of gold he'd prevented from reaching a corrupt bureaucrat?
Aramis has to solve the mystery, and if he hopes ever to put himself on track again, find a way to confront his uncle face to face and free himself of the cocoon of hate he's encased in.
"Best of Evil" is as much about spiritual growth as it is about the mystery of Meriwether Lewis' death. If there's such a thing as a line between good and evil, the author has clearly lived on both sides. When he turns to reflection, its there in the images he creates. The hardness too, but regardless of the author's background, there is no doubt which side Aramis Black wants to be on.
Although the promised denouement never really materializes (the showdown with Uncle Wyatt), and I suspect it's because the target audience is likely to wag a finger at violence from the hero, the plot pulls together well enough without it. For good clean fun, "Best of Evil" is up there with the best Christian writing.
Art Tirrell is the author of the 2007 novel, "The Secret Ever Keeps", of which reviewer Meg W. said, "...Simply put, the best underwater scenes I've ever read..." and which a reader described as, "The best book I never heard of."
http://www/amazon.com/gp/product/1601...
January 24, 2010
So much to like about this book. The plot is tightly constructed and the pacing is great. The setting is terrific too--a coffee shop for a murder? Why not!
Mr. Wilson clearly picked locales that he is familiar with (Nashville, Tennessee and Portland, Oregon) which works to give the book an authentic feel. I also enjoyed the dash of American history stitched into the plot.
What I liked best, though, were the characters. Aramis Black, his family and coworkers really drive the story. They are fully flushed out and seemingly real--rivaling the best works of Stephen King. The true mark of a good writer, IMO.
I look forward to reading more from Mr. Wilson!
Mr. Wilson clearly picked locales that he is familiar with (Nashville, Tennessee and Portland, Oregon) which works to give the book an authentic feel. I also enjoyed the dash of American history stitched into the plot.
What I liked best, though, were the characters. Aramis Black, his family and coworkers really drive the story. They are fully flushed out and seemingly real--rivaling the best works of Stephen King. The true mark of a good writer, IMO.
I look forward to reading more from Mr. Wilson!
February 15, 2013
"Spare your soul and turn your eyes from greed."
I enjoyed this quick, suspenseful read from Eric Wilson. I read his By the Numbers series first so I thought it was neat how I already knew some of the characters from those books. Aramis Black is an intriguing character who, in his youth, was into drugs and crime but is now trying to turn his life around, only it seems that the violence from his past is coming after him.
My one regret is that I guessed what the plot twist was at the end. :( But that's okay!
I enjoyed this quick, suspenseful read from Eric Wilson. I read his By the Numbers series first so I thought it was neat how I already knew some of the characters from those books. Aramis Black is an intriguing character who, in his youth, was into drugs and crime but is now trying to turn his life around, only it seems that the violence from his past is coming after him.
My one regret is that I guessed what the plot twist was at the end. :( But that's okay!
September 14, 2023
Part one of the Aramis Black Series does not disappoint. This page turner will keep you wanting to turn pages feverishly. Main character, Aramis, is the perfect character crafted by Eric. Plus, there is an espresso shop in this novel. Who doesn't love that? Excellent read; highly recommend!
July 23, 2013
I liked this book. Mystery thriller combined with historical fiction and romance in judicious measure.
Mr Wilson has developed a very three-dimensional character and, I think, a very relatable one.
A good writer and an interesting plot; a winning combination. I would like to read more of Aramis Black, but it seems there was only one more written? Too bad.
Mr Wilson has developed a very three-dimensional character and, I think, a very relatable one.
A good writer and an interesting plot; a winning combination. I would like to read more of Aramis Black, but it seems there was only one more written? Too bad.
June 17, 2014
A decent, quick read with a mix of mystery, middle school history and southern charm. It's solid, not necessarily spectacular, with some slow spots and a similar theme of a brooding "I've been wronged my whole life" character, but the last 50 pages picks up nicely and it works out okay. There's a follow up to this novel that I plan to read, called "A Shred of Truth."
May 19, 2010
Charming main character, a coffee shop owner, perhaps in a bit over his head in the chase to catch a criminal. There's something hidden in the story, but I've never found it. It has to do with the Lewish and Clark expedition.
November 5, 2015
What a compelling read! The plot is tightly constructed, the pace is just right and Wilson does characterisation as well as the best of them. In fact, my favourite thing about Wilson's writing is his ability to develop a character and it's not obvious!
October 19, 2009
This is my new favorite book! I loved the writing, the mystery, and the characters -- especially Aramis. :) Definitely going to read the sequel.
July 1, 2009
This was fun. I'd like to read more of Mr. Wilson.
Aramis Black is an interesting character......a tattooed good guy.
Aramis Black is an interesting character......a tattooed good guy.
September 24, 2009
Very interesting book. I liked the history.
June 4, 2011
Great. I couldn't stop reading. You never know what will happen next, very unpredictable. Really awesome. =)
November 12, 2011
well done, Eric, well done.
i'm an Aramis Black fan.
i'm an Aramis Black fan.
August 1, 2014
I have a personal inside joke that this book is the best of Eric Wilson. Definitely my favorite so far from the great author!
March 9, 2020
So good! I loved our MC and how redemptive this story is. I loved the ending and the generosity of the characters.
August 20, 2023
Was a book I randomly picked up at a really cheap bookstore so I went in with no expectations. It was actually really good. There were a few boring parts but it always picked back up and had alot of intertwining stories.
July 13, 2020
Predictable....
February 12, 2014
Eric Wilson has this uncanny ability to write a book that after reading the whole thing, you are left thinking, “That was an awesome book”. With this series, though, I also am left wondering, “What was this book about again?” To write this review, I had to reread the back of the book.
The basic point of this book is that Aramis Black had an awful childhood. Throughout this book, he is trying to reconcile his childhood and stop hating his uncle. He eventually discovers a family secret involving treasure and works hard to uncover it. He succeeds at all of this and all is going well and then, Book 2, A Shred of Truth.
The basic point of this book is that Aramis Black had an awful childhood. Throughout this book, he is trying to reconcile his childhood and stop hating his uncle. He eventually discovers a family secret involving treasure and works hard to uncover it. He succeeds at all of this and all is going well and then, Book 2, A Shred of Truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2014
Picked it up for $5 at Chr bookstore because author lives in Nashville. Ok. There is a reality show that is gonna show the narrator and his story of forgiving his uncle for his mom's murder.
Aramis Black owns coffee shop. Mother was murdered when he was 6. He always blamed his uncle. His mom was a descendant of Meriweather Lewis. His undetermined death mystery--blackmail--buried treasure--murder. Left a family clue to buried gold. Thugs hear the story and there's murders and beatings before he figures it all out. The clue was in his mom's handkerchief. Brianne the cute 22 y/o Vandy love interest turns out to be involved, which didn't surprise me.
Aramis Black owns coffee shop. Mother was murdered when he was 6. He always blamed his uncle. His mom was a descendant of Meriweather Lewis. His undetermined death mystery--blackmail--buried treasure--murder. Left a family clue to buried gold. Thugs hear the story and there's murders and beatings before he figures it all out. The clue was in his mom's handkerchief. Brianne the cute 22 y/o Vandy love interest turns out to be involved, which didn't surprise me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2012
So boring didn't relate to the main character very slow paced .. Just not my thing ..
October 3, 2014
ISBN-10: 1-57856-911-7
-13: 978-1-57856-911-3
©2006
3 volumes/45 chapters/335pp
Review to come
-13: 978-1-57856-911-3
©2006
3 volumes/45 chapters/335pp
Review to come
January 31, 2013
This book was only ok. I liked it enough to finish but I wasn't riveted.
Read
May 15, 2018I am still finding it hard to connect the stories of Eric Wilson. I admit this was better than the first book of his I read. I should probably highlight areas in this book I found it difficult to connect to.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews