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Jack Lynch #1

Murphy's Fault

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Ordered by his boss, a New Orleans banker, to break up a lawsuit that will seriously threaten the banker's business interests, Jack realizes that the man whose reputation he has agreed to smear is his beloved ex-father-in-law

Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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About the author

Steven Womack

35 books43 followers
With the publication of his novel, FADE UP FROM BLACK: THE RETURN OF HARRY JAMES DENTON, Steven Womack brings back his award-winning MUSIC CITY MURDERS series, featuring P.I. Harry James Denton

Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.

His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.

A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.

Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.

A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.

Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com

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5 stars
33 (46%)
4 stars
22 (30%)
3 stars
13 (18%)
2 stars
3 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Mark Menard.
253 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2025
A Gripping Start to an Engaging Trilogy

Jack Lynch is a wonderfully flawed protagonist who embodies resilience and determination. His journey through tragedy and personal struggles makes him relatable and endearing. The story is well-crafted and fast-paced, filled with unexpected twists that keep readers on their toes. The blend of drama, action, and poignant moments creates an emotionally rich experience. This book is an excellent kickoff to what promises to be an exciting trilogy. I can't wait for the next installment!
282 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2023
This book was much better than I expected.

Having been forewarned that the writer was inspired by Robert Penn Warren, I assumed this book would be a knock off of All the King’s Men. I found it to be refreshing different. The book is an authentic portrayal of the setting and native population. I recommend it. One flaw is numerous typos including misplaced punctuation.
741 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2023
This was a sad book. Story is well-paced and interesting, as it unravels thread by thread. But why Sally?
Profile Image for Marge Callaghan.
8 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2023
Loved the writing style. Made me feel I was in the 70’s reading my hometown paper the Telegraph Herald!
945 reviews6 followers
November 3, 2023
Excellent!

The writing grabs you, the characters speak to you, you're in a New Orleans that has gone...and good riddance to it
97 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2023
different

This book doesn’t really fall into a category . It’s written about a time that no lingers exists . Interesting , scary and probably true. A good read .
Profile Image for Bonnie Fournier.
512 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2024
A really good read. If you are sensitive I recommend you don’t read it.
Profile Image for R. M..
211 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2023
I enjoyed this book, even though I felt it somewhat overcomplicated itself at times. I had a bit of trouble keeping of characters and who knew who and who knew what about who and who had told who what about who. The twist ending took me by surprise without being completely out of pocket, although I may have been more pressed about this if I didn't have the next book literally starting on the next page. In all, this was an enjoyable page-turner. 4/5
Profile Image for Leif .
1,380 reviews16 followers
March 31, 2016
So-so pulp fiction. Not great.
1,770 reviews
November 15, 2023
This is one of Womack's early books and I thought it was really good. His protagonist reminds me of Harry Denton in his music city murders series. This was the first book in a box set of trilogies.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews