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Jack Lynch #1
Murphy's Fault: The Jack Lynch New Orleans Trilogy Volume I
The truth will set you free… If it doesn’t kill you first!A New York Times Notable Book From An Edgar And Shamus Award-winning AuthorThe stench of corruption and old-school Louisiana politics permeates this life-and-death tale from a New Orleans that no longer exists…Murphy’s Fault, the first volume in the Jack Lynch New Orleans Trilogy, opens in old New Orleans, a pre-Katrina New Orleans, a place still haunted by the ghosts of Huey Long and his political heirs. Before internet and cell phones and social media, a New Orleans that—unlike the New Orleans of today—deserved its reputation as The Big Easy.Jack Lynch—a hard-drinking, easygoing ex-newspaper reporter turned P.R. flack for the First Interstate Bank of Louisiana—becomes embroiled in a political scandal. His boss, the flamboyant and corrupt William Jennings, has carved a financial and oil empire out of the putrid, steamy Louisiana swamps.Only now that empire and the biggest deal Jennings has ever made is threatened. The Iris Ghetto—the most impoverished, crime-ridden, drug-infested project in The Big Easy—is going to be redeveloped and gentrified. Jennings is going to buy it all, tear it down, and redevelop it in the biggest slum clearance and real estate grab in New Orleans history.Hundreds of millions are at stake and that’s not even the real prize. As always, the real prize with William Jennings is power…Raw, naked power.There’s one small hitch, though. One of the bosses cronies—the corpulent, sweat-stained Civil Sheriff Murphy—has decided to risk his own power grab. Murphy, a ward heeler who can’t possibly be smart enough to pull this off alone, is trying to block the Iris Redevelopment Project.And no one can figure out why…There’s got to be someone behind Murphy, pulling his strings, manipulating him into challenging Jennings. When Jack Lynch discovers that the power behind Murphy is his beloved, admired ex-father-in-law, he sets out to discover the real truth behind the one person in his life who he thought was a straight shooter.That’s when the pressure begins. A tragic, unintended murder turns Jack Lynch from a crusader looking for the truth for its own sake to a ruthless avenging angel…Shattered illusions lead to murder and revenge in this tale of politics and corruption from an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author. See why the New York Times called Murphy’s Fault “tough and articulate…” and Publisher’s Weekly praised it as a “vigorous and well-written addition to the genre…”
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1990
57 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Steven Womack
33 books43 followersWith 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
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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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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!
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!
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.
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.
October 16, 2023
This was a sad book. Story is well-paced and interesting, as it unravels thread by thread. But why Sally?
October 24, 2023
Loved the writing style. Made me feel I was in the 70’s reading my hometown paper the Telegraph Herald!
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
The writing grabs you, the characters speak to you, you're in a New Orleans that has gone...and good riddance to it
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 .
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 .
April 25, 2024
A really good read. If you are sensitive I recommend you don’t read it.
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
March 31, 2016
So-so pulp fiction. Not great.
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