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John Jordan Mystery #30
A Rush of Blood
Ten years ago, second grader Soren Rogers disappeared from his school's fall festival. And though he's never been seen again, the Potter County Sheriff's Office is finally ready to make an arrest. But they want John Jordan to review the case first.
The primary suspect is his stepmom, who never seemed to like Soren and blamed him for most of her problems, including those in her marriage to his father. But she's not the only suspect. There's the gang of bullies who terrorized the school. There's the creepy janitor, the pompous principal, the librarian who lost her own son the year before. In addition to these suspects, John uncovers others with hidden motives and evil agendas.
When another child vanishes, John must race the clock to solve the case or be responsible for the death of not one but two children. Can he unravel the case in time? It would help if he were sleeping and didn't have to try to save Olivia Nelson, a troubled school counselor being stalked, and protect his loved ones from dangerous forces aligning against them.
Start the thrilling new mystery from acclaimed author Michael Lister today!
“Brilliantly conceived and executed. An impressive blend of procedural and fair-play whodunit. Lister expertly balances emotion and detection while doling out logical, gut-wrenching twists.” Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
“Michael Lister is a master storyteller.” Michael Connelly
The primary suspect is his stepmom, who never seemed to like Soren and blamed him for most of her problems, including those in her marriage to his father. But she's not the only suspect. There's the gang of bullies who terrorized the school. There's the creepy janitor, the pompous principal, the librarian who lost her own son the year before. In addition to these suspects, John uncovers others with hidden motives and evil agendas.
When another child vanishes, John must race the clock to solve the case or be responsible for the death of not one but two children. Can he unravel the case in time? It would help if he were sleeping and didn't have to try to save Olivia Nelson, a troubled school counselor being stalked, and protect his loved ones from dangerous forces aligning against them.
Start the thrilling new mystery from acclaimed author Michael Lister today!
“Brilliantly conceived and executed. An impressive blend of procedural and fair-play whodunit. Lister expertly balances emotion and detection while doling out logical, gut-wrenching twists.” Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
“Michael Lister is a master storyteller.” Michael Connelly
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2023
7 people want to read
About the author
Michael Lister
184 books233 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist Michael Lister is a native Floridian best known for his literary suspense thrillers as well as his two ongoing mystery series, the prison chaplain John Jordan "Blood" series and the hard-boiled, 1940s noir Jimmy "Soldier" Riley Series, and the post-apocalypic suspense thriller Cataclysmos.
Visit www.michaellister.com for more information, or follow his youtube channel - Writing and Life at https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelL...
The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”
Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.
Truly a regional writer, North Florida is his beat.
Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition that captured his imagination and became such a source of meaning and inspiration. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on myth and narrative.
In the early 90s, Michael became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections. For nearly a decade, he served as a contract, staff, then senior chaplain at three different facilities in the Panhandle of Florida—a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed, POWER IN THE BLOOD. It was the first in a series of popular and celebrated novels featuring ex-cop turned prison chaplain, John Jordan. Subsequent books in the series include BLOOD OF THE LAMB, FLESH AND BLOOD, THE BODY AND THE BLOOD, BLOOD SACRIFICE, and RIVERS TO BLOOD, and each takes readers through the electronically locked gates of the chain-link fences, beneath the looping razor wire glinting in the sun, and into the strange world of Potter Correctional Institution, Florida’s toughest maximum security prison. Of the John Jordan series, Michael Connelly says “Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. It crackles with tension and authenticity,” while Julia Spencer-Fleming adds “Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. See what crime fiction is capable of.”
Michael also writes historical hard-boiled thrillers, such as THE BIG GOODBYE, THE BIG BEYOND, and THE BIG HELLO featuring Jimmy "Soldier" Riley, a PI in Panama City during World War II. Ace Atkins calls the "Soldier" series "tough and violent with snappy dialogue and great atmosphere . . . a suspenseful, romantic and historic ride."
Michael Lister won his first Florida Book Award for his literary novel, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a book, according to the Panama City News Herald, that “is lyrical and literary, written in a sparse but evocative prose reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy.” It is a contemplation of life and death, art and meaning, set deep in the swamps of the Apalachicola River, a thriller about a wildlife photographer whose camera traps capture a crime, that shows the beauty and danger of the Panhandle paradise.
His second Florida Book Award was for his fifth John Jordan novel BLOOD SACRIFICE.
Visit www.michaellister.com for more information, or follow his youtube channel - Writing and Life at https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelL...
The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”
Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.
Truly a regional writer, North Florida is his beat.
Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition that captured his imagination and became such a source of meaning and inspiration. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on myth and narrative.
In the early 90s, Michael became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections. For nearly a decade, he served as a contract, staff, then senior chaplain at three different facilities in the Panhandle of Florida—a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed, POWER IN THE BLOOD. It was the first in a series of popular and celebrated novels featuring ex-cop turned prison chaplain, John Jordan. Subsequent books in the series include BLOOD OF THE LAMB, FLESH AND BLOOD, THE BODY AND THE BLOOD, BLOOD SACRIFICE, and RIVERS TO BLOOD, and each takes readers through the electronically locked gates of the chain-link fences, beneath the looping razor wire glinting in the sun, and into the strange world of Potter Correctional Institution, Florida’s toughest maximum security prison. Of the John Jordan series, Michael Connelly says “Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. It crackles with tension and authenticity,” while Julia Spencer-Fleming adds “Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. See what crime fiction is capable of.”
Michael also writes historical hard-boiled thrillers, such as THE BIG GOODBYE, THE BIG BEYOND, and THE BIG HELLO featuring Jimmy "Soldier" Riley, a PI in Panama City during World War II. Ace Atkins calls the "Soldier" series "tough and violent with snappy dialogue and great atmosphere . . . a suspenseful, romantic and historic ride."
Michael Lister won his first Florida Book Award for his literary novel, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a book, according to the Panama City News Herald, that “is lyrical and literary, written in a sparse but evocative prose reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy.” It is a contemplation of life and death, art and meaning, set deep in the swamps of the Apalachicola River, a thriller about a wildlife photographer whose camera traps capture a crime, that shows the beauty and danger of the Panhandle paradise.
His second Florida Book Award was for his fifth John Jordan novel BLOOD SACRIFICE.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 20, 2023
Another exciting John Jordan murder mystery with a very well written storyline. Contains realistic flawed characters with plenty of action, suspense, and several twists. Storytelling at its finest and keeps you guessing to the very end. A page turning read that I highly recommend. An outstanding series, but also can be read as stand-a-lones.
November 28, 2023
A cold case with nothing new but the request to delve into it again.
A ten-plus year-old case that was perhaps allowed to languish due to less-than-diligent police work, apathy, and the fact that the best detective in the region was never on the original investigative team.
Even if you aren’t fully vested in Michael Lister’s writing, or John Jordan’s investigative prowess, know that you’re getting a well written whodunit, replete with multiple suspects, plenty of opportunity, too much motive, and… very few details and sketchy memories. A proper procedural by a highly skilled author. Lister has done it, yet again.
A ten-plus year-old case that was perhaps allowed to languish due to less-than-diligent police work, apathy, and the fact that the best detective in the region was never on the original investigative team.
Even if you aren’t fully vested in Michael Lister’s writing, or John Jordan’s investigative prowess, know that you’re getting a well written whodunit, replete with multiple suspects, plenty of opportunity, too much motive, and… very few details and sketchy memories. A proper procedural by a highly skilled author. Lister has done it, yet again.
November 21, 2023
Michael Lister's latest John Jordan mystery does not disappoint! The suspense builds as John Jordan's investigation into the disappearance of Soren Rogers progresses. As he continues to uncover details, the list of suspects grows, and keeps you intrigued right up until the conclusion. Engaging dialogue brings the characters to life, and as the action unfolds, you will not want to put this book down. Michael Lister delivers another exciting mystery full of thrills and chills that will be familiar to his fans and entice new readers to explore more of his work.
November 22, 2023
I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the author, but this in no way affected my review. I have read all the books in this series and have enjoyed them all. This latest is well-written, compelling, and has a few twists to keep you reading and guessing what really happened. I would highly recommend this book.
November 21, 2023
Very interesting book i usually have the books figured out way before the end but this one definitely kept me trying to figure out who did it I actually never completely had it figured out but an amazing read
November 20, 2023
This is an author that will keep you guessing and wanting more. I look forward to reading more of Mr Lester's books
November 21, 2023
As always the author doesn’t disappoint. John Jordan is a realistic character that will take you along with him on his fight for justice. Ready for more.
November 26, 2023
Another amazing book. Love every minute of it. Real characters ,well written, page turner. Excellent job. I really love John Jordan. I received a copy & voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2023
Can a child lost for ten years be found? John Jordan has to go back to the beginning to look for missed clues and mistakes. Memories fade people move but the truth remains the same. John is like a bulldog with a bone in his mouth. He’s not going to let go till the end.
December 19, 2023
The disappearance of Sophie Loren, the lists of suspects grows as John Jordan
investigates. The suspects and other characters come alive in this intriguing story. Plenty of twists right to the end, was a great plot as well as this series
Given arc for my voluntary review
investigates. The suspects and other characters come alive in this intriguing story. Plenty of twists right to the end, was a great plot as well as this series
Given arc for my voluntary review
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews