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John Jordan Mystery #1-3
Written in Blood: Volume 1-3
The very first 3 complete John Jordan Mysteries in 1 book for one low price!
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
967 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2014
647 people are currently reading
364 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 15, 2016
I read Michael Lister´s ´Power in the Blood´ a month ago and I loved it from the start. Because of that, I decided to read his other works and Written in Blood was next on my list. I don´t think Lister managed to outdo his first book and because this collection also comes with several short stories I only give it a 3 star rating. With the exception of ´Bad Blood´, the short stories turn away from what made the first book so great: an exciting mixture of crime and religion/philosophy and the crime aspects completely dissappear. Besides that, ´Bad Blood´ has everything to be a great crime novel, but as a short story it becomes unbelievable and because everything has be cramped into a few pages, not as well written as Lister´s novels.
Lister´s second book, ´Blood of the Lamb´ has all the elements of his first book and tells the story of 5 years old little girl that gets murdered in the prison where chaplain John Jordan works. She´s the adopted daughter of a well known television preacher and she´s the cause that John has a relapse and turns to the bottle for solace. It´s a great story and very well told, although there´s a lack of continuity with regard to the first book. While the first book ends with Jordan having a relationship with Laura, in the second book there´s no trace to be found of here and no explanation why they´re not together - that explanation only appears in one of the short stories. This bothered me, because in ´Blood of the Lamb´ the same people appear as in ´Power in the Blood´
Had I written ´Blood of the Lamb´ seperately instead of as part of a collection, I´d have given it a 4 star rating. I´m still going to read Lister´s other books, because he´s a great story teller.
Lister´s second book, ´Blood of the Lamb´ has all the elements of his first book and tells the story of 5 years old little girl that gets murdered in the prison where chaplain John Jordan works. She´s the adopted daughter of a well known television preacher and she´s the cause that John has a relapse and turns to the bottle for solace. It´s a great story and very well told, although there´s a lack of continuity with regard to the first book. While the first book ends with Jordan having a relationship with Laura, in the second book there´s no trace to be found of here and no explanation why they´re not together - that explanation only appears in one of the short stories. This bothered me, because in ´Blood of the Lamb´ the same people appear as in ´Power in the Blood´
Had I written ´Blood of the Lamb´ seperately instead of as part of a collection, I´d have given it a 4 star rating. I´m still going to read Lister´s other books, because he´s a great story teller.
March 3, 2019
Read John Jordan mysteries 1-6 in one volume, back-to-back. Love the John Jordan character. He’s a believable and interesting mix of prison chaplain and criminal investigator. The supporting characters are always interesting and intriguing. The plots are intelligent, complex, and unusual. The parts of Florida the reader sees through John Jordan’s eyes is beautiful and deeply inspirational.
My only complaint in reading a collection like this is having to re-encounter in every book the backgrounding of characters, and info about geography, weather, institutions, towns and countryside, etc. Because each book was written as a stand alone, the reiteration are necessary from book to book, so I just skim like mad when I run across a particularly familiar background piece.
Very enjoyable over all. I’ll probably keep reading John Jordan books! 😊
My only complaint in reading a collection like this is having to re-encounter in every book the backgrounding of characters, and info about geography, weather, institutions, towns and countryside, etc. Because each book was written as a stand alone, the reiteration are necessary from book to book, so I just skim like mad when I run across a particularly familiar background piece.
Very enjoyable over all. I’ll probably keep reading John Jordan books! 😊
February 12, 2021
Power in the Blood – a missing mom and a suspicious death force a Florida prison chaplain and reluctant detective out of self-imposed exile.
Blood of the Lamb – the reluctant chaplain/recovering alcoholic/former police officer takes it on the chin when a young girl in his care dies in what seems an impossible manner.
The Body and the Blood – the chaplain is forced to consider betraying yourself for someone you love.
This is one of the better mystery/thriller series I’ve had the pleasure of binge reading (I consumed all three books over a recent three-day weekend and I’m not sorry I did). John Jordan is a compelling character – flawed, trying to do better, honorable, recovering alcoholic, complex and multi-dimensional (tries to be a man of God, but stumbles over his violent nature). He’s someone to root for because he is flawed, but he keeps on trying. He’s a real, regular guy who happens to be a pastor at a south Florida prison; he’s in love with one of his co-workers (they have a long history together) but neither of them has ever acted on the feelings. He’s divorced (or is he?) and his ex is still a strong presence in his life. He ends up working with his father-in-law to solve cases, and talk about a rocky relationship. His FIL has never forgiven him for leaving his daughter, but then the FIL has some huge, deep dark secrets of his own.
Minuses – The author occasionally, randomly whips into present tense from third person, and I found that annoying. It gets a little less with each book, but still took me out of the story. Some of the religious dialogue bored me – it was germane to the plot and authentic for the character, it just went on too long for me. There were also some essays at the end of the first book celebrating the author that bored me silly. I just paged past them. And the editing was weak in places.
Pluses – Overall tight writing, well-developed characters (even the secondary ones), great sense of place (I could just feel the energy sapping humidity, or the malicious miasma of the prison), fascinating plots, and surprise endings that gave me whiplash. In a good way. The writing occasionally strayed into lyric territory: “ … staccato shrieks piercing the silence of the sanctuary like the frenzied attack of a serrated blade stabbing an already fatally wounded victim,” and “searing pain arcing out in every direction like the phosphorescent tails of Fourth of July fireworks.” Some authors seem to pick a character’s profession by throwing darts at a list. Jordan, however, seems like a real person to me – the author seems to have a good grasp of prison operation and prison politics, police work, and being a chaplain. It shows through in Jordan’s depth.
I am sometimes regretful when binge reading, because the characters wear out their welcome, but these characters move and grow and change. Characters aren’t 100% good or 100% bad; rather, the author presents human beings being human. The bad guys mostly get their comeuppance, sometimes not in the way you want, but the karmic scale is leveled. These three books were a satisfying read, and I’m pleased to see there are more in the series. Jordan is a character I want to spend more time with.
Blood of the Lamb – the reluctant chaplain/recovering alcoholic/former police officer takes it on the chin when a young girl in his care dies in what seems an impossible manner.
The Body and the Blood – the chaplain is forced to consider betraying yourself for someone you love.
This is one of the better mystery/thriller series I’ve had the pleasure of binge reading (I consumed all three books over a recent three-day weekend and I’m not sorry I did). John Jordan is a compelling character – flawed, trying to do better, honorable, recovering alcoholic, complex and multi-dimensional (tries to be a man of God, but stumbles over his violent nature). He’s someone to root for because he is flawed, but he keeps on trying. He’s a real, regular guy who happens to be a pastor at a south Florida prison; he’s in love with one of his co-workers (they have a long history together) but neither of them has ever acted on the feelings. He’s divorced (or is he?) and his ex is still a strong presence in his life. He ends up working with his father-in-law to solve cases, and talk about a rocky relationship. His FIL has never forgiven him for leaving his daughter, but then the FIL has some huge, deep dark secrets of his own.
Minuses – The author occasionally, randomly whips into present tense from third person, and I found that annoying. It gets a little less with each book, but still took me out of the story. Some of the religious dialogue bored me – it was germane to the plot and authentic for the character, it just went on too long for me. There were also some essays at the end of the first book celebrating the author that bored me silly. I just paged past them. And the editing was weak in places.
Pluses – Overall tight writing, well-developed characters (even the secondary ones), great sense of place (I could just feel the energy sapping humidity, or the malicious miasma of the prison), fascinating plots, and surprise endings that gave me whiplash. In a good way. The writing occasionally strayed into lyric territory: “ … staccato shrieks piercing the silence of the sanctuary like the frenzied attack of a serrated blade stabbing an already fatally wounded victim,” and “searing pain arcing out in every direction like the phosphorescent tails of Fourth of July fireworks.” Some authors seem to pick a character’s profession by throwing darts at a list. Jordan, however, seems like a real person to me – the author seems to have a good grasp of prison operation and prison politics, police work, and being a chaplain. It shows through in Jordan’s depth.
I am sometimes regretful when binge reading, because the characters wear out their welcome, but these characters move and grow and change. Characters aren’t 100% good or 100% bad; rather, the author presents human beings being human. The bad guys mostly get their comeuppance, sometimes not in the way you want, but the karmic scale is leveled. These three books were a satisfying read, and I’m pleased to see there are more in the series. Jordan is a character I want to spend more time with.
January 8, 2021
Adult plot subjects: Perversion, god referenced as she, vulgarity, sex - all intricately described (esp. novel 3). All narrated well.
July 6, 2020
THE BODY AND THE BLOOD by Michael Lister. We find John going to the PM (protective management ) in which inmates that haven't long to live, for one reason or another. The nightly mass, communion is given, symbol of the blood and body. John had gotten a note saying there was to be a murder, at the mass.Inmate goes into a cell alone, the next thing John sees is the blood coming out from under cell door. Puzzle of HOW as John try's to figure out. More crimes pile up as well as suspects. Another pace paced story with a touch of humor.. Well done, enjoyable for all who want a good mystery..
BLOOD OF THE LAMB ..Michael Lister
Living in a tin breadbox of a house, drinking once again. The contents within a reflection of the discontentment of his soul, Laura a friend comes, telling him she is being stalked He was an ex cop, a chaplain, and a partner Merrill sometime to help solve a crime. His love interest was Anna and the reason he was back doing prison work. John Jordan an interesting human character, you see him as one with faults and he doesn’t hide them, willing to help others. When a young girl is brought into the prison without the usual protocol to preach, John wonders why, then she is murdered. When murder. happens at the prison and his friend Laura needs help he is there.
Fantastic series, good characters. The more you read they are like family,and always looking for the next book
BLOOD OF THE LAMB ..Michael Lister
Living in a tin breadbox of a house, drinking once again. The contents within a reflection of the discontentment of his soul, Laura a friend comes, telling him she is being stalked He was an ex cop, a chaplain, and a partner Merrill sometime to help solve a crime. His love interest was Anna and the reason he was back doing prison work. John Jordan an interesting human character, you see him as one with faults and he doesn’t hide them, willing to help others. When a young girl is brought into the prison without the usual protocol to preach, John wonders why, then she is murdered. When murder. happens at the prison and his friend Laura needs help he is there.
Fantastic series, good characters. The more you read they are like family,and always looking for the next book
July 7, 2020
I've been a fan of the John Jordan series for quite some time now. The character has such a unique backstory; he's an ex-cop, prison chaplain and consultant for his local police department. Jordan is a devoted friend and bull doggishly (is that even a proper word???) determined investigator who has fought his share of inner demons (alcoholism and a broken marriage).
Michael Lister effectively combines real life cases and/or current events into the world of John Jordan. It always makes the stories even more intriguing.
The books within this series number into the double digits but Lister manages to do a soft recap in each book. Recurring characters make each book like a family reunion of sorts as well. I appreciate that!
This is a great way to get introduced to a top caliber criminal procedural series.
Michael Lister effectively combines real life cases and/or current events into the world of John Jordan. It always makes the stories even more intriguing.
The books within this series number into the double digits but Lister manages to do a soft recap in each book. Recurring characters make each book like a family reunion of sorts as well. I appreciate that!
This is a great way to get introduced to a top caliber criminal procedural series.
April 14, 2021
Intense developing story with well done and human characters, this involving flaws , success and failures in all people.
Michael Lister brings to life the personality of what normal people are. Not the usually good nice guy, the innocent and easy going girl, and the bad horrible person. The ever entwined of good, bad and the not very often understandable decisions people do in life make his stories vivid, so fast paced, but at the same time they make you understand a little bit more about life. All this happening around a good story about crime investigation and different points of view of religion.
Michael Lister brings to life the personality of what normal people are. Not the usually good nice guy, the innocent and easy going girl, and the bad horrible person. The ever entwined of good, bad and the not very often understandable decisions people do in life make his stories vivid, so fast paced, but at the same time they make you understand a little bit more about life. All this happening around a good story about crime investigation and different points of view of religion.
April 6, 2021
I read reviews that said the series gets better as it progresses. Okay, I listened to the first 3 and I doubt that I will waste any more time. The books weren't "bad" - they just weren't great and life is too short to waste more time. The concept of a prison chaplain struggling with alcoholism was intriguing. The "action" was engaging but the long, overly detailed descriptions of weather, landscape, etc. We're tiring. I understand he is a chaplain- that should have been a warning that it gets " preachy" at times. Overall- not bad but definitely "meh."
September 6, 2017
Michael Lister sure put together a complex man...alcoholic, ex-cop, prison chaplain...and he comes together as a believable and lovable person...most of the time, anyway.
The story moves along at a good pace, and John Jordan solves the crimes.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
The story moves along at a good pace, and John Jordan solves the crimes.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
July 6, 2020
The John Jordan series is very entertaining. There are many twists and turns throughout each book. The storylines are very well developed and keep you guessing. I highly recommend this entire series.
July 7, 2020
An excellent set of mystery thrillers with well written storylines and well developed realistic characters. John is a flawed main character that we really can root for. Contains plenty of action, lots of suspense, and even some romance. A great book/series that I would highly recommend!
February 14, 2021
Too much profanity!
These were all great stories but I can't tolerate all that profanity. I know it is part of prison language but I still don't like it. Also too much talk about sexual encounters.
These were all great stories but I can't tolerate all that profanity. I know it is part of prison language but I still don't like it. Also too much talk about sexual encounters.
July 23, 2022
Great box set
These stories were good mysteries. Even though they took place in the prisons they kept you guessing until the end. The main character John was a conflicted person which contributes to his appeal. Can't wait to read more from this author.
These stories were good mysteries. Even though they took place in the prisons they kept you guessing until the end. The main character John was a conflicted person which contributes to his appeal. Can't wait to read more from this author.
July 6, 2020
These books will have you sitting on the edge of your chair waiting to see what happens
July 7, 2020
These are great books. I really enjoyed them. Well written, page turner, great characters. Good job.
October 10, 2020
I enjoyed these 3 books very much, and hope to read the rest of the series. Thanks to BookBub for making it available!!
June 13, 2021
Did not finish
Need means to return without writing review of unread book.
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Need means to return without writing review of unread book.
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August 28, 2021
Good collection of stories involving a former cop turned prison pastor. He finds it hard to leave policing behind while trying to do the job of pastoring prisoners. Interesting and twisted stories.
September 11, 2025
Love the characters, especially the prison Chaplin.
August 27, 2017
Written in Blood: Volume 1 A well written series, edge of the seat late night page turner. A good theme with strong characters.
October 23, 2015
In prison there are no secrets. This is something ex-cop turned prison chaplain John Jordan discovers, as he wrestles with his personal demons—a broken marriage, a drinking problem, and the haunting memories of a case he worked when he was a cop in Atlanta. Now the chaplain of a prison in a small Florida town, he has to deal with the blood that always seems to be around him.
Written in the Blood: Volume 1 by Michael Lister is a completely different kind of mystery, one that is not defined by others in the genre; it is, in fact, in a category of its own. Lister, himself a former prison chaplain, writes with authenticity and with a level of detail, both in the physical descriptions and the peeks into the psyches of the characters that is unmatched. You can smell the blood and desperation, and feel the tension from the opening sentence until the final word. This volume contains two full-length novels and a series of short stories that give the back stories of Jordan’s life. The author states up front that the short stories can be skipped, but I strongly encourage reading this book from start to finish.
Lister is a voice to watch on the mystery scene.
Written in the Blood: Volume 1 by Michael Lister is a completely different kind of mystery, one that is not defined by others in the genre; it is, in fact, in a category of its own. Lister, himself a former prison chaplain, writes with authenticity and with a level of detail, both in the physical descriptions and the peeks into the psyches of the characters that is unmatched. You can smell the blood and desperation, and feel the tension from the opening sentence until the final word. This volume contains two full-length novels and a series of short stories that give the back stories of Jordan’s life. The author states up front that the short stories can be skipped, but I strongly encourage reading this book from start to finish.
Lister is a voice to watch on the mystery scene.
February 1, 2016
I enjoyed this murder mystery that takes place in a prison. The chaplain is able to solve who did it before the official investigator. He had used to be a police officer before studying for the clergy. He has some very intriguing views of Christianity that I enjoyed. Some Christians might have some problem with some of the situations and language but it does take place in a prison. I enjoyed it so much I am continuing reading the sequel.
July 7, 2020
This is the start of John Jordan's adventures. John is human and has his flaws. That is why I love these books. He's not perfect. I love the descriptions in all these books. Reading these books is like watching a movie in your head. It makes me miss small town life. So grab these books, buckle your seat belt because you are fixing to take a thrill ride which will leave you craving more of John Jordan's adventures.
February 6, 2017
First two were fine but the short stories are so-so...never leardned what happened to his wife Susan and why did he go back to drinking and sex...last one was a bit of a disappointment...
well, it was a free book, after all
well, it was a free book, after all
May 11, 2016
Unbelievable great. Entertaining. Loved every page. Can't wait to start the next book. Amazing author. So grateful I learnt about him through Kobo and Goodreads. Thank you. Jackie
April 3, 2016
Power In The Blood.
I choose this rating because I liked most of the book. Wasn't too crazy for short story ones. Left one guessing!
I choose this rating because I liked most of the book. Wasn't too crazy for short story ones. Left one guessing!
December 8, 2016
A well written book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews