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Joanna Brady #15.5
The Old Blue Line
Butch Dixon has been taken for a ride …
Not a jump in the car, see the sights kind of ride. He's been taken for everything he has. He's lost his house, his restaurant business, his savings, his car, his best friend, his faith—all to his conniving ex-wife. But that was seven years ago. He picked himself up, left Chicago, and started over in Peoria, Arizona, running the Roundhouse Bar and Grill. He doesn't look back on those bad years; there's no point. Not until two curious cops show up at the Roundhouse.
Faith, Butch's ex-wife, has been murdered, and the evidence points to him. Stunned, Butch quickly realizes that the black-hearted woman is going to ruin him again, from her grave. Lucky for Butch, the Old Blue Line, a group of retired—but still sharp and tenacious—former legal and law enforcement coots, have taken it upon themselves, as a favor, to make sure he doesn't cross that thin line. After the dust settles, Butch's life is again upended—when a little red-haired ball of fire, Sheriff Joanna Brady, takes a seat at his bar.
__________
1 hour 56 minutes 50 seconds
Not a jump in the car, see the sights kind of ride. He's been taken for everything he has. He's lost his house, his restaurant business, his savings, his car, his best friend, his faith—all to his conniving ex-wife. But that was seven years ago. He picked himself up, left Chicago, and started over in Peoria, Arizona, running the Roundhouse Bar and Grill. He doesn't look back on those bad years; there's no point. Not until two curious cops show up at the Roundhouse.
Faith, Butch's ex-wife, has been murdered, and the evidence points to him. Stunned, Butch quickly realizes that the black-hearted woman is going to ruin him again, from her grave. Lucky for Butch, the Old Blue Line, a group of retired—but still sharp and tenacious—former legal and law enforcement coots, have taken it upon themselves, as a favor, to make sure he doesn't cross that thin line. After the dust settles, Butch's life is again upended—when a little red-haired ball of fire, Sheriff Joanna Brady, takes a seat at his bar.
__________
1 hour 56 minutes 50 seconds
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2014
662 people are currently reading
1459 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Jance
117 books4,174 followersJudith Ann Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.
Series:
* J.P. Beaumont
* Joanna Brady
* Ali Reynolds
* Walker Family
Series:
* J.P. Beaumont
* Joanna Brady
* Ali Reynolds
* Walker Family
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
April 20, 2020
THE OLD BLUE LINE by J.A. Jance is a well-written novella that features one of the supporting characters in the Joanna Brady series. Butch Dixon lost everything to his ex-wife seven years ago. With the help of his grandmother, he is back on his feet and owns a restaurant/bar in Arizona. However, when his ex-wife is murdered, the police think Butch did it. How can he prove his innocence?
Butch was a compelling and sympathetic character. I was immediately rooting for him. The motivations seem believable and the secondary characters were excellent and enhanced the story. The plot twists were believable , but not totally unexpected. The prose was well-written and compulsively readable. The plot was suspenseful and absorbing.
Overall, it was an entertaining and perfectly-paced novella. I enjoyed learning about Butch's backstory and can recommend this to those that enjoy the Joanna Brady series as well as those that enjoy suspenseful novellas with a bit of humor.
Butch was a compelling and sympathetic character. I was immediately rooting for him. The motivations seem believable and the secondary characters were excellent and enhanced the story. The plot twists were believable , but not totally unexpected. The prose was well-written and compulsively readable. The plot was suspenseful and absorbing.
Overall, it was an entertaining and perfectly-paced novella. I enjoyed learning about Butch's backstory and can recommend this to those that enjoy the Joanna Brady series as well as those that enjoy suspenseful novellas with a bit of humor.
May 16, 2014
The Old Blue Line by J.A. Jance is a 2014 William Morrow/ Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This short story/ novella is technically a Joanna Brady novel. If you are expecting the usual Joanna Brady mystery then you will be disappointed. This is a story that is all about Butch Dixon, Joanna's husband, only this story takes place before the two were romantically involved.
Butch is in hot water when his ex-wife is found murdered and from the grave she seems to have fingered him as a suspect. Thankfully, Butch has some friends he can turn to, to help him keep from being framed for murder. I enjoyed reading a little bit about Butch's background and this was an interesting aside from the usual Joanna Brady mystery. Having said that, the story could be a let down for those that are looking for Joanna to make an appearance. It's not until the very end of the book she makes a small cameo, but that's the extent of her contribution to this one. For those who are very big J.A. Jance fans and want to read any and everything she writes you might wish to add this one to your collection if for no other reason than to have all of her work and to get a little peak into Butch's past. Other than that, this one left me with a " I can take it or leave it" attitude. This one is a 2.5 rounded to 3.
This short story/ novella is technically a Joanna Brady novel. If you are expecting the usual Joanna Brady mystery then you will be disappointed. This is a story that is all about Butch Dixon, Joanna's husband, only this story takes place before the two were romantically involved.
Butch is in hot water when his ex-wife is found murdered and from the grave she seems to have fingered him as a suspect. Thankfully, Butch has some friends he can turn to, to help him keep from being framed for murder. I enjoyed reading a little bit about Butch's background and this was an interesting aside from the usual Joanna Brady mystery. Having said that, the story could be a let down for those that are looking for Joanna to make an appearance. It's not until the very end of the book she makes a small cameo, but that's the extent of her contribution to this one. For those who are very big J.A. Jance fans and want to read any and everything she writes you might wish to add this one to your collection if for no other reason than to have all of her work and to get a little peak into Butch's past. Other than that, this one left me with a " I can take it or leave it" attitude. This one is a 2.5 rounded to 3.
September 14, 2021
I am not a big fan of Novellas because they often seem like they end just as they are getting off the ground. However, I found 'The Old Blue Line' quite enjoyable and overall an exceptionally good short - with a strong beginning, middle and an exciting, believable and well woven together ending.
August 7, 2014
This is a novella about Butch Dixon before he met and married Joanne Brady. J. A. Jance is an excellent writer and this short story is fast paced but also full of detail. Butch inherited a bar and grill from his Grandmother on her death. She had trained him how to operate that type of business in the several years he lived with her before her death. It is called the Roundhouse Bar and Grill in Peoria Arizona. Butch had lost everything when he wife divorced him and ran off with his best friend and business manager. He was depressed, angry and went to live with his grandmother who helped turn him around.
One day two Las Vegas detectives show up at the business, telling him he is a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife. Problem is Butch was in Las Vegas the weekend of the murder. Butch contacts his grandmother’s best friend Tim, a retired police officer. Tim sends another retired police officer to do some investigating. He finds Butch is being framed for the murder. Tim calls in an elderly criminal defense attorney to represent Butch. Along with two more retired detectives they set out to prove Butch is innocent.
I enjoyed the “old blue line” working on the case with such gusto. This was an enjoyable story. It was fun to watch the oldies to their magic. I hope that Jance writes more stories about this elderly blue line. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. James Eckhouse did a good job narrating the book.
One day two Las Vegas detectives show up at the business, telling him he is a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife. Problem is Butch was in Las Vegas the weekend of the murder. Butch contacts his grandmother’s best friend Tim, a retired police officer. Tim sends another retired police officer to do some investigating. He finds Butch is being framed for the murder. Tim calls in an elderly criminal defense attorney to represent Butch. Along with two more retired detectives they set out to prove Butch is innocent.
I enjoyed the “old blue line” working on the case with such gusto. This was an enjoyable story. It was fun to watch the oldies to their magic. I hope that Jance writes more stories about this elderly blue line. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. James Eckhouse did a good job narrating the book.
March 22, 2018
I've run out of paperbacks for the beach & now digging into my NOOK for books I've downloaded over the past year & this novella is one...this one provides the background of Joanna Brady's Butch...how he got to Arizona, ownership of the Roundhouse & meeting Joanna...along the way we have a murder mystery & legal thriller involving Butch being charged with the murder of his ex-wife...Butch is saved, not by Joanna, but retired cops & lawyers who call themselves, "The Old Blue Line"...Good Stuff!
December 10, 2020
Quick read! This is more of a prequel for before Butch and Joanna meet. I liked having a little back story about him!
March 8, 2019
This novella fills a gap in the Joanna Brady mystery series by clueing readers in on the romantic backstory with Butch. I enjoyed the cast of unexpected retired “helpers” more than the rather obvious mystery.
December 8, 2022
A very short, but good read about Butch Dixon before he met Joanna Brady. I enjoyed the story, as I have enjoyed all of the Joanna Brady stories, although, technically, this isn't actually about Joanna.
December 19, 2025
Great backstory for Butch.
August 1, 2014
3.5/5 J.A. Jance writes a number of series, but my favourite is Sheriff Joanna Brady.
The Old Blue Line has been marketed as 15.5 in the series, as it is a novella. (The newest novel, Remains of Innocence has just released.)
The Old Blue Line is actually Joanna's husband, Butch Dixon's story. Jance takes us back to the days before Butch met Joanna.
Butch lost everything to his ex-wife seven years ago. He's made a new life for himself and no runs the Roadhouse Bar and Grill. But when the ex-wife is found murdered, Butch is the prime suspect. Even in death, Faith is out to get him. But Butch has friends - namely The Old Blue Line gang - retired cops and lawyers that are determined to clear Butch's name.
Butch has always been a great supporting player in the Brady books, but we really don't know too much about his background. This little novella is told completely in Butch's voice. ( Joanna only makes an appearance in the last few pages.) The mystery in this case is short and sweet, as is the book, but it's still enjoyable. It was more about getting to know Butch better. Although, I'd like to see more of The Old Blue Line gang in future books.
I actually chose to listen to The Old Blue Line. The reader was James Eckhouse. Eckhouse's voice is pleasant and easy to listen to, with clear diction. He's an expressive reader, using his voice to good effect. Eckhouse works as an actor and is good 'performer' in audio format as well.
The Old Blue Line has been marketed as 15.5 in the series, as it is a novella. (The newest novel, Remains of Innocence has just released.)
The Old Blue Line is actually Joanna's husband, Butch Dixon's story. Jance takes us back to the days before Butch met Joanna.
Butch lost everything to his ex-wife seven years ago. He's made a new life for himself and no runs the Roadhouse Bar and Grill. But when the ex-wife is found murdered, Butch is the prime suspect. Even in death, Faith is out to get him. But Butch has friends - namely The Old Blue Line gang - retired cops and lawyers that are determined to clear Butch's name.
Butch has always been a great supporting player in the Brady books, but we really don't know too much about his background. This little novella is told completely in Butch's voice. ( Joanna only makes an appearance in the last few pages.) The mystery in this case is short and sweet, as is the book, but it's still enjoyable. It was more about getting to know Butch better. Although, I'd like to see more of The Old Blue Line gang in future books.
I actually chose to listen to The Old Blue Line. The reader was James Eckhouse. Eckhouse's voice is pleasant and easy to listen to, with clear diction. He's an expressive reader, using his voice to good effect. Eckhouse works as an actor and is good 'performer' in audio format as well.
May 28, 2022
Short yet compelling novella which falls between 15 and 16 in the series, although the action takes place well before either of those. This is basically the backstory on Butch, as the action takes place before he meets Joanna Brady and really she's only on the last page or so as a mention. It is a quick read that can be done in one sitting, but the story is well developed and entertaining. Butch was taken to the cleaners by his first wife and comes to Arizona to get his life back on track. Now his ex-wife has been murdered and it looks like he is the prime suspect. Enjoyable read.
August 9, 2017
A nice novella that gives a look into Butch's past before Joanna. When Butch is framed for murder an unlikely group comes to his rescue. The old blue line is composed of retired cops, attorneys and others who step up to help rescue Butch. A fun story, easy to read or listen to and it gives more backstory to the Joanna Brady mysteries.
October 14, 2019
Very film noir in the mood that is evoked. Not a complex story but quite entertaining.
March 11, 2020
This book gives the back story of Butch, what happened to his first wife, how he got started and how he met Joanna. An interesting look at how he was framed and got out of it.
September 21, 2020
Imagine, a Joanna Brady novel without all the annoying boiler plate involving County Commission budget meetings, endless paperwork, pantyhose snagged on cactus, or the rehash of everyone's backstory for newbies to the series. Indeed, a Sheriff Brady novel without Sheriff Brady!
This 2014 novella, which takes place in Peoria, AZ where Joanna attended the Law Enforcement Academy shortly after becoming Cochise County Sheriff, presents the back story on Butch Dixon, a local restaurateur and mystery writer, who is being framed for the the killing of his ex-wife, a woman who years earlier had run off with Butch's assets and his then best friend. Subsequently she pulled the same stunt with said best friend who then committed suicide. Not coincidentally, Butch was in Las Vegas when the murder occurred and it turns out that a series of threatening calls to her had been made from the pay phone in Butch's bar. Fortunately "the old blue line" of retired law enforcement officers is available to investigate the case.
Two disappointments: I selected this 124-page novella to entertain me during an afternoon spent in waiting rooms. Sadly, The Old Blue Line is wrapped up in only 72 pages, the remaining 52 pages being an introduction to another Jance novel the publishers hope I will rush out and buy. (I've already read it, thank you.)
And Sheriff Brady? She shows up in the last 3 pages when she comes into the bar after a class and orders a Coke. That's enough for Butch to be smitten and we are told that he subsequently sold his bar and followed her to Bisbee but that story is told elsewhere in the series.
So I am left with nothing to read. Fortunately, the last four pages are blank so I at least could do some sketching while I waited for the vet to finish treating the dog.
This 2014 novella, which takes place in Peoria, AZ where Joanna attended the Law Enforcement Academy shortly after becoming Cochise County Sheriff, presents the back story on Butch Dixon, a local restaurateur and mystery writer, who is being framed for the the killing of his ex-wife, a woman who years earlier had run off with Butch's assets and his then best friend. Subsequently she pulled the same stunt with said best friend who then committed suicide. Not coincidentally, Butch was in Las Vegas when the murder occurred and it turns out that a series of threatening calls to her had been made from the pay phone in Butch's bar. Fortunately "the old blue line" of retired law enforcement officers is available to investigate the case.
Two disappointments: I selected this 124-page novella to entertain me during an afternoon spent in waiting rooms. Sadly, The Old Blue Line is wrapped up in only 72 pages, the remaining 52 pages being an introduction to another Jance novel the publishers hope I will rush out and buy. (I've already read it, thank you.)
And Sheriff Brady? She shows up in the last 3 pages when she comes into the bar after a class and orders a Coke. That's enough for Butch to be smitten and we are told that he subsequently sold his bar and followed her to Bisbee but that story is told elsewhere in the series.
So I am left with nothing to read. Fortunately, the last four pages are blank so I at least could do some sketching while I waited for the vet to finish treating the dog.
April 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this short prequel story about Joanna's husband Butch (pre-Joanna).
March 19, 2020
Like this author and the part of the country it is set in.
April 15, 2023
Butch explains how he came to AZ and met the love of his life. A sharp and snappy short story.
August 20, 2014
THE OLD BLUE LINE
J. A. Jance
Witness Impulse
August 2014
Butch Dixon pegs the two strangers as detectives the minute they walk into the door of his restaurant, The Roundhouse Bar and Grill in Peoria, Arizona, located next door to the police academy. Detectives Jamison and Shandrow are from the Las Vegas Police Department and are investigating the murder of Butch’s ex-wife, Katherine Melcher, who was known to him by the name of Faith. No matter what name she was going by, Butch had not seen nor heard from her since their divorce seven years ago. The detectives take great glee in showing Butch a copy of an email that “Katy” had written to her best friend saying Butch was calling her and that she was afraid of him. But, the email isn’t the only evidence the detectives have against Butch, and it’s pretty sure that someone is putting a big old frame around our hero.
Butch’s late grandmother had helped him out after Faith had cleaned him out in the divorce. Agatha brought him to Peoria and made him a full partner at the Roundhouse. Agatha had a spry eighty-two year old boyfriend, Tim O’Malley, a retired Chicago PD beat cop. Butch loves and respects the old man, and Tim gave him some very good advice and called in help from a bunch of old friends. The rest, as they say, is history.
THE OLD BLUE LINE is wonderful! First Class, Blue Ribbon characters fill this entertaining novella, and the premise and storylines are impeccable. And, by the way, Butch’s life takes a real good turn the day a new academy recruit walks into the Roundhouse for a Diet Coke – her name is Joanna Brady, the new Sheriff of Cochise County and the future Mrs. Dixon.
J. A. Jance is one of this reviewer’s top ten all-time favorite authors, and THE OLD BLUE LINE just might be one of my favorite stories she has penned. The tale is clever, outrageous, humorous, and terrific.
Betty Cox, Staff Reviewer
ReaderToReader.comdd
J. A. Jance
Witness Impulse
August 2014
Butch Dixon pegs the two strangers as detectives the minute they walk into the door of his restaurant, The Roundhouse Bar and Grill in Peoria, Arizona, located next door to the police academy. Detectives Jamison and Shandrow are from the Las Vegas Police Department and are investigating the murder of Butch’s ex-wife, Katherine Melcher, who was known to him by the name of Faith. No matter what name she was going by, Butch had not seen nor heard from her since their divorce seven years ago. The detectives take great glee in showing Butch a copy of an email that “Katy” had written to her best friend saying Butch was calling her and that she was afraid of him. But, the email isn’t the only evidence the detectives have against Butch, and it’s pretty sure that someone is putting a big old frame around our hero.
Butch’s late grandmother had helped him out after Faith had cleaned him out in the divorce. Agatha brought him to Peoria and made him a full partner at the Roundhouse. Agatha had a spry eighty-two year old boyfriend, Tim O’Malley, a retired Chicago PD beat cop. Butch loves and respects the old man, and Tim gave him some very good advice and called in help from a bunch of old friends. The rest, as they say, is history.
THE OLD BLUE LINE is wonderful! First Class, Blue Ribbon characters fill this entertaining novella, and the premise and storylines are impeccable. And, by the way, Butch’s life takes a real good turn the day a new academy recruit walks into the Roundhouse for a Diet Coke – her name is Joanna Brady, the new Sheriff of Cochise County and the future Mrs. Dixon.
J. A. Jance is one of this reviewer’s top ten all-time favorite authors, and THE OLD BLUE LINE just might be one of my favorite stories she has penned. The tale is clever, outrageous, humorous, and terrific.
Betty Cox, Staff Reviewer
ReaderToReader.comdd
July 11, 2014
This interesting novella by author J.A. Jance ends all too quickly. It’s an intriguing story you can easily get caught up in.
Narrator James Eckhouse does a great job giving the various characters their own unique voice. His interruption of the characters’ emotions and the setting enhances the author’s already captivating story.
Butch Dixon, owner of the Roundhouse Bar and Grill, finds himself the prime suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. He hasn’t seen or talk to his ex in quite some time, but evidence is showing a different story.
Turning to an old friend for help, Butch soon finds himself being helped by member of the Old Blue Line. He learns the group of retired law enforcement and legal professionals may be old, but they’re tenacious, cunning and a force that gets to the truth.
THE OLD BLUE LINE can be listened to/read on its own. For fans of Jance’s Sheriff Joanna Brady series, this will be an added bonus learning a bit of backstory about the sheriff’s husband before they were married.
It’s a fast moving story with well-developed characters. The story flows smoothly and the author’s vivid descriptions places you in the middle of the action.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Narrator James Eckhouse does a great job giving the various characters their own unique voice. His interruption of the characters’ emotions and the setting enhances the author’s already captivating story.
Butch Dixon, owner of the Roundhouse Bar and Grill, finds himself the prime suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. He hasn’t seen or talk to his ex in quite some time, but evidence is showing a different story.
Turning to an old friend for help, Butch soon finds himself being helped by member of the Old Blue Line. He learns the group of retired law enforcement and legal professionals may be old, but they’re tenacious, cunning and a force that gets to the truth.
THE OLD BLUE LINE can be listened to/read on its own. For fans of Jance’s Sheriff Joanna Brady series, this will be an added bonus learning a bit of backstory about the sheriff’s husband before they were married.
It’s a fast moving story with well-developed characters. The story flows smoothly and the author’s vivid descriptions places you in the middle of the action.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
August 23, 2014
"Blue Line" is yet another of these promotional novellas to incorporate the first chapter of the famous author's next full-length novel. We think fans of Sheriff Brady will be more pleased than might normally be the case as Jance provides a pretty lengthy back story on Joanna's second husband, Butch Dixon. In the story, we learn that he went through a bitter and bankrupting divorce from his first wife, partially at the instigation of his best friend who took the wife! We also discover how he got going in the restaurant business as well as his aspirations to become a mystery writer.
In the plot, his first wife winds up murdered when Butch happens to be out of town at a book convention of sorts. Naturally he's a prime suspect despite the passage of many years in which he hasn't even seen his ex. Fortunately, some retired cops step in to help him out of his jam, and, not that it was any surprise he didn't do it, things wrap up nicely - including meeting an interesting redhead at book's end named Joanna Brady! So the mystery per se isn't exactly stunning, but reading about Butch was fun enough for a half hour or so entertainment.
In the plot, his first wife winds up murdered when Butch happens to be out of town at a book convention of sorts. Naturally he's a prime suspect despite the passage of many years in which he hasn't even seen his ex. Fortunately, some retired cops step in to help him out of his jam, and, not that it was any surprise he didn't do it, things wrap up nicely - including meeting an interesting redhead at book's end named Joanna Brady! So the mystery per se isn't exactly stunning, but reading about Butch was fun enough for a half hour or so entertainment.
July 14, 2014
The OLD BLUE LINE by J A Jance
This novella gives us the back story for Butch Dixon, Sheriff Brady’s husband in many of J A Jance’s books that take place in Arizona.
Butch becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his former wife who had remarried and changed her name after divorcing Butch. How he defends himself is the plot. Although short this is a well-developed story with interesting characters and a layered plot.
Part of the book is a portion of Jance’s next book – REMAINS OF INNOCENCE.
4 of 5 stars
This novella gives us the back story for Butch Dixon, Sheriff Brady’s husband in many of J A Jance’s books that take place in Arizona.
Butch becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his former wife who had remarried and changed her name after divorcing Butch. How he defends himself is the plot. Although short this is a well-developed story with interesting characters and a layered plot.
Part of the book is a portion of Jance’s next book – REMAINS OF INNOCENCE.
4 of 5 stars
May 24, 2020
A great little novella
Another great little Sheriff Brady novella that gives her new husbands backstory and how they eventually met. The entire short story is told from Butch’s perspective. Highly recommended.
Another great little Sheriff Brady novella that gives her new husbands backstory and how they eventually met. The entire short story is told from Butch’s perspective. Highly recommended.
April 23, 2015
A really "cute" tale about JoAnna's husband, before he married her!
Charged with the murder of his ex-wife an unlikely posse of people come out to help him.
Fast read. Enjoyable and light.
Charged with the murder of his ex-wife an unlikely posse of people come out to help him.
Fast read. Enjoyable and light.
October 25, 2015
This is actually a novella about Butch Dixon, the man who becomes Joanna Brady's significant other, then husband. Fans will enjoy this background fill in on Butch.
January 1, 2016
Novella length, complete story; limited depth of character building; fills in some of Butch's background; good intro to Butch & Joanna meeting
October 3, 2023
A novella about Joanna Brady 's husband before they were married.
September 27, 2024
Had to listen to it -- couldn't find it in written word.... Good little story, but wish they had gone into more detail on meeting JoAnna......
Butch Dixon has been taken for a ride …
Not a jump in the car, see the sights kind of ride. He's been taken for everything he has. He's lost his house, his restaurant business, his savings, his car, his best friend, his faith—all to his conniving ex-wife. But that was seven years ago. He picked himself up, left Chicago, and started over in Peoria, Arizona, running the Roundhouse Bar and Grill. He doesn't look back on those bad years; there's no point. Not until two curious cops show up at the Roundhouse.
Faith, Butch's ex-wife, has been murdered, and the evidence points to him. Stunned, Butch quickly realizes that the black-hearted woman is going to ruin him again, from her grave. Lucky for Butch, the Old Blue Line, a group of retired—but still sharp and tenacious—former legal and law enforcement coots, have taken it upon themselves, as a favor, to make sure he doesn't cross that thin line. After the dust settles, Butch's life is again upended—when a little red-haired ball of fire, Sheriff Joanna Brady, takes a seat at his bar.
Butch Dixon has been taken for a ride …
Not a jump in the car, see the sights kind of ride. He's been taken for everything he has. He's lost his house, his restaurant business, his savings, his car, his best friend, his faith—all to his conniving ex-wife. But that was seven years ago. He picked himself up, left Chicago, and started over in Peoria, Arizona, running the Roundhouse Bar and Grill. He doesn't look back on those bad years; there's no point. Not until two curious cops show up at the Roundhouse.
Faith, Butch's ex-wife, has been murdered, and the evidence points to him. Stunned, Butch quickly realizes that the black-hearted woman is going to ruin him again, from her grave. Lucky for Butch, the Old Blue Line, a group of retired—but still sharp and tenacious—former legal and law enforcement coots, have taken it upon themselves, as a favor, to make sure he doesn't cross that thin line. After the dust settles, Butch's life is again upended—when a little red-haired ball of fire, Sheriff Joanna Brady, takes a seat at his bar.
September 8, 2021
I really liked the premise of this story. We follow a man named Butch who has established a new life for himself after his divorce which led him to lose everything to his ex wife a few years before. After his ex wife is murdered he becomes a suspect and quickly realises that the circumstances are not in his favour with his dubious and unprovable alibi.
I was keen to see how the story would unravel and liked Butch's perspective. While not surprising for a short story, I did find the ending and resolution very rushed and would have preferred a slightly longer story to wrap everything up in a bit more detail.
I was keen to see how the story would unravel and liked Butch's perspective. While not surprising for a short story, I did find the ending and resolution very rushed and would have preferred a slightly longer story to wrap everything up in a bit more detail.
February 16, 2024
I'm a big Joanna Brady fan, but this novella was disappointing. Not because Joanna herself barely appears-- I really wanted to learn more about Butch. But the wonderful Butch Dixon who gives his son a bath, and makes breakfast every morning in between writing mystery novels, was just a sketch in this book.
You'd think a guy whose wife cheated him out of a million dollars, then got lost, then got murdered would have a more interesting story than "my grandmother left me a restaurant." The Old Blue Line-- retired cops and a 94-yr old criminal defense attorney--just magically show up?
I have come to really like J.A. Jance, but this one had a "phone it in" quality.
You'd think a guy whose wife cheated him out of a million dollars, then got lost, then got murdered would have a more interesting story than "my grandmother left me a restaurant." The Old Blue Line-- retired cops and a 94-yr old criminal defense attorney--just magically show up?
I have come to really like J.A. Jance, but this one had a "phone it in" quality.
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