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Deadly Redemption: A Cal Claxton Mystery
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION IS A TREACHEROUS ONE
It's spring in Oregon's wine country, and small-town lawyer Cal Claxton is looking forward to watching his beloved Red Hills bloom with the promise of a bountiful grape harvest. But the arrival of an unexpected visitor forces him to revisit painful events from his previous life in Los Angeles. He feels compelled to return to the City of Angels to make up for a terrible injustice that caused an innocent man to spend thirteen years in prison. Cal's return also brings back dark memories of his wife's suicide, a tragedy that triggered his escape to Oregon and a new life.
The cold case, involving the murder of a beautiful young woman, quickly becomes one of the most dangerous and baffling of his storied career. Once a chief prosecutor for the city of L.A.-a go-to person for tough criminal cases-he now finds himself alone, forced to operate with nothing but his wits in a city that is even meaner and less forgiving than when he left it. He soon discovers that the case is not what it seems and finds himself pitted against an array of suspects who will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden. When Cal rekindles relationships with some of his former law enforcement colleagues, he finds they, too, have secrets to hide.
When Cal uncovers a shocking fact about the case, a series of events is set in motion that culminates, not only in resolution of the cold case but in something far deeper and more significant for the lawyer from Oregon.
"The Cal Claxton mysteries are well plotted with believable, multidimensional characters. They are so good and compelling I plowed through all nine in the past three or four months, in the order in which they were written." -Richard Meeker, Willamette Week
It's spring in Oregon's wine country, and small-town lawyer Cal Claxton is looking forward to watching his beloved Red Hills bloom with the promise of a bountiful grape harvest. But the arrival of an unexpected visitor forces him to revisit painful events from his previous life in Los Angeles. He feels compelled to return to the City of Angels to make up for a terrible injustice that caused an innocent man to spend thirteen years in prison. Cal's return also brings back dark memories of his wife's suicide, a tragedy that triggered his escape to Oregon and a new life.
The cold case, involving the murder of a beautiful young woman, quickly becomes one of the most dangerous and baffling of his storied career. Once a chief prosecutor for the city of L.A.-a go-to person for tough criminal cases-he now finds himself alone, forced to operate with nothing but his wits in a city that is even meaner and less forgiving than when he left it. He soon discovers that the case is not what it seems and finds himself pitted against an array of suspects who will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden. When Cal rekindles relationships with some of his former law enforcement colleagues, he finds they, too, have secrets to hide.
When Cal uncovers a shocking fact about the case, a series of events is set in motion that culminates, not only in resolution of the cold case but in something far deeper and more significant for the lawyer from Oregon.
"The Cal Claxton mysteries are well plotted with believable, multidimensional characters. They are so good and compelling I plowed through all nine in the past three or four months, in the order in which they were written." -Richard Meeker, Willamette Week
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2025
I have had the pleasure of listening to a few presentations by this author and have always enjoyed his mysteries. This one was particularly interesting because it tied up the loose ends of the "suicide" of his wife. A surprise ending, too! Several bad guys also meet their demise. A book that was hard to put down. Well-developed plot with compelling characters as Cal tries to right his wrong as the successful prosecutor in a case where an innocent man is convicted of a murder but is released after 13 years in San Quentin via the Innocence Project.
May 14, 2025
Mystery, Memory, and the Magic of Place
Warren Easley’s Deadly Redemption delivers another rich chapter in the Cal Claxton Oregon Mystery series. Easley brings Oregon to life with colorful, creative storytelling, then takes us on a winding path to L.A., where past and present collide in a mystery full of heart and dangerous tension.
I’m inspired by Easley’s ability to craft compelling characters and a rooted sense of place. As a fellow writer, I hope to follow in his reading and writing footsteps, telling stories that connect people, place, and purpose.
If you enjoy stories that blend nature, mystery, and humanity, this one’s worth the journey.
Warren Easley’s Deadly Redemption delivers another rich chapter in the Cal Claxton Oregon Mystery series. Easley brings Oregon to life with colorful, creative storytelling, then takes us on a winding path to L.A., where past and present collide in a mystery full of heart and dangerous tension.
I’m inspired by Easley’s ability to craft compelling characters and a rooted sense of place. As a fellow writer, I hope to follow in his reading and writing footsteps, telling stories that connect people, place, and purpose.
If you enjoy stories that blend nature, mystery, and humanity, this one’s worth the journey.
February 20, 2025
Another 5 star knockout from Warren Easley. Wishing for a higher rating here though. I keep wanting to love Cal Claxton's setting in Dundee and Portland Oregon and justify my high ratings on that and what it means to me, aside from Cal being just a great guy along with his supporting cast. This book though, takes him back to his past as a prosecutor in Los Angeles, and back to that setting and the mean streets and his memories from there. Next level and world class writing along with a twisty ending from Easley. A toast to you with good Northwest wine, Warren and Cal both!
June 25, 2025
great story
I have read all of the books in this series and this was a really surprising story - excellent. Also the addition of Cal’s meals and the accompanying wine is a nice bonus.
I have read all of the books in this series and this was a really surprising story - excellent. Also the addition of Cal’s meals and the accompanying wine is a nice bonus.
June 19, 2025
A gripping cold case mystery with emotional weight. Cal Claxton is a deeply human hero, and his journey back to L.A. is as personal as it is dangerous. The writing is sharp, the suspense real, and the redemption hard-earned.
May 28, 2025
I really enjoy this series. Yes, you have to slog through the first couple of chapters that are very repetitive from previous books just in case someone has not read the other books, but after that, it was a great fast moving mystery with an unexpected ending.
March 14, 2025
I've read every book in the Cal Claxton series and this, the 10th, is my very favorite. Cal returns to LA to look into a cold case in which he'd prosecuted the wrong man. The results of that investigation left me reeling and brought a depth to the series that I hadn't expected. Bravo, Warren Easley! I look forward to #11.
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August 2, 2025This gripping installment in the Cal Claxton mystery series delivers a compelling blend of legal drama, personal redemption, and intense suspense. Set against the contrasting backdrops of Oregon’s serene wine country and the gritty streets of Los Angeles, the story follows small town lawyer Cal Claxton as he confronts a haunting cold case and his own painful past.
December 3, 2024
Always love the characters…Cal, dog and others. Good read
December 22, 2024
10/10! One of the strongest in a murder mystery series involving a Willamette Valley attorney/private investigator.
August 28, 2025
Always a treat to dip into a new Cal Claxton book - or, move realistically, to devour one! Finished this one in two days - couldn't put it down! Love the character, love the settings (especially love the Oregon settings because that's home for me!). Keep them coming please, Mr. Easley!
June 4, 2025
It was fine for wine bar book club, but I would not have read it otherwise.
November 11, 2025
Low keyed mystery partially set where I live in Oregon, so its fun to visualize the background. But I like Easley’s plots which are fast moving and nicely mysterious.
August 24, 2025
Great end to the story? OR great bridge to the next?
I’ve now read all ten Cal Claxton Mysteries. I was bit skeptical when this one shifted south but man, it delivered. This continues my belief that Mr. Easley has captured the spirit of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee. Recommend this series!
I’ve now read all ten Cal Claxton Mysteries. I was bit skeptical when this one shifted south but man, it delivered. This continues my belief that Mr. Easley has captured the spirit of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee. Recommend this series!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews