Laws of Solomon

Martyr Maker #4

by Eriq La Salle

Redemption isn't given. It's fought for.

After years of violence, Solomon leaves the brutal backdrop of New York and its underworld to find peace in California where he settles for the quiet life of a gardener defined by routine, restraint, and a fragile kind of peace that had alluded him. Having been a former child soldier, mercenary, and hit man, he is determined to put his past behind him. But as violence erupts on the grounds he tends, his hard-won tranquility shatters when he encounters a young boy named Gaby whose life is in danger.

Protecting the child pulls Solomon back into a world he swore he'd buried. As they set out on an unexpected journey, hunted by men who will stop at nothing to get what they want, Solomon must confront not only the threat closing in but the darkness he carries within.

Propulsive and deeply human, Laws of Solomon is a story of redemption, found family, and the cost of choosing compassion in a brutal world. In saving Gaby, Solomon may finally discover whether peace is something a man like him can earn—or something he must sacrifice everything to protect.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2026

About the author

Actor, director, producer, and masterful storyteller Eriq La Salle is best known to worldwide television audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Dr. Peter Benton on the medical drama ER. Educated at Juilliard and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, his credits range from Broadway to film roles, starring alongside Eddie Murphy in Coming to America, Robin Williams in One Hour Photo, and Hugh Jackman in Logan. La Salle has maintained a prolific acting career while also taking the helm as director for HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Amazon Prime, ABC NBC, Fox and CBS productions. His craft as a crime writer was honed over his many seasons as a key member of the Dick Wolf Entertainment team, which include four years as executive producer and director on Chicago PD, in addition to directing episodes of Law & Order, Law and Order SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is also executive producer, director, and one of the lead actors of Dick Wolf's “On Call,” out in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. As a writer, La Salle is the author of several critically-acclaimed thrillers published by Sourcebooks—Laws of Depravity (2022), Laws of Wrath (2023), and Laws of Annihilation (2023). His episode of The Twilight Zone recently made WGA’s list of 101 Best Written TV Series. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Thomas]

4 stars for a fiction book that explores what happens to a former child soldier. Solomon was forced to become a child soldier at the age of seven, while the rest of his village, including his family, in 1972 Uganda, were murdered. He is forced to do unspeakable things. He escapes from this life and smuggles himself into the US. But he must work off the debt he incurred to get to the US by becoming an enforcer for a Russian mobster. Them a Harlem crime lord pays his debt so Solomon can work for him. He does this for several years and then decides to give up the world of violence and the crime lord lets him go.
He moves from NYC to California and marries. But then his wife and child are killed by a drunk driver. Solomon goes back to a life of violence before stopping again.
One quote: "Solomon had lived numerous lives. The winding path of fate had led him down many a violent road. In addition to having been a child soldier, a mercenary, an errand boy for the Russian mob, a longtime bodyguard and fixer for a Harlem gangster, he had even hired himself out as a freelance hitter in his later years."
The book goes back and forth between his child soldier years and his adult years.
Triggers: There is quite a bit of violence, but minimal sex or bad language. This book may not be for everyone, due to the dark subject it explores. I chose to read this book, because the author, Eriq LaSalle, is a very talented actor, director, and writer.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#LawsofSolomon #NetGalley

Pub Date Sep 8 2026

[Richard Derus]

Rating: 3.75* of five

The Publisher Says: Redemption isn't given. It's fought for.

After years of violence, Solomon leaves the brutal backdrop of New York and its underworld to find peace in California where he settles for the quiet life of a gardener defined by routine, restraint, and a fragile kind of peace that had alluded him. Having been a former child soldier, mercenary, and hit man, he is determined to put his past behind him. But as violence erupts on the grounds he tends, his hard-won tranquility shatters when he encounters a young boy named Gaby whose life is in danger.

Protecting the child pulls Solomon back into a world he swore he'd buried. As they set out on an unexpected journey, hunted by men who will stop at nothing to get what they want, Solomon must confront not only the threat closing in but the darkness he carries within.

Propulsive and deeply human, Laws of Solomon is a story of redemption, found family, and the cost of choosing compassion in a brutal world. In saving Gaby, Solomon may finally discover whether peace is something a man like him can earn—or something he must sacrifice everything to protect.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: The fatherly love Solomon lavishes on the child Gaby is very welcome to see in a literary landscape where men are solely violent and hateful, or redeemed by some woman or another. Solomon's world has only ever been violent so he's redeemed, but by the need to protect and guide a child not his.

Not to say he's non-violent...many readers will love that, but I didn't, and I can't get all the way to a fourth star despite how well-written the story is.

Poisoned Pen Press wants $7.99 for an ebook. Tolerant of violence? Go ahead.

[Eliza Hall]

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, I want to say that Eriq La Salle is a great writer. He does a wonderful job combining criminal legal details with a lyrical, almost poetic style that makes the story even more engaging. I really loved Laws of Solomon. One of the best parts for me was seeing Solomon’s life from his point of view, which made the story feel very real and personal.

The dual timeline worked very well and helped me understand the history of his family, country, and culture. It also answered many of the questions I had about Solomon from Laws of Depravity. Furthermore, I loved and became obsessed with how descriptive the author's writing continued to become as this made it more personal; it allowed me to emotionally connect with all of the main characters. The author really brought this story to life with so many emotional moments that I felt as if I was really experiencing it firsthand.

In the same way, I appreciated that the book had less filler and focused more on the plot and character growth, leading up to a strong ending. The characters were well developed, and the dual timeline added even more depth. Writing a thriller with this kind of poetic style is truly creative and one must be gifted to blend so many writing styles. One of my favorite characters had to be Gaby, such innocent and sweet soul that he also instilled within Solomon hope in God when Solomon saw none. Then, there was Michael, but you have to read the story to find out about it! No spoilers here!

The ending was one of my favorite parts because it was not predictable. Even when there were hints about what might happen, the way everything came together still surprised me. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to get a physical copy. It has stayed on my mind and will stick with me for a long time. This is a must read book!

I read this series in 10 DAYS| March Reading Wrap-Up| What I read in a month https://youtu.be/NS-bekwJ9FM

[Kim’s Kindle Reads.]

Where do I even start, my goodness. This book… safe to say this book made me feel the most. Going into this of course I was expecting the usual with the crew Quincy and Phee, solving a couple murders somehow in correlation to The African. To my surprise, this was NOT that and I mean that in the best way possible. This book was a lesson in humanity, compassion, redemption, and loyalty. This book asks the tough questions; Do you believe in God? Can you believe in a God that didn’t allow you the innocence of a child? Can you love and see the good in people despite the bad things they’ve done? Can you let others love you despite the bad things you’ve done? This book takes us through Solomon’s journey of understanding his own depravity while simultaneously trying to find peace in life and questioning if he even deserves said peace. After leaving his past behind as a hit man, he settles on some land with an old friend. He’s pulled back in when violence erupts and he saves a young boy (Gaby) from men hunting him down. MIND YOU, the little boy is 7 years old. It’s almost as if Solomon can see himself in Gaby. Solomon does what he does (kills mfas with skill and without remorse) to keep himself and Gaby safe. The book switches back and forth between the past and present giving us much needed insight into Solomon’s past.. we get glimpse into his childhood, how he became a hit man, his loves, his losses and everything in between. Solomon is a very complex yet simple individual. My heart broke reading this and I think it just may be my new favorite next to Laws of Wrath. I could talk about this masterpiece all day but it’s hard without giving spoilers. Just read the book and go in without expectations. Take this for what it is and enjoy the emotional ride.

Thank you Eriq La Salle and Poisoned pen press for the ARC copy.

[Grandma Susan]

★★★★☆

Laws of Solomon by Eriq La Salle was quite a departure from the books I normally read. It is dark, emotional, and at times extremely violent, but at its heart is a relationship that kept me listening even when I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the story.

Solomon is a man whose life has been shaped by unimaginable violence, beginning when he was just a child. He has done terrible things himself and believes there may be no redemption for a man like him. Then Gaby enters his life.

The relationship between Solomon and Gaby was, without question, my favorite part of this book. I loved watching their relationship grow, but even more than that, I loved watching them grow because of each other. Solomon wants to protect Gaby and give him the opportunity to have choices in life—something Solomon himself was denied as a child. At the same time, Gaby brings out something in Solomon that I don’t think Solomon believed was still there. Their relationship is what kept me invested in the story and wanting desperately to know how things would turn out for them.

The story also explores redemption, faith, forgiveness, and whether someone with a past like Solomon’s can ever truly find peace. I do believe Solomon ultimately finds that peace, and there are portions of the ending that I thought were absolutely beautiful.

However, this was also an unusually confusing read for me. I rarely find myself this confused by a book, but there were a couple of places where I genuinely struggled to understand what was happening or what the author intended, and some of the symbolism went right past me. One transition into events from roughly ten years earlier was particularly confusing in the audiobook because I didn’t initially realize the timeline had changed. The ending also contains symbolism that left me scratching my head even though I found much of it moving.

Readers should also be aware that this book is extremely violent. I normally read much gentler mysteries, and the violence here becomes quite graphic, particularly toward the end. There are gun battles and some explicit descriptions of injuries. It was considerably more graphic than my usual comfort zone.

Eriq La Salle narrates the audiobook himself, and he does an exceptional job. There is something special about hearing an author perform his own work, and you can genuinely hear La Salle’s passion for this story in his narration. His performance added another dimension to an already emotional story.

Ultimately, Laws of Solomon was a complicated reading experience for me. There were parts I loved, parts that were difficult for me to listen to, and a few parts that left me thoroughly confused. Yet I kept listening because I cared deeply about Solomon and Gaby. Their relationship, Solomon’s journey toward redemption, and some truly beautiful moments made this a memorable book—even if I’m still scratching my head over parts of it.

I was blessed with an ALC of Laws of Solomon through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and review. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

4 stars.

[Phil]

Eriq La Salle's novels are unmitigated successes. I connected with Solomon (who is apparently a character from the second novel? Curse you, middle-aged brain fog!) and his relationship with young Gaby; I was pleasantly surprised by a plot twist or two; and I can see how much Mr. La Salle effort has put in to make his vision a reality. Dr. Google tells me there should be one more final book in the Martyr Maker series, which I eagerly await!

[WHL (Bill)]

The Laws of Solomon by Eriq La Salle

What a powerful book. I really enjoyed The Laws of Solomon. This story pulled me in and kept me thinking about the choices we make, the consequences that follow, and what justice really means. Eriq La Salle has given us a story with plenty of heart, and it definitely stayed with me after I finished. A very satisfying read.

[BookishlySonia]

Laws of Solomon is an emotionally charged, pedal-to-the-metal story that takes readers on a journey from Africa to New York to California, showing us how Solomon became the enigmatic “Black Reaper.”

I wasn’t expecting this story to hit as hard as it did. La Salle’s writing is both captivating and fully visceral, drawing you into the characters’ emotions and the tension of each scene. The action is relentless, the stakes are high, and the moments of quiet reflection provide a real emotional punch, showcasing La Salle’s ability to weave poetic and gritty prose expertly together. I even shed a few tears…ok maybe more than a few.

My only minor critique is that the timelines could have blended more smoothly. Some flashbacks felt a little shoehorned into the narrative, momentarily pulling me out of the main story. That said, these moments are brief, and the overall pacing and storytelling more than make up for it.

While I am eager to return to the main series, this detour is absolutely worth it. It provides a fascinating deep dive into one of the most intriguing side characters from the series.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcie]

Thank you, Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press, for allowing me access to an Advanced Listeners Copy for my honest review!

This novel right here!! I finished Laws of Solomon in two days and that is only because I had to sleep. Eriq La Salle had me sitting outside in my car during my lunch break to finish this novel uninterrupted, and I am not mad at all!

I am late to the Martyr Maker thriller series. This is my first novel, but the fourth in the series. I didn’t feel lost at all. The story is so descriptive and the characters are expertly flushed out, I didn’t feel the need to stop reading and start with the first novel. La Salle really brought this to life with his well-crafted and emotional story telling. The fact that he is also the narrator- icing on the cake!

The main character is Solomon, a man carrying the weight of the world on his back, with scars all over his body to prove it. He has endured unimaginable horrors and committed unspeakable acts for pay and vengeance. His life in a California garden is peaceful and he is content with it's slow-pace. Until, young and innocent Gaby enters the picture. Tragedy befalls Gaby and Solomon is thrust back into the violent role of protector. But this time, he is determined that Gaby make it to a happy ever-after, no matter the cost.

Tension and suspense are in every chapter. No fillers, all conversations are intentional and add to the story. Every character introduced during his crusade- matters. I don't agree with all his choices, but to save Gaby, they are necessary. The story is action packed and La Salle handles it poetically.

The dual timelines are my favorite. Solomon’s early life was difficult and his upbringing, brutal. La Salle provides the reader with an understanding of Solomon’s family, culture, and country. It added considerably more emotional depth to the character. Gaby added a softness to him as well. I love that Solomon is seeking redemption for all the evil he put into the world. The ending is beautifully done and fulfilling. La Salle is a creating a masterpiece series and I am HERE for it.

[Papillon]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Solomon…I’ve always loved that name.

Solomon means peace.

It was all he craved.

Yet, he did not have any.

Solomon is a simple man that’s lived a layered life, one that’s been mottled with pain, misery, and bloodshed. Life has not been kind to him; he has only been afforded a few short bursts of happiness that were spread too far apart.

We know him. Or, really, we don’t. And he prefers it that way. We met him in Depravity and were introduced to him as “The African”. Born Azuma Dabekko, he now wanders the streets as simply Solomon.

I expected to read about Phee, Quincy, and Janet helping Solomon through this endeavor as we’ve seen in the other books previously. I am incredibly glad to be so wrong.

Next to Innocence, Solomon’s story is the most emotional. There were several points when I found my vision blurring against the words. My throat closed as I followed Solomon and Gaby along on their harrowing journey. I only intended to read the first few chapters to start, but little did I know that I wouldn’t move from that spot until I flipped to the last page.

I can’t help but think about little Gaby. Gabriel, meaning “man of God”. A name such as that signifies “strength” and “new beginnings”. A strength that he shares so selflessly with Solomon even when he doesn’t know he needs it.

To hear about Idi Amin in an American thriller novel was a surprise, but was incredibly appreciated. It is not often that moments of our history are given a spotlight on the main stage.

I don’t think I’ve ever immediately wanted to reread a novel if only to stay with the characters just a little while longer, but here we are. Even if it means heartache all over again. The journey is painful, it’s emotional, but it’s theirs.

[Marcia reading past dark]

I am still haunted…reeling, like I’ve been gut-punched, as I search for words to describe the effect of LAWS OF SOLOMON by Eriq La Salle. This story begins in a garden with Solomon Nangobi, “the African,” who is finally content, having found a simple life of tending the earth. This solitary, monkish existence gives him a purpose, and he is at peace.

“The land was his only true respite. The hours in which he tilled, planted, or pruned somehow managed to keep the hauntings at bay.”

And by page 14, the snake enters the garden. At this point, the reader is already trapped. Laws of Solomon captivates and then it quickly ensnares. This reader was right there. I could not put it down. Why? Because of Solomon. He’s a man whose faithfulness to his friends leaves him with both nightmares and scars, and yet he continues.

“…because he was more than willing to go to hell and back to protect the boy and avenge Doc Callan and McKinty.”

This book is #4 In the Martyr Maker series. Why have I never heard of this author?

Eriq La Salle’s writing is raw, cutting, and instantly engaging. Every scene is tense, and the action moves with emotions that pound like a heartbeat. Is it sad? Yes, and it is brutal, at times; but there is a tenderness, especially in scenes with the boy (Gaby) that are nothing less than beautiful.

[Joel]

Full disclosure: I did not realize Laws of Solomon was part of a series until after I finished in and heard Eriq La Salle's afterword, so I was fully unfamiliar with the character. I will say that's a testament to the story, as it feels like a standalone that can be enjoyed without having read the other books, though now I would like to go back and read the others.

The character of Solomon is complex and reminds me of other antihero protagonists I've read, ones who you're not sure you like or at least have trouble cheering for due to their fatal flaws, but you do anyway because they have an honorable goal, in this case protecting the life of the young boy Gabi. The main story is one that has been told before but not always to this depth: Solomon, happening to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, saves Gabi from hired killers working for a cartel, and find his quiet retreat into obscurity dashed as he ends up a with a target on his own back for preventing the hit. He has no idea why anyone wants to kill the boy, and he pulls out all his chits to seek help along the way, even as Gabi starts to see him as a sort of father figure, albeit one whose methods of which Gabi does not approve.

The descriptions are vivid and the authenticity of voice is solid, as African undertones lace each chapter and plays a major role in shaping who Solomon is. Understanding what Solomon has gone through also helps to understand why he is as he is, even if it is still difficult to agree with his methods.

My one complaint is that the flashback chapters are disjointed and feel like filler, as most have no bearing on the current plot. The most problematic was having two detailed back-to-back chapters showing Solomon falling in love, raising a family, and then losing them (this is not a spoiler as it's referenced multiple times earlier in the story). This happens right before the climax, and feels disjointed, particularly as it has no direct relevance at all on the current plot. These flashbacks hurt the pacing of the book, and there were times where I really wanted to skip through them but feared I might miss something relevant to the plot (note: I would not). I understand they were intended to explain Solomon's motivations, and the emotion Eriq puts into these chapters both in his writing and his narration illustrate how important and meaningful they are to him, but I feel it would have been better to include them earlier, perhaps broken up a bit, or else substantially shortened. Maybe if the flashbacks had been in chronologic order so it was a parallel timeline, it would have felt more natural, but as it is written it was difficult for me to follow.

Eriq's narration is excellent, my only criticism here is that at times he spoke too softly for me to hear while listening in my car and even with the volume turned way up.

Thank you to the author/narrator, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide an unbiased review.

[Mrz. McCane]

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Where do I even begin, this was a beautifully written thriller that made me question everything!

We follow Solomon, a man trying to leave his violent past behind and finally build a peaceful life for himself. But when he meets a young boy named Gaby who needs help, everything changes.

What I loved most about this book is that it’s really about unexpected connections and how the right person can come into your life at exactly the right time. There’s plenty of action, suspense, and revenge throughout the story, but this book was all about the relationship that grows between Solomon and Gaby.

The flashbacks to Solomon’s childhood were some of my favorite parts of the book. It gave us more background on his character, and the author’s writing brought every scene to life. Those moments were emotional, powerful, and helped me understand why Solomon became the man he is.

It’s so hard to say too much without giving away any spoilers, but just know that this is an absolute must read.

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek]

🗽 Laws of Solomon 🗽
((Spoiler- Free ARC))

Title- Laws of Solomon
Author- Eriq La Salle
Genre- Thriller/ Crime Thriller
Series- Martyr Maker Book 4

Trope City-
🗽 Retired Killer
🗽 Hunted/On the Run
🗽 Reluctant Protector
🗽 Found Family
🗽 Good vs. Evil

Trigger Warning ⚠️
Unexpected family loss, loss of a child, grief, violence

Eriq La Salle took us on an entire ride with this one! I was on the edge of my seat, shedding tears, laughing, curious and then full sobbing at the end. Laws of Solomon takes readers on a journey from one land to another, fighting vastly different battles. Most of Solomon’s fights were chosen, others forced but the man had spent nearly his entire existence fighting. What an exhausting way to live. The last battle was to protect a child who was not his own. He committed evil acts in the name of something good. Isn’t that the push and pull of every day life? Only his was far more illegal and extreme. In the end, was all the fighting worth it? The end will crush your soul, my friends.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this arc with me! 🫶🏻

[VickydpBooks]

This was a different kind of read for me, but I really enjoyed it.

Solomon is one of those characters you’re not quite sure what to make of at first. He’s got a seriously dark past and has done some pretty terrible things, but now he’s trying to live a quiet life and leave all of that behind.

Then Gaby comes along and completely changes things.

I really liked the relationship between Solomon and Gaby. You get to see a much softer side of Solomon, and the lengths he’s willing to go to protect Gaby really show just how much he’s changed. Even though he knows going back to that life could cost him everything, he just can’t walk away.

There’s plenty of action and some pretty tense moments, but I think it was the emotional side of the story that got me the most.

I liked the whole idea of whether someone can really leave their past behind and if redemption is actually possible after everything Solomon has done.

It’s not exactly a light read, but it pulled me in and I found myself really caring about what happened to Solomon and Gaby.

Definitely worth picking up if you like stories with action but also plenty of heart.

[CeCe novelnlit]

Audiobook read/ALC

Overall: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Plot: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Characters: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Ending: 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: n/a

Narration: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First time reading the author and book in their series. It was so well written. There’s some time hopping, but it’s perfectly placed. A great crime drama that will give action packed thrills and also all the feels.

I definitely think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the other books of the series. But I was captivated enough to want to give the other books a read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thanks NetGalley and Recorded Books for the ALC.

[Sandy]

Meet Solomon, who has emigrated from Africa to New York as a teenager. His childhood was full of violence and horrific situations not of his choice. Not long after arriving in America, Solomon realized he could not escape the ghosts of his past nor the evil of man. He chose the underworld and found no joy or peace in what he did.

After years in New York, Solomon moved to Southern California, hoping to find peace. and escape from the brutalities of his past. Sadly, that was not to be. What started out to be faith and love for him was quickly destroyed by another kind of evil, again forcing Solomon back into a life of destroying others.

Finally, in an effort to find Zen, Solomon works in a garden in coastal Malibu where he is forced to protect the life of a small boy, Gaby. The majority of the book surrounds the spiritual, physical and mental conundrum Solomon must go through as he decides whether to save the boy as he confronts all the demons in his past.

An excellent novel of a man constantly searching for redemption in a dark world. The author describes Solomon so passionately both physically and emotionally that I felt I could see him, feel his pain, see him struggle with his nightmares.

I've never read Eric La Salle, but I've admired his acting. I must say his talents as a writer are certainly fabulous and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a great thriller with a big helping of violence.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Poison Pen Press and the multi-talented author for a thought provoking ARC of a different type of thriller in consideration for an unbiased review.

4 ⭐️

[Bossmanaries Smith]

What happens to the broken, can the broken be repaired or made new? Behind all of the action, violence and various movements, Laws of Solomon gives us the ability to look into a mirror and see ourselves in past, preset and future. Can redemption happen? Eriq LaSalle’s writing is both engaging and exciting to my mind as the philosophical crime thriller rolls through my mind. LaSalle peels backs an onion and releases aromatics into our senses that we experience tastes in our mouths along with comfort within our hearts and souls.

Unlike others, this is my first Eriq LaSalle book and the first one from the Martyr series, even though it’s the fourth installment. I can truly say that this book is a standalone book however, the veteran readers of the series are in for treats as this is Solomon’s story (aka the African). He was a minor character but since reading this book, I have great affection for this character and when going back to read the other books, my enjoyment will be even greater.

🎧 Audiobook Narration: The actor Eriq LaSalle capably performed the narrations of this thriller. If you have any trepidations about an author reading their own book, he brought his A-game in this book.

Thank you as #netgalley #rbmedia for this fantastic thriller that has brought tears to my eyes. All thriller lovers and people who enjoy character driven stories will love this fast paced production. #LawsofSolomon #NetGalley.

Rating: 5 stars

[Jena (lit_editions)]

Amazing…Solomon is a bad mutha…

[Melvin Hunter]

Laws of Solomon completely pulled me in. Eriq La Salle’s writing has such a smooth, natural flow that there were moments I forgot I was reading and felt like I was right there in the story. At times, he felt like a literary tour guide, taking me through each setting and moment so clearly that I could picture everything happening around me.

Solomon is such a layered character. He’s dangerous and calculating, but also vulnerable, loving, insecure, and shaped by everything he has been through. The more I learned about him, the more I understood why he became the man he is, without feeling like the story was asking me to excuse the things he has done. His connection with Gabby also brought an emotional and almost spiritual side to the story that really stayed with me.

The audiobook was just as good. La Salle narrates it himself, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else doing it better. His acting background definitely comes through, but more than that, he knows exactly how his own words are supposed to sound. His voice, timing, and emotion made the story even more immersive.

My only small criticism is that I expected the final conflict to be a little more action-packed after all the buildup, but the emotional payoff still worked beautifully for me.

This was my first book in the Martyr Maker world, and it absolutely works as a standalone. I never felt lost, but it did make me want to go back and read the previous books.

Beautifully written, immersive, brutal, emotional, and deeply human. One of my favorite reads—and listens—of the year.

I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelvonbooks]

I’ve read all 3 Martyr Maker novels and was excited to continue the story with all of the revelations discovered in “Laws Of Annihilation.” I was ready to get into the NYC Metropolis with Phee, Quincy, and Janet, but instead found a minor character in the canon, The African (who we now know is named Solomon), who he has traded NYC for Southern California in search of a quiet life.

It is a story of revenge, redemption, love, loss, and an array of feelings we experience through the scope of Solomon and his contemporaries. The author masterfully bounces through timelines, keeping you engaged in both.
Faced with tragedy as a young boy in Uganda, Solomon survived as a child soldier and spent decades as a fixer for one of the most powerful men in NY before making his home on the west coast. I remember him acquiring illegal firearms in Laws of Depravity, and here he has many complex layers that seem to work with each other and fight each other at the same time. When he ends up with Gaby, Solomon must use his past skills to protect the boy, while the villain Cesar is a psychopath that fits perfectly with the fanatically religious antagonists of the series but in a new and completely different way. Gaby is a magical character that you just have to read to understand. Every character is humanized in superb fashion.

Mr La Salle does not disappoint. This work is very well written, and not a single word is wasted. I also love that while this is the 4th book in the series, a reader could pick this book up without reading the first three and not feel lost. I am always amazed at the research that goes into this series. The amount of historical, procedural, and religious knowledge that is meticulously weaved into the narrative and characters actions and feelings, not force fed to you through boring exposition.

I am already hoping for the fifth installment of the Martyr Maker series!

[Julie]

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing the copy of Laws of Solomon by Eriq La Salle. I had no idea he was an author now, and I was excited to read this book. Is it fair that someone can be a director, a spectacular actor, AND a kicka$$ writer? This is book four in the Martyr Maker series, but a first for me. Solomon is a killer, but he has a meditative, compassionate side. I loved how three-dimensional he is. If you love action-filled stories and characters that are likable despite their flaws, this is the book you’ve been waiting for! 4 stars

[Melissa]

Solomon… where do I even begin?

Laws of Solomon by Eriq La Salle is one of those books that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. It’s a beautifully written, deeply layered thriller that made me question everything—not just the characters and their choices, but the very nature of violence, redemption, identity, and what it means to become something different from the person you once were.

Solomon is one of the strongest morally gray protagonists I’ve read this year. He is a man shaped by violence, haunted by his past, and carrying the weight of a lifetime of choices. Yet beneath all of that darkness is a humanity he has never completely lost. Watching him slowly rediscover compassion, purpose, and hope was what elevated this story beyond a traditional thriller for me.

Solomon is trying to leave his violent past behind and build something resembling a peaceful life. Then he meets a young boy named Gaby who needs his help, and everything changes.

Their relationship became the heart of the story for me. What begins as an unexpected connection slowly becomes something much deeper, proving that sometimes the strongest families are the ones we choose rather than the ones we are born into. Gaby gives Solomon something he hasn’t had in a long time: a reason to look beyond survival.

And then there are the flashbacks to Solomon’s childhood, which were some of my favorite parts of the book. They give us a glimpse into the experiences that shaped him and help us understand the man standing before us. La Salle’s writing brings those moments to life in a way that is emotional, raw, and at times difficult to read. The violence isn’t there simply for shock value; it becomes part of the larger question the book keeps asking: How much of who we become is shaped by what was done to us?

This is very much a character-driven story, even with all the action, suspense, violence, and revenge woven throughout it. The tension comes not only from what is happening around Solomon, but from watching him wrestle with who he has been and who he might still become.

Throughout the novel, La Salle explores redemption, legacy, identity, ancestry, forgiveness, and the consequences of the choices we make. And somehow, he does it without slowing the thriller down. There is always something moving beneath the surface, another layer being revealed, another question waiting to be answered.

What I appreciated most is that the book never asks us to excuse Solomon’s past. It doesn’t erase his mistakes or pretend that the damage he has caused doesn’t matter. Instead, it asks a much harder question: Is redemption still possible when you cannot undo what you’ve done?

What happens to the broken? Can the broken be repaired? Can something damaged beyond recognition be made new?

By the time I reached the ending, I realized this wasn’t really a story about revenge. It was about what we leave behind. It was about whether a lifetime of mistakes can ever be outweighed by the choice to do good. It was about legacy—not simply what we inherit, but what we choose to pass on.

And somewhere beneath all the action, violence, secrets, and shifting loyalties, Laws of Solomon holds up a mirror. It asks us to look at ourselves—our past, our present, and the person we might become in the future. Because maybe redemption isn’t about becoming innocent again. Maybe it’s about finally making different choices.

Eriq La Salle’s writing completely pulled me in. There is something almost philosophical about this crime thriller, and I found myself thinking about its questions long after I finished reading. Solomon stayed with me. His choices stayed with me. Gaby and the relationship they built stayed with me.

I cannot stop thinking about this book.

Laws of Solomon is more than a thriller. It’s dark, emotional, thought-provoking, and deeply human. It made me question whether people can truly change, whether the past has the final say in who we become, and whether even the most broken person can find a way toward something better.

And oh, did I mention that Eriq La Salle narrates the audiobook himself?

Yep. Game over.

Infinity.

Thank you to Eriq LaSalle, RBMedia and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Nikkyg reads 📚]

The story centers on Solomon, a former child soldier, mercenary, and hit man who has spent years trying to leave violence behind. Seeking peace in California as a humble gardener, he has crafted a quiet life defined by routine and restraint. yet his fragile tranquility shatters when he encounters a young boy named Gaby whose life is under threat. Pulled back into deadly conflict and world he thought he’d left behind, Solomon must protect Gaby and confront both external enemies and his own inner darkness.

Laws of Solomon, a gritty, deeply human thriller that blends high-stakes suspense with a fierce emotional core.

The story centers on Solomon, a former child soldier and hit man who has spent years trying to leave violence behind. Seeking peace in California as a gardener, he has crafted a life defined by routine and restraint, yet his fragile tranquility shatters when he encounters a young boy named Gaby whose life is under threat. Pulled back into deadly conflict, Solomon must protect Gaby and confront both external enemies and his own inner darkness.

It opens with quite striking descriptive beauty, immediately immerses the reader in the natural world that shapes its central character. The introduction to Solomon Nangobi is especially powerful, his quiet ritual of smelling the soil and feeling the earth beneath his bare feet establishes not only setting, but identity which is a theme that runs throughout the book.
His deep love of the land and the sense that he belongs to it create a tender, almost spiritual connection that lingers throughout the novel.
What makes Solomon so compelling is the contrast at the heart of his character. The gentle, tender hands of a land-loving man are the same hands scarred by a violent past. This juxtaposition, the peaceful steward of the earth and the once killer creates a tension that drives the story forward. The author handles this duality beautifully, never allowing Solomon to become one-dimensional. Instead, he feels human, conflicted, and achingly real. A complex character that I felt connected to.
Cesar Quintero’s storyline is also one that affects the reader. The tragedy surrounding his son is handled with sensitivity and depth, highlighting the hollow nature of power when it truly matters. Cesar may possess money, influence, and reputation, but none of it can buy health or protect the people he loves, which is also in contrast to Solomon’s journey to protect Gaby. That sense of helplessness, of having so much control in the world and yet none at all in the face of losing the one you love the most is one of the novel’s most poignant themes.
The layered backstories enrich the narrative considerably. Learning more about characters like Cesar Quintero and Doc Callan, as well as Ida and Aisha, adds emotional weight and complexity. The histories of the characters are woven into the present-day storyline in a way that deepens our understanding without slowing the pace. Solomon is shaped by his past, his choices and his regrets.
This is a story that pulls you in, it’s the kind of book you read in one sitting because you don’t want to step away from its world. It is sad, thought provoking, and at times hauntingly beautiful. The writing captures both the brutality and the grace of human nature.
Overall, Laws of Solomon is a well-written, emotionally resonant novel that balances raw violence with lyrical beauty, a story that lingers like the scent of earth after the rain storm.

Thank you to netgalley and poison pen press for the arc

[Ivy Lee]

When getting into this book, I expected a high-stakes thriller, yes. But I never expected it to carry such an emotional weight.

The story follows Solomon, a former child soldier in Africa, turned hitman for the underground bosses of New York. He has become a legend over the years, taking on several nicknames like "the Black Reaper", "the Darkness", and "the Winter Ghost". He has been in way too many battles to count, and yet has scars to prove each of them, both physically and emotionally. After leaving the life of a killer behind and starting work at a botanical garden, he tries to make the most of his peaceful days. However, those days come to an end after a gunfight at the botanical garden targeting an eight-year-old boy named Gaby, who has the smile and the personality of a ray of sunshine. He then vows to protect Gaby and ensure his safety no matter what it takes, and faces all of the demons of his past along the way.

I always knew Eriq La Salle as an amazing actor, but this was my first meeting with the amazing author that he is. His prose naturally follows and carries a lot of emotions without being overwhelming, and that in itself is enough to keep the pages turning.

The story is structured on dual timelines, and each flashback is so masterfully connected to the events of the present day that Solomon's every action and every decision is thoroughly explained and even justified. While the cat-and-mouse chase of the present day keeps the tension building, the flashbacks reveal tragic realities. One of such realities is how the child soldiers of Africa are made. How they are snatched from their families after unimaginable amounts of torture and bloodshed. It is then followed by the reality of hopeless people who are trapped between saving their families and a world of infinite darkness and violence brought on by the underground bosses that everyone fears.

Eriq La Salle does an incredible job of bringing out the deeply human emotions of a man like Solomon, who earns his living by ending others' lives, and showing that although life pushed him into darkness, he still managed to keep some parts of his heart tender.

Gaby, on the other hand, is the epitome of a ray of sunshine in human form. Not only that, but his courage in the face of everything he faces at the very young age of just eight is nothing short of admirable. His unconditional faith in Solomon and in the goodness in him shows the purity of a child's soul, but also his unexpected maturity, which lets him see behind the walls and intimidating front that Solomon puts up.

The book also touches upon issues of racial discrimination and shows how such discrimination can come from even the ones we consider "distant kin". From this trauma emerges the healing experience of found family, and La Salle exquisitely proves that found family can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. So much so that even an act of kindness and mercy one may not think too much of can lead to lifesaving paybacks.

The plot and character developments in the book are flawless, and the story completes a full cycle; a very emotional one at that. It is really hard for me to choose certain types of readers this book might speak to, because I strongly believe it is a story every reader should experience.

Huge thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley, and author Eriq La Salle for the ARC!

[Orsayor]

Eriq La Salle didn’t just keep the series going; he took it to another level.

From the beginning, you notice a shift. The story moves beyond action or revenge, focusing instead on what a man does when he’s tired of living by the world’s rules.

In this fourth book, La Salle changes the focus. It’s not just about what a man has done, but about what’s left of him after everything is taken away.

Solomon is at the heart of the story, both as a character and as a symbol.

He is heavy, and I mean that in the best way. He is not loud. He is not flashy. He is not trying to prove anything. He is a man carrying a lifetime of violence, grief, and ghosts that refuse to let him rest. And the way La Salle writes him is controlled and intentional. You can sense every scar even when Solomon is not speaking a word.

The action in this book matters. It isn’t just for show; it’s the result of everything that’s come before. Each moment feels important because it’s about more than just surviving; it’s about who Solomon really is. He has to face what he’s tried to hide, not just his past but his true self. The story asks: Can someone shaped by violence ever really leave it behind, or is he just waiting for it to return?

Then the child appears, and everything changes.

This is where the story elevates beyond the mechanics of a thriller. The boy is not just there to move the plot. He represents innocence that has not yet been claimed by the world’s brutality. In his presence, Solomon is no longer just reacting. He is being measured.

Protection becomes more than instinct. It becomes a purpose.

Through this bond, La Salle looks at redemption in a real way. There’s no simple forgiveness or easy answers. Instead, there’s responsibility and choice, the hard, quiet work of changing your actions when it would be easier to stay the same.

Faith and philosophy are blended naturally here. Thoughts about God, justice, and the power of nature come together to ask something deeper: Where do we really find meaning? It’s not just in what we believe, but in what we do when faced with the impossible.

Even the dialogue carries weight. Nothing feels like filler. Every conversation is layered with history, ideology, and tension.

La Salle’s writing is steady and purposeful. The pacing is confident, letting the story breathe but never losing its tension. He knows when to pause and when to move forward. This balance gives the story depth. The violence hits hard because the quiet moments matter, and those quiet moments feel important because they’re always at risk.

Laws of Solomon stands out because it focuses on inner struggles instead of just solving problems on the outside. This isn’t the end, it’s where everything starts to come together. The past, present, and future all meet here, hinting at something bigger to come.

This book is the SOUL OF THE SERIES!

Laws of Solomon is a thoughtful and complex addition to the series, taking it to new depths. It questions what redemption means, examines survival, and forces its main character to face a life he can never truly leave behind.

[Teresia Fredriksson]

“As he did most nights, he waited for the ghosts to come. They came without fail, announcing their arrival first by song and tribal chants. “

We meet the main character of the book, Solomon, in a beautiful setting of a botanical garden near the northern tip of Malibu. Here Solomon has found a place of peace and solace as he has worked on restoring the gardens over a period of two years. He spends his days working in the garden, his nights reading all the great writers, and his mornings drinking tea and discussing the books with his employer Tanaka. The peace is shattered, and a hint of his troubled past is revealed as he is forced into violent action to save a small boy Gaby from an attack by the Mexican drug cartel known as the Zetas. This is the start of a chase story, where Solomon and Gaby flee from the Zetas, and try to find shelter. Throughout the chase, the reader learns about Solomons violent past, from his start as a small child in a village in Uganda, as a child soldier, and arriving in America as a teenager and moving through the ranks of various criminal constellations.
The book takes the reader on a journey of discovery, of Salomon and his past, of the people he has met, of his adversary and their reasons for pursuing the child. We travel back in time to see how Salomon grew into the person he is, as well as meeting the people he has interacted with and their reasons for helping him out on the present journey.

At first glance, the book seems to be a straightforward thriller. However, already from the first sentences “As he did most nights, he waited for the ghosts to come. They came without fail, announcing their arrival first by song and tribal chants. “the reader realizes that this will be a very different thriller indeed. It is a book about a journey through time and growth, how a person’s ghosts can shape and guide them towards an end of peace and reconciliation.

I enjoyed the book immensely, as it did keep me guessing on what the story would entail. Getting to know Solomon, was both a scary and an illuminating experience. The language of the book was a pleasure to read, and the author builds a wonderful story by switching between present day and past history for both the main character and the other characters of the story. It builds a complete universe of characters, each with their own flavor and view of the world.

I would recommend this book to anyone, be it an avid thriller addict or someone who prefers literature to give some insight into human nature and personal development. It is a captivating read, and a great journey.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Rainelle]

Oh my stars. Solomon who? Callan what? These are questions that I simply cannot reveal. You have to read the book. I did and listen to me when I tell you this. Get ready. One word. Masterpiece! That’s it.
I said it. This story gives you so much and guess what? It gives you even more on top of that. How thrilling is that? From the moment that one person averted their eyes- . Bam!
The book took off and did not stop. How wonderful it was to have the opportunity to read such a heart pounding. Suspenseful story. Solomon’s story will affect you on so many levels. My level petered out on compassion.
I understood Solomon’s mission so I settled in and buckled up to a one heck of a good story. The plot is absolutely fantastic. The storyline is unbelievable and the main characters objective is fantastic. The details within the story were on point. The details tapped into my imagination.
The details had me feeling that I was at the theater watching some epic of a lifetime good movie. The chapters seemed to flow into the next one and the next one. Not losing the momentum of the book. What about the characters? They are amazing.
It was like I couldn’t dislike the villains, because their story was just that good. As a mom I understood where the parent was coming from. I understood his battle of good, bad and desperation. You ask what has Solomon to do with this? “Ahem”.
He has a whole lot to do with it and then some. The telling of Solomon’s earlier years is exceptional. You get to read and understand his character through some of the most tragic and happiest days of his life. And that’s what I take away from this. How Solomon was able to come out on the other side.
Everything about the book just reads so smoothly. As I said the transition from one chapter to the next was exquisite. You don’t lose the momentum of that part with in the book. As the reader often times the story seemed so real to me. Some aspects of that feeling of realism added some much excitement to the action scenes.
And those action scenes were great. I felt that the relationship between Gabby and Solomon was somewhat of a father and son. It was heartwarming and endearing. I can only say that this was a phenomenal read. I enjoyed reading it so much. I give this book two gold snaps and a twit.
Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[C.Mikki Dawson]

Eriq La Salle’s Laws of Solomon is nothing short of a literary masterpiece. While the entire Martyr Maker series has been a compelling journey, this installment elevates the narrative to a new level. By taking a character briefly mentioned in previous books and granting him a dedicated, deeply realized origin story, La Salle creates a reading experience that is both expansive and intimately personal.

The novel is expertly layered, serving as a profound meditation on how trauma ripples through a lifetime. La Salle brings a specific era of history to life, not just through dates and facts, but through raw, atmospheric emotion. He writes with a visceral quality that ensures you don't just witness the story; you feel it deep in your soul.

Without venturing into spoiler territory, the protagonist is someone for whom you feel immediate empathy. However, as the narrative peels back the layers of his past, your understanding of who he has become—and the forces that shaped him—transforms the book into an incredible character study.
The relationship between the young characters, particularly the lessons of love that Gaby imparts to Solomon in small, quiet moments, is palpable and heart-wrenching. The book operates on the powerful truth that everyone has a motivation for their actions—even the villains—and La Salle navigates these moral gray areas with remarkable grace.

The use of shifting timelines is handled beautifully, weaving the past and present together to build tension and clarity. The writing is so evocative that I found myself needing to pause; one section was so devastating I had to step away for a moment to process it. Later, another heartbreaking revelation was so impactful I nearly threw the book in frustration—the highest compliment one can pay to a high-stakes thriller.

What makes Laws of Solomon truly stand out is its re-readability. Upon finishing, I realized just how many breadcrumbs La Salle had scattered throughout the prose. I immediately found myself flipping back through the pages to see the story from this new, deeper perspective.

Laws of Solomon is a testament to what literature should be: a mirror to the human condition that leaves you changed. It is a haunting, beautiful, and essential addition to the series.

[Kimberly]

Eriq La Salle’s Laws of Solomon started with my early-morning coffee, and somewhere along the way that coffee went cold because I kept telling myself, “one more chapter.” A huge thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted book. And can we talk about the fact that I’ve known La Salle for years as an actor, director, and producer, yet somehow never realized he was also writing crime novels? Apparently I have some catching up to do.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one surprised me because I expected a straight-up thriller. It absolutely has the violence, danger, and edge-of-your-seat moments, but underneath all of that is a really emotional story about a man trying to figure out whether someone with his past can ever truly find peace.

Solomon has lived a life filled with things most of us can’t imagine. A former child soldier, mercenary, and hit man, he has finally walked away from New York and settled in California, where tending gardens gives him something close to the quiet life he’s always wanted.

Then he meets Gaby.

When the young boy’s life is threatened, Solomon steps in to protect him, and suddenly every skill he hoped he’d never need again comes rushing back. Their relationship ended up being the heart of this book for me. Gaby brings out this softer side of Solomon that he doesn’t seem quite sure he deserves, and I became ridiculously invested in the two of them.

We also move through Solomon’s past, and some of those scenes are rough. They explain so much about the man he became without asking you to excuse the choices he’s made. That distinction mattered to me. He is definitely morally gray—possibly several shades past gray—but I still found myself rooting hard for him.

And knowing La Salle’s background in television and directing? I could absolutely see it while reading. Some scenes played so clearly in my head that this practically begged to be watched on a screen.

I went into this because I was curious about Eriq La Salle the novelist. I finished it wanting to go back and read the rest of the Martyr Maker series.

What’s a book that completely surprised you because you thought you knew what you were getting…and then it gave you so much more?

#LawsofSolomon #EriqLaSalle #PoisonedPenPress #MysteryThriller #CrimeFiction #ThrillerBooks