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Backwater
From grandmaster of noir James Sallis, author of the cult classic Drive, a breathtaking and poignant small town detective procedural—and examination of human nature
When an old friend from his days on the police force makes a plea for him to come and help with what seems a murder case, jazz guitarist Bishop steps back into a former life. Two major problems, though. The job’s in the town where he grew up, to which he vowed never to return. And his friend disappears, leaving Bishop with responsibilities he never anticipated or wanted. Not to mention a couple more murders.
Bishop slips into his old role as easily as into well-worn, comfortable old clothes. Getting his bearings in the town’s close society and among his own memories is a different matter. This breathtaking novel from grandmaster of noir James Sallis, author of Drive, is both a resonant detective procedural and a deep examination of human nature.
When an old friend from his days on the police force makes a plea for him to come and help with what seems a murder case, jazz guitarist Bishop steps back into a former life. Two major problems, though. The job’s in the town where he grew up, to which he vowed never to return. And his friend disappears, leaving Bishop with responsibilities he never anticipated or wanted. Not to mention a couple more murders.
Bishop slips into his old role as easily as into well-worn, comfortable old clothes. Getting his bearings in the town’s close society and among his own memories is a different matter. This breathtaking novel from grandmaster of noir James Sallis, author of Drive, is both a resonant detective procedural and a deep examination of human nature.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
James Sallis
194 books434 followersJames Sallis (born 21 December 1944 in Helena, Arkansas) is an American crime writer, poet and musician, best known for his series of novels featuring the character Lew Griffin and set in New Orleans, and for his 2005 novel Drive, which was adapted into a 2011 film of the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for an advance copy of this novel, the last by an acclaimed writer, a mystery set in a small town, dealing with life, loss, family and looking back, a mystery as much about the evil that people do, and the mysteries we carry within us.
There have been few writers who have worked in so many mediums as James Sallis. A writer of mysteries, an editor of new wave science fiction, a creator of cult stories, a biographers of other authors, a teacher, commentator and more. Known best for his book Drive, Sallis has been writing stories that while set in specific genres, always aim to tell human stories. What makes a person do what they do, how they go on, what shapes and what what in many ways ruins these characters. For his last work of fiction Sallis has written an story that is full of mysteries, some answered, some not, told as a memoir, and maybe as an attempt to understand a life. Backwater by James Sallis, is a small town police procedural, a meditation on music, belonging, understanding, what we have lost as a society, and maybe what we never had.
Bishop was once a homicide detective, but since retiring has found purpose playing guitar in jazz bands. Carson was once Bishop's partner, a man Bishop spent many a night sharing eggs and coffee with at 2 am, working cases, and trying to make sense of things. Carson is working as a sheriff in small town, one that has a mystery that Carson wants Bishop to assist on. The town is Bishop's hometown, one Bishop has avoided since leaving, one Bishop is not quite ready to return to, though for Carson he does. On arrival Bishop finds Carson gone, on personal business, leaving Bishop in charge of the small police department. And a growing pile of bodies. The more Bishop learns about his town, the more he remembers his past, growing up as an outsider, loving music, but little else. Bishop soon finds that questions don't always have answers, that things are never as clear as we want, and that the future never really forgets the past.
A story of small town America, one that might not have existed, one that might be a dream, told in a really beautiful way. There is a mystery, in fact a few dark crimes, showing that even the smallest of towns can stilll hide many dark things and ideas. Certain situations seem odd, Bishop suddenly being Sheriff, taking over for his friend, while not really looking for him. Only finding notes that remind Bishop of long ago conversations. In fact the cops don't really act like cops in most things, more like observers, which gives the story a dream-like aura. Which I really enjoyed. The writing is very good, there are flashbacks, flash forwards, even introspective moments that appear in the same paragraph. Questions are asked, historical events mentioned, and never brought up again. And yet there is a real sense of completeness to the story. A short look at a life, of a young boy, an outsider, finding music, finding the police, finding understanding about himself. A book that even a few days later I keep thinking about.
A book that looks back, maybe the author knew that this would be his last, but didn't want to be maudlin. This could be about Bishop, or could be about Sallis. Going home, making a few things right. A story that will stay with the reader, and hopefully introduce many to the works of a very unique writer.
There have been few writers who have worked in so many mediums as James Sallis. A writer of mysteries, an editor of new wave science fiction, a creator of cult stories, a biographers of other authors, a teacher, commentator and more. Known best for his book Drive, Sallis has been writing stories that while set in specific genres, always aim to tell human stories. What makes a person do what they do, how they go on, what shapes and what what in many ways ruins these characters. For his last work of fiction Sallis has written an story that is full of mysteries, some answered, some not, told as a memoir, and maybe as an attempt to understand a life. Backwater by James Sallis, is a small town police procedural, a meditation on music, belonging, understanding, what we have lost as a society, and maybe what we never had.
Bishop was once a homicide detective, but since retiring has found purpose playing guitar in jazz bands. Carson was once Bishop's partner, a man Bishop spent many a night sharing eggs and coffee with at 2 am, working cases, and trying to make sense of things. Carson is working as a sheriff in small town, one that has a mystery that Carson wants Bishop to assist on. The town is Bishop's hometown, one Bishop has avoided since leaving, one Bishop is not quite ready to return to, though for Carson he does. On arrival Bishop finds Carson gone, on personal business, leaving Bishop in charge of the small police department. And a growing pile of bodies. The more Bishop learns about his town, the more he remembers his past, growing up as an outsider, loving music, but little else. Bishop soon finds that questions don't always have answers, that things are never as clear as we want, and that the future never really forgets the past.
A story of small town America, one that might not have existed, one that might be a dream, told in a really beautiful way. There is a mystery, in fact a few dark crimes, showing that even the smallest of towns can stilll hide many dark things and ideas. Certain situations seem odd, Bishop suddenly being Sheriff, taking over for his friend, while not really looking for him. Only finding notes that remind Bishop of long ago conversations. In fact the cops don't really act like cops in most things, more like observers, which gives the story a dream-like aura. Which I really enjoyed. The writing is very good, there are flashbacks, flash forwards, even introspective moments that appear in the same paragraph. Questions are asked, historical events mentioned, and never brought up again. And yet there is a real sense of completeness to the story. A short look at a life, of a young boy, an outsider, finding music, finding the police, finding understanding about himself. A book that even a few days later I keep thinking about.
A book that looks back, maybe the author knew that this would be his last, but didn't want to be maudlin. This could be about Bishop, or could be about Sallis. Going home, making a few things right. A story that will stay with the reader, and hopefully introduce many to the works of a very unique writer.
September 3, 2026
This is a beautifully written book of a man's rumination of life. Written from the main character Bishop's point of view, the book follows as he reluctantly took up the interim police chief's position at his friend's urging and subsequent disappearance. Bishop is a musician and thinker first, police chief second. As he goes about his days, marginally settling in to the town and the job, looking into the mysteries in town, we are treated with his musing of what it means to be human, the marks on our spirit/heart/soul left by daily life, the effect of a nudge or a swing. Contrary to the blurb, this is not a crime novel or a police procedural. It is slices of life, of human nature that happened and was observed through the solving or not solving of a few cases. And so many gorgeous insights and sentences. James Sallis was a poet and a musician, and it shows. The sentences sing.
In short, don't read this book if you are looking for a thriller or want a murder mystery. Read it for the quietness and the appreciation of life lived.
In short, don't read this book if you are looking for a thriller or want a murder mystery. Read it for the quietness and the appreciation of life lived.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the book’s publisher and NetGalley for the ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.
Usually, I enjoy multiple timelines. This one left me confused, at times, because the flashbacks were interspersed within present day paragraphs. I grew to appreciate this quirkiness, but it did affect my enjoyment of the story. I have a feeling this will become a beloved book to many… just not me.
3 out of 5 stars and my respect to the author’s legacy.
Usually, I enjoy multiple timelines. This one left me confused, at times, because the flashbacks were interspersed within present day paragraphs. I grew to appreciate this quirkiness, but it did affect my enjoyment of the story. I have a feeling this will become a beloved book to many… just not me.
3 out of 5 stars and my respect to the author’s legacy.
September 10, 2026
Bishop, a wandering jazz musician and former cop, is pulled back into crime fighting by a long lost friend, also a cop. Sallis writes more about people and their interactions rather than solving crimes. Seems the crime solving is simply scaffolding Sallis uses to tell his story. He was a master of words and creating believable characters.
The parking lot looked like a demo for plate tectonics.
The parking lot looked like a demo for plate tectonics.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews