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Backwater
This final masterpiece from James Sallis (1944–2026) follows a jazz guitarist’s ruminative and disquieting homecoming when an old friend asks him to help investigate a suspicious death.
Perhaps best known for the neo-noir classic Drive, James Sallis explored the nature of violence, hope, and the strength of the human spirit in his existentialist crime and science fiction. Backwater places itself among these gritty themes with a complex, purposefully oblique work that honors Sallis’s origins in the rural Mississippi Delta.
When an old friend from his days on the police force makes a plea for him to come and help with what seems to be 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. As Bishop buoys the lives of the survivors around him, this police procedural becomes a poignant examination of human nature that ripples with hope and compassion of spirit in the face of indifference and despair. Backwater is the breathtaking swan song of James Sallis, an author who tirelessly invested dignity into all his characters—no matter how far on the edge of society they live, and no matter how unsolvable their inner mysteries may be.
Perhaps best known for the neo-noir classic Drive, James Sallis explored the nature of violence, hope, and the strength of the human spirit in his existentialist crime and science fiction. Backwater places itself among these gritty themes with a complex, purposefully oblique work that honors Sallis’s origins in the rural Mississippi Delta.
When an old friend from his days on the police force makes a plea for him to come and help with what seems to be 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. As Bishop buoys the lives of the survivors around him, this police procedural becomes a poignant examination of human nature that ripples with hope and compassion of spirit in the face of indifference and despair. Backwater is the breathtaking swan song of James Sallis, an author who tirelessly invested dignity into all his characters—no matter how far on the edge of society they live, and no matter how unsolvable their inner mysteries may be.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
James Sallis
197 books439 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
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.
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October 16, 2026Loved it.
September 23, 2026
Backwater is the perfect swan song for the impeccable writer, James Sallis. May light perpetual shine upon him.
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.
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 27, 2026
A guitarist and retired police officer is asked by an old friend, who serves as the chief of police in a small-town, to return to his childhood hometown to help investigate what appears to be an unexplained murder case.
The final novel written by James Sallis, who passed away in January, is an uneven exploration of life in a small, rural town. Sallis has created an authentic setting that is peopled with a colorful cast of characters. I liked Bishop, the main character of the book. His past as a police officer and a traveling musician were interesting to read about. The plot itself meanders a great deal and strays far away from the twin mysteries at the book's heart for extended stretches. One of these mysteries isn't resolved and the other is wrapped up anticlimactically.
The final novel written by James Sallis, who passed away in January, is an uneven exploration of life in a small, rural town. Sallis has created an authentic setting that is peopled with a colorful cast of characters. I liked Bishop, the main character of the book. His past as a police officer and a traveling musician were interesting to read about. The plot itself meanders a great deal and strays far away from the twin mysteries at the book's heart for extended stretches. One of these mysteries isn't resolved and the other is wrapped up anticlimactically.
October 23, 2026
This book is atmospheric, with moments of beautiful prose. I also didn’t get it at all. It never really becomes a clear picture, one mystery is answered by philosophical questions and that’s it. There’s no cohesion or purpose to the story. It wasn’t exactly boring, because I definitely enjoyed parts of it and wasn’t miserable while getting to the end, but the end wasn’t worth it, and I wasn’t on tender-hooks either. The story is sometimes hard to follow as it switches between memories and present day. And the end was so so so unsatisfying and dull. I could have avoided listening to this and my life would be the same. So… not worth it.
October 18, 2026
Audiobook. After reading a review on the NY Times about this author passing and this being his final book and a perfect short and final read, I snagged it on Libby and I agree. This is a different kind of police procedural, not an edge-of-your-seat adrenaline rush, but a slower pace set in a rural town with a lot of reflection from our former retired cop doing his friend a favor to help with a case (or several). There was so much beauty in the writing, and an appreciation for the small moments, the importance of a passion, acts of kindness, and little wonders of life.
October 22, 2026
This is essentially a police procedural with beautiful, finely tuned character development and not a word wasted. It was an absolute pleasure to read, and I wish I'd discovered this author earlier.
I reluctantly refrained from a five-star rating because the central mysteries were never resolved or explained. The book was a bit unsatisfying in that way. But perhaps that was part of the author's point: Real life doesn't resolve every question for us neatly or to our satisfaction.
I reluctantly refrained from a five-star rating because the central mysteries were never resolved or explained. The book was a bit unsatisfying in that way. But perhaps that was part of the author's point: Real life doesn't resolve every question for us neatly or to our satisfaction.
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.
September 27, 2026
Harvest 2026
Dnf
I can't seem to follow along. The narrator is quite awful. And I think I want to blame him for it all.
I do love all the mentions of music and singers. As I am into that myself. It also reminded me so much of Distant Sons by Tim Johnson. The whole aesthetic of small run down town with trees and gas stations. I want more books like that.
Dnf
I can't seem to follow along. The narrator is quite awful. And I think I want to blame him for it all.
I do love all the mentions of music and singers. As I am into that myself. It also reminded me so much of Distant Sons by Tim Johnson. The whole aesthetic of small run down town with trees and gas stations. I want more books like that.
October 6, 2026
He write so well, but I had a hard time following the story. he kept jumping from one bit to the next, and I'm not sure all the threads were resolved. Could have been me though.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews