Catfish Cafe

Thomas Black #11

by Earl Emerson

Everyone who knew Balinda could have told Seattle private eye Thomas Black that the ex-choir girl thumbed a ride with the devil a long time ago. Still, no one expected the pretty young woman to vanish off the face of the earth--leaving in her wake an empty purse, a wrecked car, and a dead Eagle Scout in the backseat. What's more, Balinda never even gave notice at her last job--at a backwater diner where a freezer might keep more than crawdads on ice.

When Balinda's driver is identified, Thomas Black suspects big trouble. For it turns out that the victim was a fifth-grade Tacoma schoolteacher with an impeccable reputation. But tracking the past of that white-bread teacher is increasingly hazardous. Especially when it leads Thomas back to that modest little eat-in/take-out . . . called Catfish Café.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Earl Emerson is a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department. He is the Shamus Award-winning author of Vertical Burn, as well as the Thomas Black detective series. He lives in North Bend, Washington.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Emerson's best. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I have a soft spot for this series because of the familiar settings, but even if you aren't lucky enough to live around here, these are taut well paced mysteries that are sure to please any fan of the genre.

In Catfish Cafe' ripples from the past trigger a new and deadly series of events that seem to defy karmic retribution.

[Ashley Meek · Rating 4 out of 5]

great. fun detective story. im from the area the book takes place in and around. well written.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Black mystery - just catching up on my reading list.

[Carol Pucak · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting story about black women running the family with weak men but not very realistic. Secrets that don't need to be kept, etc.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could, I would rate it 3.5. Pretty good. I might try another in the series if it appears, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy one.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read emerson’s firefighter books but not any in this PI series. Pretty good and actually reminded me a little of Ross MacDonald with the theme of buried family secrets and relationships. The search for a birth mother leads to murder and all kinds of complications (including cross racial relationships) amongst an extended African American household in Seattle. The problem is that it’s all very laborious - the genealogy of the family itself and their extensive history of feuds, secrets etc — and the initial murder turns out to be committed for other reasons anyway. It’s all pretty grim and dispiriting. The ending in the tunnel is kind of a train wreck.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earl Emerson is a fire fighter right here in Seattle and he's a marvelous man but I've just never been interested in his books. But, Anne Petersen, my friend in Denmark sent me e-mail saying 'Earl's new book is called Catfish Cafe. Didn't we eat there when I visited??' Well, she is right. The Catfish Cafe of the book is really the Catfish Corner, one of my favorite places for dinner. So I really liked the book. The characters - Thomas Black, private investigator and his friend and former police partner, Luther, transverse the streets within 3 miles of where I'm typing this all throughout the book. It really made the book fun for me.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good Thomas Black mystery as he must help his old police partner try to find his daughter and find out who murdered a passenger in her car. Good plotting, exciting action. The only problem: very little of the lovely Kathy. Recommended to Thomas Black fans.

[Tami Montano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery kept you guessing until the end. With all the subplots layered on top of one another, you couldn’t see the villain right in front of you. Looking forward to catching up with more of this author’s works.

[Bill Yarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

9 out of 10 stars. Many characters. Moved along well. A little more complex.

[Donna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god, how I loved this series. As soon as Emerson wrote it, it went on my wish list. My spouse, who rarely reads fiction, felt the same.

Emerson's whimsical yet compelling series takes him into all sorts of unexpected corners, including this modest little eatery in the heart of Seattle's Black community, about a mile or two from my house. This guy knows Seattle like the back of his hand, that's for sure, and his writing will leave you with a quirky little smile on your face when you're done, no matter where you live.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#11 in the Thomas Black series. Black is a bike riding, private detective and former Seattle cop.

Thomas Black is called on by his black friend and former SPD partner Luther Little to help find his daughter Balinda, who he fears might have become involved with drugs again. The plot revolves around Luther's extended family and their interactions with the white world. Convoluted and not as interesting as other series entries, but does pick up towards the end.

[Natty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the Moscow bookswap believing I was done in, but this was an exciting read. It reminded me a lot of Dennis Lehane's style, but not as good. Great for a quick read

[Stacy Bearse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deception Pass

[Lynli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was one of the worst books I have ever read. I kept reading thinking it would get better, but no luck. Read at your own risk.

[Toesnorth's mom]

not great

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic, solid mystery. I recommend it if you're looking for a quick, entertaining read.

[Dale Rosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story very much being from Seattle, the local of the story. Emerson's style is great and he draws you into the stories.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

depressing.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't get into this one

[Gary Barrentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting characters to keep track of.