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An Ed Burch Novel #2
The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel
When the phone rings long after midnight, it spells trouble of the lethal kind for Dallas private eye Ed Earl Burch in a gritty and relentless hard-boiled thriller that races from the gleaming towers of Houston to the decadent charms of New Orleans and the stark desert mountains of the Texas Big Bend country and northern Mexico.
Burch is a cashiered homicide detective with bad knees, a wounded liver and an empty bank account. He’s been hired to protect an old flame after the disappearance of her husband, a high-flying Houston financier who ripped off his clients, including some deeply unsavory gentlemen from New Orleans.
It’s a simple job that goes wrong fast, plunging Burch into a ruthless contest where nothing and nobody can be trusted. Money and sex tempt him to break his own rules—twin temptations served up by the old flame, a rangy strawberry blonde with a violent temper and a terminal knack for larceny and betrayal.
Those New Orleans gentlemen give the game a more murderous edge by sending two hitmen to reclaim their stolen goods and kill anybody involved in the score.
Burch also faces an old adversary, Houston homicide detective Cider Jones, a mystic with Comanche blood who blames Burch for his partner’s death and wouldn’t mind seeing him wind up dead.
When his best friend gets murdered in Dallas by hired muscle, Burch blames himself and grimly sets out for vengeance that also delivers a bloody form of redemption.
The action is as remorseless and unpredictable as a runaway cement truck, leading to a lonely white chapel in an abandoned mining town on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.
Burch is a cashiered homicide detective with bad knees, a wounded liver and an empty bank account. He’s been hired to protect an old flame after the disappearance of her husband, a high-flying Houston financier who ripped off his clients, including some deeply unsavory gentlemen from New Orleans.
It’s a simple job that goes wrong fast, plunging Burch into a ruthless contest where nothing and nobody can be trusted. Money and sex tempt him to break his own rules—twin temptations served up by the old flame, a rangy strawberry blonde with a violent temper and a terminal knack for larceny and betrayal.
Those New Orleans gentlemen give the game a more murderous edge by sending two hitmen to reclaim their stolen goods and kill anybody involved in the score.
Burch also faces an old adversary, Houston homicide detective Cider Jones, a mystic with Comanche blood who blames Burch for his partner’s death and wouldn’t mind seeing him wind up dead.
When his best friend gets murdered in Dallas by hired muscle, Burch blames himself and grimly sets out for vengeance that also delivers a bloody form of redemption.
The action is as remorseless and unpredictable as a runaway cement truck, leading to a lonely white chapel in an abandoned mining town on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2017
73 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Jim Nesbitt
7 books128 followersJim Nesbitt is the award-winning author of five hard-boiled Texas crime thrillers that feature battered but relentless Dallas PI Ed Earl Burch -- THE LAST SECOND CHANCE, a Silver Falchion finalist; THE RIGHT WRONG NUMBER, an Underground Book Reviews “Top Pick”; and, THE BEST LOUSY CHOICE, winner of the best crime fiction category of the 2020 Independent Press Book Awards, the 2020 Silver Falchion award for best action and adventure novel from the Killer Nashville crime fiction conference and bronze medal winner in the best mystery/thriller e-book category of the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards. His fourth book, THE DEAD CERTAIN DOUBT, was winner of the best crime fiction category of the 2024 Independent Press Book Awards. His latest book, THE FATAL SAVING GRACE, was released in mid-December 2025. Nesbitt was a journalist for more than 30 years, serving as a reporter, editor and roving national correspondent for newspapers and wire services in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Washington, D.C. He chased hurricanes, earthquakes, plane wrecks, presidential candidates, wildfires, rodeo cowboys, migrant field hands, neo-Nazis and nuns with an eye for the telling detail and an ear for the voice of the people who give life to a story. His stories have appeared in newspapers across the country and in magazines such as Cigar Aficionado and American Cowboy. He is a lapsed horseman, pilot, hunter and saloon sport with a keen appreciation for old guns, vintage cars and trucks, good cigars, aged whiskey and a well-told story. Nesbitt regularly reviews crime fiction and history on his blog, The Spotted Mule, and his author web site, as well as Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads. He now lives in Athens, Alabama. To learn more, go to his web site at: https://jimnesbittbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 6, 2017
Ed Earl Burch is not your typical hero. He is not tall, dark and handsome. He is most decidedly not rich and charismatic. What you see is what you get. He's a Homicide Detective who got booted off the force,with knees that barely work any more, and thinning gray hair. He's a smoker and a real hard drinker.. and has a liver that screams for help everyday.
Recently he's' been charged with protecting an old girl friend after her husband disappears. Not only did he leave his wife behind, he also absconded with a lot of money.... money that belonged to some really, really bad guys.
As always with Ed Earl, there are lies and secrets and all of them threaten his very life.
He meets up with an old enemy... Houston Homicide Detective Cider Jones..who wants nothing more than to see Ed Earl die. Jones blames Ed Earl for the death of his partner.
Bodies fall, most notably Ed Earl's best friend. And then there are the 'gentlemen' from New Orleans who are cleaning house.
Ed Earl may not make it out alive this time.............
This is a hard-boiled mystery, reminiscent of the private eyes like in The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, hard core crime thrillers written by Raymond Chandler. Language is rough, gritty, and worse than a drunken sailor's. But it all works.
It's an intriguing read from the very first to the very last page. I highly recommend that you begin by reading Book 1 in this series ....THE LAST SECOND CHANCE.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Recently he's' been charged with protecting an old girl friend after her husband disappears. Not only did he leave his wife behind, he also absconded with a lot of money.... money that belonged to some really, really bad guys.
As always with Ed Earl, there are lies and secrets and all of them threaten his very life.
He meets up with an old enemy... Houston Homicide Detective Cider Jones..who wants nothing more than to see Ed Earl die. Jones blames Ed Earl for the death of his partner.
Bodies fall, most notably Ed Earl's best friend. And then there are the 'gentlemen' from New Orleans who are cleaning house.
Ed Earl may not make it out alive this time.............
This is a hard-boiled mystery, reminiscent of the private eyes like in The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, hard core crime thrillers written by Raymond Chandler. Language is rough, gritty, and worse than a drunken sailor's. But it all works.
It's an intriguing read from the very first to the very last page. I highly recommend that you begin by reading Book 1 in this series ....THE LAST SECOND CHANCE.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 12, 2017
Ed Earl Burch is back. Having sorted out his legal SNAFU following the Carla Sue/Bonafacio debacle, Burch is bogged down in debt, bland casework, and hot sex with unreliable women. He spends his spare time drinking whisky in the local dive bar, doing the “shouda, coulda, wouda” karaoke with the other bar flies, hoping for more, but accepting less. His unhappy equilibrium is shattered when former lover and scam artist Mrs Savannah Crowe, lures him into a dangerous job with promises of a big cash payout. Her husband has been murdered. At least it looks that way. And every shady business partner he shafted along the way is chasing Mrs Crowe for their cash. Will Burch solve the case without being arrested or killed? Will he manage to get the girl this time? And more importantly, will he get paid.
A great example of a modern, hard-boiled detective story “Right Wrong Number” will appeal to lovers of the genre and Ed Earl fans alike. The book is replete with punchy dialogue, seedy characters, gratuitous sex and violence and all the good stuff we love to read. Another wonderful offering from Jim Nesbitt, author of “The Last Second Chance”.
A great example of a modern, hard-boiled detective story “Right Wrong Number” will appeal to lovers of the genre and Ed Earl fans alike. The book is replete with punchy dialogue, seedy characters, gratuitous sex and violence and all the good stuff we love to read. Another wonderful offering from Jim Nesbitt, author of “The Last Second Chance”.
May 13, 2018
It has been several years since the events of The Last Second Chance: An Ed Earl Burch Novel and private detective Ed Earl Burch still carries those scars and many more. Many of those scars haunt his dreams and daylight memories often inspired by drinking, smoking, or the way a woman’s hair moved on the lady across the bar. Dangerous women were always his downfall and one of those has crawled back into his life.
Her name is Savannah Crowe these days though Ed knew here in every sense possible before she got married. She lives down in Houston and is married to an attorney who does oil and gas partnerships. At least that was what he was supposed to be doing. Apparently he was shady, at best, and now he is dead. No doubt murdered by some guys out of New Orleans who are looking for the money he stole. Savannah wants Ed Earl Burch to come down from Dallas and protect her. Not just from those guys out of New Orleans, as the cops are also pushing hard at her thinking she killed her own husband, and there might be some other players as well.
Sure she can hire the best attorney in Texas, a certain man by the name of Racehorse Haynes, but having the money to do that is not enough. A lot more than she has is missing because he husband stole it. Savannah wants Ed Earl Burch to find her husband---the body left in the flaming wreckage wasn’t positively identifiable--- or the guys who killed him. If he can find either party, the money should also turn up.
Being broke thanks to a downturn in business as the economy improves under President Clinton means Ed Earl Burch is already in a bind before his attorney pushes him hard. His attorney concocted an elaborate evidentiary pyramid to keep his rear end out of prison at the cost of 20k plus and is calling everything due and payable now. He can’t pay so the prison option and far worse things are back on the table. He has other money trouble as well. While Savannah is willing to offer far more than money to Ed Earl Burch for coming down and helping out, all he wants is money with at least half of his fee upfront to stave out the attorney. She’s trouble, but she can pay the bucks and he needs the bucks desperately.
Before long he is down in Houston and all hell is breaking loose. The case will lead him across Texas to a little place just down south of Big Bend in Northern Mexico for a final showdown to settle lots of scores.
The Right Wrong Number: And Ed Earl Burch Novel is a sequel of sorts to The Last Second Chance. Sequel in terms of the characters, grudges held, and memories that haunt the living as more than one character from the first book appears here as the point of view shifts throughout the read. That means it is very important to have read that book first before taking on this read.
Readers should also be aware that, as they were in the first, graphic language and descriptions in terms of sexuality as well as plenty of violence are present in this read. This is a hard hitting and graphic crime fiction read written in a noir style. Therefore, the full range of language is used and a substantial portion of it is graphic in terms of description regarding sexual situations, violent actions, motivations of others, etc. as the read shifts in point of view. Those point of view shifts are very frequent by way of a number of characters throughout the book while maintaining a fast paced and often violent flow of action.
A read that powers along with plenty of action while providing some serious as well as funny social commentary, The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel is another mighty good read from author Jim Nesbitt. Both books are highly recommended. The third book in the series is underway according to a recent comment on Facebook by the author.
The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel
Jim Nesbitt
https://jimnesbittbooks.com/
Spotted Mule Press
February 2017
ISBN# 978-0998329406
Trade Paperback (also available in eBook format)
306 Pages
$12.99
An ARC was supplied by the author’s publicist, Maryglenn McCombs, a long time ago for my use to read and review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
Her name is Savannah Crowe these days though Ed knew here in every sense possible before she got married. She lives down in Houston and is married to an attorney who does oil and gas partnerships. At least that was what he was supposed to be doing. Apparently he was shady, at best, and now he is dead. No doubt murdered by some guys out of New Orleans who are looking for the money he stole. Savannah wants Ed Earl Burch to come down from Dallas and protect her. Not just from those guys out of New Orleans, as the cops are also pushing hard at her thinking she killed her own husband, and there might be some other players as well.
Sure she can hire the best attorney in Texas, a certain man by the name of Racehorse Haynes, but having the money to do that is not enough. A lot more than she has is missing because he husband stole it. Savannah wants Ed Earl Burch to find her husband---the body left in the flaming wreckage wasn’t positively identifiable--- or the guys who killed him. If he can find either party, the money should also turn up.
Being broke thanks to a downturn in business as the economy improves under President Clinton means Ed Earl Burch is already in a bind before his attorney pushes him hard. His attorney concocted an elaborate evidentiary pyramid to keep his rear end out of prison at the cost of 20k plus and is calling everything due and payable now. He can’t pay so the prison option and far worse things are back on the table. He has other money trouble as well. While Savannah is willing to offer far more than money to Ed Earl Burch for coming down and helping out, all he wants is money with at least half of his fee upfront to stave out the attorney. She’s trouble, but she can pay the bucks and he needs the bucks desperately.
Before long he is down in Houston and all hell is breaking loose. The case will lead him across Texas to a little place just down south of Big Bend in Northern Mexico for a final showdown to settle lots of scores.
The Right Wrong Number: And Ed Earl Burch Novel is a sequel of sorts to The Last Second Chance. Sequel in terms of the characters, grudges held, and memories that haunt the living as more than one character from the first book appears here as the point of view shifts throughout the read. That means it is very important to have read that book first before taking on this read.
Readers should also be aware that, as they were in the first, graphic language and descriptions in terms of sexuality as well as plenty of violence are present in this read. This is a hard hitting and graphic crime fiction read written in a noir style. Therefore, the full range of language is used and a substantial portion of it is graphic in terms of description regarding sexual situations, violent actions, motivations of others, etc. as the read shifts in point of view. Those point of view shifts are very frequent by way of a number of characters throughout the book while maintaining a fast paced and often violent flow of action.
A read that powers along with plenty of action while providing some serious as well as funny social commentary, The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel is another mighty good read from author Jim Nesbitt. Both books are highly recommended. The third book in the series is underway according to a recent comment on Facebook by the author.
The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel
Jim Nesbitt
https://jimnesbittbooks.com/
Spotted Mule Press
February 2017
ISBN# 978-0998329406
Trade Paperback (also available in eBook format)
306 Pages
$12.99
An ARC was supplied by the author’s publicist, Maryglenn McCombs, a long time ago for my use to read and review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
March 7, 2017
“The Right Wrong Number” is crafted with texture and nuance. It’s a bit like “Rocky” or “Chinatown,” in that the plot isn’t particularly complex or Byzantine. The adversaries are not so much devious as willing and determined to act without compunction or compassion to achieve selfish goals. The protagonist doesn’t prevail against all odds by being more clever, talented and skillful than his opponents, but through the dint of dogged determination.
Where the author truly distinguishes himself is first through colorful three-dimensional characters with detailed histories and human frailties, and second, with vividly detailed settings. The character backgrounds and settings in most novels could be described as watercolors, in that they are vague, a bit impressionistic, with little detail or tonal variation. In TRWN, they are more like oil paintings, with vivid colors, fine details and depth.
Protagonist Ed Earl Burch is a deeply flawed anti-hero with enough emotional baggage to single-handedly fuel a group therapy session. He is not particularly likeable or admirable – nobody seems to like or respect him, least of all himself. He’s like a force of nature or a promontory that withstands the relentless assaults of the winds and tides. Like Rocky Balboa, Burch sets his objectives realistically low and seems content if he can go the distance.
This is the second novel I’ve read by Nesbitt. Like “The Last Second Chance,” it is an easy read, but not necessarily a quick read, as the narrative should be savored and appreciated.
Where the author truly distinguishes himself is first through colorful three-dimensional characters with detailed histories and human frailties, and second, with vividly detailed settings. The character backgrounds and settings in most novels could be described as watercolors, in that they are vague, a bit impressionistic, with little detail or tonal variation. In TRWN, they are more like oil paintings, with vivid colors, fine details and depth.
Protagonist Ed Earl Burch is a deeply flawed anti-hero with enough emotional baggage to single-handedly fuel a group therapy session. He is not particularly likeable or admirable – nobody seems to like or respect him, least of all himself. He’s like a force of nature or a promontory that withstands the relentless assaults of the winds and tides. Like Rocky Balboa, Burch sets his objectives realistically low and seems content if he can go the distance.
This is the second novel I’ve read by Nesbitt. Like “The Last Second Chance,” it is an easy read, but not necessarily a quick read, as the narrative should be savored and appreciated.
November 13, 2017
Ed Earl Burch is a not-quite washed up Texas cop turned PI with a notch collection on his bedpost and bad knees. In debt to a shyster, he takes a job to find out what happened to an old girlfriend’s husband. Not surprisingly trouble ensues, wrapped in a great mystery plotline. Ed’s world is crude and rude and he punches through it with a pack of Lucky Strikes and a glass of Kentucky bourbon. A brisk pace, sliding points of view, shades of gray crooks, and dialogue spit out of the corners of everybody’s mouth make this series a real gem for hardboiled genre fiction fans.
November 30, 2018
Could use a good editor.
March 21, 2017
weird
I have problems with flash backs and found myself rereading several pages at multiple locations to get and keep.the gist of the story. one loose end was not secured but the plot wound to a good conclusion. I dont think there could be a DOUBLE E replay.
I have problems with flash backs and found myself rereading several pages at multiple locations to get and keep.the gist of the story. one loose end was not secured but the plot wound to a good conclusion. I dont think there could be a DOUBLE E replay.
September 17, 2018
He's not Superman, but the way he battles the odds against him (and those around him) make this a very satisfying novel. If it can go south, it will - and although at times it looks bleak, Burch makes it happen in his favor. Well written, great pace, sizzling atmosphere - looking for more in this series!
February 21, 2017
Everyone is nasty. From Ed E himself, a boozy falling-apart PI, and the self centred old flame to the ruthless conniving husband and everyone in between. Murdering sonsabitches, all. Okay, maybe, as least nasty, we do get fond of Ed E and wish him well as he blunders along in an almost nothing-to-live-for fashion.
The trail is a rough ride with your heart in your mouth. With the odd stop to visit my cardiologist, I otherwise couldn’t put it down, but gritty feels like icecream, compared to this.
The trail is a rough ride with your heart in your mouth. With the odd stop to visit my cardiologist, I otherwise couldn’t put it down, but gritty feels like icecream, compared to this.
February 7, 2017
Nesbitt spins an intriguing and unique twist to his latest hard-boiled mystery, The Right Wrong Number. His style and mastery of the vivid descriptions are exceptional. His characters are truly unforgettable. His protagonist, Ed Earl Burch is a rude, witty, sarcastic, chain-smoker -- a bourbon drinking man's man, who makes this fast-paced tale a pleasure to read. Hooked from the first paragraph to the unexpected ending, Nesbitt's latest is destined to be a best-seller. This is the second Nesbitt novel the I have read, I am looking forward to his next one.
April 17, 2017
The Right Wrong Number is filled with the latest and greatest of Nesbitt's Quentin-Tarantino wit mixed with everything gory, despicable, irreverent, and plenty of sex. Indeed, a great combination of mystery and a plain laugh-out-loud read—guaranteed to be a favorite for noir enthusiasts. For the full review, check Underground Book Reviews: https://www.undergroundbookreviews.org/.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews