Deep River Blues

by Tony Ray Morris

When the body of a young girl washes up on the shores of the French Broad River, Cord McRae, newly elected sheriff of Acre County, Tennessee, suspects her death might be connected to the Glad Earth Farm, a commune just outside the small town of Falston. Guru/leader Levon Gladson and a group of a hundred and twenty-five followers have moved into an old farm that butts up to the Smokies, and Cord suspects they may be growing something more profitable than sorghum cane up in the hills. The mystery’s complicated by Cord’s investigation into a second recent murder, of an Afghan vet; the growing power of a local “hillbilly” mafia operated by the wily Thorn Reevers; and Cord's own marriage, which is teetering on the edge of divorce over past violence and his on-again, off-again love affair with liquor. With echoes of WINTER'S BONE and the novels of James Lee Burke, DEEP RIVER BLUES will be a worthwhile addition to the regional crime thriller genre.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2020

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

From fast cars on mountain roads, to cults, to incredible natural beauty, to the truce between the sheriff and the local crime lord, Tony Ray Morris captures the complexity of life in the Southern Appalachia. But, the most compelling thing about
Deep River Blues is how it plumbs the moral dilemmas of human life and shows us how often the line between good and evil is blurred..

[Peggy]

Deep River Blues by Tony Ray Morris is billed as a regional crime thriller, which it is, and the reader is sure to feel deeply for young Zoe, and also for Lou and his father, Fred. The storyline is about these characters and so much more. Set in a rural stretch in the Smokies between North Carolina and Tennessee, the author weaves a very sympathetic understanding of the lives of those who were used and then forgotten by both the corporate world and the federal government. Everyone is challenged and everyone is flawed, including those who break the law and those who uphold it. Sheriff Cord McRae and his office certainly does not get a pass. This is a story about those who survive in a complicated dance trying to survive poverty and yet live with hope that their choices will create a better tomorrow for themselves. Sadly, it seldom does.
At first, I was put off thinking I was seeing a rerun of the Dukes of Hazzard, but I soon began to realize Morris’ understanding of the people about whom he is writing is real and deep, that he knows the terrain, and he really loves the area and its people. Well worth your time and money. Enjoy!
5 stars

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel hits all the right notes for me (full disclosure, I work with the author). Interesting mystery, a unique and distinctive setting, and compelling characters bring this crime story to life. Echoes of some of my favorite series (Walt Longmire, Cork O’Connor, Dave Robicheaux) put it squarely in my favorite genre. Cord McRae is a complex and interesting character, and I’d like to see more of how he navigates his personal and professional lives. I wanted more of Cord’s home life, and most of the secondary characters were uninteresting, except for hillbilly drug lord Thorn, who I wanted more of. I eagerly await book 2 in the series, whenever it arrives.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive

Just goes to show, a good book is a good book, whether published by one of the majors or a small press. This was a good story. A memorable cast of characters and the potential to become an excellent ongoing series if the author chooses to continue to chronicle Cord's mission to clean up and protect his county. I for one hope he does.

[Ron Freeman]

Characters that are believable and with accents that are true to their region but not overdone. The storyline is smooth and building toward an explosive ending. Obviously, I liked it. We all have favorite writers that we wait impatiently for their next book. Tony Morris has just joined my list.

[Jaci Schreckengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel by Tony Ray Morris. The location, characters, and situations all felt vivid. It was a great combo of short- and long-term tension, as well. The end and resolution did feel a little quick to me once it happened. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this read and think it's great for anyone who enjoys an Appalachian mystery.