Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. The statute, written by Jefferson in 1777 and shepherded through the legislature by James Madison in 1786, became the basis for the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and led to freedom of religion for all Americans.
Religious Freedom Day is commemorated on January 16 via a proclamation by the President of the United States since 1993. Legislation has also been introduced in Minnesota to commemorate Religious Freedom Day at the state level. It is not a federal holiday. More at Wikipedia.
Background on the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was drafted in 1777 by Thomas Jefferson in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and introduced into the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond in 1779. On January 16, 1786, the Assembly enacted the statute into state law.
The statute disestablished the Church of England in Virginia and guaranteed freedom of religion to people of all religious faiths, including Christians of all denominations, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus. It was a notable precursor to both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The Importance of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom to Jefferson
The Statute for Religious Freedom is one of only three accomplishments Jefferson instructed be included on his epitaph. More at Wikipedia.
“Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.”
My Thoughts
On this National Religious Freedom Day, I think it’s important to note that the statute we are honoring includes the disestablishment of the Church of England. At the time Jefferson wrote this statute, church and state were one, with the head of state serving as the church’s supreme governor.
By disestablishing the Church of England, Jefferson helped ensure freedom of religion for Christians of all denominations, as well as for Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and others.
With the belief that our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than our opinions in physics or geometry…
National Religious Freedom Day is a reminder that the freedom to believe — or not — was deliberately written into the foundation of our country, not added as an afterthought. That is something worth remembering.
So, while I read fewer books than usual in 2025, the ones I did read really delivered. This year’s reading recap leans heavily toward crime fiction and long-running series, with familiar authors, a few strong series starters, and one heavy nonfiction outlier. Less volume, same thrills.
2025 Reading Recap – Books Listed by Number and Date Read
First Read 2025
Last Read 2025
No.
Title
Author
Date Read
1
Rebellion: How Anti-Liberalism is Tearing the Contry Apart Again!
I tend to think of my reading life the same way I think about music — in terms of roots, branches, and leaves. Roots are the authors and series that shaped my reading early on and still draw me back. Branches are long-running favorites I’ve followed for years, evolving alongside my own tastes. Leaves are newer discoveries — recent voices, new series, or authors I’ve come to more recently. This recap follows that loose hierarchy rather than strict genre or publication date.
Reading Recap: Visiting Old Friends Via Roots Authors
Outwitting Trolls Brady Coyne #28) – William G. Tapply
A familiar, comforting return to Coyne’s thoughtful brand of justice, where New England atmosphere, quiet intelligence, and moral clarity matter more than pyrotechnics.
William G. Tapply’s Boston lawyer Brady Coyne is one of the reasons I read series books — great stories, and exactly the kind of lawyer you’d want on your side.
Savages (Nameless Detective # 31) –Bill Pronzini
Lean, sharp, and morally unsettling, Pronzini reminds us why the Nameless Detective endures — stripped-down prose, human darkness, and no easy answers.
Reading Recap: Branches Authors Whose Series Keep Rolling Along
The Black Loch Lewis Trilogy (#4) – Peter May
A dark, atmospheric return to the Hebrides, blending past crimes with present consequences. May continues to use place as character, with cold landscapes mirroring moral ambiguity.
When I read The Black House, the first book in the Lewis Trilogy, I was blown away. May’s sense of place was so strong I felt like I was in the Outer Hebrides. I’ve since read the entire trilogy and most, if not all, of his standalones. One of my favorites was Coffin Road – Check it out Here
This is Why We Lied (Will Trent #12) Karin Slaughter
A locked-room style mystery layered with long-running character arcs. Brutal, emotional, and deeply tied to the series’ history — not a starting point, but very rewarding for longtime readers.
This was the first of two Karin Slaughter books I read in 2025. For much of the book I wasn’t sure it worked for me — then came the ending, and once again I was amazed by her talent.
Angel of Vengeance(Pendergast #22) – Preston & Child
Big, bold, and unapologetically pulpy. The Pendergast universe keeps expanding, with gothic excess and high-stakes drama fully intact.
Grave Danger (Jack Swyteck #19) – James Grippando
Legal thriller meets personal jeopardy. Grippando keeps the series fresh by raising the emotional cost, not just the body count.
Battle Mountain( Joe Pickett #25) – C. J Box
Still going strong. Box continues to blend Western landscapes with modern crime, keeping Pickett relevant and grounded.
I once read that Lawrence Block described two kinds of series characters: those who never age, and those who age along with the books. Joe Pickett is very much the latter — and I’m glad he is. Watching him change over time is part of what keeps the series honest and grounded.
The same is true for Brady Coyne and Nameless Detective — both characters age along with their series, carrying the weight of experience, losses, and hard-earned perspective. That sense of time passing is a big part of why they still feel real to me.
The Spy Coast (The Martini Club #1) – Tess Gerritsen
Retired spies, coastal Maine, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. A fun, smart series opener that balances humor with genuine suspense.
The Collaborators (The Comorant #1) – Michael Idove
A modern espionage debut that feels timely and sharp. Global intrigue, fractured loyalties, and a strong sense of unease set the tone for what promises to be a smart series.
The Loose End (Teigen Craft # 1) – A. J. Cross
A strong procedural opener with psychological depth. Well-drawn characters and a solid mystery make this a promising start.
We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) – Karin Slaughter
A brutal, emotionally charged series opener. New setting, new cast, same fearless intensity — Slaughter resets the board effectively.
This is the second Karin Slaughter book I read in 2025. Like Peter May I’ve read most of Slaughter’s series books and the standalones. This a dark book and it’s impact extends far beyond the crimes in the book to touch deeply on a personal level! Easily one of the top three books I read this year and I look forward to more in future books in the series!
The Shattering Peace – John Scalzi
Part of John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War universe, returning to its familiar mix of military SF, politics, and sharp dialogue.
First Books in a Series new to Me (Not Book No 1)
The Nightmare (Joona Linna #2) m- Lars Kepler
Relentless pacing and disturbing psychological tension. Even jumping in at #2, the series hooks quickly with its procedural intensity and chilling antagonist.
Standalone Books From Branches and Leaves Authors
Guess Again – Charlie Donlea
A twist-heavy standalone that plays with memory, misdirection, and obsession, delivering Donlea’s trademark pace without leaning on a series framework.
My first encounter with Charlie Donlea was his debut novel Summit Lake in 2016, and I haven’t missed a book since. Before Christmas, my wife asked me to look over our son Andrew’s book list. The first title was Guess Again — I told her not to go any further and just buy that one.ok Christmas list. The first book was Guess Again. I said i’m not looking further get this one!
Death at the Sanatorium – Ragnar Jonasson
Claustrophobic and icy in tone, Jónasson uses isolation and buried secrets to build dread slowly and effectively.
Don’t Turn Around – Harry Dolan
A sharp, compact crime novel built on moral ambiguity and tight plotting, proving Dolan doesn’t need excess to unsettle.
Where They Last Saw Her Marcie R Rendon
Quietly powerful and socially grounded, Rendon blends mystery with lived experience, letting character and place carry the weight.
I came to Marcie R. Rendon through her Cash Blackbear series, having read books two and three, with the first waiting on my Nook. This standalone opened my eyes to the crisis of missing Indigenous women — and reminded me I somehow missed Broken Fields, released in March 2025. Onward to the library.
Non- Fiction – History/Politics
Rebellion: How Anti-Liberalism Is Tearing the Country Apart Again! — Robert Kagan
A sharp, unsettling look at how democratic norms erode from within. Kagan connects current political fractures to historical patterns, making this feel less like theory and more like warning. The lone nonfiction read this year — and a heavy one,
Over the last few years I stopped quantifying my yearly reading challenges, focusing more on enjoyment than numbers. For 2026, I’m bringing structure back—not to race through books, but to balance library reads, long-neglected TBR shelves, and a few intentional discoveries along the way.
Reading Challenge Book Categories From My Local Library
My 2026 Reading Challenge will be divided into two main groups. First will be books from my local library. I propose to read two books per month from the library from my favorite Mystery/Thriller series. Additionally, I would like to discover new series throughout the year. Maybe one every other month so I added 6 books to that category.
Finally, I would like to keep up with the world around me so I propose to read new non-fiction. Again at the rate of one every other month or 6 non-fiction books. That’s a total of 36 books from the library.
Reading Challenge Categories from My TBR Shelves
Now I really do need to start reading books from my To Be Read (TBR) shelves. I’ve set my target a 30 books from theses shelves, The books include: 6 Sci-Fi books, at least one e-book a month or 12 e-books, and again more non-fiction every other month or 6 books. I have a variety of history and self-improvement books on my shelves that need to be read.
2026 Reading Challenge: Library book Categories
No. to Read
No. Read
Favorite Mystery/Thrillers Series and Standalones
24
2
New Mystery/Thrillers Series and Standalones
6
1
Non-Fiction
6
Total
36
2026 Reading Challenge: TBR Shelves Category
Sci Fi
6
E-Books
12
1
Non-Fiction
6
Mystery Series/Thrillers Series and Standalones
6
Total
30
Target Goal
66
1
Proposed January 2026 Reads
Here are my proposed January 2026 Reads. I’m not including the book I started back in December and finished yesterday which was Little Black Dress by Loren D. Estleman. However, I will use it for my overall total of books read in 2025!
So here’s what category these proposed read fall into:
While Reed Farrel Coleman is not a new author to me I read Redemption Street the second book in his Moe Prager series back in 2010. I haven’t read a Moe Prager since then, although I wish I had. Hopefully I won’t make the same mistake with this series!
When I read I read When You Were Mine by Michael Robotham in 2022 there was not a Philomena McCarthy series but now there is and this is book 2! Robotham’s books are always great!
As are the Cork O’Connor books from William Kent Krueger. I’m sure this one will be great as well!
From the TBR Shelves Category
Non Fiction
Unworthy Republic : The Dispossession of Native Americans and the road to the Indian Territory – Claudio Saunt. A 2020 National Book Award Finalist.
I recently picked this book up at Barnes & Noble. I’ve read several books about the Indian Wars in the west, but very little about what came before. So far it’s interesting how integrated some tribes were with the whites in the south in the 1820s.
E-Book
Head Cases (Head Cases #1) – John McMahon
I loved John McMahon’s Detective P. T. Marsh series (which I hope at some point he returns to) and I hope that this series is just as good!
Updated: December 2025 – added new links and cleaned up the post.
The High Cost of Low Living by the Nick Moss Band. was the soundtrack for the run. The album has been in my rotation for a couple of weeks now and I really like the album.
One of the reasons is that in addition to Nick’s great guitar work there is some really good blues harp on the album. After listening to the album a few times, I looked more closely at the album cover and saw that it says the Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling! And it is Dennis Gruenling who provides the amazing harmonica on the album.
It seems that Gruenling and Nick Moss have known each other for more than 20 years and have jammed together several times. But they didn’t really decide to join forces until 2016. The High Cost of Low Living is the pair’s debut on Alligator Records and is a dream come true for both artists.
About Nick and Dennis
Alligator president Bruce Iglauer says the following about the union..
Nick and Dennis are a natural fit for the label. “It’s very exciting to bring artists to Alligator who are so deeply rooted in the Chicago blues tradition, but creating fresh new songs to carry that tradition forward. Nick’s a thrilling guitar player, a gritty, honest singer, and his band is tough as nails. Dennis is a blues harmonica master and a terrific showman. This is a partnership of two world-class talents in one band. These are artists that any fan of the blues has got to love.”
While Blues Revue says….
….“Nick Moss is at the top of the blues world….ambitious and intense…He can play traditional blues with the best.” New Jersey’s Dennis Gruenling is considered among today’s best blues harmonica players. His high-energy, full-throttle playing has earned him comparisons to the late James Cotton. Living Blues says, “Dennis Gruenling is a contemporary harmonica master…impressive, genuine and fresh-sounding.”
About The High Cost of Low Living
The High Cost of Low Living consists of thirteen tracks. Of those tracks Moss wrote nine original songs while Gruenling wrote two. All of the tracks are deeply roots in the blues tradition with a touch of old school rock ‘n’ roll. Guitarist Kid Andersen and Moss produced the album. The album was recorded at Rancho de Rhythm in Elgin, Illinois.
More about the Teaneck New Jersey native Dennis Gruenling “Go Jersey!”
Through the years, Gruenling has shared the stage with many top names in the blues & roots world, such as Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, Homesick James, Nappy Brown, John Mayall, Little Sammy Davis, A.C. Reed, Mick Taylor, and Jimmy Dawkins, as well as contemporary blues masters such as Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Rick Estrin/Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Kim Wilson, Rusty Zinn, Steve Guyger, Greg Piccolo, Mark Hummel,
That is a virtual who’s who of blues harp and puts Mr Gruenling in some great company. Well, actually his great playing puts him in that company!!
The remainder of the band is none too shabby either and includes: Michael Archer on bass, Patrick Seals on drums and Taylor Streiff on piano/organ.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that the album is a joy to listen to if you like me love both guitar and harp! So Check It out!!
The Video
Here is the Nick Moss Band performing the title track “The High Cost of Low Living”
Nick Moss (born December 15, 1969, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American Chicago blues and electric blues musician. He has released thirteen albums to date, all on his own label, Blue Bella Records label. He has played with Buddy Scott, Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Rogers and the Legendary Blues Band. He performed fronting his own group, Nick Moss and the Flip Tops until 2008 and then shortening the name in 2009 to Nick Moss Band.The music journalist Bill Dahl stated that Moss possesses “mastery of the classic Chicago sound.” Wikipedia
Through the years, I have read many of the books in Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective series. I read my first Nameless Detective novel in 1990. In fact in that year I read four of the books in the series.
From 1990 until 2001 I read the series from book Deadfall #15 to # 26 Crazybone and only missed one book Hardcase #15. While I was moving on the other authors, Pronzini was making major changes to the Nameless series.
Bill Pronzini transforms the Nameless Detective series
At the end of Crazybone Nameless and his wife Kerry are planning to adopt a child. Pronzini wanted to move the characters in a different direction. However, he returned to the series with major changes.
The series continued with an ensemble cast. Nameless becoming older, grayer and wiser. He moves away from being a solitary investigator to hiring both a savvy female assistant Tamara as a partner of their new agency. Additionally, they hire an ex-cop Jake Runyon to held cases..
From Crazybone on each of the books features at least two storyline featuring Nameless and another member of the ensemble.
Savages is the third book I have read in the series since these changes have been made. It is book #31 in the series. I read book #29 Nightcrawlers in 2006. Twelve year later I read book #30 Mourners. Now in 2025 I have just read Savages book #31 in the series.
Savages – The Story
Savages follows the same ensemble cast direction of the books post Crazybone. Both Nameless and Jake Runyon are working separate cases.
Nameless Detective is talked investigating the accidental death of the sister ofa former client, a sharp-tongued woman named Celeste Ogden. Celeste is convinced her sister Nancy Mathias’ death was a homicide not an accident.
Celeste has never liked her sister’s husband Brandon Mathias. She had previously hired Nameless to perform a background check on him before her sister marriage. Nameles found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Now, with Nancy dead in what officials call an accident, Celeste is convinced of murder and insists Nameless is honor-bound to prove it. As he delves into Nancy’s life, he becomes more inclined to believe it was a murder, despite ethical dilemmas and a lack of clear evidence.
Concurrently, his agency partner, Jake Runyon, takes on a case to serve a subpoena, which escalates into a complex investigation involving serial arson and murder. The novel weaves these two cases together, keeping the entire San Francisco detective agency on edge.
My Thoughts
Reading Savages was a nice return t the world of Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective. Typical of all Bill Pronzini books the characters are all well-drawn and the storylines are both compelling. Of the teo storylines I found the Jake Runyon story the better of the two.
Jake was just delivering a subpoena to a witness in a San Francisco court case. When he is thrust into the middle of a homicide AND arson case. Where nothing seems to add up. The prime suspect was friends with the victum and he seems to be liked by all! There’s a few twists and turns in the investiation enough to keep the pages turning. The ending somewhat surprising was satisfying
. While Nameless’s case was less satisfying for some but a surprise ending.
While Savages average rating was 3.68 It was a strong 4.o for me. Now I do believe you can read this book as a standalone. I do think think should read the four books that come before it to get to know the characters. As for me, I think I need to go back and read it Bleeders and Spook!
Bill Pronzini (born April 13, 1943) is an American writer of detective fiction. He is also an active anthologist, having compiled more than 100 collections, most of which focus on mystery, western, and science fiction short stories.[1] Pronzini is known as the creator of the San Francisco-based Nameless Detective, who starred in over 40 books from the early 1970s into the 2000s. Wikipedia
Folk Monday kicked off with Endless Wire spinning on the turntable — Gordon Lightfoot sounding as warm and familiar as ever. Something about Lightfoot always puts me in a good place, and today it set off a whole chain reaction.
While the album played, I started revising older posts, and the first one that surfaced was my write-up on Dave Gunning’s Lift. I’d forgotten how much I liked that record — and how many East Coast voices Gunning pulls into his work. Here’s the updated post if you want to take a look:
Lightfoot led to Gunning, and suddenly I realized how many Canadian voices have shaped my listening over the years. They’re not all alike, but they share that same mix of storytelling, heart, and wide-open Northern landscapes:
Gordon Lightfoot – the foundation
Dave Gunning – modern East Coast voice with Stan Rogers’ storytelling DNA
Ian Tyson – I may need to pull out Cowboyography next
James Keelaghan – one of the finest storytellers working today
Stan Rogers – I knew I had one of his albums somewhere… turned out to be two
And just like that, I was all the way down the Canadian folk rabbit hole — the good kind — which led naturally to putting Stan Rogers on the turntable next.
By this point, I was fully down the Canadian folk rabbit hole — the good kind.
Stan Rogers First on the Turntable
Once I dug a little deeper into my shelves, I found the two Stan Rogers albums I’ve picked up over the last couple of years. First on the turntable: Fogarty’s Cove.
Fogarty’s Cove was Stan’s debut, released in 1977 on Barnswallow Records — a label he later purchased and turned into Fogarty’s Cove Records. My copy is the 1979 pressing on that very label, which feels just right for the music.
While the needle dropped, I realized I never really knew how young Stan was when he died — only that I’d heard Gene Shay mention it years ago. A quick stop at Wikipedia filled in the gaps:
About Stan Rogers
Stanley Allison Rogers (November 29, 1949 – June 2, 1983)[1] was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter who sang traditional-sounding songs frequently inspired by Canadian history and the working people’s daily lives, especially from the fishing villages of the Maritime provinces and, later, the farms of the Canadian prairies and Great Lakes.[2] He died in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797, grounded at the Greater Cincinnati Airport, at the age of 33. Wikipedia
Before his death in 1983, Stan — with his brother Garnett often co-producing — released five albums. He stayed a staple of the folk community long after, with live releases, tribute concerts, and, of course, the annual Stan Rogers Folk Festival up in Canso, Nova Scotia.
Listening again, it’s easy to be reminded why Stan’s music has stuck around. His baritone, that hint of Celtic phrasing, the DADGAD-tuned guitars — and the songs themselves. “Northwest Passage,” “The Mary Ellen Carter,” “White Squall,” “Make and Break Harbour”… they all still land.
Barrett’s Privateers – from Fogerty’s Cove – Stan Rogers
But the one that always leaps out, no matter how many times I hear it, is “Barrett’s Privateers.” Before I wander any farther down this Canadian trail, here it is — the perfect way to wrap up this Rogers detour.as Remembering Stan Rogers, which peaked at number 36 on the RPM Country Albums chart.
If the day stays at this pace, who knows where I’ll end up — maybe ending the night with Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds” or Keelaghan’s For now, I’m calling this the first stop on what’s turning into a full-on Canadian Folk Monday. I’ll circle back soon with Tyson, Keelaghan, and maybe a few vinyl surprises I dig out of the stacks.
The. Black Highway is the third book in the Laughton Rees series by Simon Toyne. The first two books Dark Objects and The Clearing set a pretty high bar for the series. The Black Highway clears that bar and leaves me eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.
The river Thames aka The Black Highway is the backdrop for the third book in the Laughton Rees series from Simon Toyne. Dr. Laughton Rees is a professor and a forensic specialist who provides assistance to the London police
The Story
.The previous two books in the series Dark ObjectsandThe Clearing were both outstanding, as was Sanctus the first book in the Sanctus trilogy (of which I have only read one book Boo Me!) In The Black Highway the case becomes extremely personal. When a headless and handless body is pulled from the Thames, with Laughton’s home address on its arm a target is placed on both Laughton and her teenage daughter.
Soon Shelby Facer a figure from Laughton’s checkered past shows up. Shelby has been recently released from prison after serving a 16 year prison sentence in Florida. The drug deal gone bad that resulted with Shelby’s arrest was overseen by none other than Laughton’s father John Rees. Oh and Shelby unbeknownst to him is Laughton’s daughter’s father!
When a second body is found in a similar condition and it’s related to the Shelby’s prison sentence it appears that the murderer is out to avenge their imprisonment. Does that make Laughton and he daughter targets because of her father’s association with the case! And from there story is masterfully told
My Thoughts a Book of Relationships and Murder?
The Black Highwayis another gem of a book by Simon Toyne. I enjoy books and series where the character relationships are as important to plots of the novel as the action occurring be it a murder, a kidnapping or other action.
I guess that’s why I love the Cork O’Connor books where many of the story-lines revolve around Cork and is family relationships, as well as, his relationship with his Ojibwe roots. Another example is the Joe Pickett where Joe’s relationships with his family, Nate Romanowski and even the Governor of Wyoming are important to various books in the series, Oh, I forgot Joe’s relationship with his mother-in-law Missy! Boy do relationship form the core of The Black Highway.
First there’s the relationship of Laughton, her daughter Gracie and Shelby, How do you deal with the appearance of you daughter’s biological father who is not only a convicted criminal but is now associated with a murder investigation and a potential target. But also represents a time in your life you would rather forget.
Then there is the relationship of Laughton with her own father former police commissioner John Rees. Laughton blamed her father for her mother’s murder and left home at the same age as Gracie! Oh,my! Could he have been responsible for what happened to Shelby?
Finally, there is the relationship between Laughton and Kahn Tannahill. which was just blooming. The actions throughout the book certainly put a strain on their relationship.
So all these relationship are tied into the weaving story line of The Black Highway resulting in a rip-roaring finish that I believe sets the stage for more Laughton Rees books in the future, At least I hope!
(oh Laughton is named after the actor Charles Laughton!
Simon Toyne was born February 29th, 1968 in Cleethorpes, England, but spent his formative years in Peterborough. He moved further south, to Goldsmiths College, part of the University of London, to study English and Drama then ended up working as a producer, director in commercial television for almost twenty years. He quit in 2007, just shy of his fortieth birthday, to try and focus more on writing. His first book, Sanctus, became the biggest selling debut thriller of 2011 in the UK and also an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages and published in over 50 countries.More at Goodreads
A few weeks ago I checked Black and White Ball by Loren D. Estleman out of the library and finally got around to reading it. It’s book #27 in the Amos Walker series. For reference, the first Amos Walker novel, Motor City Blue, was published in 1986 — and it was the very first entry in my Book Lovers Journal in 1987! The most recent Walker novel is City Walls (#31), released in 2023, so I clearly have catching up to do.
Between 1987 and 1991 I read 8 of the first 10 Walker books. Then I didn’t pick up the series again until 2012, when I read #20, The Left-Handed Dollar. Next came #12, The Witchfinder, in 2022. So when I grabbed Black and White Ball (#27), I’d read 10 of the earlier books and none of #27–31. Honestly, until a few years ago I didn’t realize Estleman had taken the series that far. Now that I do, the TBR pile just grew.
Black and White Ball (Amos Walker #27)
The book reminded me quickly why I like this series: reading an Amos Walker novel feels like catching up with an old friend. The setup: Amos is hired by an old flame to track her cheating husband, who has also skimmed $600,000 from his company. Walker traces him to Canada. While Amos is trying to confirm the couple’s room number, a woman screams. By the time he reaches the room, the husband is dead and the window is open — the killer apparently gone.
After the police interrogation, Amos is told the hit was the work of professional killer Peter Macklin. Soon after, Macklin “introduces” himself by pressing a gun into the back of Amos’s neck from the backseat of Walker’s car. Macklin, in the middle of a divorce, has received a photo of his wife with a note demanding $100,000 — or she dies. He hires Amos to keep her safe. The threat comes from another hit man Macklin knows all too well.
My Thoughts (with Spoilers — at least I think they would be)
Reuniting with Old Friends
Reading Estleman’s Amos Walker always feels like traveling back in time to meet an old friend. Here, it’s like meeting two: Walker and Peter Macklin. Estleman brings them together for the first time in this novel. While Amos has anchored 30+ books, Macklin has headlined only a handful; I’ve read one — Roses Are Dead.
Walker Meets Macklin
Their paths cross at the Cabot Lodge in Toronto, where Amos arrives to help his client’s husband, Guy Lennert. The killer is Peter Macklin. Soon after, Macklin — facing a pending divorce — receives a note and photo of his second wife: pay $100,000 or she dies. He wants Walker to protect her. The twist? The would-be assassin is Macklin’s own son, Roger — a hitman like his father, but with a very different motivation.
A Killer’s Code and a Detective’s Morality
This puts ex-cop PI Amos Walker in a bind. He’s spent a career chasing men like Macklin, and now he has to help one. But saving a life means more to Walker than sticking rigidly to his personal code. Macklin, for his part, follows a cold professional ethic — not admirable, exactly, but consistent. The friction between Walker’s decency and Macklin’s “code” gives the story its moral backbone.
Family, Hatred, and Inherited Violence
There’s also a generational angle: how criminality — and hatred — gets passed down. Roger isn’t driven by the detached professionalism that defines his father; he’s fueled by resentment. That difference matters. It shifts the stakes from a tidy noir chess match to something more volatile and personal.
Shades of Gray
The title Black and White Ball is a neat bit of irony. Neither Walker nor Macklin operates in purely black-and-white terms. They both move through gray areas — different grays, for sure — and that moral complexity is what elevates this book beyond a standard cat-and-mouse.
The Bottom Line
Black and White Ball is a strong addition to the Amos Walker series. It works as a brisk thriller, but it also wrestles with ethics, loyalty, and family damage — which makes it linger. If you’re dipping into Walker again (or for the first time), this is a rewarding stop.
Loren D. Estleman is an American writer of detective and Western fiction. He is known for a series of crime novels featuring the investigator Amos Walker. Wikipedia
David Olney was one of the myriad of artists who left us in 2020. He died in January of 2020 prior to the start of the pandemic. He was giving his third performance of the day at a folk festival in Florida when he became still dropped his head. It took several minutes before anyone realized he had passed.
David was a world class storyteller and songwriter. Note I say storyteller first because that to me was where he stood head and shoulders above most songwriters.
The late Townes Van Zandt famously said of Olney: “Any time anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are… I say Mozart, Lightnin Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard — and that’s true. I mean that from my heart.”
About Omar’s Blues
Charlie Hunter writes the following about Omar’s Blues on the David Olney page at mysongwiters.com
Olney is unafraid to salt his narratives with historical figures, with lines overheard and lives assumed. In OMAR’S BLUES, Olney introduces us to a fantastical orbit of outcasts, misfits and shadowy characters whose lives may not be all they dreamed of, but who take a seedy comfort in what they do have. Some of the characters are literally historical, some biblical, some archtypal–the existential wanderer of “Lazlo” who comes to life only during the course of the song or in dreams, Inspector LeGarde and criminal Jean Paul Levesque whose grudging acquaintanceship and mutual suspicion form an uneasy pas de deux. “Those two are sort of like characters from ‘Casablanca’ who just wandered into my mind one day,” laughs Olney. “They wouldn’t leave until I wrote a song about them.”
Inspector LeGarde and Jean Paul Levesque appear in my favorite song “The Paris Incident” on Omar’s Blues.
Final Thoughts
Most of the David Olney albums that are in my music library were released between 1995 and 2005. was released on the Dead Reckoning label in 2000.
After listening to David Olney last week Ana again today I also listened to his 2018 release This Side or the Other and loved it! I definitely want to listen to the album again and hopefully after which I’ll tell you about it!
