What Matters Blood

Jack Dantzler #1

by Tom Wallace

A story of the man from Galilee, Yeshua ben Joseph, like you have never read before; This extraordinary tale will take you through his early years with the Essenes of Qumran, his long journey to the East and the Indus Valley where he studied the most ancient texts. Then, sail with him to Alexandria in Egypt, the home to the greatest seat of learning in the classical world, and witness his time in the library of the Grand Serapeum. Walk the hills and valleys of Judea with him as he delivers his message of the Kingdom of God on Earth to the masses; share his anguish as he is betrayed by one of his own, tortured and condemned to death by those who feared him most. Suffer his agony on the Hill of Skulls as he is brutally executed. But then experience the promise of his sacrifice by those who succeed him.

322 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2004

About the author

Tom Wallace is the author of two previous detective novels, What Matters Blood and The Devil’s Racket, both set in Lexington, Kentucky, where he currently lives. The Heirs of Cain will be his first novel published by Medallion Press. It is the story of a legendary assassin who must track down a former comrade hired to kill the U.S. president and three top Middle East leaders.

Tom spent many years as a successful, award-winning sportswriter/editor in his native Kentucky. He authored five sports-related books, including the highly popular Kentucky Basketball Encyclopedia, an in-depth history of the University of Kentucky’s legendary hoops program. He has contributed articles and columns to numerous national sports magazines, and has also done writing/editing on two national bestsellers by basketball coach Rick Pitino—Success Is A Choice And Lead To Succeed.

Tom is a Vietnam vet, an avid reader, and an admittedly snobbish movie guy. He is also an active member of Mystery Writers of America and the Author’s Guild. Tom’s two artistic icons are Marlon Brando and Leonard Cohen.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel from Wallace. He is from my home town of Central City KY.

Taken from Publisher's Weekly:
Serial killer Eldon Wessell taunts Lexington, Ky., homicide detective Jack Dantzler with letters that reveal an intimate acquaintance with the detective's past. Dantzler suffers from inner demons, including a drinking problem and recurring nightmares induced by his mother's unsolved slaying when he was a youngster, yet his 17-year stint on the force has produced an incredibly perfect record: 33 homicides; 33 killers caught, convicted and sentenced. It would appear to be an unequal contest as Eldon's ritualistic killings become more frequent and the police form a special task force to hunt him down. Instead, Dantzler follows too many trails the reader already knows to be false, while the increasingly important role of a rookie homicide cop, Laurie Dunn, in the investigation and in Dantzler's personal life distracts from the dynamics of the two-person contest.

I am looking forward to more from him.

[Albieglad · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.