Blood of the Lamb

John Jordan Mystery #2

by Michael Lister

Florida prison chaplain John Jordan’s search for the peace that has so long eluded him is interrupted by an unimaginable murder. Attempting to be a good man in a very bad place while also maintaining his shaky sobriety, John investigates the murder of the seven year-old adopted daughter of ex-con turned televangelist, Bobby Earl Caldwell, a murder committed in John’s own locked office when Bobby Earl conducts a service in the Potter Correctional Institution chapel.

This unspeakable act, and the investigation that follows, will force John to confront his own fears and beliefs, causing this man of mercy to thirst for justice. Torn between the seemingly conflicting roles he’s asked to assume—cop and cleric—John must struggle to figure out his identity as well as that of the killer’s, but his past continues to haunt him in the form of troubling thoughts of failure and the resurfacing of his ex-wife, Susan.

Putting aside his distrust of the slick televangelist and his seductive wife, John must ignore intimidation and resist manipulation to find a killer among some very unusual suspects—including two murderers, a child molester, a teacher with something to hide, and Bobby Earl Caldwell himself whose very act of exposing his daughter to such risk causes John to suspect him from the very beginning.

Amid private crises and the torturous experiences of a thoughtful, sensitive man working in such a pitiless place, nothing short of death will end John’s search for the person who killed little Nicole Caldwell. Uncovering the guilt, restoring the balance, John seeks pardon from the self-inflicted life sentence he’s serving and exoneration from the burden of regret he bears.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Collections, Detective

235 pages, ebook

First published September 25, 2004

About the author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist Michael Lister is a native Floridian best known for his literary suspense thrillers as well as his two ongoing mystery series, the prison chaplain John Jordan "Blood" series and the hard-boiled, 1940s noir Jimmy "Soldier" Riley Series, and the post-apocalypic suspense thriller Cataclysmos.

Visit www.michaellister.com for more information, or follow his youtube channel - Writing and Life at https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelL...

The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”

Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.

Truly a regional writer, North Florida is his beat.

Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition that captured his imagination and became such a source of meaning and inspiration. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on myth and narrative.

In the early 90s, Michael became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections. For nearly a decade, he served as a contract, staff, then senior chaplain at three different facilities in the Panhandle of Florida—a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed, POWER IN THE BLOOD. It was the first in a series of popular and celebrated novels featuring ex-cop turned prison chaplain, John Jordan. Subsequent books in the series include BLOOD OF THE LAMB, FLESH AND BLOOD, THE BODY AND THE BLOOD, BLOOD SACRIFICE, and RIVERS TO BLOOD, and each takes readers through the electronically locked gates of the chain-link fences, beneath the looping razor wire glinting in the sun, and into the strange world of Potter Correctional Institution, Florida’s toughest maximum security prison. Of the John Jordan series, Michael Connelly says “Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. It crackles with tension and authenticity,” while Julia Spencer-Fleming adds “Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. See what crime fiction is capable of.”

Michael also writes historical hard-boiled thrillers, such as THE BIG GOODBYE, THE BIG BEYOND, and THE BIG HELLO featuring Jimmy "Soldier" Riley, a PI in Panama City during World War II. Ace Atkins calls the "Soldier" series "tough and violent with snappy dialogue and great atmosphere . . . a suspenseful, romantic and historic ride."

Michael Lister won his first Florida Book Award for his literary novel, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a book, according to the Panama City News Herald, that “is lyrical and literary, written in a sparse but evocative prose reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy.” It is a contemplation of life and death, art and meaning, set deep in the swamps of the Apalachicola River, a thriller about a wildlife photographer whose camera traps capture a crime, that shows the beauty and danger of the Panhandle paradise.

His second Florida Book Award was for his fifth John Jordan novel BLOOD SACRIFICE.

Reviews

[Sean]

This is the second in this series that I have read now and I am beginning to like this character really much now.

Michael Lister has done a really good job of making John Jordan a really likeable character that I will definitely be reading more in this series.

[Ace]

If there was a category for "Depressing Fiction," this series would be at the top of it. John Jordan is a sorry-assed alcoholic prison chaplain, with a miserable job, who works in a miserable setting and is placed in miserable situations. I picked up the first 6 novels in this series at a bargain rate after reading a promo on facebook, but after reading the first two, I've had my fill. If only it was in book form. Then I could take it outside and burn it.

[Kari Beasley]

While this book is #2 in a series it can be read as a stand alone novel. I haven't read Book #1 and was able to follow along and not be lost. However, that being said, I am positive there is background information involving the main character John that would be helpful when reading this book. With that being said, this book was not what I had expected, though I'm not sure what my expectations were.

John has returned to his home state of Florida and is now a prison Chaplin. There is history in his home town, which is eluded to throughout the book, his being an alcoholic. John becomes involved in the murder investigation of a young girl who was brought into the prison by her parents, famous television minister Bobby Earl Caldwell and his wife Bunny. John aids in the investigation.

There are numerous plot twists throughout the book. You are left guessing until almost the very end of the book to find out who murdered Nicole. While the main focus of the novel is the murder investigation, several other crimes are brought to light.

Overall a good and haunting book.

[Jackie]

All John Jordan wants is peace to live his life. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to work out that way. A murder is definitely something to be solved. Don’t miss out

[Angela]

3 1/2 Stars

Blood of the Lamb (John Jordan Mystery Book #2) by Michael Lister.


Full review to come.

[Deep Hollow]

Florida noir or Southern noir, this was an interesting read. The main character is a prison chaplain at a Florida prison where a murder takes place. Nice to read a book where a man of faith is showcased - with his beliefs, doubts and warts all on display. I hope to read the other books in the series. Note: this was a free book in a special Christmas giveaway. I just signed up for it on the author's website and received it in the mail about four days later.

[Nikki]

It's an oddity that, although many mystery and detective stories end with someone going to prison, we rarely see one that is set in a prison. (At least not the ones I usually read.) Indeed, it is often an indicator of "sensitivity" for an amateur or even professional sleuth to have a distaste or even a fear of visiting a prisoner. Michael Lister's BLOOD OF THE LAMB transgresses that convention. Most of the action takes place in a Florida penitentiary, where protagonist John Jordan is a chaplain. It's the second in a series, but the first one I've read.
The story begins with a conflict between Chaplain Jordan and the warden, who has gone over Jordan's head and arranged a visit to the prison by a well-known televangelist, his wife, and their young adopted daughter. Jordan seems to be on the liberal side of religion so he's not thrilled about the evangelist's visit in the first place. But knowing that the audience will include a number of convicted pedophiles, he's full of anger and disbelief at the stupidity of bringing a young
child in to perform for the inmates. Sadly, his concerns are validated when the girl is found murdered in a "locked-room" situation in Jordan's own office.
To find out who killed the little girl, Jordan must deal with an antagonistic law enforcement establishment, the usual cons and con artists who populate the prison, the well-connected and well-financed evangelist, and members of the prison staff who may or may not be trustworthy. Besides all this, his father and semi-estranged brother, who are County Sheriff and deputy, have been frozen out of the investigation, and Jordan has personal problems (he's a recovering
alcoholic, struggling with an attraction to a married co-worker and unresolved issues with his ex-wife, and his alcoholic mother is dying.) It almost seems too much for one man to deal with, but without being at all preachy, Lister lets us know that Jordan's faith is what makes him able to meet most of his challenges.
There are plot twists galore, and surprises virtually up to the last page of this book. Lister pulls no punches when it comes to describing the grimy realities of prison life. This is not a book where all the likeable characters have happy endings. It's as messy as the lives of prisoners. It's also well-written, hard to put down, and a book that will give you things to think about for a long time. It's on my "20-Best List" for 2006, and I plan to read Lister's other books as soon as I can.

[Ron Stotyn]

Blood of the Lamb (20th Anniversary Edition) Review
The death of a child, murder really, inside the office of John Jordan's prison chaplaincy, has all the earmarks of a locked door mystery. John Jordan, also a police trained investigator needs to find the killer, while protecting his own innocence. After all he did have access along with potentially several other suspect prison linked characters. I've been a John Jordan fan for several years now, attracted by his unusual dual role as a prison chaplain and sometimes police investigator. I've also had the privilege of acting as a critiquing commentator for author Michael Lister along with many others of his reader's group. In this 20th Anniversary Edition of Blood of the Lamb, Michael Lister has added content to the story, added many new details about John Jordan's character and behavior and has delved into John Jordan's thoughts about life, death in a spiritual condition. That often produces a scenario for conflict in John Jordan's emotions. I've read this title several times now and heartily recommend this new edition for your reading pleasure. Regards, Dr. Ron Stotyn (PhD), author of The Chechen's Revenge.

[annapi]

Prison chaplain John Jordan investigates the killing of a televangelist's adopted daughter, who was locked in his own office as inmates of the Potter Correctional Institute attended her father's sermon at the prison.

Lister provides enough clues for the reader to figure out the mystery in the midst of all the red herrings thrown around. I'm enjoying this series, even though it's not as tight or as compelling as my favorite thrillers. I suspect the writing will improve, but this one was a little too showy for me. The victim was too pure and innocent, the televangelist father was for me inconsistent in character, one minute sleazy proponent of the (to me) loathesome "prosperity gospel", the next characterized as a true religious convert. What drove it over the edge for me to deduct one star from the four I originally rated it was the completely gratuitous death of a character at the end just for what seemed to be shock value. Still, overall a good mystery.

[Bob Ryan]

After I read the first JJ mystery I wasn't sure I was going to read another. It seems so sparse. I've read several James Lee Burke books and a Lee Child book since then where the descriptions abound and become part of the story. Then I come back to this style and it's almost nothing but dialogues. Why do I find this appealing? This book is set in a prison and a cathedral in the prison. Lister puts the characters in a vehicle once in order to have the villains crash into them. Other than that instance you could perform this book on a stage.
It is an interesting story, a "lock box" murder of a young girl in the office of a prison chaplain. JJ is a flawed hero whose story is compelling. There's sufficient action and a good ending.
The "woke" readers can pass on this. Hard to clean up the speech of black prison inmates.
I can see me reading the next one, if for no other reason to see the next steps in JJ's battles with his alcoholism and failed relationships

[Bob]

This is the third book in this series that i've read. The protagonist is a prison chaplain who sidelines as a detective. In this book, a TV evangelist comes to the prison along with his wife and young daughter to present the gospel. While there, the little girl is killed in the chaplain's office so the chaplain takes it upon himself to figure out who killed her. That's enough of the plot. The real selling point of this series of books is the chaplain. He's a very flawed and human character. Full of his own doubts while trying to support the faith in others. He has a wife from whom he's separated, a girlfriend who is married, and many other personal problems. Yet he soldiers on, trying to do the right thing. Trying to make sense of things. I like the character and i think i'll read more in this series in the future.

[Drasko]

Any time of the year you can get this author's books for free. It is difficult to get any NYT bestselling author at discounted price not to mention for free. I have feeling that Mr Lister is giving us his sermons through his books. More then half of the book is in perfect alignment with current "progressive" ideology. After living good part of my life in communist country I can't stand any sort of cheap propaganda and unfortunately Mr Lister's books are teeming with that and, of course, all delivered from dizzy heights of highest moral ground. I don't think I should be wasting more time on this author!

[Krissi]

This is my second John Jordan mystery and I really like the flow, the characters and the prison setting. This was not as predictable as I thought it was going to be. I thought for sure I had the killer pegged and the twist at the end was like NOOOOOO. This series is great for a vacation read or a filler read. Well written and engaging. Characters are relatable. I know this is an older book from the 90s but it ages well. I even forgot it was set in the 90s sometimes. Really good read, easy, short and quite an unexpected page turner.

[Miss]

Very similar to book #1 of this series in that it was really to read without being amazing. Multiple plots -again not well developed, half-baked characters, crimes solved on speculation and getting lucky with the perpetrator confessing, too many similarities with #1 in how Laura's story unfolded, and the storyline with Susan.... wtf ..

There's potential in these stories but it's not quite hitting for me. I downloaded #1-3 from Kindle unlimited in a bundle so I'll read #3 and hope for better... but I'm not expecting it...

[Murrel Lowry]

Once again, author Michael Lister did a great job with the 2nd in the John Jordan series. Well written with some really good people and some really bad ones,and a story line filled to the brim and daring me to stop reading. And I didn't and so now I'm going to have to read more. Many thanks to this author for doing what he does so well, so I can do what I do so well, and that would be reading. Keep up the good work and I'll try to hold up my end of the deal. Again, thank you very much.

[Marcia]

John Jordan moves through his precarious life as a prison chaplain using all of his talents gained as a former cop and investigator. He does not shy away from anything, except maybe his own feelings. This book was a bit tough as it involves a child and inmates. Evil is everywhere. The reason behind it all is something that drives many to make bad decisions. I really like this series but each book so far can be read by itself.

[Jim Phillips]

An excellent complicated murder mystery with very interesting realistic characters. John Jordan is a flawed prison chaplain with several problems to deal with. The story has several murders, lots of suspense, and even some romance. A great storyline that will keep you reading well into the night. Contains an unexpected conclusion that you won't see coming. Highly recommended book and series.
I received and ARC copy of this revised edition, but also purchased the original book.

[Denise]

John Jordan a revised edition.
John is drinking again. Laura an old friend comes to him to say she is being stalked. he was a cop but now works as a chaplain in a prison. He and his partner go after the man who is stalking Laura.
when a young girl is brought into the prison without the correct protocols to preach and sing John can't understand why, then she is murdered at the prison.
This is a revised edition of the book. Given ARC for review.
These are a great series of books.
Denise

[Linda]

When a small child is murdered in the prison where John Jordan is chaplain he jumps in to find out the truth. Why was she there in the first place, her parents knew better, he thought. After all, the girl's father was there to preach to the prisoners.

Through twists and turns John discovers that there were multiple crimes committed why little Nicole was dying and her parents are the first suspects in all.

Another good John Jordan story with a bit of an unexpected twist at the end.

[Beverly]

John Jordan is a completely believable character as a struggling alcoholic policeman cum prison chaplain. Interspersed in the stories are lessons in Christianity. In this one he investigates the murder of a little girl who came to the prison where he works with her mother and televangelist adoptive father. Intricate plotting, lots of prison drama, and his own unrequited love of Anna, keep these books real.

[Jan]

Okay...I'll start with a disclaimer: I didn't read it, I listened to the audiobook on YouTube.
The story follows Chaplain Jordan as he solves the mysterious murder of a preacher's daughter that takes place in his prison chapel. There are lots of people involved, but the question of who would kill a sweet little girl is very hard to answer. And when answered, is hard to accept.
Well done, Mr. Lister.

[Kramie Moon]

John is a prison chaplain but life isnt always as straightforward as it seems. He has a past life of investigating crimes and has grown up in a family of crime fighters. Whilst fighting his own demons he finds himself surrounded by trouble. Can he clear himself and get to the bottom of the crimes? Michael Lister is someone new to me but gripping easy to read crime novels which im finding i cannot put down!

[Jim]

Great read ! Outstanding series. This book two of series was even better than the first. Can't wait to jump into next book of series. John Jordan series is something different taking place in a prison in NW Florida. I'd guess it's set in the early 1990's based on technology present. Took me just over 24 hours to read entire book. Do not miss this series. Check it out.

[Kelly Hudson]

I found this to be another good book, but I lowered the rating based on the incredibility of the plot. Unlikely events: bringing a small female child into a prison; the normally rational warden waiving procedures repeatedly; the out of control sexual behavior of the preacher's wife, yet it is a well kept secret; the variance from police procedure on the handling of the grieving parents.

[Sammye]

This is a fast paced, thought provoking thriller full of twists and turns. John Jordan is a very complicated character. The storyline is very entertaining. Lots of drama and intrigue. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review

[DOROTHY SILLS]

I like this series. Don't really know if t this stuff really happens in jail but it sounds convincing. Good Read.

[Jim Southard]

Reasonably pleasant mystery read, good enough to keep reading but nothing exciting.

[Robert]

Kept me guessing right up to the end.

[Joan]

I really like this author and these characters.

[Ken]

I'm hooked enough to keep reading the series.