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Detective Preach Everson #1
Written in Blood
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2017
77 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
Layton Green
21 books429 followersLayton Green is a bestselling author who loves to tell powerful, edge-of-your-seat stories across a range of genres, including mystery & thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy (and often blending them together). He is the author of the Dominic Grey series, the Blackwood Saga, the Genesis Trilogy, and other works of fiction. Layton's work has been nominated for numerous awards (including a rare three-time finalist for an International Thriller Writers award), optioned for film, published in multiple languages, and has reached #1 on many genre lists.
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 25, 2017
This is a mystery filled with literary references.
Joe "Preach" Everson is a homicide cop that has returned to work and live in his hometown. As soon as he moves back the owner of a bookstore is found dead. The town of Creekville is shocked by these news as there hasn't been a murder in this town in the past 10 years.
Joe starts investigating the murder with the help of a law-student name Ari. He needs Ari's help because she works at the bookstore that the victim owned and can provide some background. She is also useful to Joe because Ari is a bibliophile and the cop soon realizes that the murder scene is eerily similar to the murder in the classic novel Crime and Punishment.
The book is narrated from alternating points of view and is set in a small town in North Carolina. Written in Blood is an interesting and multi-layered thriller. Joe is a complex character with a difficult past and Ari is very likable and full of literary knowledge.
Overall I enjoyed the book and recommend it to mystery readers.
Thanks to Edelweiss, Layton Green, and Seventh Street Books for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
Joe "Preach" Everson is a homicide cop that has returned to work and live in his hometown. As soon as he moves back the owner of a bookstore is found dead. The town of Creekville is shocked by these news as there hasn't been a murder in this town in the past 10 years.
Joe starts investigating the murder with the help of a law-student name Ari. He needs Ari's help because she works at the bookstore that the victim owned and can provide some background. She is also useful to Joe because Ari is a bibliophile and the cop soon realizes that the murder scene is eerily similar to the murder in the classic novel Crime and Punishment.
The book is narrated from alternating points of view and is set in a small town in North Carolina. Written in Blood is an interesting and multi-layered thriller. Joe is a complex character with a difficult past and Ari is very likable and full of literary knowledge.
Overall I enjoyed the book and recommend it to mystery readers.
Thanks to Edelweiss, Layton Green, and Seventh Street Books for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2018
Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on with this book, based on my experience of the first few chapters, but after the first murder takes place it starts to come into its own.
Preach is a priest turned police detective, lead investigator on a series of literary themed murders. This book trod a very fine line between entertainment and cliché but Green managed to sidestep all the cringey clichés in my opinion – Preach is a sensitive and thoughtful main character and his religious past has made him philosophical rather than seeing the world in black and white.
The murders themselves are inspired by classic crime novels, giving them a respectful nod in their mentions. Their relevance doesn’t become clear until the very end and the mystery itself isn’t one that can be easily guessed. There are multiple layers to this book beyond the murder investigation as you’re introduced to the residents of the town, which sets it apart from other books in the genre. It’s always fun to read a book about books and authors, it’s necessarily gimmicky but fun nonetheless!
This has a start-of-series feel to it, with the introduction of a romance and some relationships which weren’t fully developed in this book. I’m not sure how many strongly themed murders you can fit into a series but I’m prepared to find out! Normally, a strong theme in a murder mystery novel makes it a little bit fluffier, but this book contained some pretty dark and graphic themes about the dark side of humanity and the awful things we do to each other, it’s not for the faint of heart.
The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Preach, his rookie partner, Kirby, and the young bookshop assistant, Ari. The characters are well written and easy to relate to, and offer different views on the case as it unfolds.
This is going to be a series to follow if you like crime thrillers that consider the good and bad sides of humanity.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on with this book, based on my experience of the first few chapters, but after the first murder takes place it starts to come into its own.
Preach is a priest turned police detective, lead investigator on a series of literary themed murders. This book trod a very fine line between entertainment and cliché but Green managed to sidestep all the cringey clichés in my opinion – Preach is a sensitive and thoughtful main character and his religious past has made him philosophical rather than seeing the world in black and white.
The murders themselves are inspired by classic crime novels, giving them a respectful nod in their mentions. Their relevance doesn’t become clear until the very end and the mystery itself isn’t one that can be easily guessed. There are multiple layers to this book beyond the murder investigation as you’re introduced to the residents of the town, which sets it apart from other books in the genre. It’s always fun to read a book about books and authors, it’s necessarily gimmicky but fun nonetheless!
This has a start-of-series feel to it, with the introduction of a romance and some relationships which weren’t fully developed in this book. I’m not sure how many strongly themed murders you can fit into a series but I’m prepared to find out! Normally, a strong theme in a murder mystery novel makes it a little bit fluffier, but this book contained some pretty dark and graphic themes about the dark side of humanity and the awful things we do to each other, it’s not for the faint of heart.
The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Preach, his rookie partner, Kirby, and the young bookshop assistant, Ari. The characters are well written and easy to relate to, and offer different views on the case as it unfolds.
This is going to be a series to follow if you like crime thrillers that consider the good and bad sides of humanity.
November 8, 2017
I cannot believe it is already November! My wedding has come and gone and the holidays are fast approaching. November also means time for a new set of #cjsreads picks. Enter, Written in Blood by Layton Green. A crime thriller, which draws from literary references to build the plot? Yes please!
Detective Joe “Preach” Everson is coming back to his hometown (after a mental breakdown) having spent years in Atlanta as a big time homicide detective. Creekville, North Carolina is a small bohemian community that is shocked when the local bookstore owner is brutally murdered, the first homicide in decades. Preach finds himself brought into the case and shocked when he finds the murder mirrors another famous murder found in Crime and Punishment. With the help of a bookstore clerk and as more bodies are found, resembling scenes in other novellas, the pair realize their literary killer may have chosen one of them as his next target.
One of the things that especially drew me into this narrative was the “old school” vibe that Green’s prose possessed. It felt like a classic crime thriller dependent on character relationships and intricate backstories instead of shock value or gore. It was very smart and subtle. I loved feeling like I had to do some of the work to figure out where the story was going. The wheels were turning as I tried to place all the pieces of the puzzle.
Characterization was one of the strongest points within Written in Blood. I loved the relationship between Preach and Ari. I am not normally a lover of any mystery/thriller storylines that wastes my time with a romantic element, but I actually really enjoyed their banter and development. In fact, Ari became one of my favourite characters within the novel, period. A woman who uses her bibliophile tendencies to solve murders? LOVE!
My only complaint with this novel, and it is personal preference, was that, by the end of the novel, it started feeling a little bit drawn out. I realize that the author was trying to bring together all the loose ends, I just felt like it became a little bit redundant and I felt my mind wander.
Overall, I think any mystery fan will love this dark, brooding prose elaborate plot. 4/5 stars.
Detective Joe “Preach” Everson is coming back to his hometown (after a mental breakdown) having spent years in Atlanta as a big time homicide detective. Creekville, North Carolina is a small bohemian community that is shocked when the local bookstore owner is brutally murdered, the first homicide in decades. Preach finds himself brought into the case and shocked when he finds the murder mirrors another famous murder found in Crime and Punishment. With the help of a bookstore clerk and as more bodies are found, resembling scenes in other novellas, the pair realize their literary killer may have chosen one of them as his next target.
One of the things that especially drew me into this narrative was the “old school” vibe that Green’s prose possessed. It felt like a classic crime thriller dependent on character relationships and intricate backstories instead of shock value or gore. It was very smart and subtle. I loved feeling like I had to do some of the work to figure out where the story was going. The wheels were turning as I tried to place all the pieces of the puzzle.
Characterization was one of the strongest points within Written in Blood. I loved the relationship between Preach and Ari. I am not normally a lover of any mystery/thriller storylines that wastes my time with a romantic element, but I actually really enjoyed their banter and development. In fact, Ari became one of my favourite characters within the novel, period. A woman who uses her bibliophile tendencies to solve murders? LOVE!
My only complaint with this novel, and it is personal preference, was that, by the end of the novel, it started feeling a little bit drawn out. I realize that the author was trying to bring together all the loose ends, I just felt like it became a little bit redundant and I felt my mind wander.
Overall, I think any mystery fan will love this dark, brooding prose elaborate plot. 4/5 stars.
February 19, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
After a horrific ordeal, a prison chaplain becomes a small town cop, back in the college town where he was born.
A local bookstore owner is killed in the same way as a character in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. The cop investigates, falls for the local book store manager/law student, and runs into other literary themed crimes.
Pretty good. Shows the underbelly of a college town.
After a horrific ordeal, a prison chaplain becomes a small town cop, back in the college town where he was born.
A local bookstore owner is killed in the same way as a character in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. The cop investigates, falls for the local book store manager/law student, and runs into other literary themed crimes.
Pretty good. Shows the underbelly of a college town.
November 17, 2017
What is it about flawed detectives that speaks to my soul? There is something about damaged protagonists with complex and dark pasts that always gets under my skin and Preach wiggled his way into my cold, black heart. Oftentimes a brooding, handsome, complicated cop is a total cliche but for some reason, it didn’t feel that way here. I immediately connected with Preach and was dying to know more about his motivations, his history and what made him the person he is today. Throw in a clever killer and what more can a girl want?!
I absolutely loved the creativity behind the premise for this one, the idea of a killer referencing famous literary works was so intriguing to me. While the case Preach is working has a heavy literary vibe the author didn’t weigh down the text with too many dense, hard to decipher quotes but rather there were a handful of them that enhanced the story and brought a really intelligent aspect to the plot.
This was a good old fashioned police procedural with a subtle sophistication to the authors writing style. The characterization was incredibly strong both in Preach and his fellow officer Kirby and witness Ari. The plotting was super involved and there were a ton of head spinning misdirections that left me reeling. Highly recommended for a cosmopolitan type of reader that wants a classic murder mystery with a literary bent.
I absolutely loved the creativity behind the premise for this one, the idea of a killer referencing famous literary works was so intriguing to me. While the case Preach is working has a heavy literary vibe the author didn’t weigh down the text with too many dense, hard to decipher quotes but rather there were a handful of them that enhanced the story and brought a really intelligent aspect to the plot.
This was a good old fashioned police procedural with a subtle sophistication to the authors writing style. The characterization was incredibly strong both in Preach and his fellow officer Kirby and witness Ari. The plotting was super involved and there were a ton of head spinning misdirections that left me reeling. Highly recommended for a cosmopolitan type of reader that wants a classic murder mystery with a literary bent.
November 17, 2017
Written in Blood uses literary murders as its main thing, which makes it an interesting read. I did find it got a bit heavy and unnecessary with details in the middle, but it was still a good book. There is plenty there to keep the reader interested, but it can be hard to see the wood from the trees at times as the author throws in a few extra things.
September 13, 2017
I read this book in exchange for an honest review. See more book reviews on my blog, the eccentric trilogy.
The detective protagonist, Joe ‘Preach’ Everson, is investigating the murder of a bookstore owner who was killed in a way that had remarkable parallels to that of the murder in the classic novel Crime and Punishment. As the novel progresses, more murders with links to literary classics take place, and Preach frets that, in the crucial moment, he’ll repeat an error he made earlier in his career. Along with Officer Kirby and aided with the help of Ariana Hale, who adores reading, they try their hardest to catch the murderer before anyone else is killed.
The description throughout is thoughtful and illustrative, I particularly enjoyed the imagery of Damian Black’s house, which was pretty much the ideal horror writer’s home. The dialogue is also expressive and interesting. What really stands out is the plot, however. I found myself gasping out loud and texting friends frantically towards the end about the amazing twists and turns. As usual, I failed to guess who the culprit was – I love the feeling a reader gets when the detective finally realises who the killer is. The only slight criticism that could be put forward would be that everything is a little too convenient in terms of who-knows-who, but given that the place is quite small, and most of the main characters grew up in the area, this is definitely excusable.
Normally, I chastise authors for taking too much time to write about romance, but Ari is lovely and actually helpful in solving the crime; their relationship doesn’t distract from the story and develops at a natural pace. I think most readers can also relate to Ari, I’m sure most of us would love to work in a bookstore. And Preach is such a brilliant character. His backstory unfolds through his therapy sessions, making the reader really see how much suffering and guilt he’s endured (despite him never being at fault), it was a very clever idea to include the therapy sessions - lots of authors overlook the mental strain solving crime can have. I was delighted to have a protagonist who had emotions, empathy and vulnerabilities, and going against his past self. There’s a bit where Ari analyses him, and he does the same back, and it’s fascinating to see these impressions, and how they were formed.
There are some dark themes in the novel, so anyone under eighteen would not be advised to read this. Other than that, any fans of the dark crime genre will be sure to enjoy this. I’m definitely going to look out Layton Green’s books in the future!
The detective protagonist, Joe ‘Preach’ Everson, is investigating the murder of a bookstore owner who was killed in a way that had remarkable parallels to that of the murder in the classic novel Crime and Punishment. As the novel progresses, more murders with links to literary classics take place, and Preach frets that, in the crucial moment, he’ll repeat an error he made earlier in his career. Along with Officer Kirby and aided with the help of Ariana Hale, who adores reading, they try their hardest to catch the murderer before anyone else is killed.
The description throughout is thoughtful and illustrative, I particularly enjoyed the imagery of Damian Black’s house, which was pretty much the ideal horror writer’s home. The dialogue is also expressive and interesting. What really stands out is the plot, however. I found myself gasping out loud and texting friends frantically towards the end about the amazing twists and turns. As usual, I failed to guess who the culprit was – I love the feeling a reader gets when the detective finally realises who the killer is. The only slight criticism that could be put forward would be that everything is a little too convenient in terms of who-knows-who, but given that the place is quite small, and most of the main characters grew up in the area, this is definitely excusable.
Normally, I chastise authors for taking too much time to write about romance, but Ari is lovely and actually helpful in solving the crime; their relationship doesn’t distract from the story and develops at a natural pace. I think most readers can also relate to Ari, I’m sure most of us would love to work in a bookstore. And Preach is such a brilliant character. His backstory unfolds through his therapy sessions, making the reader really see how much suffering and guilt he’s endured (despite him never being at fault), it was a very clever idea to include the therapy sessions - lots of authors overlook the mental strain solving crime can have. I was delighted to have a protagonist who had emotions, empathy and vulnerabilities, and going against his past self. There’s a bit where Ari analyses him, and he does the same back, and it’s fascinating to see these impressions, and how they were formed.
There are some dark themes in the novel, so anyone under eighteen would not be advised to read this. Other than that, any fans of the dark crime genre will be sure to enjoy this. I’m definitely going to look out Layton Green’s books in the future!
November 13, 2017
Written in Blood by Layton Green follows Detective Preach, as he attempts to wade through the murders cropping up in Creekville, North Carolina. The town, that was his home, beheld a devastating change after his departure. And now that he's back, carrying his own nightmares of a time in Atlanta, he is forced to wonder what exactly went down during his absence. The serial killer is vengeful and won't stop until he/she has recreated the murders that took place in the writings of Poe, Dostoevsky etc. Preach's hands are tied and he has very less time to figure out who's upto no good in the previously peaceful town of Creekville.
Literary references and a murder mystery, what an incredible combination! From the very beginning, this novel was unputdownable. The murders, the leads were all explored in due time, spaced out evenly throughout the book so that no part of it is draggy. Nothing about the plot is predictable and like any good murder mystery, you're most probably going to bet on the wrong person as being the suspect. I did. And when the climax did roll around (almost at the end), I was completely bowled over!! Like *hyperventilating* bowled over. The author's writing style is crisp, to the point, tinged by great imageries and analogies. As a reader slowly growing to love older and modern classics, the discussions and novels that are pivotal to the plot were my absolute favourite.
The manner in which themes such as rape, prostitution, child abuse and bullying are dealt with doesn't make light of the situation. In fact, Preach's sentiment or reaction towards these comes from a very real place. And alongside him, we can't help but shed a tear for the hundreds and thousands of people who are undergoing such horrors. There are only a couple of characters who are regulars in the novel, so there isn't much to detect in terms of a character arc. Sure, Preach and his partner, Kirby undergo some personality change. But that's about it. I did not have a single complaint about this book and the whole reading experience was spotted with squeals of excitement. I'm still hungover and can barely contain myself at having read such a superb book. Highly highly highly recommend it to all those who enjoy murder mysteries!
What do you get out of it? A mind blowing murder mystery that, in true meta fashion, is fueled by four timeless classic novels.
Thank you Pyr and Edelweiss for sending me this e-galley in exchange for a review.
Literary references and a murder mystery, what an incredible combination! From the very beginning, this novel was unputdownable. The murders, the leads were all explored in due time, spaced out evenly throughout the book so that no part of it is draggy. Nothing about the plot is predictable and like any good murder mystery, you're most probably going to bet on the wrong person as being the suspect. I did. And when the climax did roll around (almost at the end), I was completely bowled over!! Like *hyperventilating* bowled over. The author's writing style is crisp, to the point, tinged by great imageries and analogies. As a reader slowly growing to love older and modern classics, the discussions and novels that are pivotal to the plot were my absolute favourite.
The manner in which themes such as rape, prostitution, child abuse and bullying are dealt with doesn't make light of the situation. In fact, Preach's sentiment or reaction towards these comes from a very real place. And alongside him, we can't help but shed a tear for the hundreds and thousands of people who are undergoing such horrors. There are only a couple of characters who are regulars in the novel, so there isn't much to detect in terms of a character arc. Sure, Preach and his partner, Kirby undergo some personality change. But that's about it. I did not have a single complaint about this book and the whole reading experience was spotted with squeals of excitement. I'm still hungover and can barely contain myself at having read such a superb book. Highly highly highly recommend it to all those who enjoy murder mysteries!
What do you get out of it? A mind blowing murder mystery that, in true meta fashion, is fueled by four timeless classic novels.
Thank you Pyr and Edelweiss for sending me this e-galley in exchange for a review.
November 19, 2018
Exceptional murder mystery
"Being a preacher is harder on the mind...Being a cop is harder on the soul."
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is a complicated man. He grew up in Creekville, North Carolina. When a tragedy struck in his early years, he turned to God and became a preacher and then a prison chaplain. After suffering a couple of breakdowns, he became a homicide detective in Atlanta and finally ended back up in Creekville as a police detective.
When a series of murders based on novels start happening in Creekville, he's paired up with a partner and they try to track down the murderer.
I loved this book from the first page through the ending. All the pieces fit together so precisely and it was great fun to read.
Preach is a complex character who I'd like to read more about one of these days.
The author did a superb job with characters, storyline, locale and the ending was perfect. I consider this a literary mystery novel that is easy to read and become involved in.
I received this book from Seventh Street Books through the Amazon VINE program in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
"Being a preacher is harder on the mind...Being a cop is harder on the soul."
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is a complicated man. He grew up in Creekville, North Carolina. When a tragedy struck in his early years, he turned to God and became a preacher and then a prison chaplain. After suffering a couple of breakdowns, he became a homicide detective in Atlanta and finally ended back up in Creekville as a police detective.
When a series of murders based on novels start happening in Creekville, he's paired up with a partner and they try to track down the murderer.
I loved this book from the first page through the ending. All the pieces fit together so precisely and it was great fun to read.
Preach is a complex character who I'd like to read more about one of these days.
The author did a superb job with characters, storyline, locale and the ending was perfect. I consider this a literary mystery novel that is easy to read and become involved in.
I received this book from Seventh Street Books through the Amazon VINE program in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
September 25, 2017
Joe (Preach) Everson has led a tumultuous life. As a teenager in Creekville, North Carolina, he was a champion wrestler, troublemaker, and ladies' man who had his pick of girlfriends. Sadly, a tragic loss precipitated an emotional breakdown and, instead of giving himself a chance to heal, he fled. Subsequently, he attended Bible college, and spent time as a prison chaplain. After giving up his work as a clergyman, he joined the Atlanta police force, but another harrowing experience cost him his job. Now, he has come full circle; after a sixteen-year absence, he is back in Creekville as a detective, much to the displeasure of his former high school buddies who never forgave him for leaving town without a word.
The plot of Layton Green's "Written in Blood" involves a series of "literary murders." Various individuals are killed and the perpetrator leaves artifacts near the bodies that are reminiscent of various classic works, such as Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment." Joe and his partner, Scott Kirby, sift through the forensic evidence, interview witnesses, and look into the victims' backgrounds for clues. They also enrage a crime boss, Big Mac Dobbins, who threatens to retaliate if they get in his way. Joe befriends a beautiful and bright law student, Ari Hale, who works in a bookstore, is a voracious reader, and offers her opinions about Joe's case. Meanwhile, both Joe and Kirby must deal with ever-growing media attention as the body count rises.
Green takes us inside a small Southern town that has changed radically in some ways but has stagnated in others. There is gentrification, but the have-nots still struggle to make ends meet while, at times, engaging in high-risk behavior. It is unfortunate that the author, who has a talent for portraying setting and character, loses control of his material in the final quarter of the book. He throws in murder, mayhem, and so many curveballs that, by the time the killer's identity is revealed, the solution seems almost anticlimactic. (The answer to "Whodunit?" will make you groan.) Even worse, Green overwhelms us with a byzantine and cluttered plot that involves adultery, sexual perversion, deceit, blackmail, and revenge. In addition, he fills this book with creepy and immoral predators who take pleasure in preying on weak and vulnerable victims. Preach and Ari are likeable enough protagonists, but Green would have served his heroes and us better had he not muddied the waters with so many outlandish red herrings.
The plot of Layton Green's "Written in Blood" involves a series of "literary murders." Various individuals are killed and the perpetrator leaves artifacts near the bodies that are reminiscent of various classic works, such as Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment." Joe and his partner, Scott Kirby, sift through the forensic evidence, interview witnesses, and look into the victims' backgrounds for clues. They also enrage a crime boss, Big Mac Dobbins, who threatens to retaliate if they get in his way. Joe befriends a beautiful and bright law student, Ari Hale, who works in a bookstore, is a voracious reader, and offers her opinions about Joe's case. Meanwhile, both Joe and Kirby must deal with ever-growing media attention as the body count rises.
Green takes us inside a small Southern town that has changed radically in some ways but has stagnated in others. There is gentrification, but the have-nots still struggle to make ends meet while, at times, engaging in high-risk behavior. It is unfortunate that the author, who has a talent for portraying setting and character, loses control of his material in the final quarter of the book. He throws in murder, mayhem, and so many curveballs that, by the time the killer's identity is revealed, the solution seems almost anticlimactic. (The answer to "Whodunit?" will make you groan.) Even worse, Green overwhelms us with a byzantine and cluttered plot that involves adultery, sexual perversion, deceit, blackmail, and revenge. In addition, he fills this book with creepy and immoral predators who take pleasure in preying on weak and vulnerable victims. Preach and Ari are likeable enough protagonists, but Green would have served his heroes and us better had he not muddied the waters with so many outlandish red herrings.
November 10, 2017
Time taken to read - on and off over 4 days
Publisher - Seventh Street Books
Pages - 320
Source - Review copy, author
Blurb from Goodreads
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
My Review
Preach is back in his hometown, with quite an impressive past behind him he is now a cop and a crime needs solved. Preach has to deal with his past, leaving his people and problems, being a priest and now returned a police officer. The killer is smart ^ the crime scene mirrors that of a famous book, what is the message and why did they kill that particular person? With the help of Ariana who works in the bookstore, the bookstore where the murder happened, together they have to piece it together.
This is a very mixed bag to be honest, I loved the authors turns of phrase, I find because I read so much I see and hear a lot of the same terms. I loved the crime scenes that brought about other famous works and authors, in fact I went off and bought one after reading some of the stuff mentioned in the book. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, for your information, only 49p on Amazon kindle at time of posting. The crimes are clever as are the references and there is subtle humour throughout the book. There are also kickbacks to Preach's past, his breakdown and the case that caused it, the strained family history and the conflicting feelings he has whilst working the case.
It is a busy wee book and I felt it could have been so much longer and gave more scope and depth to Preach, his past and the decisions that followed rather than small reflections. I guess it is a testament to the authors writing that he has left the reader absolutely wanting more. I hope he does a throwback book and takes us back to Preach, the case that near broke him and his journey through Priesthood until going into being a man of the law. I think that would work really well and probably give more scope for enjoyment with this book. I found I just had a fair few questions I would have liked answered in relation to Preach's past and what made him who he is now.
The pace is good although I felt the end came far too quickly, I absolutely wanted more. This was my first time reading this author although I see he has written quite a lot prior to this, I will be seeking out more of his work. 3.5 stars for me for this one, thanks to the author for introducing me to his work, it will not be our last dance. Written in Blood is out to buy now in ebook and treebook format.
Publisher - Seventh Street Books
Pages - 320
Source - Review copy, author
Blurb from Goodreads
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
My Review
Preach is back in his hometown, with quite an impressive past behind him he is now a cop and a crime needs solved. Preach has to deal with his past, leaving his people and problems, being a priest and now returned a police officer. The killer is smart ^ the crime scene mirrors that of a famous book, what is the message and why did they kill that particular person? With the help of Ariana who works in the bookstore, the bookstore where the murder happened, together they have to piece it together.
This is a very mixed bag to be honest, I loved the authors turns of phrase, I find because I read so much I see and hear a lot of the same terms. I loved the crime scenes that brought about other famous works and authors, in fact I went off and bought one after reading some of the stuff mentioned in the book. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, for your information, only 49p on Amazon kindle at time of posting. The crimes are clever as are the references and there is subtle humour throughout the book. There are also kickbacks to Preach's past, his breakdown and the case that caused it, the strained family history and the conflicting feelings he has whilst working the case.
It is a busy wee book and I felt it could have been so much longer and gave more scope and depth to Preach, his past and the decisions that followed rather than small reflections. I guess it is a testament to the authors writing that he has left the reader absolutely wanting more. I hope he does a throwback book and takes us back to Preach, the case that near broke him and his journey through Priesthood until going into being a man of the law. I think that would work really well and probably give more scope for enjoyment with this book. I found I just had a fair few questions I would have liked answered in relation to Preach's past and what made him who he is now.
The pace is good although I felt the end came far too quickly, I absolutely wanted more. This was my first time reading this author although I see he has written quite a lot prior to this, I will be seeking out more of his work. 3.5 stars for me for this one, thanks to the author for introducing me to his work, it will not be our last dance. Written in Blood is out to buy now in ebook and treebook format.
January 1, 2018
Preach Everson returned to be a cop in his hometown of Creekville, NC --a liberal hipster enclave near Chapel Hill -- after working murders in Atlanta and a subsequent stint as a prison chaplain. Shortly after his return, a bookstore owner's murder copies a literary murder. After the second murder copies a different literary crime, he suspects there is more to the crimes than is apparent. Lots of twists and layers to the story. Preach is an interesting protagonist and I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
March 3, 2019
I like Layton Green’s books a lot. I liked the premise of this one, but didn’t love it as much as I love the Dominic Grey series. Interesting story line and I like Preach, but this book doesn’t have the same punch as the others to me. Still liked it!
December 17, 2017
Strange book. The hero's aunt did it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2018
I couldn't get interested in this book and did not get past the first chapter.
May 4, 2020
4.5 stars. Great mystery with a twist I didn’t see coming. Harder & harder to put down.
April 14, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A cop seeking a life of relative peace by taking a job in his former hometown in North Carolina finds horror when a gruesome murder teases the arrival of a serial killer in author Layton Green’s “Written in Blood”. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
The Review
The author has truly captured the serial killer thriller and classic “whodunnit” storytelling theme that has defined crime thrillers. The emergence of a disturbed serial killer with a penchant for literary based crime scenes immediately grips readers in a tight embrace as the investigation takes twists and turns the reader will never see coming.
While the characters really provided the insight and emotion of the investigation, it was the setting that really captivated me in this story. As I lived in North Carolina for a number of years, not only did I feel personally connected to the location of the story, but the concept of a small town harboring the same level of deceit, crime and seedy underbelly that one would normally expect in a large city was truly fascinating to play out. We see this often in the novel reflected in the protagonist, as Preach sees the hard hitting criminal underworld setting he thought he left behind show itself throughout the investigation inside this seemingly peaceful small town, something many people are beginning to see in our world today.
The Verdict
This was a truly captivating read. Heart-pounding action and shocking character twists that will leave readers hanging off of the author’s every word, this is a must read novel in the crime thriller genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of the novel “Written in Blood” by Layton Green today.
A cop seeking a life of relative peace by taking a job in his former hometown in North Carolina finds horror when a gruesome murder teases the arrival of a serial killer in author Layton Green’s “Written in Blood”. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.
No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina--a bohemian community near Chapel Hill--than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer's community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed--and one or both of them may be his next target.
The Review
The author has truly captured the serial killer thriller and classic “whodunnit” storytelling theme that has defined crime thrillers. The emergence of a disturbed serial killer with a penchant for literary based crime scenes immediately grips readers in a tight embrace as the investigation takes twists and turns the reader will never see coming.
While the characters really provided the insight and emotion of the investigation, it was the setting that really captivated me in this story. As I lived in North Carolina for a number of years, not only did I feel personally connected to the location of the story, but the concept of a small town harboring the same level of deceit, crime and seedy underbelly that one would normally expect in a large city was truly fascinating to play out. We see this often in the novel reflected in the protagonist, as Preach sees the hard hitting criminal underworld setting he thought he left behind show itself throughout the investigation inside this seemingly peaceful small town, something many people are beginning to see in our world today.
The Verdict
This was a truly captivating read. Heart-pounding action and shocking character twists that will leave readers hanging off of the author’s every word, this is a must read novel in the crime thriller genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of the novel “Written in Blood” by Layton Green today.
November 19, 2017
Genre: Police procedural
Rating: Enjoyed and recommend it
Joe "Preach" Everson is back in his hometown of Creeksville, NC as a detective on the town's police force. His return coincides with the town's first murder in ten years. If the murder of local bookstore owner Farley Robinson in the hipsterfied community wasn't shocking enough, it was staged to resemble Raskolnikov's murder of the pawnbroker in Crime and Punishment.
As the only detective with homicide experience, Joe gets the case. Assisting him is officer Scotty Kirby, competent but a publicity hound who hopes the case catapults him to greater things, such as TV.
Written in Blood is an entertaining and stimulating police procedural. I use the word stimulating because the many literary references add a fun complexity to the investigation. Because of the staging, there isn't an obvious motive, like a robbery gone bad. What does the staging have to do with the crime? Why Crime and Punishment? Is it a message? If so, for whom?
Tying the murder to a literary classic is a clever hook. It means that Joe and Scott not only have to follow the usual trails, like known associates, but also figure out how the literary reference fits in to the crime. Helping on the literary side, Joe has Ari Hale, a bookstore employee and, pretty obviously from the start, potential romantic interest.
Joe is a likable, interesting, and complex character. I put him slightly on the "defective detective" spectrum of characters. He doesn't have Monk's OCD or Holmes' aspergers characteristics but he does have a past that makes therapy a requirement for employment. One clue is his nickname, "Preach". I'll say no more on this.
The author has a good, flowing style of writing with no jarring notes and realistic dialog. Layton also has a wry way of describing things that generates a chuckle. Here is how he describes the chief of police:
"Chief Higgins was full of seeming contradictions: an overweight vegan, a gun-toting liberal, and a North Carolinian who didn't care for any of the Big Three: BBQ, beer, or basketball."
If you know anything about North Carolina you know that BBQ and basketball are religions.
This is a solid and intelligent procedural with good forensic details to keep the reader's attention. As you expect, the investigation takes off with false starts and goes off on many paths but still arrives at a logical (and pretty neat) conclusion that doesn't leave the reader wondering where that came from. I also have to confess that I was a literature major at university and found the dissection of the literary clues great fun.
I'm voting for this to become a series.
Layton Green currently lives in Durham, NC and is the author of the Dominic Grey series which I can also recommend.
Rating: Enjoyed and recommend it
Joe "Preach" Everson is back in his hometown of Creeksville, NC as a detective on the town's police force. His return coincides with the town's first murder in ten years. If the murder of local bookstore owner Farley Robinson in the hipsterfied community wasn't shocking enough, it was staged to resemble Raskolnikov's murder of the pawnbroker in Crime and Punishment.
As the only detective with homicide experience, Joe gets the case. Assisting him is officer Scotty Kirby, competent but a publicity hound who hopes the case catapults him to greater things, such as TV.
Written in Blood is an entertaining and stimulating police procedural. I use the word stimulating because the many literary references add a fun complexity to the investigation. Because of the staging, there isn't an obvious motive, like a robbery gone bad. What does the staging have to do with the crime? Why Crime and Punishment? Is it a message? If so, for whom?
Tying the murder to a literary classic is a clever hook. It means that Joe and Scott not only have to follow the usual trails, like known associates, but also figure out how the literary reference fits in to the crime. Helping on the literary side, Joe has Ari Hale, a bookstore employee and, pretty obviously from the start, potential romantic interest.
Joe is a likable, interesting, and complex character. I put him slightly on the "defective detective" spectrum of characters. He doesn't have Monk's OCD or Holmes' aspergers characteristics but he does have a past that makes therapy a requirement for employment. One clue is his nickname, "Preach". I'll say no more on this.
The author has a good, flowing style of writing with no jarring notes and realistic dialog. Layton also has a wry way of describing things that generates a chuckle. Here is how he describes the chief of police:
"Chief Higgins was full of seeming contradictions: an overweight vegan, a gun-toting liberal, and a North Carolinian who didn't care for any of the Big Three: BBQ, beer, or basketball."
If you know anything about North Carolina you know that BBQ and basketball are religions.
This is a solid and intelligent procedural with good forensic details to keep the reader's attention. As you expect, the investigation takes off with false starts and goes off on many paths but still arrives at a logical (and pretty neat) conclusion that doesn't leave the reader wondering where that came from. I also have to confess that I was a literature major at university and found the dissection of the literary clues great fun.
I'm voting for this to become a series.
Layton Green currently lives in Durham, NC and is the author of the Dominic Grey series which I can also recommend.
November 14, 2017
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of Written in Blood in exchange for my honest review.
A small town in North Carolina has its first murder in more than a decade. The owner of the local bookstore has been found murdered in his home. Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, recently returned to his hometown, sets out to solve the case. However, things quickly escalate into serial killings, all with one thing in common: each crime scene replicates a famous murder scene in a classic literary novel such as Crime and Punishment and a short story by Edgar Allen Poe. With the help of his assistant Detective Kirby as well as Ari, an employee from the bookstore of the first victim, Preach begins investigating the local writing community in the town to find a link within the literary references and hopefully stop any future killings.
I'll be honest: I wasn't sure whether or not I would like this book. I thought the bibliophile angle sounded interesting but I also feared that it might get...well...a little cheesy. But I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying this book very much and found it hard to put down. There aren't too many graphic descriptions, most are just alluded to, which I find tactful. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters as they developed throughout the novel. The first few pages I felt like there was some unnatural dialogue and interactions between characters, which is something I really don't like, but it quickly changed direction. I felt like Green gave just enough backstory to his lead detective to build up his dynamic but did not spend page after page describing him or his past. Overall, I feel like there was an almost perfect balance of plot, mystery, clues, characters, and backstory. I liked the ending but my only criticism (mild spoiler alert) is that I don't feel enough evidence was provided to the reader to be able to suspect the murderer throughout the course of the novel, and for that I take off half a star. I rate Written in Blood 4.5/5 stars. Strong, traditional mystery!
A small town in North Carolina has its first murder in more than a decade. The owner of the local bookstore has been found murdered in his home. Detective Joe "Preach" Everson, recently returned to his hometown, sets out to solve the case. However, things quickly escalate into serial killings, all with one thing in common: each crime scene replicates a famous murder scene in a classic literary novel such as Crime and Punishment and a short story by Edgar Allen Poe. With the help of his assistant Detective Kirby as well as Ari, an employee from the bookstore of the first victim, Preach begins investigating the local writing community in the town to find a link within the literary references and hopefully stop any future killings.
I'll be honest: I wasn't sure whether or not I would like this book. I thought the bibliophile angle sounded interesting but I also feared that it might get...well...a little cheesy. But I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying this book very much and found it hard to put down. There aren't too many graphic descriptions, most are just alluded to, which I find tactful. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters as they developed throughout the novel. The first few pages I felt like there was some unnatural dialogue and interactions between characters, which is something I really don't like, but it quickly changed direction. I felt like Green gave just enough backstory to his lead detective to build up his dynamic but did not spend page after page describing him or his past. Overall, I feel like there was an almost perfect balance of plot, mystery, clues, characters, and backstory. I liked the ending but my only criticism (mild spoiler alert) is that I don't feel enough evidence was provided to the reader to be able to suspect the murderer throughout the course of the novel, and for that I take off half a star. I rate Written in Blood 4.5/5 stars. Strong, traditional mystery!
April 4, 2019
What a ride! Worth every minute I spent reading it!
When I read a book, I am looking to feel involved, can’t put the book down and then realizing I am closing in on the end, I take frequent breaks to avoid finishing my ride.
I loved this book. Some of the characters I liked right away and some with time, morphed to appealing. Their were many variations of good and bad and all points in between. Characters were real and I felt as if I could predict their behavior and assumed I knew where the story would lead.
Every character had a functional place in the storyline creating a rich overview. Reading was a smooth transition from start to finish. I often will read a book and down the line realize there was an enormous amount of extraneous reading that really brought nothing to the story. This book delivered all the way through.
The beauty of this book to me was that the characters were grounded in reality. No matter the issue, people feel different things. There may be yes and no responses to something, but if you reach the bare bones, there is dissension in details that those yes and no answers represent and a rainbow of reasoning behind the decision. Beware. One persons understanding is a psychopath’s playground.
I was lead in a direction of expectation that seemed solid but it would veer in another direction so smoothly, I never saw it coming. By the end of this book, I had changed my mind about what happened and why quite a few times and the ending took me by surprise like sliding on ice.
This was a great book and I enjoyed it fully, no complaints. I dislike reviews that basically tell you the story. For me, it takes away from my enjoyment and anticipation so I will not give anything away.
I will tell you that I cannot remember enjoying a book of this genre so much and heartily recommend it for a great literary adventure. Worth every minute I spent reading it.
When I read a book, I am looking to feel involved, can’t put the book down and then realizing I am closing in on the end, I take frequent breaks to avoid finishing my ride.
I loved this book. Some of the characters I liked right away and some with time, morphed to appealing. Their were many variations of good and bad and all points in between. Characters were real and I felt as if I could predict their behavior and assumed I knew where the story would lead.
Every character had a functional place in the storyline creating a rich overview. Reading was a smooth transition from start to finish. I often will read a book and down the line realize there was an enormous amount of extraneous reading that really brought nothing to the story. This book delivered all the way through.
The beauty of this book to me was that the characters were grounded in reality. No matter the issue, people feel different things. There may be yes and no responses to something, but if you reach the bare bones, there is dissension in details that those yes and no answers represent and a rainbow of reasoning behind the decision. Beware. One persons understanding is a psychopath’s playground.
I was lead in a direction of expectation that seemed solid but it would veer in another direction so smoothly, I never saw it coming. By the end of this book, I had changed my mind about what happened and why quite a few times and the ending took me by surprise like sliding on ice.
This was a great book and I enjoyed it fully, no complaints. I dislike reviews that basically tell you the story. For me, it takes away from my enjoyment and anticipation so I will not give anything away.
I will tell you that I cannot remember enjoying a book of this genre so much and heartily recommend it for a great literary adventure. Worth every minute I spent reading it.
February 12, 2018
I'm giving this book 3.5 stars, close to a 4 but I didn't like the ending that much however, everything up to that point was really well done. The writing is very well done and the book flows rather nicely.
This is the story of Joe "Preach" Everson. He was a big deal Atlanta police detective until one case drove him over the edge. He heads home to Creekville, North Carolina for a nice and easy job as a detective where nothing ever happens. However, the murder of the local bookstore owner, Farley Robertson, puts Preach back in the trenches of a high profile case, especially since the murder is reminiscent of the murder in the novel Crime & Punishment. He has new, young and eager partner dying for the spotlight. When the second murder of the local famed author Damian Black is discovered in the same way as the victim in Murder in the Rue Morgue, Preach believes he's has a serial killer on his hand. The investigation turns more deadly when the local crime boss, Mac Dobbins gets involved. When the third victim, Elliot Fenton is found in the same way as the victim in Five Little Pigs, Preach knows that all of the victim must have a common enemy. He discovers that they all went to high school together and are into some really skanky stuff and have been for years. Preach also finds out the Mayor is involved. There is a race against time ton find the killer before another victim bites the dust, but with the Chief, the Mayor and Mac Dobbins hounding him this wont be easy. There are a few subplots but I won't get into those.
I did love Ari Hale, the law student and bookstore clerk who found the first body. She was the person who helped Preach with the literary aspects of the case.
This is the story of Joe "Preach" Everson. He was a big deal Atlanta police detective until one case drove him over the edge. He heads home to Creekville, North Carolina for a nice and easy job as a detective where nothing ever happens. However, the murder of the local bookstore owner, Farley Robertson, puts Preach back in the trenches of a high profile case, especially since the murder is reminiscent of the murder in the novel Crime & Punishment. He has new, young and eager partner dying for the spotlight. When the second murder of the local famed author Damian Black is discovered in the same way as the victim in Murder in the Rue Morgue, Preach believes he's has a serial killer on his hand. The investigation turns more deadly when the local crime boss, Mac Dobbins gets involved. When the third victim, Elliot Fenton is found in the same way as the victim in Five Little Pigs, Preach knows that all of the victim must have a common enemy. He discovers that they all went to high school together and are into some really skanky stuff and have been for years. Preach also finds out the Mayor is involved. There is a race against time ton find the killer before another victim bites the dust, but with the Chief, the Mayor and Mac Dobbins hounding him this wont be easy. There are a few subplots but I won't get into those.
I did love Ari Hale, the law student and bookstore clerk who found the first body. She was the person who helped Preach with the literary aspects of the case.
September 15, 2018
"He was here for the potential victims. For Ari. For the people living in fear in the town of Creekville. He ran away once before, from this town and from himself. He wasn't doing it again. Not while he still had a choice."
This was my first read of Layton Green, and I'm already planning my trip back to the little bookstore in town to grab another one! What a great thriller!! I never saw the end coming!! And the literary tie-in is brilliant!!
Joe "Preach" Everson has just returned to his hometown of Creekville, NC. After his career as a detective in Atlanta ended after a mental-breakdown following his investigation of a serial killer targeting children, he thought returning to the small town would be just what he needed. But, now there's been a murder in this small town - one that has strange ties to a literary classic novel. Then another. And another. The killer is mimicking the murders described in famous books - to the letter. As the bodies pile up, as well as the literary connections, Preach enlists the help of Ari Hale, a local bookstore manager, to find the links within the murder scenes and the books to help track down the culprit.
As the two race against time before another citizen of Creekville ends up at the morgue, the clues lead to the last person Preach would have suspected. But, will Preach solve the case before he finds himself, and Ari, the killer's next victims?
I was captivated by this book! The connection to the novels is genius! I absolutely loved it and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great read, with a surprising ending!! Never in a million years did I see that coming!
This was my first read of Layton Green, and I'm already planning my trip back to the little bookstore in town to grab another one! What a great thriller!! I never saw the end coming!! And the literary tie-in is brilliant!!
Joe "Preach" Everson has just returned to his hometown of Creekville, NC. After his career as a detective in Atlanta ended after a mental-breakdown following his investigation of a serial killer targeting children, he thought returning to the small town would be just what he needed. But, now there's been a murder in this small town - one that has strange ties to a literary classic novel. Then another. And another. The killer is mimicking the murders described in famous books - to the letter. As the bodies pile up, as well as the literary connections, Preach enlists the help of Ari Hale, a local bookstore manager, to find the links within the murder scenes and the books to help track down the culprit.
As the two race against time before another citizen of Creekville ends up at the morgue, the clues lead to the last person Preach would have suspected. But, will Preach solve the case before he finds himself, and Ari, the killer's next victims?
I was captivated by this book! The connection to the novels is genius! I absolutely loved it and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great read, with a surprising ending!! Never in a million years did I see that coming!
October 30, 2017
Detective Joe Everton acquired the moniker “Preach” as he was formerly a prison chaplain. Prior to that he was one of the finest detectives Atlanta ever had, but a particularly horrific case of crime against children caused him a mental breakdown and a 10-yr hiatus from the job. Now he’s taken a homicide detectives job in No. Carolina and his first case is the murder of a local bookstore owner. The victim was murdered in a way of replicating a crime described in an old classic “Crime & Punishment. The bookstore owners assistant, Ari, (a bibliophile) has agreed to help Preach get acquainted with the town, its inhabitants and classic criminal novels. When another body turns up, murdered in a similar literary way, she and Preach realize the may have a “literary” serial killer on their hands.
The novel moves along at a brisk pace, and I liked the author’s portrayal of the main characters and the setting of the small town. However the last part seemed bogged down with red herrings and didn’t flow effortlessly enough to bring me to a satisfactory conclusion.
This is my first novel by this author. I was provided a complimentary ARC for my honest and unbiased review of 3-stars.
The novel moves along at a brisk pace, and I liked the author’s portrayal of the main characters and the setting of the small town. However the last part seemed bogged down with red herrings and didn’t flow effortlessly enough to bring me to a satisfactory conclusion.
This is my first novel by this author. I was provided a complimentary ARC for my honest and unbiased review of 3-stars.
November 7, 2017
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is home after years of being away working and suffering mental issues. Now he's back on the case in his small town of Greenville, North Carolina when a local bookshop owner is killed in the manner portrayed in a famous book. With the help of a young law student and his new partner, they search for the killer.
This book was really good. It was intriguing, mysterious, and full of danger and drama. The characters are all very real with real problems and they are easy to relate to and to like. I really grew to like Preach as a character because of his damaged past and his present. This book was written very well and as a crime book, it had it all. It had the good guys, bad guys, and crime, with drugs and murder and danger around every corner. It was definitely an edge of your seat read. I thought I knew the murderer, but the truth is a shocker that I never saw coming.
I have not read anything from this author before, but this book was very promising and I hope to read more in the future.
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This book was really good. It was intriguing, mysterious, and full of danger and drama. The characters are all very real with real problems and they are easy to relate to and to like. I really grew to like Preach as a character because of his damaged past and his present. This book was written very well and as a crime book, it had it all. It had the good guys, bad guys, and crime, with drugs and murder and danger around every corner. It was definitely an edge of your seat read. I thought I knew the murderer, but the truth is a shocker that I never saw coming.
I have not read anything from this author before, but this book was very promising and I hope to read more in the future.
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December 13, 2017
I received an advance copy of this book for review by Mr. Green and I think that this is my favorite Layton Green work so far. While I really enjoy the Dominic Grey novels, I generally prefer this genre of mystery. A little bit of Agatha Christie meets Stieg Larsson meets James Lee Burke. Dark and elegant - well written, fast paced, tight plot, and most of all, I loved the characters.
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is my favorite Green lead character to date. Green makes it very easy to empathize with Preach and while he is clearly a "good guy" character, he does have his flaws.
As to the plot and storyline, it is an engrossing mystery that takes place in a local town in NC. The story moves along and while there is rarely any downtime in the pace, the breaks are well done and help to build the characters overall. While I have loved the globetrotting settings of the Dominic Grey novels, it is always fun to have a setting that is cozy and eclectic.
Would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a good detective story.
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is my favorite Green lead character to date. Green makes it very easy to empathize with Preach and while he is clearly a "good guy" character, he does have his flaws.
As to the plot and storyline, it is an engrossing mystery that takes place in a local town in NC. The story moves along and while there is rarely any downtime in the pace, the breaks are well done and help to build the characters overall. While I have loved the globetrotting settings of the Dominic Grey novels, it is always fun to have a setting that is cozy and eclectic.
Would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a good detective story.
May 19, 2018
Written in Blood by Layton Green
I’m sitting here sipping Eagle Rare neat an musing over how I just reviewed a fantasy by Layton Green, a five part series which is currently on volume 3. I am really enjoying that and now I find that Green writes a darn good detective story as well. A detective finds himself returning to his hometown with his metaphoric tail between his legs. A big deal homicide detective, he found himself doubting his abilities and returned to a perceived bucolic refuge. Then the murders started!
Preach, the detective, is weathering a crisis of confidence and is twisting in the wind and in careers. Thrust into the limelight with a series of unnerving murders, he is struggling to maintain his equilibrium. He has a partner, Kirby, who is riding his own horse of misfortune. Together they struggle to find the killer in an increasingly hostile community and search to find clues written in blood.
I highly recommend it. I did get a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Web Site: http://laytongreen.com/
I’m sitting here sipping Eagle Rare neat an musing over how I just reviewed a fantasy by Layton Green, a five part series which is currently on volume 3. I am really enjoying that and now I find that Green writes a darn good detective story as well. A detective finds himself returning to his hometown with his metaphoric tail between his legs. A big deal homicide detective, he found himself doubting his abilities and returned to a perceived bucolic refuge. Then the murders started!
Preach, the detective, is weathering a crisis of confidence and is twisting in the wind and in careers. Thrust into the limelight with a series of unnerving murders, he is struggling to maintain his equilibrium. He has a partner, Kirby, who is riding his own horse of misfortune. Together they struggle to find the killer in an increasingly hostile community and search to find clues written in blood.
I highly recommend it. I did get a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Web Site: http://laytongreen.com/
April 15, 2019
A detective with a mental breakdown in his past solves a series of murders staged to look like scenes from famous works of literature. On the plus side, the main character is well developed and very complex, and some of the other characters are really well drawn as well. The mystery is not easy to solve, and the intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. On the negative side, the book contained just a bit more violence and cruelty than my usual comfort zone. And near the end, red herrings seemed to fly at an alarming pace prior to the final reveal. I will probably try the next one in the series before making a firm decision about whether I like these or not.
October 24, 2017
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
What a fabulous premise - a series of murders take place in a small town, each with clues that tie them to classic literature. Based on the description, I was expecting a cozy mystery, but this is a much grittier, and fairly graphic, police procedural. I'm not sure that Preach's tortured soul was entirely fleshed out in the way the book was aiming for, but overall this was a satisfying mystery with some good red herrings. I didn't expect the murderer AT ALL.
What a fabulous premise - a series of murders take place in a small town, each with clues that tie them to classic literature. Based on the description, I was expecting a cozy mystery, but this is a much grittier, and fairly graphic, police procedural. I'm not sure that Preach's tortured soul was entirely fleshed out in the way the book was aiming for, but overall this was a satisfying mystery with some good red herrings. I didn't expect the murderer AT ALL.
November 3, 2017
This book was tons of fun to read. As with other Layton Green novels, it moves at a fast, but well paced clip through the chain of events, leaving you in its suspenseful clutches and often breathless as you page through to find out "whodunit". I love Preach and Ari's vibe and the sense of place created in this novel. Being a former student of English Literature, I must admit that a plot that weaves literary classics into its dark web is hard to resist. If you like mysteries and you like a varied and interesting cast of characters to sort through, you will love this book. Another winner!
November 5, 2017
The concept of murders based on those in great works of literature is interesting but Creekville, if we are to be believed, is a small town and it's much too small to have all of this going on. This is a procedural but there's a sidekick aspect between Preach and Ariana which I suppose is meant to tone it down a bit. Green is an experienced author and he would have benefited from an experienced editor to pare the language and the plot twists. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
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