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Buffalo Bayou
"She was clothed in a torn pink dress that clung to her body in a way that would have been unflattering on a breathing woman."
Detective John Druitt is new to homicide. His first case is a young woman found in an urban bayou. He immediately sees clues that lead him places he doesn't want to go. But his own demons may be the clue to solving the mystery of the woman's death. And as the case widens, so do his new partner's suspicions about his past and motivations. BUFFALO BAYOU is a dark, psychological thriller perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, and James Patterson.
Detective John Druitt is new to homicide. His first case is a young woman found in an urban bayou. He immediately sees clues that lead him places he doesn't want to go. But his own demons may be the clue to solving the mystery of the woman's death. And as the case widens, so do his new partner's suspicions about his past and motivations. BUFFALO BAYOU is a dark, psychological thriller perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, and James Patterson.
267 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2021
33 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Tom Abrahams
72 books343 followersTom Abrahams is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winning television journalist and member of International Thriller Writers.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 14, 2023
dear tom abrahams,
i hope you write more twisted noir novels as excellent as this one.
plz k thx.
i hope you write more twisted noir novels as excellent as this one.
plz k thx.
December 1, 2021
A new twist on the crime thriller genre. It all begins with the transfer of Houston PD Detective John Druitt from Vice to Homicide…and his first case with Homicide…the discovery of the body of a prostitute. Or does it?? We quickly learn that the story is told from the POV of a serial killer…and Detective Druitt!! There are so many nuances to this story that you will not want to put it down! You’re torn between rooting for the killer or the good cops! The ending is fantastic!!
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October 25, 2021One I Won't Soon Forget
Buffalo Bayou isn't anywhere near my first Tom Abrahams book, but it's definitely the first in this genre. The benefit of reading an author I enjoy is that going into it, I know what to expect. But it being a new genre it's all "new". Abrahams absolutely crushes this genre and I wouldn't be surprised if this book is the first of many that he writes. As with most of his other stories, he likes to write about the Houston area since that's where he's from and you can really feel it in the way that the city is talked about. The city becomes another character instead of just a backdrop to the story. Buffalo Bayou couldn't have been transported to another city and feel realistic. It's the way Houston is written about that makes it feel like such a part of the story.
I realized pretty quickly that this one was going to be a hard review to write. Not because it was a bad story, but because it was such a good one that all of the twists and turns make it spoiler-ridden if I try to talk about any of the major things going on in the book. I can't even compare it to the other story that it reminded me of since it'll be a bit of a spoiler itself. Just know that you're getting all of the good things that Abrahams is known for but with the darkness-meter turned up to 11.
In Buffalo Bayou, Abrahams shows off a darker side that he alludes to and maybe even talks about a bit in some of his Post-Apocalyptic stories - but in this, the darkness is front and center. One of the main characters is easily one of the darkest individuals I've read about in any book. Definitely up there with the enemies that Battle faces in the Traveler series.
Overall, an excellent story from an excellent writer. One I won't soon forget.
I thought Jason Culp did a great job becoming Druitt and his narration was well-done for this style of book. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting used to his cadence but that quickly fell away. I did want to call out that the opening and closing voice didn't say Abrahams's last name right, or the name of his publishing company, Piton Press. Something that the casual listener won't notice but something that got me (maybe it was the producer?) I'm glad that Culp didn't have similar issues throughout the book.
Buffalo Bayou isn't anywhere near my first Tom Abrahams book, but it's definitely the first in this genre. The benefit of reading an author I enjoy is that going into it, I know what to expect. But it being a new genre it's all "new". Abrahams absolutely crushes this genre and I wouldn't be surprised if this book is the first of many that he writes. As with most of his other stories, he likes to write about the Houston area since that's where he's from and you can really feel it in the way that the city is talked about. The city becomes another character instead of just a backdrop to the story. Buffalo Bayou couldn't have been transported to another city and feel realistic. It's the way Houston is written about that makes it feel like such a part of the story.
I realized pretty quickly that this one was going to be a hard review to write. Not because it was a bad story, but because it was such a good one that all of the twists and turns make it spoiler-ridden if I try to talk about any of the major things going on in the book. I can't even compare it to the other story that it reminded me of since it'll be a bit of a spoiler itself. Just know that you're getting all of the good things that Abrahams is known for but with the darkness-meter turned up to 11.
In Buffalo Bayou, Abrahams shows off a darker side that he alludes to and maybe even talks about a bit in some of his Post-Apocalyptic stories - but in this, the darkness is front and center. One of the main characters is easily one of the darkest individuals I've read about in any book. Definitely up there with the enemies that Battle faces in the Traveler series.
Overall, an excellent story from an excellent writer. One I won't soon forget.
I thought Jason Culp did a great job becoming Druitt and his narration was well-done for this style of book. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting used to his cadence but that quickly fell away. I did want to call out that the opening and closing voice didn't say Abrahams's last name right, or the name of his publishing company, Piton Press. Something that the casual listener won't notice but something that got me (maybe it was the producer?) I'm glad that Culp didn't have similar issues throughout the book.
November 15, 2021
I didn't like the lead characters at all. The storyline was predictable. I finished it because I wasn't able to find another book to listen to when I had the opportunity to search. I'm not sure that I will pick up another book by this author.
August 18, 2022
This story was 15 chapters long and it only began to get mildly interesting towards the end of chapter 10 (I'm refusing to DNF since I'm so far behind on my reading challenge this year). I honestly don't think this story is worth the time it would take to point out everything I disliked about it, so I think I'll end my review by saying if you want a story in the perspective of a misogynistic serial killer who has the edginess of a teenaged incel discovering 4chan for the first time, this one's for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2022
As bad as the genre gets....
October 21, 2021
Buffalo Bayou. Tom Abrahams
Being a retired deputy sheriff I found this to be a very interesting read. Having dealt with a lot of people mentioned, prostitutes, drug dealers gangsters....The primary character John Druitt wasn't really that hard to relate too.He felt he was releasing his victims to a happier ending from a life they were tricked or sucked into. On the streets of Lo s Angeles you meet a lot of interesting and very demented people. Was he a serial killer? Absolutely. His motives were quite different from most though. He actually thought he was there savior.
Being a retired deputy sheriff I found this to be a very interesting read. Having dealt with a lot of people mentioned, prostitutes, drug dealers gangsters....The primary character John Druitt wasn't really that hard to relate too.He felt he was releasing his victims to a happier ending from a life they were tricked or sucked into. On the streets of Lo s Angeles you meet a lot of interesting and very demented people. Was he a serial killer? Absolutely. His motives were quite different from most though. He actually thought he was there savior.
October 22, 2021
I've read everything that Tom Abrahams has written and have loved them all. Dystopian, post-apocalyptic, political suspense, etc...but this one blew me away. Being from Houston, I was initially attracted to the book because of that, but quickly found out that he nailed the heart of Houston's dark side. All cities have a dark, seamy side and have corrupt police officers. But Mr Abrahams got into the heart of the villain. Maybe it comes from his experience as a top television news anchor in the city, maybe it's just his unique way of writing and ability to create a character that you love to hate or hate to love. I don't know. But I do know that this book is one you don't want to miss. I literally read it in one sitting. It will linger in my mind for awhile. Highly recommended as are all his other books.
November 20, 2022
A dark crime thriller with some twists. Enjoyable.
November 14, 2021
What novel, creative, out of the box idea can I expect in the noir genre? If I give up such deviations from the genre and expect something decent within its limited confines, Buffalo Bayou delivers a pretty good plot and story.
This detective is as noir as it gets, perhaps too noir: he’s not only disillusioned with life, he’s gone to the deep end and became this evil serial killer. Sometimes it doesn’t really make sense why he’s doing certain things (i.e. still living with his ex-wife and her lover, paying for her stuff) but it’s excusable within the larger noir tone.
He’s strangely likable and good at his job as well as his “side gig”. Entertaining read overall.
This detective is as noir as it gets, perhaps too noir: he’s not only disillusioned with life, he’s gone to the deep end and became this evil serial killer. Sometimes it doesn’t really make sense why he’s doing certain things (i.e. still living with his ex-wife and her lover, paying for her stuff) but it’s excusable within the larger noir tone.
He’s strangely likable and good at his job as well as his “side gig”. Entertaining read overall.
July 28, 2023
If you ever were curious about the thoughts of a profoundly mentally ill man, then read this novel. There were so many twisted cringy things in this novel, I was tempted to stop reading it.
Detective John Druitt recently transferred from Vice - Sex Trafficking to Homocide is partnered with Detective Mym Themis. From the beginning she knew that her partner was weird but no one could guess that he was a serial killer with a messiah complex. His home life was equally bizarre. His wife moved her lesbian lover into their home. Wait! The wife gets pregnant, not by her husband or through in vitro fertilization but by strange men she picks up in bars.
This was quite a rollercoaster ride.
Detective John Druitt recently transferred from Vice - Sex Trafficking to Homocide is partnered with Detective Mym Themis. From the beginning she knew that her partner was weird but no one could guess that he was a serial killer with a messiah complex. His home life was equally bizarre. His wife moved her lesbian lover into their home. Wait! The wife gets pregnant, not by her husband or through in vitro fertilization but by strange men she picks up in bars.
This was quite a rollercoaster ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
This did have a modern noir feel. I won’t use the word strong, but it was decent. The twist the narrator is the killer the cops are looking for. I enjoyed reading it. It’s not an award winning work, but I enjoyed it. The pacing was decent and it had its moments. I could pick a part a few places the author needs to improve his style and part of me wanted the killer to escape at the end it felt like it was going that way and someone told him nope he must get caught. So he got caught. I thought maybe he’d get away with it and come back for a follow up in a new city. It would have made the ending stronger. But that is also my style.
November 8, 2021
new twist on the crime thriller genre.
It all begins with the transfer of Houston PD Detective John Druitt from Vice to Homicide…and his first case with Homicide…the discovery of the body of a prostitute. Or does it?? We quickly learn that the story is told from the POV of a serial killer…and Detective Druitt!! There are so many nuances to this story that you will not want to put it down! You’re torn between rooting for the killer or the good cops! The ending is fantastic!!
It all begins with the transfer of Houston PD Detective John Druitt from Vice to Homicide…and his first case with Homicide…the discovery of the body of a prostitute. Or does it?? We quickly learn that the story is told from the POV of a serial killer…and Detective Druitt!! There are so many nuances to this story that you will not want to put it down! You’re torn between rooting for the killer or the good cops! The ending is fantastic!!
February 8, 2022
Very entertaining audio recording 👏. A disturbed Houston cop "sets women free from their damaged lives". He is married but his wife no longer loves him and has her lesbian lover move in with them. The lover hates the cop and causes all sorts of problems. The cop's thinking is very downbeat and he is a huge jazz aficionado.
I recommend this audio recording for those like their stories dark and wet (it rains a lot in Houston).
I recommend this audio recording for those like their stories dark and wet (it rains a lot in Houston).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2021
Dead People Don't Feel Anything
I can say I loved the characters, the storyline , the flow of the book....but what drew me into this .... was the words. They grabbed me and brought me into the story. I sat in the back of that old Chrysler, listened to the jazz and just went along for the ride. Boy was it a ride.
Good job Tom Abrahams.
I can say I loved the characters, the storyline , the flow of the book....but what drew me into this .... was the words. They grabbed me and brought me into the story. I sat in the back of that old Chrysler, listened to the jazz and just went along for the ride. Boy was it a ride.
Good job Tom Abrahams.
November 29, 2021
Keep reading because just when you think you’ve figured it out, it changes!! A super audible free read, from my account. The book is definitely not what I typically reach for during the holidays!! But I’m so glad I listened to it.
I have read other books by this excellent writer too. I highly recommend him.
I have read other books by this excellent writer too. I highly recommend him.
November 2, 2022
This had a great twist that came like midway through the 2nd chapter. I wish the author could have waited a little longer to spill the beans but it is a whopper. Some of the reasoning and action sequences seemed implausible but overall the book kept me entirely engaged and wanting to see how it all played out.
January 4, 2026
If you hate women but love books based in your hometown, this book is for you. It says it's based in Houston, but also randomly inserts facts like they looked up a Wikipedia page or just have Google maps up. I get that they were shooting for noir here, but it's pretty dark. Not in a good way though, if that's your thing. I do not recommend this book.
November 20, 2021
Dark story told from an insider perspective. Some gaps of logic if you are truly paying attention, but the story flows mostly logically. Some things you cannot unread. Thank you Mr Abrahams for not making this more graphic.
December 6, 2021
This murder mystery was written from the point of view of the serial killer. He believed he was giving women a way out when he strangled them. It was graphic and very hard to believe. This was an Audible free selection.
May 17, 2022
I wanted to see what "noir crime thriller" meant. Not so great, now I know not to read another. This book was all about the icky underbelly of society. Left me with kind of an awful feeling. I need to go read a nice, silly, romantic comedy now to offset this.
February 9, 2023
I have to say that this story was soooo good. I t was interesting from the moment the narrator started.
In chapter one alone, there was so much information given and the twist...Then the story became twists and turns until he end.
This was a great why he did it story.
Jason Culp was more than just a narrator. His voice actually placed you in the scene with the other characters.
Excellent character development, superb angst and the ending was on point...yes this was Noir mystery.
In chapter one alone, there was so much information given and the twist...Then the story became twists and turns until he end.
This was a great why he did it story.
Jason Culp was more than just a narrator. His voice actually placed you in the scene with the other characters.
Excellent character development, superb angst and the ending was on point...yes this was Noir mystery.
October 20, 2021
Great Book
I loved the perspective in this story. It is so rare.
I don’t know any LEO but the characters seem realistic.
I would recommend reading this book.
I loved the perspective in this story. It is so rare.
I don’t know any LEO but the characters seem realistic.
I would recommend reading this book.
October 30, 2021
Very different story from this Author and I normally don’t like anti hero type stories but I did enjoy this one.
November 12, 2021
He is no Jim Thompson. I recommend The Killer Inside Me.
November 16, 2021
Omg is all I can. Dirty Cops!!!!
November 18, 2021
Buffalo Bayou - cool twist of a suspense/crime book. Not a standard story as it’s from the POV of the bad guy. Nothing super but not bad.
December 19, 2021
Good twists, nice pace, and a couple of character you debate liking. I enjoyed this little noir.
December 31, 2021
This book was entertaining enough for my road trip. It had some interesting twists and turns, which made it fun. There were some funky side stories that made me drift. All in all, not bad.
January 17, 2022
This was a free audible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews