It is early
September 2019 as Jordan's Branch: A Willie Black Novel by Howard
Owen begins. Reporter Willie Black knew that Stick Davis has been dead for
quite a while when he sees the body. More than half a dozen times somebody shot
the man. Once someone had thoroughly through ventilated Stick David, he or she
left, and now Willie Black has found the body.
Finding the body
is seen by some as proof that he did it. The fact that the man still owed Willie
forty-five thousand to write his autobiography gives him motive in the minds of
some folks. The fact they have a long history and got along does not seem to
play into those considerations.
For most in
journalism, it is a recognized fact that the reporter should never be part of
the story. For Wille Black, he is very much part of the story. His bosses at
the steadily shrinking paper do not like that fact or the fact that he is a
suspect. That includes the current publisher, Ben Stine, who has a few thoughts
about that issue and others.
As long-time
readers know, this isn't the first time Willie Black has been suspected of a
crime by the police. Over the years, he has made his bosses wonder more than a
few things about him. One would think by now that all involved would know
better.
Willie Black
knows that he has to investigate to clear his name. It does not take Willie
long before things start escalating. Playing fast and loose with the questions
might get him killed.
The latest in
this long running series is another solidly good read. Jordan's Branch: A
Willie Black Novel by Howard Owen brings back a number of characters
long familiar to readers in a read filled with societal observations and
commentary. Those societal observations serve as background while never getting
in the way of the main mystery of Jordan's Branch: A Willie Black Novel.
Strongly
recommended.
Jordan’s Branch:
A Willie Black Novel
Howard Owen
http://www.howardowenbooks.com
The Permanent
Press
February 2021
ISBN# 978-1579626433
Hardback (also
available in digital format)
232 Pages
I received a PDF
of the book from the publisher with no expectation of a review.
Kevin R. Tipple
©2021
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