Ricky Bush sent me an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing his book, THE DEVIL’S BLUES. That I agreed was one of my best decisions of late. He offers up everything a great thriller needs: nasty villains, fine, unstoppable heroes, a well-paced story with lots of action, and a final confrontation that’s perfect for what’s come before. And even a twist thrown in.
Jerry Roberts was late for church. As he was leaving with his wife and daughter, a business call came in. The family went ahead as he talked with Preacher Pete Bolden, an old friend and band-mate who built custom made harmonicas. He’d finally decided to go to the expense of an expensive instrument instead of constantly wearing out cheap models.
So he was late for church.
As he charged the doors, he heard the screech of tires and spied a black SUV screaming out of the parking lot. The next thing he saw was chains on the door and a huge SOS painted on them.
Then the doors exploded with fire, hurling him back and into unconsciousness!
The total was two hundred dead, including Jerry’s wife and sixteen year old daughter. Jerry in critical condition, barely hanging on. And the FBI descending on the investigation.
We get an officious agent, Wilson, more of a publicity seeker than anything, who extracts a confession from Jerry, a stunned patient who only answers yes to anything said to him. But Wilson grabs the publicity of a quick arrest.
And Preacher Pete, Jerry’s friend, and Mitt Anderson, another harmonica player and friend, are out to help their friend. They’d done this before, in RIVER BOTTOM BLUES, when they’d actually formed their blues band to track down a serial killer specializing in harmonica players, a couple of victims their friends. They figured a band with dual harmonicas would be a draw.
They were right of course. It nearly cost them their lives, but they got their man. And kept the band together.
The pair are aided by a couple of ATF agents named Lenora Charles and Brian Billings, BB for short because of his own love of the blues. They believe in Jerry Roberts’ innocence, despite publicity crazy Wilson.
What does SOS really mean? Certainly not a cry for help.
I couldn’t stop reading large chunks of this one without stopping. Loved it so much I’ve already bought their first adventure and there’s more coming.
Recommended highly and can be ordered HERE.