Hot damn — a five-star review of THE FATAL SAVING GRACE by fellow author Ken H. Fortenberry, who’s written a fine mystery haunted by ghosts of the past in EDISTO BLOOD OATH. Links to Ken’s book and mine in the comments. Here’s his review:

Cowboy Noir at its Finest: A Scorched-Earth Masterclass in Suspense

Jim Nesbitt has officially solidified his place as the “Top Dog” of Texas crime fiction with his latest hard-boiled masterpiece, The Fatal Saving Grace.

Serving as the fifth installment in the critically acclaimed Ed Earl Burch series, this high-octane thriller delivers a relentless, adrenaline-fueled journey through the stark and unforgiving desert mountains of West Texas.

If you are a fan of raw, uncompromised crime noir, you should absolutely cancel your plans—even if it means missing the last stagecoach out of town—to devour this book.

Nesbitt’s background as a seasoned journalist shines through in his crisp, evocative prose. He expertly paints a setting thick with the scent of old leather boots, tobacco, and aged whiskey, plunging readers headfirst into a plot that twists with razor-sharp precision.

The author carefully crafts a narrative that leaves you believing one thing one minute, only to send you crashing into a canyon wall of circumstance and madness the next. The stakes escalate exponentially as Burch juggles hunting a ghost, navigating a hostile boss, and protecting a fugitive woman caught between ruthless cartel hitmen and the Dixie Mafia.

What sets The Fatal Saving Grace apart from standard detective fiction is its perfect convergence of human emotion and relentless action.

Nesbitt deftly balances bone-chilling fear with bursts of wicked, dry humor and profound emotional weight. Burch remains a brilliantly flawed, compelling protagonist—creaking knees, creased past, and all.

This book is a fierce, unforgettable ride. Buckle up, saddle up, and prepare yourself for Southern noir at its absolute peak. A tip of my well-worn Stetson to Jim Nesbitt for another great read!

Grab a copy of my book: https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Saving…/dp/0998329479…

Snap up Ken’s book at: https://www.amazon.com/Edisto-Blood-Oath…/dp/B0GPWLGWD7…