The other parts of the deal may or may not have been swaying him, but this last one gets him. His expression and posture and entire demeanor change.
“You worry too much, John,” he says. “I got this. Leave it with me. I’ll take care of everything. We’re talkin’ an old lady and a retard after all. I’ve got to arrest them and take them into custody tonight. He’ll be sent to Florida State Hospital. She’ll spend one night in jail and have First Appearance in the morning at nine and bond out shortly after that. My guess is she’ll get ten years of probation, but she can ask to have it dropped after five if she has no violations. She’ll be able to visit Ralphie in Chattahoochee. It’s all gonna be okay.”
Chapter Fifty-six
Days pass. Then a few more.
It takes a few weeks for everything to settle down and get worked out, but nearly everything worked out as we hoped it would.
The sun is setting on the backside of the cypress and pines across Lake Julia, afternoon receding, evening expanding.
The smell of charcoal and smoked food fills the air.
Dad and Verna sit on one side of our back porch, Anna and I on the other. Johanna is asleep in Dad’s lap, Taylor in Verna’s.
“We can put them down,” Anna offers again. “Are you sure they’re not too much—”
“Just a little longer,” Verna says. “Please.”
Dad smiles and nods.
He looks tired and weak but as happy as I’ve seen him since . . . I can’t ever remember seeing him this happy before.
He is undergoing treatment for leukemia and it’s going well. His chances are good for a complete recovery—a safe bet given the way Verna takes care of him.
The state’s attorney’s office agreed to probation, but she only got five years, and it will probably drop off in two. She moved out of Marianna, leaving behind all the bad memories and ghosts there, and now lives with Dad in Pottersville. They visit Ralphie twice a week and Janet’s grave at least that many, and life for both of them is better than it has been in many decades.
“This is so nice,” Verna says. “Thanks for having us over as often as y’all do. Nothing in the world beats holding these little girls.”
“Our pleasure,” Anna says. “We love having you.”
When Anna sips her drink or talks with her hands, her new engagement ring catches the light, its glinting presence a source of utter happiness and a reminder that we need to set a date.
“It’s ironic,” Verna adds, looking out over the lake. “But I feel exonerated. I feel like y’all’s investigation and my guilt that it uncovered actually released me from a prison I had been in for a very long time.”
“I know the feeling well,” Dad says.
“We all do in one way or another,” Anna says, reaching over and taking my hand.
As I take her hand I rub her ring, as I often do these days, touching the unending circle, the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
As good as things are in this moment, and they are very, very good, they’re about to get better. In a few minutes the food will be ready and Merrill and his new girlfriend, who to Anna’s disappointment is not Zadie Smith, will arrive with his mom’s special banana pudding for desert, and we will break bread and fellowship and share far more than just a meal. We will participate in a sacred, ancient ritual that is nothing less than a celebration of life itself. For even in all its complexities and difficulties, its small triumphs and devastating tragedies, its scarcity and brevity, life remains worthy of appreciating and celebrating.
Click here to receive your FREE Companion Guide to the series.
Click here to receive your FREE Companion Guide to the series.
Praise for the John Jordan Series
"Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. The Body and the Blood proves that once again. It crackles with tension and authenticity." Michael Connelly
Publishers Weekly Starred Review:
"In Lister's superior fourth book featuring cop-turned-prison chaplain John Jordan (after 2006's story collection Flesh and Blood) . . . A plausible resolution concludes this first-rate locked-room mystery."
Kirkus Starred Review:
"A realistic drama and surprising character depth. The spiritual dimension of John’s inner life adds a depth that’s often absent in the mystery genre. A realistically portrayed prison setting and a cast of characters depicted with complexity and nuance together form a quietly effective character-study/whodunit."
"Eerie and cinematic, John Jordan manages to be deeply flawed yet utterly appealing. Lister, with his gift for exploring the nuances of human relationships, creates a vivid and multi-faceted supporting cast, each character finely-wrought, each portrayal unflinching. Suspenseful, complex and original, a page-turner with a soul." Lisa Unger
Florida Book Award-winning series Florida Weekly called “a treasure of contemporary literature–suspenseful, provocative, and unsettling,”
"Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. Not for the faint of heart, it's Heart of Darkness meets The Shawshank Redemption. Read this book and see what crime fiction is capable of." Julia Spencer-Fleming
"Chaplain John Jordan is one of crime fiction's most original heroes, and his creator, Michael Lister is one of the genre's freshest new voices." PJ Parrish
Things you should know about the John Jordan Series
This award-winning series is one of the most unique, respected, and well-reviewed mystery series being published today.
It has received several Starred Reviews from respected journals such as Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, won a Florida Book Award, and counts among its many fans Michael Connelly, Lisa Unger, Margaret Coel, PJ Parish, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
It features a conflicted detective—an ex-cop with ties to Atlanta who works as a prison chaplain in Florida. He’s a man of mercy and justice, a compassionate, open-minded minister and a smart, relentless detective.
These are not religious books. They are crime novels. If you are a religious Fundamentalist and/or are turned off by realistic depictions of criminal investigation, law enforcement, the prison experience, and adult life in general, this series is not for you.
The John Jordan mystery series has it all—character-driven, realistic and gritty mysteries, thoughtful thrillers, and the hero’s journey of a good man trying to be even better, as he helps others along the way. It’s a dynamic, electrifying series in which no two books are the same.
Like John Jordan, the author, Michael Lister, was a prison chaplain with the state of Florida before leaving to write full-time.
Though the author loves all the books in the series, some of his personal favorites are The Body and the Blood, Innocent Blood, Blood Sacrifice, Blood Moon, Blood Cries.
Power in the Blood was the first fiction author Michael Lister ever wrote. It came out nearly 20 years ago. We beleive, as does the author, that each book in the series gets better.
Though it’s recommended, the books in the John Jordan series don’t have to be read in order.
All the books in the series are novels—mystery, thrillers, whodunits—except for Flesh and Blood, which is a collection of short stories featuring temporal and metaphysical mysteries. If you don’t care for short stories, feel free to skip Flesh and Blood and continue with the novels—starting with the fourth and one of the author’s favorites, The Body and the Blood.
The 7th book in the series, Innocent Blood, is a prequel going back to John’s very first investigation. Though the 7th in the series, it can be read first or seventh since it’s a prequel.
The 10th book in the series, Blood Cries, is the second in the “Atlanta Years” series within a series following the 7th book Innocent Blood. It can be read 2nd or 10th.
The 11th John Jordan novel, Blood Oath, brings many new changes.
The 12th John Jordan novel, Blood Work, has John helping his dad investigate a cold c
ase involving Ted Bundy.
All of the John Jordan novels are available in high quality hardback and paperback editions. Blood Sacrifice is also available in audiobook. All John Jordan titles will be available in audiobook editions soon.
Be sure to join Michael's Readers' Group for news, updates, and special deals on the John Jordan series.
We hope you will enjoy all the books in the John Jordan series, and like us, eagerly await each new one.
Books by Michael Lister
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
Blood Work
Written in Blood Volume 1
Written in Blood Volume 2
Written in Blood Volume 3
Written in Blood Volume 4
Six John Jordan Mysteries
Twelve John Jordan Mysteries
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
Click here to receive your FREE Companion Guide to the series.
Click here to receive your FREE Companion Guide to the series.
Praise for the John Jordan Series
"Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. The Body and the Blood proves that once again. It crackles with tension and authenticity." Michael Connelly
Publishers Weekly Starred Review:
"In Lister's superior fourth book featuring cop-turned-prison chaplain John Jordan (after 2006's story collection Flesh and Blood) . . . A plausible resolution concludes this first-rate locked-room mystery."
Kirkus Starred Review:
"A realistic drama and surprising character depth. The spiritual dimension of John’s inner life adds a depth that’s often absent in the mystery genre. A realistically portrayed prison setting and a cast of characters depicted with complexity and nuance together form a quietly effective character-study/whodunit."
"Eerie and cinematic, John Jordan manages to be deeply flawed yet utterly appealing. Lister, with his gift for exploring the nuances of human relationships, creates a vivid and multi-faceted supporting cast, each character finely-wrought, each portrayal unflinching. Suspenseful, complex and original, a page-turner with a soul." Lisa Unger
Florida Book Award-winning series Florida Weekly called “a treasure of contemporary literature–suspenseful, provocative, and unsettling,”
"Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. Not for the faint of heart, it's Heart of Darkness meets The Shawshank Redemption. Read this book and see what crime fiction is capable of." Julia Spencer-Fleming
"Chaplain John Jordan is one of crime fiction's most original heroes, and his creator, Michael Lister is one of the genre's freshest new voices." PJ Parrish
Things you should know about the John Jordan Series
This award-winning series is one of the most unique, respected, and well-reviewed mystery series being published today.
It has received several Starred Reviews from respected journals such as Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, won a Florida Book Award, and counts among its many fans Michael Connelly, Lisa Unger, Margaret Coel, PJ Parish, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
It features a conflicted detective—an ex-cop with ties to Atlanta who works as a prison chaplain in Florida. He’s a man of mercy and justice, a compassionate, open-minded minister and a smart, relentless detective.
These are not religious books. They are crime novels. If you are a religious Fundamentalist and/or are turned off by realistic depictions of criminal investigation, law enforcement, the prison experience, and adult life in general, this series is not for you.
The John Jordan mystery series has it all—character-driven, realistic and gritty mysteries, thoughtful thrillers, and the hero’s journey of a good man trying to be even better, as he helps others along the way. It’s a dynamic, electrifying series in which no two books are the same.
Like John Jordan, the author, Michael Lister, was a prison chaplain with the state of Florida before leaving to write full-time.
Though the author loves all the books in the series, some of his personal favorites are The Body and the Blood, Innocent Blood, Blood Sacrifice, Blood Moon, Blood Cries.
Power in the Blood was the first fiction author Michael Lister ever wrote. It came out nearly 20 years ago. We beleive, as does the author, that each book in the series gets better.
Though it’s recommended, the books in the John Jordan series don’t have to be read in order.
All the books in the series are novels—mystery, thrillers, whodunits—except for Flesh and Blood, which is a collection of short stories featuring temporal and metaphysical mysteries. If you don’t care for short stories, feel free to skip Flesh and Blood and continue with the novels—starting with the fourth and one of the author’s favorites, The Body and the Blood.
The 7th book in the series, Innocent Blood, is a prequel going back to John’s very first investigation. Though the 7th in the series, it can be read first or seventh since it’s a prequel.
The 10th book in the series, Blood Cries, is the second in the “Atlanta Years” series within a series following the 7th book Innocent Blood. It can be read 2nd or 10th.
The 11th John Jordan novel, Blood Oath, brings many new changes.
The 12th John Jordan novel, Blood Work, has John helping his dad investigate a cold case involving Ted Bundy.
All of the John Jordan novels are available in high quality hardback and paperback editions. Blood Sacrifice is also available in audiobook. All John Jordan titles will be available in audiobook editions soon.
Be sure to join Michael's Readers' Group for news, updates, and special deals on the John Jordan series.
We hope you will enjoy all the books in the John Jordan series, and like us, eagerly await each new one.
Books by Michael Lister
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
Blood Work
Written in Blood Volume 1
Written in Blood Volume 2
Written in Blood Volume 3
Written in Blood Volume 4
Six John Jordan Mysteries
Twelve John Jordan Mysteries
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
/> The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
BLOOD WORK: a John Jordan Mystery (John Jordan Mysteries Book 12) Page 20
