Power in the Blood (John Jordan Mysteries Book 1)

Terribly written, choppy and confusing. Jumps from one situation to another without any transition to indicate a change in location or situation, leaves you wondering if something got left out in the printing. Multiple typos also detract. I won't buy another book by this author.

This is a quick read. Having the action in a small, northern Florida prison gives the narrative an interesting angle. Making the narrator the prison chaplain is even more unique. There are words in here polite people may not use, but they add to the atmosphere and authenticity of the book. If you are a fan of mysteries and thrillers, as I am, I think you will find something interesting in Power in the Blood.

I agree with the top review- the main character is irritating. The concept of a prison chaplain/investigator should make for a very intriguing character, but JJ falls flat. He is overly analytical and trite with dreary dialogue and nebulous personal relationships that bore the reader. The author is so heavy handed with blood-related symbolism, it no longer qualifies as symbolism. I wasn't put off by the religious overtones, and I gave the book three stars because I would like to read a good book with a religious main character.

Really disappointed in this series. Since it was about a prison chaplain, I thought it would be a good book. The mystery was okay. Even though I was put off by the language; I finished it so I could see who did it. It was a free book, so I guess you get what you pay for.

Disappointing. Detective come preacher recovering alcoholic. Main character is limp.
gets pummeled almost to death and the perpetrators don't even get a mention.
dysfunctional family and friends. Reminds me of America today-no guts - no glory.

Since this author has been promoted by Michael Connelly, I gave this book the benefit of every doubt. In fact, I made it all the way to 73% read before I finally gave up. I like to think most mysteries I read have some sort of plausible reality. Not this one. Glad I only paid 99 cents for it.

Power in the blood starts out strong with foreshadowing of the first murder in a corrupt prison. The characters and settings are well drawn. For my taste, there is too much preaching language by the main character.

I bought this book because one of my favorite authors (Michael Connelly) praised this author's work during a TV interview. It was only later I discovered that he and Michael Lister had written a book together in the past. Hmmm.

There are at least 5 books now in this series about John Jordan -- an unusual mix of prison chaplain and criminal investigator -- and this was the first one. On the basis of this book I'm going to be hard-pressed to go after the next book in the series -- but I might. Sometimes authors get much better as they go along.

This book included dreary page-after-page conversations, several overtly religious overtones, unusual and downright hard-to-understand personal relationships, and so forth. In other words, pacing and believability were pretty much missing in action.

I read about three-fourths of this book before giving up on it. I found myself forcing myself to get that far. It is obviously written by someone who thinks they know Jesus and his Christian brothers and sisters but does not. This author has tried to portray the main character as a meek lamb 'Jesus' but only ended up creating a hypocritical wuss who lusts after other men's wives guilt-free. I would find it very unbelievable that a true believer in the Christ of the Bible would like this book or the main character the author has created through his inaccurate interpretation of the Bible and the Jesus we love. I also can't believe he actually wrote several books in this series and has sold a lot of copies (and even won awards). I'm sure the author's years as a prison chaplain greatly influenced his creation of the main character in this book. One can only hope he's given up on the ministry now because his lopsided interpretation of the Bible, especially the New Testament, proves again the damage that can be done when a person takes the liberty of defining their own God. I know the defenders of this book will want to remind me this book is a fictional mystery, not a theological treatise, but when an author goes to the extremes he did in this book to represent a Christian leader, they need to be called out when they totally missed the mark. Likewise, having spent years as a professional computer programmer, I will often point out to authors and readers (in my reviews) when an author writes something ridiculous in their book concerning computer software expecting to fool the trusting but uninformed reader. The point is they need to stay away from acting like they are experts on a subject when they are not. Either ask the experts or take the blame yourself. This author took on the role of the expert and failed.

Didn't get far into the book due to the language. Thought it was a Christian book. Don't like to read books with bad language, very unnecessary in my opinion. Will try a different book from another author. Maybe his other books will improve.

I agree with the top review- the main character is irritating. The concept of a prison chaplain/investigator should make for a very intriguing character, but JJ falls flat. He is overly analytical and trite with dreary dialogue and nebulous personal relationships that bore the reader. The author is so heavy handed with blood-related symbolism, it no longer qualifies as symbolism. I wasn't put off by the religious overtones, and I gave the book three stars because I would like to read a good book with a religious main character.

Really disappointed in this series. Since it was about a prison chaplain, I thought it would be a good book. The mystery was okay. Even though I was put off by the language; I finished it so I could see who did it. It was a free book, so I guess you get what you pay for.

Disappointing. Detective come preacher recovering alcoholic. Main character is limp.
gets pummeled almost to death and the perpetrators don't even get a mention.
dysfunctional family and friends. Reminds me of America today-no guts - no glory.

Since this author has been promoted by Michael Connelly, I gave this book the benefit of every doubt. In fact, I made it all the way to 73% read before I finally gave up. I like to think most mysteries I read have some sort of plausible reality. Not this one. Glad I only paid 99 cents for it.

Power in the blood starts out strong with foreshadowing of the first murder in a corrupt prison. The characters and settings are well drawn. For my taste, there is too much preaching language by the main character.

I bought this book because one of my favorite authors (Michael Connelly) praised this author's work during a TV interview. It was only later I discovered that he and Michael Lister had written a book together in the past. Hmmm.

There are at least 5 books now in this series about John Jordan -- an unusual mix of prison chaplain and criminal investigator -- and this was the first one. On the basis of this book I'm going to be hard-pressed to go after the next book in the series -- but I might. Sometimes authors get much better as they go along.

This book included dreary page-after-page conversations, several overtly religious overtones, unusual and downright hard-to-understand personal relationships, and so forth. In other words, pacing and believability were pretty much missing in action.

I read about three-fourths of this book before giving up on it. I found myself forcing myself to get that far. It is obviously written by someone who thinks they know Jesus and his Christian brothers and sisters but does not. This author has tried to portray the main character as a meek lamb 'Jesus' but only ended up creating a hypocritical wuss who lusts after other men's wives guilt-free. I would find it very unbelievable that a true believer in the Christ of the Bible would like this book or the main character the author has created through his inaccurate interpretation of the Bible and the Jesus we love. I also can't believe he actually wrote several books in this series and has sold a lot of copies (and even won awards). I'm sure the author's years as a prison chaplain greatly influenced his creation of the main character in this book. One can only hope he's given up on the ministry now because his lopsided interpretation of the Bible, especially the New Testament, proves again the damage that can be done when a person takes the liberty of defining their own God. I know the defenders of this book will want to remind me this book is a fictional mystery, not a theological treatise, but when an author goes to the extremes he did in this book to represent a Christian leader, they need to be called out when they totally missed the mark. Likewise, having spent years as a professional computer programmer, I will often point out to authors and readers (in my reviews) when an author writes something ridiculous in their book concerning computer software expecting to fool the trusting but uninformed reader. The point is they need to stay away from acting like they are experts on a subject when they are not. Either ask the experts or take the blame yourself. This author took on the role of the expert and failed.

Didn't get far into the book due to the language. Thought it was a Christian book. Don't like to read books with bad language, very unnecessary in my opinion. Will try a different book from another author. Maybe his other books will improve.

I've come to love John Jordan as much as other characters in books, such as Harry Bosch, though they are different characters, they are both likeable and interesting to get to know.

Michael Lister also writes of the Northwest Florida area so well that it almost becomes a character in and of itself.

I really enjoyed this book, and the series. I look forward to any John Jordan books to come out in the future!

What a great story. John Jordan Prison Chaplain investigates a death of an inmate. He has a interesting way of looking at things and a high level of insight into peoples natures. This was a great read. The writing style is relaxed and draws an excellant picture for the reader. You will be left guessing right to the end.

I didn't want to put this book down. For me this author is up there with Patterson, Stuart Woods, Coben, etc. This was not your usual "run of the mill" mystery----it had different content and no lengthy details that were not relevant to the story. The story and the characters were so interesting and the author has the gift of making you feel a part of their lives. I can't wait to read the next book, Blood of the Lamb.

What a story! This first John Jordan book has me completely hooked and just I purchased the rest of the series. What a wonderfully honest man is John. How I love when a true hero shows such humility by knowing and accepting his weaknesses. So very well written and deserving highest praise. Thank you, Michael Lister, for inventing a hero I truly admire!

This was my introduction to John Jordan and I have since read all of the books in the series except the one am I starting right now!! I really like this protagonist, a prison chaplain who was previously a homicide cop, and who is flawed, but always tries to do the right thing. I recommend the entire series.

The worst part about this book (just slightly worse than its overblown prose, canned dialogue, and mediocre plot resolution) is its irritating protagonist, a prison chaplain named John Jordan (even his nickname, "JJ," is irritating). Why is he so irritating? Precisely because we, the readers, are constantly reminded that we are supposed to admire him so much: he traded in a lucrative suburban church and big house for prison ministry and a trailer; he repeatedly puts himself in harm's way and gets beaten to a pulp in the pursuit of justice; and he selflessly (and apparently symbolically, in typically heavy-handed fashion) donates his blood when necessary to save a life. Add to that the totally inappropriate James Bond Effect: every woman in the book is fetching, and every one of them is smitten with "JJ." Note: I would probably give this book only one star based on the writing alone, but I give the author credit for infusing his book with a genuin! e sense of religious faith, something altogether too absent from modern fiction. Hopefully the effort will be more successful next time.

The first michael lister book is power in the blood I thought it was very intense and I could not put it down when I started reading it. I have read all of his blood series so far and they are all very thrilling to read. Plus his private I books are very thrilling and has a lot of suspense I recommend reading all of Michael Listers books if u can

I read some of the reviews and admit that I sometimes feel that some people read too much into a novel. This is a book of fiction and as such I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well written and flowed really well. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I would recommend this book but please read it as a book of fiction as it is not meant to be non fiction. i am on to book two in the series. Thank you Mr. Lister I really enjoyed it.

A very different kind of murder investigation. John Jordon, ex-cop is now a prison chaplain. When there is a murder within the prison walls, he sets out to solve it, using both his old skills & new. This is the first story in the series and a very good read.

With the John Jordan series Michael Lister has claimed his own unique corner in the crowded room of mystery writers. Power In The Blood sets a very human detective against the demons in the prison where he works as a chaplain. At the same time he must do battle with his own demons. No problem ~ Lister keeps all the fights going at once and keeps the reader in a page turning frenzy to the finish!
Beautifully written. There's nothing like a story from someone who has actually lived it.

IT WILL MAKE YOU NEGLECT YOUR CHORES.
I don't have much time to read so when I sit down to read I want a book that keeps me interested from start to finish. I found just that in Michael Lister's "Power in the Blood". It was fast paced and thrilling. So excited there is more to the series. I hated to think that was all I would get to read about the main character John Jordan. Ordering more tomorrow. Looks like housework will have to wait.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting pulled into a world that I know nothing about. How many times have you driven past a prison and wondered what goes on behind that barbed wire? I think subconsciously we view prisions in terms of "a population" or two separate populations...the inmates and the guards. Listers writing brings the individual members of these populations to life. So much so you will become attached to them and find yourself taking sides and hoping the story unfolds the way you want for the "person" you are wanting to find justice. I loved the detailed, inside view behind the prison walls and the way Lister made these characters come to life in my mind and how each little teasing tidbit of information left me reading faster to find out what happened next.

I loved this book. Thank you Michael Lister for taking me away from my life , to make me a part of John Jordan's. Well written book with some good characters. I was also impressed with the spiritual aspect throughout . I can't wait for the next John Jordan Mystery.

A prison Chaplin working to bring light into one of the darkest places in the Florida Panhandle. John Jordan works to solve this prison mystery as he struggles with personal demons and strives for true happiness. If you love mysteries and root for the underdog, you'll fall in love with the John Jordan mystery series.

If you appreciate characters that aren't cookie-cutter 'heroes', this series is for you. John Jordan isn't your everyday prison chaplain. He has his own demons and fights them stoically while fighting for the right thing against tremendous odds. The beginning of a wonderfully addictive series. With many more chapters that are just as addictive.

I've come to love John Jordan as much as other characters in books, such as Harry Bosch, though they are different characters, they are both likeable and interesting to get to know.

Michael Lister also writes of the Northwest Florida area so well that it almost becomes a character in and of itself.

I really enjoyed this book, and the series. I look forward to any John Jordan books to come out in the future!

What a great story. John Jordan Prison Chaplain investigates a death of an inmate. He has a interesting way of looking at things and a high level of insight into peoples natures. This was a great read. The writing style is relaxed and draws an excellant picture for the reader. You will be left guessing right to the end.

I didn't want to put this book down. For me this author is up there with Patterson, Stuart Woods, Coben, etc. This was not your usual "run of the mill" mystery----it had different content and no lengthy details that were not relevant to the story. The story and the characters were so interesting and the author has the gift of making you feel a part of their lives. I can't wait to read the next book, Blood of the Lamb.

What a story! This first John Jordan book has me completely hooked and just I purchased the rest of the series. What a wonderfully honest man is John. How I love when a true hero shows such humility by knowing and accepting his weaknesses. So very well written and deserving highest praise. Thank you, Michael Lister, for inventing a hero I truly admire!

This was my introduction to John Jordan and I have since read all of the books in the series except the one am I starting right now!! I really like this protagonist, a prison chaplain who was previously a homicide cop, and who is flawed, but always tries to do the right thing. I recommend the entire series.

The worst part about this book (just slightly worse than its overblown prose, canned dialogue, and mediocre plot resolution) is its irritating protagonist, a prison chaplain named John Jordan (even his nickname, "JJ," is irritating). Why is he so irritating? Precisely because we, the readers, are constantly reminded that we are supposed to admire him so much: he traded in a lucrative suburban church and big house for prison ministry and a trailer; he repeatedly puts himself in harm's way and gets beaten to a pulp in the pursuit of justice; and he selflessly (and apparently symbolically, in typically heavy-handed fashion) donates his blood when necessary to save a life. Add to that the totally inappropriate James Bond Effect: every woman in the book is fetching, and every one of them is smitten with "JJ." Note: I would probably give this book only one star based on the writing alone, but I give the author credit for infusing his book with a genuin! e sense of religious faith, something altogether too absent from modern fiction. Hopefully the effort will be more successful next time.

The first michael lister book is power in the blood I thought it was very intense and I could not put it down when I started reading it. I have read all of his blood series so far and they are all very thrilling to read. Plus his private I books are very thrilling and has a lot of suspense I recommend reading all of Michael Listers books if u can

I read some of the reviews and admit that I sometimes feel that some people read too much into a novel. This is a book of fiction and as such I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well written and flowed really well. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I would recommend this book but please read it as a book of fiction as it is not meant to be non fiction. i am on to book two in the series. Thank you Mr. Lister I really enjoyed it.

A very different kind of murder investigation. John Jordon, ex-cop is now a prison chaplain. When there is a murder within the prison walls, he sets out to solve it, using both his old skills & new. This is the first story in the series and a very good read.

With the John Jordan series Michael Lister has claimed his own unique corner in the crowded room of mystery writers. Power In The Blood sets a very human detective against the demons in the prison where he works as a chaplain. At the same time he must do battle with his own demons. No problem ~ Lister keeps all the fights going at once and keeps the reader in a page turning frenzy to the finish!
Beautifully written. There's nothing like a story from someone who has actually lived it.

IT WILL MAKE YOU NEGLECT YOUR CHORES.
I don't have much time to read so when I sit down to read I want a book that keeps me interested from start to finish. I found just that in Michael Lister's "Power in the Blood". It was fast paced and thrilling. So excited there is more to the series. I hated to think that was all I would get to read about the main character John Jordan. Ordering more tomorrow. Looks like housework will have to wait.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting pulled into a world that I know nothing about. How many times have you driven past a prison and wondered what goes on behind that barbed wire? I think subconsciously we view prisions in terms of "a population" or two separate populations...the inmates and the guards. Listers writing brings the individual members of these populations to life. So much so you will become attached to them and find yourself taking sides and hoping the story unfolds the way you want for the "person" you are wanting to find justice. I loved the detailed, inside view behind the prison walls and the way Lister made these characters come to life in my mind and how each little teasing tidbit of information left me reading faster to find out what happened next.

I loved this book. Thank you Michael Lister for taking me away from my life , to make me a part of John Jordan's. Well written book with some good characters. I was also impressed with the spiritual aspect throughout . I can't wait for the next John Jordan Mystery.

A prison Chaplin working to bring light into one of the darkest places in the Florida Panhandle. John Jordan works to solve this prison mystery as he struggles with personal demons and strives for true happiness. If you love mysteries and root for the underdog, you'll fall in love with the John Jordan mystery series.

This is a good thriller about a prison chaplain,divorced and in AA, who was a cop when things went wrong. As he tries to put his life back together he lives in a small trailer and ministers to the inmates and employees of the prison. This story starts with a dead body and as the investigation continues we learn much about the Chaplain. There are good suspenseful scenes ,well- developed characters and I kept turning pages to see what happens next. A nice start to a series,I intend to read more.

Very gritty book about prison life certainly kept my interest. It had a bit too much of a religious overtone, but that's to be expected from this author. Interestingly enough, according to the reviews, it wasn't Christian enough for a lot of people. I didn't mind the language, but there is a lot of it. I would say that it's pretty realistic for a prison setting.

"Power In The Blood" poses a juxtaposition between grace and judgment. Then it works it out in as bloody a way as possible. The characters are rich and nuanced the plot flows at a even pace only to suddenly become violent, danger filled rapids. I like this book and will read more by this author.

I certainly will follow through with the other novels about John Jordan and see where his next escaped will the me. Mr. Lister is a very proficient novelist, always encouraging his reader just enough to keep their interest to what may occur next. Good Job!

Although filled with violence, John Jordan brings a warmth and caring to situations that most people would shy away from. His approach to his job is his greatest asset. This series is well worth reading and Michael Lister is well worth following. Enjoy!!!

John Jordan is an ex-cop, ex-priest prison chaplain. When an inmate is murdered, he is asked to help with the investigation. It soon becomes clear that not everyone is happy with this arrangement. It also becomes clear soon enough, that the inmates are not the only bad guys in the prison. As the investigation continues, dead bodies keep piling up. Somewhere along the way, it becomes apparent who the murderer is and the author seems to encourage the reader's discovery. The ending will come as a huge surprise nonetheless. Please note, although the main character is a prison chaplain, this is not a Christian novel. There is a good deal of profanity where it was deemed appropriate.

Raced through the book thoroughly gripped by characters and plot, delighted to know this was the first of many in the series. Although written 20 years ago, nothing in the book feels dated. Of course, I remember car phones and so was able to think of this as in historic context. Of all the influences author Michael Lester refers to, Robert Parker's stands out most in his relationship of hero to buddy. A great read which I highly recommend.

I have read other books in this series, so I finally tried the first. The revised edition is written well and has good depth of characters. The story itself wasn't up to some of the later stories in this series, but that probably reflects growth on the part of the author. The concept of an ex-cop prison chaplain is very interesting and the in-prison sequences are very revealing.