Really enjoyed this title by Atkins, that navigates both the underworld and the country club set of Memphis with ease. Addison enjoys her life with her two kids and her sometimes challenging but ultimately there for them husband who is the toast of the town, the best guy, everyone thinks he's awesome - it's definitely enough to make Addison roll her eyes sometimes but she loves him. Until the second time he doesn't come home for several days in a row. She's had enough and hires private eye Porter Hayes, an old friend of her father's, to help her figure out what is going on. A lot of things Dean has told her are not adding up, yet his old jerky rich white man friends don't believe her. Addison is stubborn enough to soldier on and keep digging, and she, and a lot of other characters in this novel, are likeable enough despite making dumb mistakes, to root for. Russian gangsters, suave Parisian arms dealers, and aging Hollywood b-listers make their way into this fun cinematic narrative as well. A great escape and a satisfying ending that leaves some things to the imagination.

William Morrow provided an early galley for review.

Atkins was yet another of the authors I got to hear talk about their upcoming books back in April at PLA 2024. His excitement about this new series was enough to get me to check it out.

I really enjoyed this first outing of Porter Hayes. I found the character to be interesting and layered. He has a backstory and many connections to the Memphis community that I am eager to see explored in future installments of this series. The whole Memphis vibe is fun as well.

There is a lot of secret lives and double-dealing going on in the story. That leads to various characters touching upon the bigger plot in differing ways. Some worked for me and kept me very focused. Others, however, did not and thus I found myself quick skimming those chapters. Still, the deeper into the book I got the deeper into the mystery I found myself embroiled. The story definitely went directions I had not anticipated.

Overall, this was a very violent thriller (a little too much so for my normal taste). I did enjoy all of the music references though.

I agree that this book compares favorably to the works of S.A. Cosby and Don Winslow. This noir crime novel bursting with colorful characters, intrigue, and action.

Addison McKeller has a beautiful home in an exclusive Memphis suburb, two beautiful children, and a husband with a flourishing international construction company. However, everything is in peril when her husband, Dean, disappears. Getting no response from the local police to her missing person report, Addison hires renowned private investigator Porter Hayes to find Dean. When Hayes begins digging, he uncovers some troubling details about Dean that will rock Addison's world. Not only is Dean living a lie, but he is also associated with some shady dealings involving dangerous figures that put all their lives in danger. Can Hayes find Dean and untangle the lies he has woven in time to save the family? It's a race against time, and lives are at stake.

This is an atmospheric novel that is fast-paced and contains a complex plot. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is snappy. The subplots tie in nicely with the main storyline, and although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. If you enjoy Southern noir stories, I think you will enjoy this book. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

Thanks to Netgalley and the William Morrow (a favorite publisher of mine over decades of reading their quality offerings) for this eARC.

"Don't Let the Devil Ride" by Ace Atkins is a gripping Southern noir that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the underbelly of Memphis. The novel opens with Addison McKellar's world turned upside down when her husband, Dean, disappears without a trace. As days turn into a week, Addison's annoyance shifts to alarm, propelling her to seek the help of Porter Hayes, a legendary Memphis PI known as "the Black Sherlock Holmes."

Atkins masterfully weaves a complex web of characters, from a one-armed arms dealer to a former movie starlet clinging to her past glory with Elvis Presley. The narrative unfolds with a pace that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, as the question of Dean's whereabouts morphs into a more sinister query: Who is Dean McKellar?

The beauty of Atkins' writing lies in his ability to craft a story of international intrigue that remains deeply rooted in its Southern setting. The author's skillful storytelling and rich character development make "Don't Let the Devil Ride" more than just a mystery; it's a profound exploration of identity, trust, and the facades we maintain.

Forget about the MacGuffin that ties the narrative threads together; this book is about the ride—the biggest and boldest that Atkins has ever penned. With its blend of suspense, crime, and detective elements, the novel stands out as a testament to Atkins' prowess in the thriller genre.

"Don't Let the Devil Ride" is a must-read for fans of Southern noir and those who enjoy a story that's as much about the journey as the destination. Ace Atkins has delivered a novel that confirms his status as a master of the genre, offering readers an ebullient, rollicking ride they won't soon forget.

Well, the book started off interesting, got very complicated quickly (plot and unrelated characters and lots of side stories) for about 75% of the book and then it finally started coming together. Not a bad book but not one I wanted to spend 3-4 days reading either. I suppose if it wasn't primarily about gun running/bulk stolen weapon sales to terrorists and mobsters I might have liked it a lot better.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the ARC. Porter Hayes might be my favorite fictional private eye. He's cool, despite his age, and sees through all the chaos to figure out what's going on. Plus, he likes good music. His client, Addison, not as cool...in fact, kind of a train wreck, but very much in need of Porter's help. The Memphis setting (along with the obligatory inclusion of an Elvis element to the story) sets it apart from other private eye stories. In all, it's an enjoyable read and I hope to see more of Porter's story in the future.

I really liked the main character, Porter Hayes, and having lived in Memphis loved that the city was almost like another character in a book peppered with many quirky characters. I liked the writing found the storyline was a little convoluted and the pace a little slow at times. If this is the start of a new series, I will definitely read the next one because the main character was just that good! Strongly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

This one might appeal to fans of Harlan Coben's suspense novels.

We have: the main protagonist (husband has disappeared) who is a bit pampered, out of touch with reality, and way out of her depth; the missing husband who may not be who and what he claims; an older black P.I.; a French arms dealer; a Russian mobster; a father, dying of cancer; two fairly typical kids; a brother who is a bit of an asshole; and a best friend, married to said brother, and an aging movie star and her grown daughter. The book is fast paced, more than a bit chaotic, and nobody is safe.

Really unique story, good character development and some twists and turns. Felt like a classic Grisham book to me. I really enjoyed it!

Fast-paced, convoluted, multi-layered thriller! Don’t Let the Devil Ride has lots of demons and devils onboard fighting over treasures while innocent people are betrayed. Action packed!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book follows the story of a woman who finds out her husband isn’t who he says he is. The book is full of quirky characters, and has a great mystery. You won’t know who to trust. It is set in Memphis with a lot of references to local sites, easy for me to picture since I live in Memphis. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Intense and engaging, thrilling and suspenseful, Don’t Let the Devil Ride is a smashingly entertaining dive into a dark underworld filled with secrets, greed and malefactors.

Addison McKellar's world is turned upside down when her husband, Dean, abruptly disappears. Desperate for answers, she enlists the help of venerable Memphis PI Porter Hayes to uncover the truth. As they delve into Dean's secrets, they unravel a dangerous web of international intrigue involving mercenaries, celebrities, and impostors. With danger lurking around every corner and her family in the crosshairs, Addison teams with Porter in a race against time to find Dean and unravel a perilous plot before it's too late.

Ace Atkins latest novel will hook you early and captivate you with well-developed characters, infuriating moments, violence of action, and surprising twists. You will be challenged to keep your cool as everything and everyone seems to conspire against Addison, a mother and a wife who grows stronger and more resilient as events unfold despite the odds stacked against her. And you will be thoroughly enchanted by Porter Hayes, who reminds me of a cross between Spenser and Shaft. Cool, connected and incredibly good at his job. All of which is wrapped within a compelling southern noir story that is part mystery, part crime novel and part psychological thriller. It’s a superb novel by a fantastic author who once again comes up aces with this new release.

Addison’s husband Dean hasn’t called her in over a week. He was supposed to be in London for a business meeting, but she can’t get a hold of him. She goes downtown to his office, to discover it’s not his office. His secretary isn’t real, just an actor paid to answer her calls. What’s going on? This was one heck of a mystery. I’ve never read Ace Atkins before, but I’m so glad I found him. I like the different character perspectives, and how Memphis was a large part of the book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy.

4 stars for an entertaining thriller set in Memphis, Tennessee. Addison McKellar grows worried when her husband disappears. He has been gone for a week and is not answering her calls. His secretary refuses to tell her where he is. She goes to his office and finds that his office is not there. She gets arrested when she refuses to leave the building. She goes to her father, who is dying of cancer for help. He refers her to Porter Hayes, an old friend, and a retired Memphis police officer now working as a private investigator.
Together they start digging into her husband's affairs and find some nasty surprises. There are some colorful characters:
Joanna Grayson, a retired minor movie star, who makes her living by doing Elvis tours and petty thievery
Russian mobsters, who are ready to kill whoever necessary to get what they want.
Gaultier, a former French soldier, who fought in variuos African wars, and now works as a go between for gun runners
Each chapter is narrated by one of the characters.
There are many twists and turns in this rollicking thriller. I recommend it to Southern noir fans and Private Eye fans.
Thanks to William Morrow for sending me this eARC through NetGalley. #DontLettheDevilRide #NetGalley

I received a free copy of, Don't Let the Devil Ride, by Ace Atkins, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Addison McKellars' husband Dean is missing, and nobody seems to care or want to help her. Addison turns to her dads friend Memphis PI Porter Hayes. I thought it was an ok read, it would of been much better without the vulgar language.

Set in Memphis, this is the story of a woman who is desperate to find out what's happened to her missing husband. His associates, her family, even the cops stonewall her search for answers. When she hires a legendary Memphis PI, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel.

This is Ace Atkins at his noir-ish best, full of quirky characters that only he could imagine. Highly recommended. #Don'tLetTheDevilRide #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

There is a missing man. There is a missing treasure. There is a black detective. There is a one-armed man. There is a Frenchman and a Russian. There is a fading movie star and nobody is who they seem to be. The treasure may be guns or not. The missing man may be Peter or is he Dean? The only thing you can count on is the double-double cross. Well written. Sometimes confusing. Definitely a wild ride!!!!

I recently unintentionally read two completely different authors whose novels were both set in Tennessee. This one features both Nashville and Memphis, it was very colorful, especially the older estates and mansions. Many references made to iconic legends such as Elvis and Hootie. The blurb mentions Southern noir which accurately describes many of the interactions. I found Porter amusing and entertaining. He runs Hayes investigations and is relatable and determined. He’s on a case involving a wife who says her husband disappeared. The intrigue simmers and then explodes as Porter attempts to find out where the husband is. It was a most enjoyable mystery with many characters I found compelling.
While I was familiar with this author I had never finished anything he wrote. I’m a die-hard Robert B. Parker fan and my one attempt at reading Mr. Atkins continuation of Parker’s iconic series didn’t work for me. This is nothing against Mr. Atkins, nobody can replace Parker for me. That said, this standalone novel was a pleasant surprise, I liked the characters, found the plot to be solid and the humorous satire was refreshing. I’m glad I gave Mr. Atkins another try. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of “Don’t Let The Devil Ride” by Ace Atkins, William Morrow HarperCollins Publishers, publication expected 06/25/2024. The thoughts expressed here are always my own honest personal opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

Colorful characters, enchanting Southern settings and over-the-top scheming make DON’T LET THE DEVIL RIDE a book that is almost really good. Unfortunately, all that is positive for the book is created in triplicate and there is just too much of everything. It’s hard to keep track of which false identity or which fake business deal is going on at any given moment. What I thought would be sly humor, wedged into a fast-moving mystery, turned into farce. I lost track of the plot more often than I can remember. This wasn’t time wasted reading but it felt like empty calories at the end. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Colorful characters. Porter Hayes is John Shaft with an AARP card (only slightly slowed by age and still quite the ladies' man). While the opening chapters are a little confusing - they each focus on a different character in a different locale - bit by bit the story starts to come together. As the story lines intertwine, the pace accelerates, and I was left turning pages late into the night. Looking forward to more from this author. Fans of Walter Mosley and S. A. Cosby should enjoy this one.