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

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher 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.

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.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Addison is worried when Dean goes missing. His friends aren't saying anything. She turns to an individual who may have the answers she needs. This book kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I heard this was a cross between S.A. Cosby and Don Winslow, I had to read this book. In the aftermath, although I enjoyed the plot of the book with the husband and his "hidden life" and the wife who slowly discovers that she has been living in a sham marriage, the character development is not near Don Winslow=levels, and I think that is my biggest criticism of the book. The one character who stood out was Memphis PI, Porter Hayes, but the other characters seemed flat and some of them were quite far-fetched. With more development of the characters, I think this book could have been great, but I will say I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars

In Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins, Addison McKellar has a few problems - most importantly of which is that her husband is missing...again. She gets nowhere with his secretary and decides to head to his office in downtown Memphis to get some answers. She is arrested when she throws a fit upon finding out his office hasn't been there for two years. She hires Porter Hayes, a local legend PI and friend of her father's, to find her husband. Porter and Addison uncover more than they anticipate about Dean, a mercenary who deals in soldiers, guns and a variety of shady lucrative deals. Atkins has an array of intriguing characters in a thrilling story that is well-crafted and witty with twists that kept me enthralled to the last page. I will be recommending this book.
A superb library addition for patrons interested in suspense/thrillers/mysteries

Thanks to William Morrow, Ace Atkins, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher William Morrow, and author Ace Atkins for the ARC of this book.

This was my first time reading z book by this this author . The book started off interesting enough, however I lost intetest mid way through. Thd book is told from many viewpoints of many characters. Not my favorite method if storytelling!! I would have enjoyed it more has it been written in a more straightforward manner.
2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

Hell is empty…and Addison McKellar’s husband is missing.

Addison is not stopping until she gets answers! When she shows up to his office and finds out that it isn’t his office and they have never heard of him, she does a very southern thing, she throws a fit! And promptly gets arrested.

The police think she is a loon but Addison is one determined lady. She hires an old friend of her father’s, Former MPD and legendary PI, Porter Hayes.
Together they are going to find a lot more than they bargained for.

Hubby has been hanging out with some very nasty people and lying through his teeth. These people solve their problems with permanent solutions.

I loved Porter Hayes. I love the name. And Porter is a great character, and so is Addison.

Excellent Read!

NetGalley/ William Morrow June 25, 2024

When the husband of Addison McKellar doesn't return from a work trip, Addison tries not to worry. But as the days turn into a week, she starts realizing that everything is not as it seems. Fueled by concern, she gets in contact with a private investigator, the legendary Porter Hayes of Memphis. As they start to untangle the lies and secrets, Porter and Addison look to uncover the mystery, and hopefully her husband as well.

Don't Let the Devil Ride is a Faulknerian, mid-southern noir that is as thrilling and tense as it is witty. Atkins weaves an intriguing tale with deep characters that, although diverse, have that Ace Atkins signature. I found myself immediately hooked from the moment I met Addison, and her evolution throughout the novel was interesting and a joy to follow.

Ace Atkins is a machine. He quite often pens multiple books in a single year, dozens in the Robert B. Parker series, as well as his own Quinn Colson and Nick Travers series. However, he came in swinging for the fences with a new standalone, and he blew the cover off of the ball with a moonshot into the bayou. He continues to churn out hit after hit, and Don't Let the Devil Ride is a genius blend of mystery whodunnit, thriller, and suspense.

Addison McKellar isn’t clueless—she knows she and her husband Dean don’t have the perfect marriage—but she’s still shocked when he completely vanishes from her life. At first Addison is annoyed, but as days stretch into a week and she’s repeatedly stonewalled by Dean’s friends and associates, her frustration turns into genuine alarm. When even the police seem dismissive of her concerns, Addison turns to her father’s old friend, legendary Memphis PI Porter Hayes. Porter and Addison begin to dig deeper into Dean’s affairs and quickly discover that he was never the hardworking business owner and family man he pretended to be. As they piece together the connections between a hook-handed mercenary, one of Elvis’s former leading ladies, and a man posing as an FBI agent, it becomes clear that Dean was deeply enmeshed in a high-stakes web of international intrigue, and Porter and Addison aren’t the only ones looking for him.

Don’t Let the Devil Ride is a thrilling adventure about what can happen when you pull back the curtain on your life. Ace Atkins, long known for gritty Southern noir with a witty edge, has crafted an ambitious, globe-hopping story that comes home to Memphis in explosive fashion. I have read many of the author's Quinn Colson series and initially thought this was a new one in the series. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it as a standalone novel about my hometown written in the era that I grew up! I thoroughly enjoyed his reference to streets and landmarks that were familiar in Memphis and his references to Elvis and Sam the Sham. His character descriptions are good, as always, and the plot development outstanding. I have had the pleasure to hear Mr. Atkins which adds another dimension to the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to read a new story by one of my favorite Southern writers. I highly recommend.

This was such a winner of a thriller novel, it uses the missing person element perfectly. I enjoyed the plot of the book and how tense the situation was, the characters worked with this setting and I wanted to go on this ride with them. Ace Atkins always does a great job writing this and left me wanting more.