After I've finished Eli Cranor's previous brilliant novels, I've tended to shake my head, utter a stunned "wow", and stare out a window contemplating the characters who live and survive (some of them) in so much darkness. With Mississippi Blue 42, though, I finished the book and I was actually...smiling?
This is a well constructed crime novel with southern college football as is driving backdrop. It's also a historical novel, since the events take place before college athletes could benefit monetarily from endorsements.
It is the rumor of money--a LOT of money--flowing towards the football team at University of Central Mississippi that brings rookie FBI Agent Rae Johnson to the team's hometown. There is a spectacular death of the team's star quarterback that adds possible murder to the scope of Rae's work.
Cranor writes so well of the religion-like madness and greed that permeate everyone associated with the team. The one person who appears to be immune is the replacement quarterback, Moses McCloud, who's love of the game and dream to study veterinary science seems to supersede the promises of money.
I love how sports, politics, religion, and crime all intersect in this novel. The relationship between Rae and Moses is fascinating, as is Rae's interaction with her fellow (older, jaded) agent.
This is a crime novel that shares a lot with the work of Carl Hiaasen and Harlan Coben, but Cranor's voice is totally original.

Eli Cranor is back at it again with another football influenced crime/mystery novel. Blue 42 dives into bagmen and paying players well before the modern NIL era. Cranor tackles money, political power, and racism through the lens of corrupt college football in the deep South. The main character "Rae" is a well developed character from her background to early professional stages. The supporting cast is equally expanded to create an understanding of motives. There are plenty of twists, turns, and moral dilemmas to keep the reader engaged. While Blue 42 is football themed, it is centered around white collar crime. Cranor makes the story enjoyable for football fanatics and crime/mystery readers alike. I would like to see more books/series about Rae and Chuck blitzing white collar crime. I enjoyed their working dynamic. I have read four titles from Eli Carnor and he continues to prove himself as a well crafted southern noir writer. Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded Books for the early access.

One of my favorite books of the year! Both suspenseful and a little satirical. Fans of Eli Cranors other novels will love it. Can’t wait for everyone to read

Must a talented athlete make a deal with the devil to make his dream come true?

Long before the landscape of college sports changed with the advent of the NIL and transfer portal, there were bagmen. Shady figures who made sure superstar college athletes got money- bags full of money. In Mississippi Blue 42, Rae Johnson, a hard charging rookie FBI agent, is assigned to investigate illicit money flowing through a small college town with a team looking to repeat as national champion. Rae’s investigation isn’t as easy as she thought it was going to be-especially when the star quarterback dies next to a bag full of money. Was it an accident or murder?

Cranor delivers a fast paced story filled with over the top characters. The head coach is an empty-headed chameleon who’s more interested in bible verses and his next gig. The local sheriff is a bully who’ll cover up any crimes necessary. The bagman will go to any extent to help the team- even pimping out his own daughter. And the man who keeping the wheels greased and machine running is a shadowy politician.

Beyond the farcical characters and the craziness of college football is Carnor’s examination of poverty, racism, and chasing dreams. Cranor’s a master storyteller who knows how to entertain and make the reader look at uncomfortable truths. He definitely delivers a game winner with this book.

I was so excited to see this book published after hearing about it a few years ago. It's got a bit of Ace Atkins, a lot of. Carl Hiaasen, some Elmore Leonard enough of Eli Cranor's own style to keep it awesome. It's such a fun book but also relevant to our current college sports landscape. Highly recommended.