In Two Bullets In A Bayou by Bill Black, the lifeless body of Chick Charbonnet, a major league umpire, is found slumped in the captain’s chair of his boat. Just two weeks earlier, Chick had made a decision that secured the World Series for the unlikely New York Mets. Accusations flew, claiming the game was rigged and that Chick had taken a bribe. Caitlin Montgomery, convinced of Chick’s innocence, reaches out to her old friend Harry Barnes to prove that Chick was innocent. Meanwhile, contract killer Erica Banks is hired to eliminate Tremaine Jefferson and Dominguez Carbone, the powerful leaders of New Orleans’ two most dominant drug gangs. The assassinations of Tremaine Jefferson and Dominguez Carbone clear the way for a Cuban-led drug syndicate to take control. As Harry investigates further, he discovers a link between the Cuban cartel, the killings of the drug leaders, and Chick’s death. All evidence points to Erica Banks as the murderer, and Harry must hurry to prevent her from claiming more victims.

Bill Black's Two Bullets In A Bayou captivated me with its complexity. The story moved swiftly, presenting relentless action throughout. The writing style was captivating, offering vivid descriptions of the unfolding events. I found it easy to immerse myself in Harry’s investigation. The suspense kept me captivated, urging me to turn the pages as fast as possible. Multiple storylines are intricately intertwined, complementing one another seamlessly. With the numerous twists and turns, I struggled to set the book aside, fearing I might miss critical details. The characters were well-crafted and believable. Erica Banks, a skilled and merciless assassin, thrived in her role. The storyline was expertly conceived and delivered, pulling me in from the very beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and eagerly look forward to what lies ahead for Erica Banks.

Chick Charbonnet, a baseball umpire accused of fixing the World Series in Boston, is found murdered in a Louisiana bayou. New Orleans lawyer Harry Barnes teams up with Carmine Scioli, the head of the New Orleans Police Department’s homicide division, to find out who the killer is. It gets more complicated for Harry as Chick is also his ex-girlfriend Caitlin Montgomery's uncle, and she wants Harry to prove that Chick didn’t tamper with the World Series. It turns out that Chick is also distantly related to Harry’s fiancée Genevive (Genny) Clarke. Can Harry solve the murder, clear Chick’s name, and figure out his love life all at the same time? You’ll need to read Bill Black’s Two Bullets in a Bayou to find out.

The reader already knows who the killer is; that’s made clear early on. The fun for the reader is watching Harry and his crew catch up. Two Bullets in a Bayou is book two of the Erica Banks series, so just who is she? She’s pivotal to the entire story, but I can’t say any more as that would be a spoiler. Book one is referenced just enough to clear up any confusion, but I plan to go back and read it to get the full story. Harry is a lovable rogue and instantly endears himself to the reader as he narrates the story in the first person. What I love about him is that he has a massive trick up his sleeve; he has friends in all the right places and takes advantage of these contacts when the need arises. My favourite character is Harry’s assistant, Rhonda Dickerman. She’s a feisty tech wizard, and her backstory is also relevant to the current story. I loved every moment of this book, and recommend it to thriller lovers—and you don’t even need to be a baseball fan to enjoy the underlying narrative.

Two Bullets In A Bayou by Bill Black takes place in New Orleans, where the body of a famous baseball umpire, Chick Charbonnet, was found dead in his boat. Harry Barnes, an ex-Navy and a lawyer, got a call from Caitlin, Chick's niece, who needed Harry's help clearing her uncle's name, who was implicated in a big scandal called The Fix, a gambling scheme set to manipulate league baseball. Harry begins to dig deep into this case, uncovering many messy trails, one of which is linked to a Cuban drug gang run by Rico Suarez and a cold-blooded, well-known assassin, Erica Banks. Harry is not only entangled in the umpire’s mysterious death but also a world of dangerous people with a dirty history, with his past as a dad and ex-husband adding depth to his character. Harry is determined to expose their dirty work and clear Chick's name.

I'm so impressed with Bill Black's writing style; it is captivating and detailed. Each character was well developed, leaving no confusion whatsoever. The suspense was so intense that I couldn't put it down until I was done reading. I can't wait for the next one. The pace was just what I needed; it wasn't too fast or slow, making me explore better. Caitlin is one of the characters I loved so much; I admired her reliance on making sure she brings justice to whoever was responsible for her uncle's death, and I'm happy she had someone trustworthy to do that. I love how determined Harry was; he is a man of principle and truth, and he did just that by making sure he uncovered the truth and not letting his past weigh him down. I admire Harry's loyalty to Caitlin. I recommend Two Bullets In A Bayou by Bill Black to fans of thrillers and crime novels.

Two Bullets in a Bayou by Bill Black is a volatile, multilayered thriller that follows two converging plots:the deadly rise of Cuban assassin Erica Banks and the mysterious murder of disgraced baseball umpire Chick Charbonnet. When Chick is found shot in a boat near New Orleans, his niece enlists fixer-turned-lawyer Harry Barnes to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Erica executes two high-level gang leaders in a single day, throwing the city’s drug underworld into chaos, and enabling her client, a foreign-backed cartel, to expand. As Erica blends into crowds and kills with efficiency, her presence triggers an impact that stirs personal vendettas, geopolitical drug turf wars, and law enforcement investigations, especially one that links her to a long-unsolved murder case. Harry Barnes and his team continue to dig deeper into the mysterious death of Charbonnet. They uncover corruption, conspiracy, and buried secrets as Erica’s violent agenda unfolds, with their actions rippling across each other’s paths as it raises tension and stakes. Though not always center stage, her ruthlessness and deadly precision make Erica Banks the most dangerous and elusive force to reckon with.

Two Bullets in a Bayou by Bill Black is essentially a hybrid mystery, thriller, and crime saga where separate events are revealed to be interconnected. The action is brisk and event-driven. The time-stamped chapter titles give clarity and structure and cleverly mimic the pacing of a clock, subtly enhancing the suspense. Characters are sharply drawn, evolving because of the external elements that influence the way they interact, behave, or perform. The heart-stopping, adrenaline-infused cliffhangers reinforce the unpredictability and urgency of events. Any sense of stability and safety is unsettled. Viewpoints shift and change in the blink of an eye to maintain momentum. The story dwells on corruption, moral compromise, loyalty, betrayal, domestic drama, the thin line between revenge and justice, power plays, surviving under pressure, and the battle between perception and reality. The past keeps tugging at the present. The novel has a strong sense of place where Louisiana’s culture, politics, and atmosphere are practically characters themselves. This is especially suited for readers who enjoy action-driven crime thrillers with gritty, atmospheric settings, complex characters, strong female leads, and rivals in a layered blend of murder mystery, political and personal intrigue, violence, and underworld warfare.