This is a story set in Memphis about a missing person which turns into something more sinister.
When Addison’s husband disappears for a week and his offices no longer seem to exist, her ailing father recommends private detective Porter Hayes, an old friend, who just might be able to help her.
As Porter searches for Dean Mckellar, he learns that the man is not who he seems and he has been living a double life mixing with some very unsavoury people. Soon Addison’s and her children's lives are in extreme danger and she needs all her wits to stay alive.
There were a lot of characters in this book and the story is told from several viewpoints. I liked the sections narrated by Addison and Porter but found the parts about the criminals slightly less interesting as it was difficult to work out who they were and what was going on. There were many people who seemed quite happy to be involved in unscrupulous activities but their activities were not particularly captivating.
However I really enjoyed reading about Porter’s investigation and Addison’s story with her gradual realisation that her life has been built on a pack of lies.
The book moved at a fairly fast pace although there were some long sections about the nefarious activities which I skim read.
All in all a solid 3 star from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Don't Let the Devil Ride is the first book I've read by Ace Atkins and having done so he's gone straight onto my favourite authors list. That list includes such luminaries as Dennis Lehane,S.A.Cosby, George Pelecanos and William Boyle, enjoy any of those and you'll love this.

When rich Memphis housewife Addison McKellar's husband Dean goes missing she's at first annoyed, then worried as she's met with a wall of silence from his friends. She then makes a baffling discovery that far from getting her help from the police sees her arrested and her psychological state questioned.

At a loss she turns to her ailing father's friend,legendary but now elderly private investigator Porter Hayes,a man with many stories to tell about the famous,and infamous figures he has encountered in his long career.
From Addison's marital woes an entertaining and fast-moving story accelerates and weaves a tangled web of memorable characters and dastardly deeds. She has no idea where her husband is,and fairly soon no idea who he is as the mayhem and criminality that unfolds spans the globe.

Atkins is a masterful story-teller and his characterisation is amazing, mini-autobiographies of some of the main characters are woven into the tale. These are great fun,not least Porter Hayes' and a faded actress who, separately, reminisce about real stars of old and their scandalous exploits, based on the truth or not only Ace Atkins knows.

An excellent read with some great characters,I really hope this isn't the last we've seen of Porter Hayes.