Book Review: ‘Black Mountain’ Is The Next Exciting Isaiah Coleridge Novel

Author Laird Barron is back with his second Isaiah Coleridge novel Black Mountain. It follows last year’s debut with the character in Blood Standard. This follow up is not as exciting as the first novel but it’s still a good follow up. This time Isaiah is trying to stay away from the family but finds himself being sucked back in.

Now a Private Eye he still is drawn to the family when called. And he is called again for help finding a serial murder that may date back to the early 70’s. A criminal named Harold Lee turns up dead missing his hands and his head. The family is not happy about this and Isaiah is called to investigate it. Along with trusty sidekick Lionel he’s on the case. It looks like it is a mysterious man named The Croatian who is responsible. This man is deadly and has avoided being found all these years.

As they dig it leads them to burlesque dancer Delia Labrador. She knew Harold and another man that was murdered. She may be the key to this whole thing and she agrees to help them. What they end up finding out is a shock to them and it may be someone that Delia has known all along. It leads to a climatic showdown.

The character of Isaiah Coleridge is a well-written, fun character. You don’t want to mess with him. And having Lionel as his sidekick is comic relief. Author Laird Barron has something special with this character and series.

You can pick up the book in stores on Tuesday, May 7th from Putnam.