Successful authors never experience writer’s block as long as they follow the old mantra to “write what you know.” That certainly applies to Eli Cranor and his latest work, MISSISSIPPI BLUE 42, which is the start of an entertaining new series.

Cranor is a former college and professional quarterback who still lends his aid and arm as needed to Arkansas Tech’s football team, where he serves as Writer in Residence. This novel is set during the 2013-14 season, which was a significantly different time in college football than what we have today. He asks readers to close their eyes and return to the “glory days” of the sport, prior to the playoff system, the transfer portal, or the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness). What happens when a multimillion-dollar coach has to lead a team of unpaid players? That is the question at the heart of this insightful tale.

"MISSISSIPPI BLUE 42 is a dream for college football fans.... [I]t was nice to take a ride with an author who has the inside scoop on this subject and is able to bring it to life for us in this fascinating work of fiction."

Having grown up in New York City, it is difficult to understand the way college football is adored in the South with almost religious zeal. That is indeed the case with UCM, which is located in Compson, Mississippi, where the faith and support in the university’s football team seem to fuel the entire area. Special Agent Rae Johnson and her partner, Frank Ranchino, have been sent to Compson to observe the workings of the UCM football program from a white-collar perspective. Little do they know the hornets’ nest they are going to stir up.

As the daughter of a national-championship-winning coach, Rae already is well-versed in the college football game. Her assignment with the white-collar crime division coming out of Quantico is to investigate possible NCAA fraud. It will be just the tip of the iceberg as things turn murderous and deadly quickly. The quarterback for UCM is Matt Talley, and we have the opportunity to walk in his shoes during the end of a huge victory against a rival team. It turns out that one of his heroes, Brett Favre, is standing on the sidelines with the opposing squad. After winning the game on a trick play, Favre shakes hands with Matt and says it “reminds me of my favorite play: Mississippi Blue 42.”

This is ominous as the trick would be on Matt, who takes a dive off the top of a college bar, falling to his death and landing on a bag filled with money. Witnessing this horrific incident are Rae and Frank, who had been tailing Matt, and they can’t believe that the starting quarterback of perhaps the nation’s best college football program is dead. What will follow with their investigation is a whirlwind of individuals --- corrupt coaches, dirty politicians, and bagmen who make sure that players are paid to perform well or throw games as needed, as well as a myriad of other nefarious vultures who feed off the success that the college football business provides.

MISSISSIPPI BLUE 42 is a dream for college football fans. It is a far departure from Cranor’s previous work, like BROILER, which is pure classic crime noir. However, it was nice to take a ride with an author who has the inside scoop on this subject and is able to bring it to life for us in this fascinating work of fiction.