Rex Thompson has spent decades hiding a felony he committed during the Vietnam War. But when his troubled sons scuttle a shrimp boat in Biloxi Bay—drowning an immigrant fisherman who once witnessed Rex’s crime—the past resurfaces with devastating force.

As guilt threatens to consume him, Rex remains silent. That is, until the victim’s daughter, Anh Truong, discovers a wartime journal and confronts him with a truth her father never shared. With the law closing in and his family unraveling, Rex must choose: protect his sons or seek redemption from those he betrayed.

Five yellow stars in a row, symbolizing a five-star rating.

Trade Reviews

Bycatch by Alexander Blevens is a big, entertaining story that speaks to universal themes of family, honor, culture, faith, and history. The narrative is supported by numerous realistic characters and an impeccably researched plot that is flawlessly structured and presented. Read More

Think ‘murder thriller’, and a traditional genre read replete with suspense and action come to mind. But Bycatch is all this and more, incorporating politics, place, and connections between past and present as a fisherman’s murder in Mississippi becomes connected to events in Vietnam decades earlier. Read More

Testimonials

“With empathy, an eye for detail, and a fascinating cast of characters—not to mention a helluva story—Alexander Blevens has delivered a suspenseful debut novel reaching deep into a community few of us know.”—Robert Lindsey, author of the National Bestseller The Falcon and the Snowman: A True Story of Friendship and Espionage.

“. . . excellent storytelling make Bycatch a must read. It’s a good haul in a strong net. I look forward to more.”—Cecil George Brown, author of D’Leaux, Mississippi-From Moss to Tuckertown.

“Bycatch will touch the hearts of many Vietnamese War refugees who resettled in America.”—Trang Pham-Bui, Emmy Award-winning journalist.

Reader Reviews

Five yellow stars in a row, symbolizing a perfect rating or review.

An entertaining and haunting read

“A moving and suspenseful tale that explores clashing cultures, guilt, and forgiveness, Bycatch is an unforgettable and epic read.”—Goodreads Review

Read this amazing story

“I absolutely loved this book. It’s a very different story, but it was so good.”—Goodreads Review

Phenomenal book!

“Wrapped in two crimes set over a decade apart, Bycatch is truly a story of family, loss, revenge, and ultimately, redemption.”—Amazon Review