Walter B. Levis

The Meaning of the Murder: A novel: (Softcover: $25, 238pp, 6X9”: 978-1-68114-618-8; Hardcover: $30: 978-1-68114-619-5; Kindle: $2.99; Softcover: Ingram: $25: 978-1-68114-622-5; LCCN: 2025902446; Books—Mystery, Thriller & Suspense—Crime Fiction—Murder; Purchase on Amazon, or Ingram; Release Date: 8/5/2025): The father of a modern orthodox Jewish family works as a compliance officer at a bank in New York. When he discovers that his bank is violating OFAC laws and funding terrorists in the Middle East he alerts the bank’s top brass. They ignore him. After struggling with the conflict between his position as a fully assimilated member of his professional community and his moral obligations as a man and a Jew, he turns whistle-blower and goes to the DOJ. The night before his deposition he disappears.

Eliana Golden was thirteen when her father disappeared. Years later, after surprising her family by joining the NYPD, Eliana meets a mysterious and alluring soldier, a man who is far more dangerous than Eliana—and everyone except those at the highest and most secret levels of the U.S. government—understands. And he knows exactly what happened to her father.

What follows is a journey into the darkest depths of America’s covert war against terrorism and the horrific moral compromises it can entail.

The Meaning of the Murder is a psychological drama and a meditation on the moral ambiguity of violence, telling the multi-layered story of a family recovering from trauma, a detective determined to solve a crime, and the price we pay for safety in the war on terror.

“The Meaning of the Murder is both a compelling story, populated with strikingly memorable characters, and also a nuanced and deeply intelligent examination of violence. Walter Levis has written a first-rate crime novel.”—Lou Berney, author of November Road

“Walter Levis’ exquisitely crafted, utterly enthralling The Meaning of the Murder probes the relationship between love and violence in a searing, original way. His gorgeously textured novel also makes us understand the ways our private lives are now inextricably linked to lethal worldly forces. This is an astonishing and necessary novel.” —Jay Neugeboren, author of The Stolen Jew, and Imagining Robert

“The Meaning of the Murder is more than an engaging narrative; it’s an authentic and profound exploration of the moral complexities law enforcement officers face in the relentless fight against terrorism. Having stood on the front lines, I highly recommend this book for its insightful portrayal of these critical challenges.” —Matthew Jones, NYPD Ret. Sergeant; U.S. Dept. of Justice, Int. Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP); U.S. Dept. of State Bureau of Int. Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL)

“In The Meaning of the Murder, Walter Levis combines the urgency of crime fiction with the depth of literary fiction. It’s a smart, morally serious novel—unafraid to ask hard questions.” —Edward Conlon, New York Times best-selling author of The Police Woman’s Bureau, Red on Red, and Blue Blood

Walter B. Levis, a former crime reporter, lives in New York City. His articles have appeared in The NY Daily News, The National Law Journal, The Chicago Reporter, The Chicago Lawyer, The New Republic, Show Business Magazine, and The New Yorker, among others. He is author of the novel Moments of Doubt. His short stories have appeared widely and have been chosen for a Henfield Prize and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His website is walterblevis.com.

Reviews, Features and Interviews About The Meaning of Murder:

• The Hong Kong Review: “…not your average detective story… poetry in the messiest entanglements of conscience and consequence.” Read the review. 
• Midwest Book Review: “Original and deftly crafted,” it “examines dark themes such as corruption, money laundering, terrorism, greed and brutality. Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre.” Read full review here.
• JewishBookWorld: Featured new release.
• Book Q&A with Deborah Kalb: Author interview. Read here.
• Crime Fiction Lover: Featured in On the Radar newsletter and news section. Read the feature.
• Too Jewish Radio: Interview (begins at 16:45, then 41:20). Listen. 
• Book Marketing Buzz Blog: Author interview. Read the Q&A. 
• Ploughshares: Guest editor Jay Neugeboren recommends the novel. Read recommendation. 
• Linda’s Book Obsession: “A powerful and thought-provoking novel.” Read the review. 
• Hasty Book List: Author interview. Read here.
• Fig Tree Lit: Featured book and author interview. Read here.
• Fresh Fiction: Excerpt from The Meaning of the Murder. Read here.
• Author Answers: Q&A feature. Read here.
• What Is That Book About: Featured new release.
• Crimespree Magazine: “Behind the Book” feature. Read here.
• Judith Magazine: “…the uneasy boundary between visible and invisible crimes…:” Read excerpt here.
• Writer’s Digest: Guest article: “Making the Switch From Being a Crime Reporter to Writing Crime Fiction.” Read article here.
• Book Nation by Jen: Featured “Best New Books of August.”