The Ledger by Steven Manchester
Book 2: The Menu Series
Publisher: Luna Bella Media
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Format: Paperback - 390 pages
Kindle - 371 pages / 1.2 MB
ISBN (Paperback): 979-8999472021
ASIN (Kindle): B0H2FD8Y6W
Genre: Christian Fiction / Literary Fiction
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: The Menu Series
Book 1: The Menu
Book 2: The Ledger
Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I also purchased the Kindle copy of the book.
Book Description:
Set in a medium-security penitentiary in the mid-1990s, The Ledger is a faith-based story that pulls back the curtain on prison life, allowing the reader a safe peek behind the wall.
Although told from three alternating perspectives—officer, inmate, and sergeant—many of the same questions are Can light be found in the deepest darkness? What about forgiveness, redemption, and grace? And if the code is clear, “loyalty above all things except honor,” when should an officer cross the blue line to police one of his own?
The Ledger is the long-awaited companion novel to The Menu.
Praise For The Ledger:
“The Ledger illuminates the dark world of Corrections, making it safe for all of us to steal a peek.”
– Barry McKee, Professor Emeritus, Criminal Justice
“I found myself holding my breath. It felt like I was right back inside the wall.”
– Nelson Julius, Deputy Superintendent, DOC (ret.)
“Intensely powerful and deeply moving, pick up a copy to balance your own ledger.”
– Debby Guyette, Book Blogger, Single Titles
“The Ledger is a spiritual read, drawing the reader inward.”
– Reverend Andy Stinson, First Congregational Church of Fall River
My Book Review:
Every once in a while, an author comes along who writes novels that are so powerfully compelling and thought provoking that they stir the soul. For me, that author is Steven Manchester and his latest novel, The Ledger.
The Ledger is a realistic and faith-based story that provides the reader with a behind the walls look at a prison system environment. Told in an alternating third person narrative by an inmate (Roy Dagnault), a corrections officer (Derek Yanchuk), and a Sergeant (Jim Medeiros) two years from retirement, their story is set in the 1990s at a medium security penitentiary in Massachusetts, that follows their story of daily prison life and the corrections profession.
The Ledger is an intensely powerful, deeply disturbing, sober and thought-provoking story of choices, ramifications, consequences, free will, one's life path, and divine intervention. This story stirred my soul from the beginning as I delved into the lives of the inmate, corrections officer, and Sergeant. I found myself feeling empathy for the inmate and the Sergeant as they lived and worked within the prison's walls, but I despised the narcissistic corrections officer who thought he had all the power and control to wield as he desired against the inmates. I was shocked by the description of life within the prison, all the good, bad and ugly that occurs, I couldn't help but shake my head and wonder how in the world could free will and choices have so many ramifications and consequences. Like the quote on the cover of the book states: "Life is the greatest gift, don't squander it." Everything that occurs in a person's life is documented within their life's ledger, only to be accounted for when they go before God at the end of their life, with the hope of forgiveness and redemption.
The reader will be easily drawn into this thought-provoking story. You can't help but experience the full gamut of emotions as the three men's story of life within the prison unfolds. When I got to the ending, I couldn't help but say a prayer for the inmates and correction officers who connect with each other every day, and hope that somehow humanity will find its way into their daily life behind the prison walls.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I really admired that author Steven Manchester provided the reader with a departure from his usual works of fiction. From his prior work experience as a Prison Investigator, he takes his work experience and wrote a very important story that delved into the world of prisons that the general public never see.
The Ledger is a powerful and compelling story written with faith and thoughtfulness. It is a must read that will make you ponder the prison system and its difficult environment, stir your soul, and resonate with you for a very long time.
RATING: 5 STARS 
About The Author
New England's Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the '80s nostalgia-series, Bread Bags & Bullies; Lawn Darts & Lemonade. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award-winning novels, Dad and Goodnight Brian; and the heartwarming Christmas movie, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show and CBS's The Early Show; in Billboard and People Magazines. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival, 2020 New England Book Festival, and 2021 Paris Book Festival. His latest novel, The Ledger, a companion novel to The Menu was published on May 26, 2026. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
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