New Orleans Mourning: A Gripping Police Procedural Thriller: 1 (Skip Langdon Murder Mystery)

This is a larger than life book. The cop is unusual, a big girl in a big city at Mardi Gras. And right from the start, the noise, colour and energy of the event leaps off the page. There's a murder in the midst of this and Ms Smith's narrative technique of viewing events from the perspective of a number of different characters is intriguing and works incredibly well. Potential suspects are established early on in the story. We learn their story and we can see what makes them tick. The reader understands that any one of a number of people could have the means and motivation to commit murder. The plot takes the reader a long route to the end. The life and smells of New Orleans are describd with energy and that make this a rich and rewarding read. The plot is complex enough to keep you guessing. And the lead cop is entertaining, occasionally sardonic but overall, perceptive and plausible. Loved the setting; it brought back happy memories of the Big Ol Easy and a happy time there. This is an author whose works are new to me, really enjoyed it and will read more in the series. Thanks Ms Smith.

I was not very impressed with this as a crime thriller, I read it as I very much enjoy the life and atmosphere of the unique city of New Orleans. The city life was well described, and also the people and customs ingrained in this city well documented. Now to get to the story and characters, a disappointment, who murdered Chauncey and why didn't seem to bother me too much, as I had no affection or any type of feeling for this character so couldn't care less why or what reason he was murdered. Now who murdered him was much the same as I couldn't care who or for what reason, it transpired as the reason when the old coloured gene plot came into question. The mystery baby and later stylish prostitute was thrown at you in a much contrived way as it didn't seem to matter as she was such a not too developed character, as to give a second thought. The others Bitty and Henry were such wishy washy characters as not to matter. Skip was just O.K. to tag along with, but tiresome at times also. Not my type of crime thriller.

Admittedly I found the beginning of the book a bit tedious - not sure if I was going to like it. But I loved the detective Skip Langdon, and I have been hooked ever since reading the whole Skip Langdon series so far. Skip is insecure but lovable, she means well and has an impeccable moral compass. I have not been able to resist and read all the books in the series. If you like crime fiction, this is a lovely series. Alongside I learnt quite a bit about Louisiana and New Orleans. Highly recommended!!!

Great read. Loved the New Orleans setting - and the family dynamics.

a very readable book

Ok

I read about two thirds of this book and finally gave up. Very little action, a lot of self doubt from the main character and the family in which the murder involved not worth an emotional empathy or interest. Blah.

OK