martydah's review against another edition
5.0
I have had this series on my TBR for some time. Since I'm now living in Louisiana, I figured it was high time to read it.
It's 1907 in New Orleans. Someone is killing the so-called 'sporting women' of the notorious Storyville red light district. Valentin St. Cyr is a Creole detective and former policeman in the employ of the 'King of Storyville Tom Anderson. The murders threaten to break Anderson's stranglehold on the district, so he charges St. Cyr with finding the 'Black Rose Killer' so named because he or she leaves a black rose at every murder scene.
The plot has more twists and dead ends than most mysteries out there, appropriate since nothing is ever simple or obvious in early 20th century New Orleans. St. Cyr ends up trying to remove his friend, maverick coronet jazz player Buddy 'King' Bolden, from a very tiny pool of potential suspects. Somehow, Bolden has managed to show up before every killing. Adding to the pressures of his investigation, St. Cyr is very concerned about his girlfriend, Justine, who works in a higher class of brothel and is therefore a potential black rose victim.
This was a great book, it was a fairly quick read and I loved the historical details. The author really makes this period of New Orleans come alive.
It's 1907 in New Orleans. Someone is killing the so-called 'sporting women' of the notorious Storyville red light district. Valentin St. Cyr is a Creole detective and former policeman in the employ of the 'King of Storyville Tom Anderson. The murders threaten to break Anderson's stranglehold on the district, so he charges St. Cyr with finding the 'Black Rose Killer' so named because he or she leaves a black rose at every murder scene.
The plot has more twists and dead ends than most mysteries out there, appropriate since nothing is ever simple or obvious in early 20th century New Orleans. St. Cyr ends up trying to remove his friend, maverick coronet jazz player Buddy 'King' Bolden, from a very tiny pool of potential suspects. Somehow, Bolden has managed to show up before every killing. Adding to the pressures of his investigation, St. Cyr is very concerned about his girlfriend, Justine, who works in a higher class of brothel and is therefore a potential black rose victim.
This was a great book, it was a fairly quick read and I loved the historical details. The author really makes this period of New Orleans come alive.
msjoanna's review against another edition
1.0
Eh. Just couldn't get into this one. The peek into New Orleans was reasonably interesting, but I just didn't care about the detective or the other characters very much at all. After 130 pages, I've decided to move on to something else.
ajraffles's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really stop to think that I read this book directly after reading a book involving Jack the Ripper. Let's hope the next book I read doesn't involve the killing of prostitutes.
This book was...interesting. I think I must have initially bought it not as a mystery novel but as a historical fiction novel. I tend to be weird about mysteries, wary unless I know I'm going to like it (see: Sherlock Holmes). The detail and adherence to period lingo and setting is rich, which makes this novel really pop. The author clearly has done his research!
The book was GOOD, but for some reason it just didn't STICK with me. I was surprised to find there were more books following this, marking it as a series, and I thought about adding them to my ever-growing Amazon wishlist before deciding against it.
It wasn't because the writing was bad; no, the writing was very nice, very fluid. I suppose I was just a little put-off by the mystery element of it. They make it seem so concrete that Buddy is the one who did it, but then Valentin is so stridently opposed to the idea and so certain he couldn't have done it that the reader is left to go "Oh, well, it's not him so WHO?" I don't know. Maybe I'm used to mystery novels having more than one suspect, but it seemed like this story kept doing a tug-of-war with everyone saying "IT HAS TO BE BUDDY" and Valentin going "NO, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT BUDDY" without providing any other suspects until the absolute end of the book.
I'm used to twist endings in mysteries where the murderer is someone no one suspects; that seems to be the basis for nearly EVERY mystery novel (and I don't think I've ever had a greater shock than when reading "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins. Good Lord, I'm pretty sure I gasped and had to set the book aside with THAT one). But this one just was off to me, and I don't know why. Good twist, but then I suppose by that time anyone would have been a shock as the only person even fingered the entire time was Buddy. I even glanced at the last page when there was thirty pages or so left like "if it's not Buddy then who is it? Please tell me the mystery's going to be solved!"
At any rate, it was a good story. I think it's a better HISTORICAL FICTION piece (albeit with some real-life people playing many main characters) than it is a MYSTERY piece.
This book was...interesting. I think I must have initially bought it not as a mystery novel but as a historical fiction novel. I tend to be weird about mysteries, wary unless I know I'm going to like it (see: Sherlock Holmes). The detail and adherence to period lingo and setting is rich, which makes this novel really pop. The author clearly has done his research!
The book was GOOD, but for some reason it just didn't STICK with me. I was surprised to find there were more books following this, marking it as a series, and I thought about adding them to my ever-growing Amazon wishlist before deciding against it.
It wasn't because the writing was bad; no, the writing was very nice, very fluid. I suppose I was just a little put-off by the mystery element of it. They make it seem so concrete that Buddy is the one who did it, but then Valentin is so stridently opposed to the idea and so certain he couldn't have done it that the reader is left to go "Oh, well, it's not him so WHO?" I don't know. Maybe I'm used to mystery novels having more than one suspect, but it seemed like this story kept doing a tug-of-war with everyone saying "IT HAS TO BE BUDDY" and Valentin going "NO, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT BUDDY" without providing any other suspects until the absolute end of the book.
I'm used to twist endings in mysteries where the murderer is someone no one suspects; that seems to be the basis for nearly EVERY mystery novel (and I don't think I've ever had a greater shock than when reading "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins. Good Lord, I'm pretty sure I gasped and had to set the book aside with THAT one). But this one just was off to me, and I don't know why. Good twist, but then I suppose by that time anyone would have been a shock as the only person even fingered the entire time was Buddy. I even glanced at the last page when there was thirty pages or so left like "if it's not Buddy then who is it? Please tell me the mystery's going to be solved!"
At any rate, it was a good story. I think it's a better HISTORICAL FICTION piece (albeit with some real-life people playing many main characters) than it is a MYSTERY piece.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
“I love books written so well, and realistically that I feel like I'm actually there and experiencing the story with the characters - this book did that very well with early 1900's New Orleans.
Storyville, New Orleans was a red-light district created by the city's leaders to keep the prostitutes and the "Houses" of the time confined to a specific area of the city, ostensibly to protect the "upstanding" citizens from that. As always, however, there's plenty more going on behind the scenes.
When someone starts murdering "scarlet women" and leaving a black rose at the scene of each murder, everyone is on edge. As the "fixer" for Tom Anderson, political boss who runs Storyville like his own private kingdom, Valentin St. Cyr is ordered to find and stop the killer, before the murders affect Anderson's control in Storyville.
The problem is that it quickly begins to look like Valentin's childhood friend, brilliant but troubled musician Buddy Bolden - known as "King Bolden" - is a very good suspect. As he investigates further the coincidences - and more murders - pile up and Valentin begins to fear Buddy may be somehow involved.
This book is a fabulous trip into the past, and into an early 1900's New Orleans that is dark, gritty, dangerous and enthralling. The characters - some of whom are actual people - are wonderfully well-written and engaging. They make the story one you really want to follow along with to see what happens to all of these people.
The picture painted of the time is dark and dense and heavy, but still entertaining and enjoyable if that makes any sense. It is a very real portrayal of the times, when corrupt politicians and dirty back-room deals were how things really got done in that city at that time, and hot jazz was just starting to make it's presence felt. As a reader, this is a very enjoyable way to visit and experience a period in history that one could say "nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there". I find that period in history - and the city of New Orleans - totally fascinating, so I couldn't put this book down.
As well, the author has done an amazing job re-creating the "feel" of this time in New Orleans history. I felt like I could almost smell the smells, and feel the humidity described in the book as I followed along with Valentin as he investigated the murders. In fact after I finished it I checked the author's bio, because I thought he HAD to be from New Orleans to do the city such fantastic justice, and was surprised that he lives in Atlanta. Nevertheless, if you like historical fiction, and/or are a fan of New Orleans, this is a great read! Highly recommended.”
Storyville, New Orleans was a red-light district created by the city's leaders to keep the prostitutes and the "Houses" of the time confined to a specific area of the city, ostensibly to protect the "upstanding" citizens from that. As always, however, there's plenty more going on behind the scenes.
When someone starts murdering "scarlet women" and leaving a black rose at the scene of each murder, everyone is on edge. As the "fixer" for Tom Anderson, political boss who runs Storyville like his own private kingdom, Valentin St. Cyr is ordered to find and stop the killer, before the murders affect Anderson's control in Storyville.
The problem is that it quickly begins to look like Valentin's childhood friend, brilliant but troubled musician Buddy Bolden - known as "King Bolden" - is a very good suspect. As he investigates further the coincidences - and more murders - pile up and Valentin begins to fear Buddy may be somehow involved.
This book is a fabulous trip into the past, and into an early 1900's New Orleans that is dark, gritty, dangerous and enthralling. The characters - some of whom are actual people - are wonderfully well-written and engaging. They make the story one you really want to follow along with to see what happens to all of these people.
The picture painted of the time is dark and dense and heavy, but still entertaining and enjoyable if that makes any sense. It is a very real portrayal of the times, when corrupt politicians and dirty back-room deals were how things really got done in that city at that time, and hot jazz was just starting to make it's presence felt. As a reader, this is a very enjoyable way to visit and experience a period in history that one could say "nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there". I find that period in history - and the city of New Orleans - totally fascinating, so I couldn't put this book down.
As well, the author has done an amazing job re-creating the "feel" of this time in New Orleans history. I felt like I could almost smell the smells, and feel the humidity described in the book as I followed along with Valentin as he investigated the murders. In fact after I finished it I checked the author's bio, because I thought he HAD to be from New Orleans to do the city such fantastic justice, and was surprised that he lives in Atlanta. Nevertheless, if you like historical fiction, and/or are a fan of New Orleans, this is a great read! Highly recommended.”
cnyreader's review against another edition
3.0
This novel seems well researched and introduced me to more New Orleans history that I didn't know- Mr. Charles "Buddy" Bolden, the inventor of jazz. Well-written and mostly evenly paced, this was a quick and fun book to read. As always with a good NOLA tale, the city herself is a character that cannot be overlooked, and I fall a little more in love every time she shows up in my life.
cherylanntownsend's review
5.0
Starting out in near jazz notes, it’s New Orleans in the late 1800’s to earliest 1900’s. A section called Storyville, where mansions and shacks house the “sporting girls” that cater to all walks of life, given the right house. The sweltered living exudes with each word as we walk the streets with Creole PI Valentin St. Cyr as he follows the trail of one dead prostitute after another, trying to catch the scurve procuring them, each laid to rest with a single black rose within their reach.
St. Cyr is respected in the darkness, barely tolerated by the badge and a comrade in the lively jaunts that flavor the core of New Orleans. An ex copper himself, he knows what needs to be known and what shouldn’t be.
The initial Kerouacian style aside, once past it, this gets to some serious writing. The characters are given life and you easily visualize each, as well as their settings. This is gritty New Orleans, and we’re in the grittiest of it. As the killings continue, St. Cyr continues his way to find them, even down to voodoo enclaves, picking every tidbit apart until it’s either toss or keep. But what of the derby-toting shadow? The secret-holding cop? The priest with a confession to expel before he expires? What of King Bolden and his tranced-out horn playing? The girls talk. They see, they listen, they choose who hears.
There are not a lot of hints thrown out, so you are as much on the case as St. Cyr, realizing as he does. There are many surprises, the biggest being the killer, but all are plausible and fit well in this full-bodied story. This book has been on my TBR pile for 18 years. It was waiting for the perfect time. I’m glad it was now.
meganlandrychampagne's review
5.0
It takes a little while to get into, but this book is so good. Reading it is like being transported to New Orleans in a time machine. The language is rich, and the characters come to life. I look forward to reading the next books in the series. Also, a fantastic nonfiction companion to this book is Storyville by Al Rose. I was able to look up the histories behind the notorious Storyville figures.
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