New Orleans, 1919. As a dark serial killer - the Axeman - stalks the city, three individuals set out to unmask him: Detective Lieutenant Michael Talbot heading up the official investigation, but struggling to find leads, and harbouring a grave secret of his own. Former detective Luca d'Andrea now working for the mafia; his need to solve the mystery of the Axeman is every bit as urgent as that of the authorities. And Ida - a secretary at the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Obsessed with Sherlock Holmes and dreaming of a better life, she stumbles across a clue which lures her and her musician friend, Louis Armstrong, to the case and into terrible danger... As Michael, Luca and Ida each draw closer to discovering the killers identity, the Axeman himself will issue a challenge to the people of New Orleans: play jazz or risk becoming the next victim
City Blues Quartet Series
Step into the vibrant, dangerous world of Jazz Age New Orleans, where jazz, voodoo, and corruption collide. This series plunges into compelling mysteries set against a backdrop of intoxicating allure and simmering darkness. Each installment unravels intricate crimes amidst the sultry nights and back alleys of a city brimming with illicit secrets. Prepare for a captivating journey through history, suspense, and unforgettable characters.
Recommended Reading Order
Dead Man's Blues
- 498 pages
- 18 hours of reading
A stunning historical mystery from Ray Celestin, following on from the events of The Axeman's Jazz.
The Mobster's Lament
- 496 pages
- 18 hours of reading
Award-winning author Ray Celestin's The Mobster's Lament is both a gripping crime novel and a vivid, panoramic portrait of 1940s New York as the mob rises to the height of its powers . . .