New Orleans Mourning: A Skip Langdon Mystery (The Skip Langdon Series Book 1)

NEW ORLEANS MOURNINGJULIE SMITHReview by Author Roy MurryWhy is New Orleans mourning? One of its Rexes, a king of the Mardi Gras parade, is shot dead near the end of the proceeding by A Dolly Parton look-a-like.This police drama's lead character is an Uptown girl who returns home after a long journey to become an officer. Skip is her name, and the chief puts her together with two veteran homicide detectives to solve the crime because of her status with the in-crowd.The old mystery cliche is "The Butler did it." But, in Mourning, the killer is closer than one would think. A historical love-hate relationship between family and friends is the key to this drama.Ms. Smith's knowledge of NOLA's class system and the city's layout is a fascinating part of the story. Having been to New Orleans twice, I followed her tour.Skip intermingles with the right people finding important information that will surprise the reader. "Mourning" is a long, good read.

Often, the location where a mystery novel is set becomes as integral a part of the story as the characters. It’s hard to imagine Nero Wolfe anywhere besides New York, or Philip Marlowe or Harry Bosch plying their trade somewhere other than Los Angeles. Similarly, author Julie Smith has incorporated a unique setting into her Skip Langdon novels, beginning with “New Orleans Mourning,” a book that is greatly improved by a healthy dose of Big Easy flavor.“New Orleans Mourning” is the first book in the Langdon series and the first that I’ve read. Smith’s protagonist, Skip Langdon, is a New Orleans patrol officer (she becomes a detective later in the series) who gets assigned to help out on an extremely high-profile case. A prominent local businessman has been shot to death while riding in a Mardi Gras parade. The killer is a man or woman dressed as Dolly Parton (hey, it’s Mardi Gras) who took the shot from an adjacent balcony. Langdon actually witnessed the shooting from the street where she is on crowd control duty, but the killer escaped before Langdon could catch up.The reason Langdon gets assigned the case has nothing to do with her detective skills or being an eyewitness. Instead, she is also a member of New Orleans high society (her father is the physician for most of the characters in the book), and Skip went to school and attended social functions with many of the witnesses and suspects. Being on the inside, so to speak, gives her an advantage in gathering evidence but also earns her the enmity of the old-school detective in charge of the case.“New Orleans Mourning” has a somewhat different structure than most mysteries. Parts of it are told from Skip’s point of view, as she interviews witnesses and chases down leads. But parts are told from the points of view of the deceased’s family members—his wife and children. Suffice it to say that theirs is a very dysfunctional family, straight out of “The Glass Menagerie,” and author Smith gradually reveals the multiple layers of insecurities, neuroses, and buried family secrets.“New Orleans Mourning” won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery novel of 1990, and it’s easy to see why. That hearty gumbo of Tennessee Williams-style melodrama, an extremely unusual lead character, and plenty of New Orleans detail was probably irresistible for the voters. Truth be told, the family melodrama didn’t always work for me (although it eventually revealed the motive for the killing). I thought it went on too long and distracted from the truly interesting aspects of the novel. Those other elements of the “New Orleans Mourning.”Author Smith lived and worked in New Orleans for years and obviously has a soft spot for the city. That’s evident in the loving and detailed descriptions of city life and lore. But “New Orleans Mourning” isn’t just a fan’s reverie. The history and culture are essential to the story. By the end of the book, readers will probably soak in some of that culture and undoubtedly realize that this book couldn’t have taken place anywhere else. The novel is also a product of its time. I don’t want to spoil any key plot points, but it’s worth noting that the book contains an accurate portrayal of the racial attitudes and attitudes towards gays at that particular time.I also enjoyed Skip Langdon as a character. I’m used to female cops and investigators being portrayed as variants on Charlie’s Angels… smart, sexy, tough, and self-confident. Skip Langdon is smart, but she’s lacking in the other departments, especially her self-confidence. Skip is a large woman who is concerned about her size and weight, worried that she may not measure up, concerned about being the black sheep of her family, and concerned about life in general. In other words, Skip is a very believable, relatable character for those who want books about real people rather than Wonder Women. It was a lot of fun seeing Skip struggle with her self-doubts almost as much as she wrestles with the mystery.I’m not familiar with any of the other books that “New Orleans Mourning” beat for Smith’s Edgar award, but it probably wouldn’t have been my choice. Smith turns it into a bit too much of a Southern gothic melodrama for my taste. However, the elements that work in the story are very good, indeed. Skip Langdon is a complex, interesting character, and New Orleans is an equally complex, interesting character. Put them together and “New Orleans Mourning” is like a Big Easy funeral—a cause for celebration.

New Orleans, LA. Mardi Gras (Chauncy St.) The Boston Club party was starting to enjoy their-selves.Chauncey St. Amant (husband/father, Carrollton Bank president, Tulane U) was on a float & crowned King Rex (Monarch of Mirth).BANG! He was shot dead.Bitty St. Amant (wife/mother, alcoholic) had been notified of her husband’s murder.A person in the parade dressed as Dolly Parton was seen by many as being the killer.Officer Jo Jo Lawrence (New Orleans PD) had secured the area.DS Frank O’Rourke (40+, NOPD, homicide), & Detective Joe Tarantino (50+, NOPD, homicide) arrived on the crime scene.Someone had whacked Steve Steinman over the head.He told Detective Skippy “Skip” Langdon (f, NOPD) someone had taken the film.Detective Langdon went to interview Sheree Izaguirre (mother, Chauncey’s mistress).Do-It Club (Bourbon St.). Next stop for Detective Langdon was to speak with Eddie Macaluso (bartender, nephew), & Uncle Dutch Macaluso (owner).Will the murder mystery be solved & someone brought to justice?Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written Cajun who-dunnit murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Cajun murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.Thank you for the free author; BookRebel; booksBnimble; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; bookTony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

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.

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.

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!!!

Rubbish. I have read other books by this author and loved them but this was a disaster. She could not decide if it was a mystery, a thriller, a romance, a travel book about New Orleans, a history or what. It ended up a total jumble not satisfying any of the potential. Even the basic story was unsatisfactory, confusing with a lousy ending.

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.