Wet Grave

Put the words "historical" and "mystery" into one sentence and I'm there. This one didn't disappoint me in the least, even though it's #6 in a series I haven't read. I did lose a bit by not reading 1 through 5 but it wasn't drastic. Ms. Hambly plunked me down in pre-Civil War New Orleans. It was a gritty, dirty, damp and impoverished way of life for most Africans living there. I was disgusted, as I should have been. In spite of that, I was attracted to the characters, all of whom eke out livings and deal with their restrictions. The main character must also deal with the lifestyle and still solve the murder of a friend. Not exactly a mystery even though it's the thread that binds the story together. Not exactly a love story even though show more it's an integral part of the story. Whatever you want to call it, it was a swampy piece of history I never want to live in, but will read about at the next available opportunity. Books 1 through 5 and 7 are on my wishlist! show less

(#34 in the 2003 Book Challenge)

The latest (in paperback, I think another one is coming out soon in hardcover) in her mystery series featuring Benjamin Janvier, who was freed from slavery as a child, set in New Orleans in the early 19th century. The first book is called A Free Man of Color. I really enjoy this series, in addition to the mystery plots, they do a great job at showing many aspects of daily life from this time period, from dress to food to social customs. Obviously racism is a recurring theme, but it never takes over the story. This particular book started a little slow, and I was a bit nervous that the series had turned a corner for the less enjoyable, but by the end it completely picked up.

Grade: B+ for this book, overall show more A for the series as a whole

Recommended: To people who like mysteries with historical settings, highly recommended to anyone with a particular interest in New Orleans history. show less

This is the first of the Benjamin January books I have read. I quite literally could not put this book down until my eyes were slamming shut. Not exactly a mystery, not exactly a romance, but definately a thrilling historical novel that will grab you and not let go.

1835 in New Orleans. A former jeweled mistress of a pirate, Hesione LeGros, has come down in the world and is found murdered. Benjamin January's friend, Shaw, is investigating a murder on a plantation and it seems one brother has killed another brother. Then Ben meets the young mixed race young man his friend, Rose, is tutoring and he turns up dead. Ben and Rose end up running for their lives to Grand Terre Islands and figure out the plot that involves giving guns to slaves for an uprising to allow the people behind it rob the plantations and find the buried treasure.

I really love this series, and this is a great book therein. It is very satisfactory how everything played out here.

God I love this series. I love it I love it I love it.