I enjoyed the New Orleans ambience and like Skip Langdon, the Amazonian female homicide detective. Smith gives the reader a chance to 'hear' the thoughts of various characters (including suspects) in a way that allows you to get a feeling for their personalities without tipping her hand about who is the guilty one. ( )

They're gearing up for a jazz festival in New Orleans, but just before the opening, the organizer, Ham Brocato, is found dead inside his house. His half sister, Melody, also appears to be missing. Was Melody the murderer, or a second victim? It's hard to believe Melody had a hand in the murder because Ham was, to her, her closest and dearest relative, certainly closer and dearer than her social-climbing mother and distant father.

Skip Langdon investigates. She uncovers some secrets in the lives of various of the people involved. She thinks she might have found Melody, but there's some evidence that Melody's life might also be in danger. But likely, the pull of the jazz festival will help unearth Melody. She was an aspiring singer in her own right, and rather a fan of the Boucree family musicians, especially through her relationship with their son, Joel, one of Melody's school and musical chums. In fact, Melody contrives to disguise herself and join the Boucrees on stage.

Well, anyway we have lots of going back and forth and eventually come to a resolution. One of the fun things about this book for me was that I was in the hospital when I read it, and had oodles of time on my hands. I also had a 4-CD set on my iPhone, Big 'Ol Box of New Orleans. So, when I was tired, I could lie back and listen to the likes of Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Professor Longhair, BeauSoleil, The Neville Brothers, Zachary Richard, etc. Rather enhanced the book no end.

Again, a 3* book were such distinctions possible on GoodReads.
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I enjoyed the New Orleans ambience and like Skip Langdon, the Amazonian female homicide detective. Smith gives the reader a chance to 'hear' the thoughts of various characters (including suspects) in a way that allows you to get a feeling for their personalities without tipping her hand about who is the guilty one. ( )

New Orleans, just as I remember it. I hope Julie Smith will write more about these characters. ( )

Book #4 in the series. "Homicide detective Skip Langdon finds herself smack in the middle of a sweltering New Orleans summer, to investigate the stabbing death of the beloved producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The victim's sixteen year old daughter has disappeared and may be in danger." - Ballantine books jacket notes. Average - not one of my favourite mystery series. ( )