Murder in the Quarter: 6 Crime Fiction Books Set in New Orleans
New Orleans is a unique place, unlike any other city in America, and crime fiction set in “The Big Easy” can’t help but include the atmospheric flair that makes the city so endlessly fascinating. Here are six crime fiction books that capture the energy of the city of New Orleans.
Black Cherry Blues is an Edgar Award-winning thriller from author James Lee Burke. Dave Robicheaux is a former Louisiana homicide cop looking to start a new life for himself after his wife was murdered. He escapes to the mountains of Montana to open up a fishing shop and care for his adopted daughter, Alafair. But Robicheaux’s past will not let him run away so easily. When two Native American activists suddenly go missing, the former cop finds himself wrapped up in the dark world of the Mafia, all while someone from his past comes back to haunt him—the person responsible for his wife’s murder is now after Alafair.
A Morning for Flamingos is another edge-of-your-seat thriller by James Lee Burke, starring Dave Robicheaux. Set after the events of Black Cherry Blues, this novel sees Robicheaux return to New Orleans, the city where he lost his wife. But when an old friend makes a surprise appearance at Robicheaux’s fish-and-tackle business, suddenly the ex-cop finds himself thrust back into a world of Mafia crimes and crooked federal agents.
Secrets of Newberry is set in Louisiana (not New Orleans, but still worth the read!) in the 1950s and follows the story of two men: Hampton Bynote and Ivory “Bones” Arcineaux. Hampton and Bones bond over a shared life of crime, but will that bond remain strong when murder, deception, and revenge threaten to tear them apart?
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Emily Martin has a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. She’s a contributing editor at Book Riot and blogs/podcasts at Book Squad Goals.