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reviews_and_ramblingsMurder in the Big Easy (Wildeblood Coalition #1) by Jules Monroe
This was a frustrating book to rate because it was, in parts, so wonderful and showed so much promise. The dialogue was astoundingly good, reflecting subtle nuances about the class, education, and gender of its mainly Black characters. About the setting: it veered from fabulous to head-scratching. Monroe captures snowball flavors, shanties, shotgun houses, and other details marvelously but then makes gaffes that are sure to puzzle anyone familiar with New Orleans. There is no sandy river beach, for instance. The premise of a murdered child seized the imagination immediately, but the plot lost steam midway and meandered. The book would benefit from a ruthless blue pencil, tightening the plot and reducing the page count. Still, there is no question that Monroe is an extremely talented writer with a bright future.
https://amzn.to/3IdgHSX
This was a frustrating book to rate because it was, in parts, so wonderful and showed so much promise. The dialogue was astoundingly good, reflecting subtle nuances about the class, education, and gender of its mainly Black characters. About the setting: it veered from fabulous to head-scratching. Monroe captures snowball flavors, shanties, shotgun houses, and other details marvelously but then makes gaffes that are sure to puzzle anyone familiar with New Orleans. There is no sandy river beach, for instance. The premise of a murdered child seized the imagination immediately, but the plot lost steam midway and meandered. The book would benefit from a ruthless blue pencil, tightening the plot and reducing the page count. Still, there is no question that Monroe is an extremely talented writer with a bright future.
https://amzn.to/3IdgHSX
