Sandra L. (GrannyBookworm) reviewed Chasing the Devil's Tail (Storyville, Bk 1) on + 125 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Wow, I am fascinated with the whole Storyville history, love Bellocq's photos and this book really captured the atmosphere of what that era must have been life. I took the afternoon off and read the whole book. I did NOT guess who the murderer was.
A fine read!
A fine read!
Mary D. (readstoclem) reviewed Chasing the Devil's Tail (Storyville, Bk 1) on + 118 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Murder in the brothels of New Orleans in 1907. Very strong feel for the city and the social life of the time in the backstreets. Winner of the Shamus Award.
Bethany C. (bcrotty12) reviewed Chasing the Devil's Tail (Storyville, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I grew up in the New Orleans area and love my heritage so much that I have studied many aspects of the town, including Storyville. Even though this book is fictional, it has accurate facts about Storyville along with the music of the era. I was very surprised to learn that this was David Fulmer's first novel.
Helpful Score: 2
A great mystery in 1890s New Orleans--a little gritty (the victims are all prostitutes), but it was very gripping.
Slow start, bittersweet ending, but entertaining none the less.
Hollie C. (hollita34) reviewed Chasing the Devil's Tail (Storyville, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Novel is fairly graphic surrounding the murders. Good protagonist development. Looking forward to reading the sequel 'Rampart Street.' Love the New Orleans setting and the history of Storyville as the backdrop.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Chasing the Devil's Tail (Storyville, Bk 1) on + 1181 more book reviews
Very engaging novel set in the New Orleans of 1907. The novel's protagonist, Valentin St. Cyr, is a Creole detective trying to unravel the murders of several prostitutes in Storyville, New Orleans' notorious red-light district. The mystery of who committed the crimes makes a very engrossing story and I was surprised who the culprit turned out to be. But overall, the most interesting part of the novel is the rich detail of New Orleans and its inhabitants during that time period. These include Buddy "King" Bolden who was a key figure in the development of a New Orleans style of rag-time music, or Jass, which later came to be known as jazz. Bolden is a main character in the novel, a lifelong friend of St. Cyr, and a suspect in the murders.
Then there is Storyville with its notorious madams such as Lulu White and Emma Johnson and the photographer, E.J. Bellocq, who captured the life of the prostitutes working there on film. Jelly Roll Morton, the early ragtime pianist also plays a role in the story.
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone interested in New Orleans and the early history of jazz and the city.
Then there is Storyville with its notorious madams such as Lulu White and Emma Johnson and the photographer, E.J. Bellocq, who captured the life of the prostitutes working there on film. Jelly Roll Morton, the early ragtime pianist also plays a role in the story.
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone interested in New Orleans and the early history of jazz and the city.
