OK, stop what you’re doing. Check this here out. Music and Malice in Hurricane Town just hit the top bar of entertainment factor which I muchly enjoyed and I really want more. Alex Bell, tell me there will be more!?
Jude Lomax scrapes a living playing the trumpet on the neon streets of Baton Noir. Then she is invited to play at the funeral of the infamous cajou queen, Ivory Monette. Passing through the cemetery gates, Jude finds herself possessed by the murdered queen’s spirit. And Ivory won’t rest until she’s found the person responsible for her death.
If Jude wants to be rid of the vengeful spirit, she must take a journey deep into the dangerous underbelly of the city, from the swampy depths of the Black Bayou to the velvet opulence of the vampires’ secret jazz clubs. But as Jude untangles Ivory’s web of secrets, she is confronted with a few dark truths from her own past…
Source | Format | Pages | Publisher | Genre | Publication Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Netgalley | eARC | 384 | Stripes Publishing | Fantasy/YA | April 4th, 2019 |
Music and Malice in Hurricane Town… Picture this:
New Orleans. The vibe is, well, vibrant. There’s jazz and parades and magic and paranormal undertones.
Jude, a young woman, is working hard to earn some cash to pay the rent. In addition to playing in the Done and Dusted Brass Band, she accepts a job playing her trumpet in the Moonfleet Manor which is owned by the Phantom. The estate of Moonfleet Manor and the owner Phantom are each as shady as the other and with a background and past that is only spoken of with horror. It seems like every where Jude goes, or anything she does, is potentially dangerous for her. A human. Classed as ‘scrap’ by the paranormal society.
Jude has a sad past herself and due to tragic accident in the past she is now the main caretaker of her father. A father who cannot survive without Jude’s assistance, but is also a proud man and thus does not make Jude’s task any easier.
But if joining forces with the devils was what it took to save her pa then Jude would damn well march straight into the fiery hells in her swamp boots.
Music and Malice in Hurricane Town – Alex Bell
Jude- I really started to like this girl. She does NOT have it easy but she’s a great example of how to act when things are already tough… Know the saying ‘when you’re already deep in shit, keep your chin up‘? Yeah, Jude just keeps trucking on. In a way, in certain scenes I felt like she had simply submitted to her fate but even if this resonated through, she still acted. She didn’t complain, whine or throw a tantrum and instead she constantly oozes strength to deal with the situation she finds herself in.
And the Phantom! Man, oh man alive! Did I try to be suspicious of him at the start? Hell yes! Did I succeed? Hell no. I knew that even if he turned out to be bad to the bone, he had already, in some measures earned my admiration. So, I bet you’re wondering- did I have to accept defeat and admit that even though an intriguing character he was not worth the admiration? Weeelll… One for you to find out and decide for yourself 😉
So, yeah, totally loved the characters in this story. The legbas, the vampire presence (not sparkly ones, by the way!^^ I know that stuff is still important piece of information when reading books that have vamps), the witches, the humans. There was so much interesting detail to each and every one of them without making me glaze over at the infodump. Bravo!
The core of this story is a murder mystery- murder of the cajou queen. The death of the very dangerous and vindictive queen would be cause for celebration for many. Alas, her death is where this story truly begins. Pffffft, I really want to say more but that would just be me telling too bloody much. Please, believe me, this story is worth the read. Actually, If I was to pull a comparison, then think in the vibes of The Vampire Diaries or The Originals (the TV show) except with a lot less direct angst in regards to love.
The pace of the story was bang on perfect- I started the book, I finished it in record time and I enjoyed it so much I immediately wished there was
a sequel.. hells, I might even reread this one again because that’s how much I liked it. There are scenes in this book that are wonderfully paranormal- there are legbas and trippy nightmare thingies in the swamp and witchy magic and trickery. The story mesmerised me with the whole of its essence which was dark and thrilling at once.
Anyway, whatever compelled me to request this book on the Netgalley, it must have been fate because please dear swamp-devils, let there be a sequel! Please? *goes off to DM the author*
This sounds like its pretty damn fantastic. Love that cover!
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It really is entertaining and fun and totally not at all complicated; pure reading pleasure 🙂
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Well, this sounds like something i think i’d enjoy!
I only they’d put something other than a snake on the cover. I’m torn between running out of the room, or check it out further 😀 😀
Awesome review tho!
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Yes, the book is really good 🙂 It has elements that fans of any genre can appreciate 🙂
But yes, I understand you about the cover… I’m like that with spiders.. there was a title I read in ebook that had a big mahoosive spider on the cover… I swear if I had to read a physical copy, there’s NO WAY I’d be able to hold the book in my hand… just, no! …
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Great title
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It is! 🙂
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Oh, how I love your review, and the way you introduce me to books I wouldn’t check on my own!!
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🙂 Thank you… ❤ It really is an entertaining book 🙂
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Fab review! You definitely have me intrigued now.
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🙂 there’s no love triangles- yet! 😛
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Always a bonus. 😉
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hehe I like the sound of the vibrant vibe 😉 And Jude and the Phantom sound like compelling characters! Awesome review!
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Thank you! 🙂 I was so pleasantly surprised by this book, the whole of it just felt right 🙂
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It’s a great title and New Orleans is a great jazz city!
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Oh, have you been?
I’ve never been to America but I always think that New Orleans is the one place I would like to visit if I ever did go!
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Yes, I have visited. NO has lots of history, some of it – like its association with slavery – not so happy. But apart from the jazz and the great food, you really do have to visit one of those old plantations, go on a clankety tram and/or a boat trip along the Mississippi. And if you happen to be a fan of vampire fiction [I’m not really but so what?] you must have a look round a necropolis! But don’t go alone or after dark. 🙂
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Ace! Thank you! 🙂
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Oh wow, such high praise for a book I would not have expected you to love! I’m glad to have been proven wrong 😉
It sounds like such a lively read that will suck you in and spit you out with a newfound appreciation for Cajun culture, which I adore. I’ve seen some people bashing it, saying it was not a true homage and felt very flat, but I have to say your review convinced me.
I also LIVE for those elusive villains that you can never put your finger on! Everything in this story feels very synergetic and I love it.
Terrific review, Liz 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
It is a fantastic book that had everything- a bit of danger, joy and sadness and vampires and jazz 🙂 Brilliant… I don’t know what other people were expecting to bash this book, but for me it was very enjoyable and entertaining- just what I like every now and again 😉
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Even though this is a Murder Mystery there seems to be enough other good stuff in there to make me want to read it. The New Orleans vibe and Jazz, and of course the paranormal element are all hooks for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m going to add it to my Goodreads looks-interesting shelf, for sure. 👍✨
I think I’ll add it to my next Is This Your Cup post. 🔰
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