Introduction to this Edition

Following up on New Orleans Requiem and Louisiana Fever, this marks the third Andy Broussard, Kit Franklyn mystery reissued by Astor + Blue Editions. And I’m still excited over what they’re doing. According to what I’ve heard from Bubba Oustellette, the little Cajun mechanic who keeps Broussard’s fleet of ’57 T-Birds running, Kit and Andy are just as happy about it as I am.

If you’ve read Louisiana Fever, I’m sure it comes as no surprise when I say that at the start of this story, Kit has lost all confidence in herself because of things that happened to her in that earlier book. She’s so confused and ashamed she’s taken a leave of absence from Broussard’s employ to work as a clerk in the French Quarter. A CLERK . . . with her ability.

But Broussard has an idea that may coax her back to work. He gives her what seems like a simple assignment, but in Andy and Kit’s world, things have a way of spinning out of control. Things go so wrong, Broussard even ends up in Memphis, where if I’d known he was here, I’d have taken him to dinner. And while he’s here, he . . . oh-oh. . . . I’d better stop now and let you read it all for yourself before I spoil things.

—D.J. Donaldson