The Saints' victory in the Super Bowl just prior to the start of Carnival season has everyone in New Orleans floating on Cloud Nine. But for Scotty Bradley, Carnival looks like it's going to be grim yet again when his estranged cousin Jared—who plays for the Saints—becomes the number one suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, dethroned former Miss Louisiana Tara Bourgeouis. Scotty's not entirely convinced his cousin isn't the killer, but when he starts digging around into the homophobic beauty queen's sordid life, he finds that any number of people wanted her dead. With the help of his friends and family, he plunges deeper and deeper into Tara's tawdry world of sex tapes, fundamentalist fascists, and mind–boggling secrets—secrets some are willing to kill to keep!
3 Reasons To buy this book
Greg Herren's mysteries are all fantastic
Why does murder follow Scotty Bradley?
This will make for a wonderfully diverting weekend!
Great, unique mystery by an author who makes it look easy ...
Bob Lind wrote on 04/29/2011:
The setting is New Orleans in the weeks before the Saints victory in the Super Bowl, when Scotty Bradley and his private investigator partners (and live-in boyfriends) Colin and Frank investigate the murder of a self-promoting former beauty queen, best remembered for her homophobic rant against gay marriage during a pageant. Since she was dating Scotty's cousin, Jared, a Saints bench warmer, and the murder weapon (which was in Jared's possession) is a gun owned by Scotty's hippie, bigot-hating mother, this is more than just another case, but a family matter. As the investigation yields unexpected background information on several individuals, as well as a second, seemingly-unrelated victim shot with the same gun, Scotty becomes involved in a confusing and dangerous world of blackmail, sex tapes, hired killers and mental illness.
As usual, Herren assembles a riveting, well-written mystery with realistic situations, fully developed and diverse characters (including the return of my favorites, the "Ninja Lesbians"), in a story with multiple "red herrings" for those who like to play along. He also somehow manages to wrap it all up in a back-story that celebrates the unique spirit and vitality of his native New Orleans, and teaches a strong lesson about religious bigots and intolerance. And he gives it one of the cleverest titles in recent memory! Can't get better than that. Four stars out of four!
