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Skip Langdon #3
Jazz Funeral
"A genuinely moving mystery...It's always a pleasure to spend time with Skip, a no-nonsense, level-headed heroine in a wild and reckless city."
THE BALTIMORE SUN
Smack in the middle of the summer, Skip finds herself investigating the stabbling death of the universally beloved producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Then the victim's sixteen-year-old sister disappears, and Skip suspects that if the young woman isn't herself the murderer, she's in mortal danger from the person who is. And with her long-distance love, Steve Steinman, and her landlord, Jimmy Dee, to assist her, Skip trails an elusive killer through the delirium of a city caught up in the world's most famous music bash....
THE BALTIMORE SUN
Smack in the middle of the summer, Skip finds herself investigating the stabbling death of the universally beloved producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Then the victim's sixteen-year-old sister disappears, and Skip suspects that if the young woman isn't herself the murderer, she's in mortal danger from the person who is. And with her long-distance love, Steve Steinman, and her landlord, Jimmy Dee, to assist her, Skip trails an elusive killer through the delirium of a city caught up in the world's most famous music bash....
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 6, 1993
About the author
Julie Smith
239 books407 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
July 4, 2017
EXCERPT: “At $250 a pop,” fumed a red-faced man, “you’d think we’d at least get a drink.”
The shrill, uncertain buzz they’d noticed was developing a hysterical note. This was a party that wasn’t fun. Bemused, Skip and Steve worked their way back around to the front.
“Ham I could see,” said Skip. “He could have had to work late—it’s his busiest time. But where’s Ti-Belle?”
“Oh, ‘bout two houses away, I’d say. Approaching at a dead run, having just parked a Thunderbird with a squeal of wheels.”
Skip had heard the squeal, but had paid it no mind. Now she saw a very thin woman coming towards them, hair flying, long legs shining brown, sticking out from a white silk shorts suit. Over one shoulder she carried a lightweight flight bag. Golden-throated Ti-Belle Thiebaud, the fastest-rising star on the New Orleans music scene.
Steve said, “I’d know those legs anywhere.”
She never performed in any garment that wasn’t short, split, slit, or halfway missing. Some said the whole country would know those legs soon. They said she was going to be bigger than large, larger than huge.
Thiebaud was approaching at a dead trot, fast giving way to a gallop. She was wearing huge hoop earrings. She had giant black eyes and shining olive skin, flyaway blond hair that looked utterly smashing with her dark complexion. Her skin clung to her bones, hanging gently, as naturally as hide on a horse.
“How’d Ham get her?” she blurted.
A black man waved at the singer, tried to slow her progress, pretend it was a party: “Hey, Ti-Belle.”
Thiebaud paid him no mind but cast a look at the crowd in general. Skip saw twin wrinkles at the sides of her nose—one day they’d be there permanently if she worried a lot in the meantime.
“Hi, y’all.” She was trying to smile, but it wasn’t working. “Excuse me a minute.” She let herself in and closed the door behind her.
Almost immediately, a scream that could have come from anyone—the hottest Cajun R&B singer in America or any terrified woman—ripped through the nervous buzz.
THE BLURB: Smack in the middle of the summer, Skip finds herself investigating the stabbling death of the universally beloved producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Then the victim's sixteen-year-old sister disappears, and Skip suspects that if the young woman isn't herself the murderer, she's in mortal danger from the person who is. And with her long-distance love, Steve Steinman, and her landlord, Jimmy Dee, to assist her, Skip trails an elusive killer through the delirium of a city caught up in the world's most famous music bash....
MY THOUGHTS: 2 stars from me for Jazz Funeral by Julie Smith. This book really missed the mark with me, and was barely an okay read.
I love books set in the south. I have a fascination for New Orleans. And as y'all know I love a good murder-mystery/Detective story. But even with all these things going for it, Jazz Funeral failed to ignite my reading senses. At times, with its lack of atmosphere and lack of suspense,I considered dnf'ing it, and in retrospect, I should have. But I persevered as it did not take a great deal of effort or concentration to read. But then it gave about the same amount of satisfaction - not a great deal.
Yes,I know that this is #3 in a series of which I have not read the first two books. Would reading them have added to my enjoyment of Jazz Funeral? I think not. And no, I am not going to continue with the series.
The Kindle edition of Jazz Funeral I read was full of very basic typo errors which did nothing to endear it to me, and I really can't recommend this read to anyone.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Just because I didn't enjoy this book, doesn't mean that you won’t. If you enjoyed the excerpt above, and like the sound of the blurb, then go ahead and read Jazz Funeral. I enjoy the fact that we all have such diverse reading tastes.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The shrill, uncertain buzz they’d noticed was developing a hysterical note. This was a party that wasn’t fun. Bemused, Skip and Steve worked their way back around to the front.
“Ham I could see,” said Skip. “He could have had to work late—it’s his busiest time. But where’s Ti-Belle?”
“Oh, ‘bout two houses away, I’d say. Approaching at a dead run, having just parked a Thunderbird with a squeal of wheels.”
Skip had heard the squeal, but had paid it no mind. Now she saw a very thin woman coming towards them, hair flying, long legs shining brown, sticking out from a white silk shorts suit. Over one shoulder she carried a lightweight flight bag. Golden-throated Ti-Belle Thiebaud, the fastest-rising star on the New Orleans music scene.
Steve said, “I’d know those legs anywhere.”
She never performed in any garment that wasn’t short, split, slit, or halfway missing. Some said the whole country would know those legs soon. They said she was going to be bigger than large, larger than huge.
Thiebaud was approaching at a dead trot, fast giving way to a gallop. She was wearing huge hoop earrings. She had giant black eyes and shining olive skin, flyaway blond hair that looked utterly smashing with her dark complexion. Her skin clung to her bones, hanging gently, as naturally as hide on a horse.
“How’d Ham get her?” she blurted.
A black man waved at the singer, tried to slow her progress, pretend it was a party: “Hey, Ti-Belle.”
Thiebaud paid him no mind but cast a look at the crowd in general. Skip saw twin wrinkles at the sides of her nose—one day they’d be there permanently if she worried a lot in the meantime.
“Hi, y’all.” She was trying to smile, but it wasn’t working. “Excuse me a minute.” She let herself in and closed the door behind her.
Almost immediately, a scream that could have come from anyone—the hottest Cajun R&B singer in America or any terrified woman—ripped through the nervous buzz.
THE BLURB: Smack in the middle of the summer, Skip finds herself investigating the stabbling death of the universally beloved producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Then the victim's sixteen-year-old sister disappears, and Skip suspects that if the young woman isn't herself the murderer, she's in mortal danger from the person who is. And with her long-distance love, Steve Steinman, and her landlord, Jimmy Dee, to assist her, Skip trails an elusive killer through the delirium of a city caught up in the world's most famous music bash....
MY THOUGHTS: 2 stars from me for Jazz Funeral by Julie Smith. This book really missed the mark with me, and was barely an okay read.
I love books set in the south. I have a fascination for New Orleans. And as y'all know I love a good murder-mystery/Detective story. But even with all these things going for it, Jazz Funeral failed to ignite my reading senses. At times, with its lack of atmosphere and lack of suspense,I considered dnf'ing it, and in retrospect, I should have. But I persevered as it did not take a great deal of effort or concentration to read. But then it gave about the same amount of satisfaction - not a great deal.
Yes,I know that this is #3 in a series of which I have not read the first two books. Would reading them have added to my enjoyment of Jazz Funeral? I think not. And no, I am not going to continue with the series.
The Kindle edition of Jazz Funeral I read was full of very basic typo errors which did nothing to endear it to me, and I really can't recommend this read to anyone.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Just because I didn't enjoy this book, doesn't mean that you won’t. If you enjoyed the excerpt above, and like the sound of the blurb, then go ahead and read Jazz Funeral. I enjoy the fact that we all have such diverse reading tastes.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 28, 2014
This book was OK, but I had a hard time warming up to it and then another hard time getting myself to finish it. The first chapter did a very poor job of making the reader want to continue, and I actually wished I'd abandoned it at that point. On the other hand, the quality of the writing is better than many police mysteries so at some point in the future, I might give another one in this series a try to make sure I'm evaluating it fairly.
July 28, 2011
I started reading this while in New Orleans for Jazz Fest. While I enjoyed the overall setting of the book, New Orleans during Jazz Fest, the plot and characters never drew me in to caring much about them. This was my first Skip Langdon novel and I'd be willing to give another one a chance but I'm not rushing out to get one.
July 10, 2013
Perfectly adequate summer read. There was very little suspense and it wasn't too thrilling. The mystery wasn't too surprising to anyone who watches Law and Order SUV. It wasn't engrossing enough for me to want to read more in the series. It was just an okay book and my Kindle edition contained lots of typos.
July 16, 2013
This third outing was pretty "meh" for me. Though I enjoyed the setting and music, I never cared about the characters. The resolution of the mystery was ok, but I struggled to keep reading to get there.
April 30, 2020
I love a good mystery and when the setting is New Orleans, it's a must-read for me. This is my first Skip Langdon and I loved it. Intriguing characters, a mystery with plenty of twists and turns, all set in New Orleans. I stayed up late in the night to finish it. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
March 8, 2017
I wanted to love this book, as I love New Orleans and Jazz Fest. The setting was great with local color, the characters were interesting, but somehow it just seemed to drag. I felt like I was slogging through a humid NOLA day without much energy. I would give the author another try, though, especially as she has a couple books set in San Francisco!
Read
October 13, 2022I'm in a reading slump and I was hoping this would fix it. Nope. There's something odd about Skip's narrative sections and I'm not sure what it was. That's not enough to make me stop reading, though; it just cuts into some of the fun.
It was when we got to the section with Melody that... snoozefest. Just. So. Boring.
So I moved on.
It was when we got to the section with Melody that... snoozefest. Just. So. Boring.
So I moved on.
August 29, 2018
Wow, this was disappointing. To be honest most of the Skip Langdon books disappointed me. (Seriously I remember twenty years ago when the series started reviews raving about how lushly described they were. I read them thinking if I wasn’t told this is New Orleans I would never guess. I was surprised to see Ms. Smith was the first woman to win an Edgar award in nearly forty years back in the early 90s and I thought says more about the sexism of the judges than how good this series is). Anyhow, this just fails to grab me from start to terrible finish. Mostly I read it to fulfill a few reading challenges and so I can send the book on its way to its next home.
Detective Skip Langdon isn’t the only disappointing part of this but she’s the biggest of the disappointments. It’s hard to read a mystery when you don’t really like the lead character. Skip should be a good character, lady detective, over 6 feet tall and tough. Instead she spends much of her on page time whining about her boyfriend or the sergeant who’s currently in charge of her and very little of it actually investigating anything. It opens with her smoking pot (so if that’s a problem for you that’s chapter one). I can handle that but maybe not when she does it again later knowing this sergeant is looking for any reason to can her. (Also, he’s so over the top aggressive I can’t see how she’s not filing a grievance).
The mystery is straight forward enough Ham Brocata has been killed in his kitchen just before Jazzfest, a huge music festival he’s running. He comes from a family who made its money in sandwiches and his father George has a much younger wife, Patty (only five years older than Ham) and a 16-year-old sister, Melody. He’s involved with a Cajun R&B singer, Ti-Belle who actually wants to dump him for someone else, basically the Louisianan answer to Elvis. Melody takes off just after her brother is killed.
So Skip has two things to do. Find Ham’s killer and find Melody because it’s probable that she is his killer. Simple enough, right? Yeah not so much. Melody runs away and changes her hair color which is SO miraculous that literally no one recognizes her (her ex-boyfriend is like ‘she must have had plastic surgery?’ what in the two days that’s gone by? It’s hair color. I change mine often and no one has ever said wow, you’re so different I had NO idea it was you.)
We get too many points of view in this. Skip isn’t on page nearly enough. We do have some chapters with Ti-Belle, George, Patty and the Cajun Elvis. But we get a lot of them with Melody and she made me want to rip the book in half. Part of the reason why I’ll put under a spoiler cut because the ending of this staggers the mind.
Melody is all about Janis Joplin and how she, too, is going to sing and die young. She spends over 300 pages of this thing planning this. She’s an absolute idiot about living on the street. Within a few days has an STD (you get a lengthy description of her trying to pick out crabs from her pubes and no not sorry for spoiling that for anyone). She just knows if she can sing with her friend Joel Boucree she’ll make it. Joel and his musical family are African American and she’s a poor little rich white girl with an older distant father and a trophy mother who isn’t interested in her (so literally such a stereotype she lacks anything imaginative or unique).
I don’t even know how to say this part without sounding like I’m the racist, but Melody idolizes Joel and African Americans but in a weird way. It’s not in a ‘I like African Americans’ sort of way. She pictures them completely unrealistic as if they’re not actual people but some as the personification of perfection (they’re so warm, so musical, so lucky). I lost track of how many times she whined how much she wanted to be Black. Certainly, enough to make me uncomfortable.
Speaking of that, time for a spoiler cut
Detective Skip Langdon isn’t the only disappointing part of this but she’s the biggest of the disappointments. It’s hard to read a mystery when you don’t really like the lead character. Skip should be a good character, lady detective, over 6 feet tall and tough. Instead she spends much of her on page time whining about her boyfriend or the sergeant who’s currently in charge of her and very little of it actually investigating anything. It opens with her smoking pot (so if that’s a problem for you that’s chapter one). I can handle that but maybe not when she does it again later knowing this sergeant is looking for any reason to can her. (Also, he’s so over the top aggressive I can’t see how she’s not filing a grievance).
The mystery is straight forward enough Ham Brocata has been killed in his kitchen just before Jazzfest, a huge music festival he’s running. He comes from a family who made its money in sandwiches and his father George has a much younger wife, Patty (only five years older than Ham) and a 16-year-old sister, Melody. He’s involved with a Cajun R&B singer, Ti-Belle who actually wants to dump him for someone else, basically the Louisianan answer to Elvis. Melody takes off just after her brother is killed.
So Skip has two things to do. Find Ham’s killer and find Melody because it’s probable that she is his killer. Simple enough, right? Yeah not so much. Melody runs away and changes her hair color which is SO miraculous that literally no one recognizes her (her ex-boyfriend is like ‘she must have had plastic surgery?’ what in the two days that’s gone by? It’s hair color. I change mine often and no one has ever said wow, you’re so different I had NO idea it was you.)
We get too many points of view in this. Skip isn’t on page nearly enough. We do have some chapters with Ti-Belle, George, Patty and the Cajun Elvis. But we get a lot of them with Melody and she made me want to rip the book in half. Part of the reason why I’ll put under a spoiler cut because the ending of this staggers the mind.
Melody is all about Janis Joplin and how she, too, is going to sing and die young. She spends over 300 pages of this thing planning this. She’s an absolute idiot about living on the street. Within a few days has an STD (you get a lengthy description of her trying to pick out crabs from her pubes and no not sorry for spoiling that for anyone). She just knows if she can sing with her friend Joel Boucree she’ll make it. Joel and his musical family are African American and she’s a poor little rich white girl with an older distant father and a trophy mother who isn’t interested in her (so literally such a stereotype she lacks anything imaginative or unique).
I don’t even know how to say this part without sounding like I’m the racist, but Melody idolizes Joel and African Americans but in a weird way. It’s not in a ‘I like African Americans’ sort of way. She pictures them completely unrealistic as if they’re not actual people but some as the personification of perfection (they’re so warm, so musical, so lucky). I lost track of how many times she whined how much she wanted to be Black. Certainly, enough to make me uncomfortable.
Speaking of that, time for a spoiler cut
December 17, 2017
I enjoyed the New Orleans ambience and like Skip Langdon, the Amazonian female homicide detective. Smith gives the reader a chance to 'hear' the thoughts of various characters (including suspects) in a way that allows you to get a feeling for their personalities without tipping her hand about who is the guilty one.
March 23, 2026
I am currently awaiting a trip to New Orleans— my first trip— that starts in a few days. Ever since I started planning the trip a few months ago, I have begun binge listening to a podcast called Beyond Bourbon Street to learn more about the place. Then, while I was in a used book store, I noticed this book almost falling off the shelf. I didn’t choose this book, this book chose me. And it was absolutely perfect for this exact moment of my life. I knew all of the words, even the French ones, because I had been listening to the podcast! I could picture each setting and neighborhood because I had been sketching out my own walking paths with google maps for weeks. And I tend to consider myself an armchair detective, so a murder mystery book was perfect! I am not kidding when I say that I picked up this book specifically because the cover reminded me of New Orleans and it was sitting just so in the shelf that showed off that cover to me. I didn’t know this was a murder mystery or a book so thoroughly researched about New Orleans. I’m not staying this book was perfect, because it wasn’t. I figured out the killer and the reason pretty early on (but I mean I am an armchair detective, so…), but even still, it just gave me all the right feels I needed at this moment in time. I couldn’t put it down. I laughed. I cried. I pictured every character as who would play them in a movie. I finished each chapter with, man that would make a good ending to a tv episode. And now, after reading and figuring out there are more books by the same author with the same characters, I can’t wait to read the others!
September 24, 2013
I have read ten books this year that I have gotten free for my Kindle and four of them have been mysteries. I think that the publishers hope that once they hook readers into a mystery series, we will purchase the others in the series. I suspect this works for some readers, but I am an omnivore and there is only one mystery series that I actually try to keep up with. I do really like listening to Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell series. Otherwise, one or two books by a mystery author usually has to suffice. I just have too many other authors that I want to experience.
I had read at least one mystery by Julie Smith before and remembered liking it. So when this one became a freebie, I was happy to add it to my reading queue. It turned out to be a perfect book for a day that I was not feeling well. Jazz Funeral is entertaining, the setting is one of my favorite cities and I wouldn't mind going to the New Orleans Jazz Festival so the inclusion of music was good for me. I think Smith did a good job with the writing so all in all I had fun with this mystery.
The murder takes place off stage for those readers who are squeamish. I will say that the mystery is not too hard to figure out if that is your reason for reading mysteries. This is an early book in Smith's series, so figuring out the crimes in her later ones may be harder. As I said the setting was a plus for me and so is the detective, who appeared to be an interesting woman.
I recommend this book to others who are looking for light entertainment, for anyone who enjoys visiting New Orleans and those readers who are interested in books with a musical tone.
I had read at least one mystery by Julie Smith before and remembered liking it. So when this one became a freebie, I was happy to add it to my reading queue. It turned out to be a perfect book for a day that I was not feeling well. Jazz Funeral is entertaining, the setting is one of my favorite cities and I wouldn't mind going to the New Orleans Jazz Festival so the inclusion of music was good for me. I think Smith did a good job with the writing so all in all I had fun with this mystery.
The murder takes place off stage for those readers who are squeamish. I will say that the mystery is not too hard to figure out if that is your reason for reading mysteries. This is an early book in Smith's series, so figuring out the crimes in her later ones may be harder. As I said the setting was a plus for me and so is the detective, who appeared to be an interesting woman.
I recommend this book to others who are looking for light entertainment, for anyone who enjoys visiting New Orleans and those readers who are interested in books with a musical tone.
July 10, 2015
Sixteen year old Melody is a talented vocalist and composer, but she has problems -- her parents don't understand her and her boyfriend dumped her in favor of her best friend. Things just got worse -- her brother, the well known head of JazzFest, was murdered. Her young life is shattered and she runs away from home with no money, no place to stay, and no plans.
Six foot tall Ship Langdon is a homicide detective in the New Orleans Police Department, but she has problems -- her insecurities, a long-distance boyfriend, and a boss that makes her life miserable.
When Skip is assigned to the murder she wants to find the killer, of course, but she is determined to find Melody. She interviews many and follows leads but there are many lies, half truths, and omissions. As the days go by she's frantic to find the girl even though her boss wants her to focus on the murder.
Wonderful characters and you can almost feel the New Orleans Ms. Smith describes -- it.s sounds, smells, and streets. It was a fun read with a surprise ending.
No graphic sex or violence
Six foot tall Ship Langdon is a homicide detective in the New Orleans Police Department, but she has problems -- her insecurities, a long-distance boyfriend, and a boss that makes her life miserable.
When Skip is assigned to the murder she wants to find the killer, of course, but she is determined to find Melody. She interviews many and follows leads but there are many lies, half truths, and omissions. As the days go by she's frantic to find the girl even though her boss wants her to focus on the murder.
Wonderful characters and you can almost feel the New Orleans Ms. Smith describes -- it.s sounds, smells, and streets. It was a fun read with a surprise ending.
No graphic sex or violence
July 5, 2012
great read - one of the suspects is completely CRAZY in a funny kind of way. Some typos, but toward the end too many typo's to count - could use a few more pair of eyes to read before it is released in a e format to have caught all these errors. It could have been a 4 star book if not for all those errors, which disrupts the reading flow for me. Other wise a very good book and alot of things to learn about New Orleans, which I have never had the pleasure to visit, even though I am from and live in the south.
January 19, 2017
Skip Langdon gets caught up in the death(Murder) of a prominent New Orleans personality and the disappearance of his teenage sister. Family squabbles, the sisters time on the streets of the city and an unexpected ending to it all. This is the second of the 9 novels that I downloaded to my Kindle and I am looking forward to he next one. Plenty of local New Orleans color to be found here.
July 17, 2008
Not great writing but good New Orleans escapist lit.
January 7, 2014
Pretty good but at least the kindle version needs a proper copy edit. "wed" instead of "well" and similar -- repeatedly.
September 24, 2014
Jazz Funeral review
Not a very gripping book. Also not very plausible. If I had read this book first I would not have read and enjoyed other books in this series
Not a very gripping book. Also not very plausible. If I had read this book first I would not have read and enjoyed other books in this series
January 26, 2015
Great read
Couldn't put it down the twist and turns every time I thought I knew who was the murderer no not that one
Couldn't put it down the twist and turns every time I thought I knew who was the murderer no not that one
February 26, 2015
I enjoy the stories but the language is not for me
December 23, 2015
Good storyline
It was a good book I am giving it three stars because it would have been better without the language and sex
It was a good book I am giving it three stars because it would have been better without the language and sex
August 13, 2018
The novel begins with Skip Langdon, the lead detective in this crime thriller, preparing for a party in hot, humid New Orleans with her boyfriend, Steve Steinman, a filmmaker and producer from Los Angeles, and her best friend and landlord, Jimmy Dee. The party turns out to be a bust, but all the more exciting for the fact that Skip discovers the party's host dead. Ham Brocato was a local legend and philanthropist who was known for organising the annual jazz festival, along with his high-profile singer girlfriend, Ti-Belle Thiebaud. What's more worrying, though, is that Ham's sixteen-year-old half-sister has not been seen since the murder and may be in danger herself.
The story is told by different characters at each twist and turn, including that of the runaway sister. This not only gives a very wide view of the crime but also allows the characters to tell their own stories about why they are there and what reasons they might have for murder or not. However, one of the most effective results of using a diverse range of narrators is to create a wonderfully panoramic view of the city of New Orleans and what it is like to live there with its people, its food, its moods, and, above all, its music.
I found the people and the action believable and the book was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was really pleased with myself that I managed to spot who the killer was early on in the story. As usual, my understanding of the killer's motive was not quite right and later on, I allowed myself to be distracted into thinking it might be another character. However, it came as no surprise when the murderer was revealed.
I was a little unsure about the detective, Skip Langdon. My impression was that she was a little too soft and allowed herself a little too much emotional space for a homicide detective. That, and her frequent use of marijuana, made me wonder about the book – until I discovered that it had been written in 1993 and, as such, must have been one of the earlier female police detective novels.
Julie Smith is a ground-breaker in her novel-writing. This book is the third in her Skip Langdon series, and sits about midway in her timeline of novels. In addition to these, she has written a slew of short stories (which can be found at her website, here – booksBnimble – and has won a number of awards for her work.
I am certainly impressed with and encouraged by Ms Smith's longevity in the writing business and and am looking forward to reading more of her work.
The story is told by different characters at each twist and turn, including that of the runaway sister. This not only gives a very wide view of the crime but also allows the characters to tell their own stories about why they are there and what reasons they might have for murder or not. However, one of the most effective results of using a diverse range of narrators is to create a wonderfully panoramic view of the city of New Orleans and what it is like to live there with its people, its food, its moods, and, above all, its music.
I found the people and the action believable and the book was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was really pleased with myself that I managed to spot who the killer was early on in the story. As usual, my understanding of the killer's motive was not quite right and later on, I allowed myself to be distracted into thinking it might be another character. However, it came as no surprise when the murderer was revealed.
I was a little unsure about the detective, Skip Langdon. My impression was that she was a little too soft and allowed herself a little too much emotional space for a homicide detective. That, and her frequent use of marijuana, made me wonder about the book – until I discovered that it had been written in 1993 and, as such, must have been one of the earlier female police detective novels.
Julie Smith is a ground-breaker in her novel-writing. This book is the third in her Skip Langdon series, and sits about midway in her timeline of novels. In addition to these, she has written a slew of short stories (which can be found at her website, here – booksBnimble – and has won a number of awards for her work.
I am certainly impressed with and encouraged by Ms Smith's longevity in the writing business and and am looking forward to reading more of her work.
September 19, 2019
I readily admit that I struggled with Jazz Funeral by Julie Smith. This is the 3rd book in the Skip Langdon mystery series set in New Orleans. The basic gist of the story is that jazz impresario, Ham Brocato, is found murdered in his home, just before the big party at his home to open the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. At the same time, Ham's younger sister Melody disappears; a suspect or maybe a witness? Other suspects include Ti-Belle, a singer discovered by Ham and his live-in lover, or maybe his father, Gregory or even his mother Patty.
It's a rambling sort of story with all sorts of main characters; Skip, of course, but also Ti-Belle, Melody and the fore-mentioned Gregory and Patty. Skip is looking for Melody, trying to find her in case she is in danger. Melody has run away from home (for what reason?) and hiding out in New Orlean's center. It's just a disconnected story and there is no real investigation of the murder... other than Skip showing up at peoples' homes and asking a few questions.
The more I got into the story, the better it got, but it was still frustrating. No real police work, just wandering from character to character. Unfortunately, I didn't find any of them particularly sympathetic and some (Melody) were down right irritating. Maybe I just can't relate to teenagers anymore. Even the ending was sort of a throw-in. I do have the next book on my shelf and will read it, but I don't know if I'll be in a particular hurry to grab it. (2.5 stars)
It's a rambling sort of story with all sorts of main characters; Skip, of course, but also Ti-Belle, Melody and the fore-mentioned Gregory and Patty. Skip is looking for Melody, trying to find her in case she is in danger. Melody has run away from home (for what reason?) and hiding out in New Orlean's center. It's just a disconnected story and there is no real investigation of the murder... other than Skip showing up at peoples' homes and asking a few questions.
The more I got into the story, the better it got, but it was still frustrating. No real police work, just wandering from character to character. Unfortunately, I didn't find any of them particularly sympathetic and some (Melody) were down right irritating. Maybe I just can't relate to teenagers anymore. Even the ending was sort of a throw-in. I do have the next book on my shelf and will read it, but I don't know if I'll be in a particular hurry to grab it. (2.5 stars)
August 26, 2021
They're gearing up for a jazz festival in New Orleans, but just before the opening, the organizer, Ham Brocato, is found dead inside his house. His half sister, Melody, also appears to be missing. Was Melody the murderer, or a second victim? It's hard to believe Melody had a hand in the murder because Ham was, to her, her closest and dearest relative, certainly closer and dearer than her social-climbing mother and distant father.
Skip Langdon investigates. She uncovers some secrets in the lives of various of the people involved. She thinks she might have found Melody, but there's some evidence that Melody's life might also be in danger. But likely, the pull of the jazz festival will help unearth Melody. She was an aspiring singer in her own right, and rather a fan of the Boucree family musicians, especially through her relationship with their son, Joel, one of Melody's school and musical chums. In fact, Melody contrives to disguise herself and join the Boucrees on stage.
Well, anyway we have lots of going back and forth and eventually come to a resolution. One of the fun things about this book for me was that I was in the hospital when I read it, and had oodles of time on my hands. I also had a 4-CD set on my iPhone, Big 'Ol Box of New Orleans. So, when I was tired, I could lie back and listen to the likes of Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Professor Longhair, BeauSoleil, The Neville Brothers, Zachary Richard, etc. Rather enhanced the book no end.
Again, a 3*+ book were such distinctions possible on GoodReads.
Skip Langdon investigates. She uncovers some secrets in the lives of various of the people involved. She thinks she might have found Melody, but there's some evidence that Melody's life might also be in danger. But likely, the pull of the jazz festival will help unearth Melody. She was an aspiring singer in her own right, and rather a fan of the Boucree family musicians, especially through her relationship with their son, Joel, one of Melody's school and musical chums. In fact, Melody contrives to disguise herself and join the Boucrees on stage.
Well, anyway we have lots of going back and forth and eventually come to a resolution. One of the fun things about this book for me was that I was in the hospital when I read it, and had oodles of time on my hands. I also had a 4-CD set on my iPhone, Big 'Ol Box of New Orleans. So, when I was tired, I could lie back and listen to the likes of Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Professor Longhair, BeauSoleil, The Neville Brothers, Zachary Richard, etc. Rather enhanced the book no end.
Again, a 3*+ book were such distinctions possible on GoodReads.
July 6, 2023
This series just Keeps getting better and better. It makes me want to read next in the series every single time, which isn't always a given in any series out there.
I gave it five stars, even though I do question how some things happened could, in fact, happen. Maybe New Orleans is a different kind of place.
I really enjoyed learning a little about that city, even though most of the content was surrounded by a pretty large and very public event (was jazzFest a real event in the 1990's? Because I truly know very little about the city beyond what everyone knows, Mardi Gras)
I was a little bit surprised to learn that that the series is set in the 1990's, but it does make sense as I've had the first three books for a few years, yet not 23 years, so maybe she's writing from a different time and place. Whatever, I loved it and it didn't feel like anything but a contemporary mystery novel. I think it would be appropriate for young adults, maybe middle teens, depending on their maturity level (there is some decidedly mature content).
I gave it five stars, even though I do question how some things happened could, in fact, happen. Maybe New Orleans is a different kind of place.
I really enjoyed learning a little about that city, even though most of the content was surrounded by a pretty large and very public event (was jazzFest a real event in the 1990's? Because I truly know very little about the city beyond what everyone knows, Mardi Gras)
I was a little bit surprised to learn that that the series is set in the 1990's, but it does make sense as I've had the first three books for a few years, yet not 23 years, so maybe she's writing from a different time and place. Whatever, I loved it and it didn't feel like anything but a contemporary mystery novel. I think it would be appropriate for young adults, maybe middle teens, depending on their maturity level (there is some decidedly mature content).
December 28, 2025
It has been a long time since I read the earlier books in this series, so it took me awhile to get back into the New Orleans scene.
I enjoyed this murder mystery involving a nuclear family with serious issues.
There is a thread about teens in the French Quarter in hiding and barely making a living, off the grid (before there was a grid).
Skip Langdon is front and center and adjusting to having her boyfriend in town and sharing her small apartment. She is also almost single handedly investigating the murder of a prominent entertainment executive and the disappearance of his 16 year old step sister.
Another thread is the life and challenges of famous celebrity musicians. Where they come from, what they endured and how they now deal with fame and privacy.
This is an ambitious story, a bit long for its time, dealing with serious issues. I enjoyed it.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
I enjoyed this murder mystery involving a nuclear family with serious issues.
There is a thread about teens in the French Quarter in hiding and barely making a living, off the grid (before there was a grid).
Skip Langdon is front and center and adjusting to having her boyfriend in town and sharing her small apartment. She is also almost single handedly investigating the murder of a prominent entertainment executive and the disappearance of his 16 year old step sister.
Another thread is the life and challenges of famous celebrity musicians. Where they come from, what they endured and how they now deal with fame and privacy.
This is an ambitious story, a bit long for its time, dealing with serious issues. I enjoyed it.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
September 4, 2026
Skip Langdon is attending JazzFest when the producer is found murdered. His little sister is missing. The trail takes her through the back music scene in New Orleans.
Everyone, except the murderer, loves Ham. He is easy going, generous and supports the local music scene. Skip considers the murder a crime of passion, not planned, but this keeps her at odds with her superior.
Melody is running scared. She wants to be a singer and others consider her a fantastic one. Her own confidence and self esteem are basement level. She is 16 and hiding in the French Quarter meeting people and places she didn't know exist. Skip is afraid of what can happen to her there.
There are lots of characters to keep track of. Point of view keeps changing. These make the book a bit hard to adjust to. It starts out slow and builds to a faster pace about half way through. The wrap up at the end seems a bit too long.
Everyone, except the murderer, loves Ham. He is easy going, generous and supports the local music scene. Skip considers the murder a crime of passion, not planned, but this keeps her at odds with her superior.
Melody is running scared. She wants to be a singer and others consider her a fantastic one. Her own confidence and self esteem are basement level. She is 16 and hiding in the French Quarter meeting people and places she didn't know exist. Skip is afraid of what can happen to her there.
There are lots of characters to keep track of. Point of view keeps changing. These make the book a bit hard to adjust to. It starts out slow and builds to a faster pace about half way through. The wrap up at the end seems a bit too long.
October 20, 2017
Exciting, Unusual, Cross-Genre Murder Mystery/Coming of Age Novel
This is an amazing novel, masterfully weaving elements of divergent genres, and adding a new twist. There are several protagonists in this story, and it is told from different points of view. The extra twist is that the reader knows that one of these people killed a man, but which one? Elements of the plot could point to many different characters as the killer, but it does seem the work of a single killer. The motive is absent: "everyone loved him" (which so many day after a sudden death) actually seems to be the absolute truth.
Solving the murder is complicated by the sudden disappearance of the dead man's sixteen year old step sister. Is she a victim? Has she been kidnapped? There are no obvious answers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This is an amazing novel, masterfully weaving elements of divergent genres, and adding a new twist. There are several protagonists in this story, and it is told from different points of view. The extra twist is that the reader knows that one of these people killed a man, but which one? Elements of the plot could point to many different characters as the killer, but it does seem the work of a single killer. The motive is absent: "everyone loved him" (which so many day after a sudden death) actually seems to be the absolute truth.
Solving the murder is complicated by the sudden disappearance of the dead man's sixteen year old step sister. Is she a victim? Has she been kidnapped? There are no obvious answers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
January 31, 2021
This book was published in 1993, and occasionally the differences in technology and other cultural references are a bit jarring. But it's worth the effort to overcome those distractions, because it is so well-written. It's the third in a the Skip Langdon series, but these books are in no way formulaic. In this one, we spend almost as much time in the head of 16-year-old Melody, a runaway whose brother was just murdered, as we do in Skip's. It has the effect of giving us all the information we need to understand the crime and really making us care about how it works out. It also helps that this series in set in New Orleans, a city with a unique character that doesn't change that much over time that is as central to the story as any of the other characters.
November 3, 2017
New Orleans Mysteries
I really like New Orleans and mystery stories (or mystical stories) about the Crescent City. Fortunately there are quite a few good authors who write about NOLA and Julie Smith is among the best. I've read the Talba Wallis series where I was the introduced to Skip Langdon. Since I enjoyed the Talba Wallis series so much I grabbed a copy of Jazz Funeral of off BookBub and thoroughly enjoyed the same great intrigue experienced before. The characters are multi dimensional and the plot gives more than one tiny twist. I'm going back and starting with New Orleans Mourning, read the entire Skip Langdon series. You should too if you enjoy good mysteries.
I really like New Orleans and mystery stories (or mystical stories) about the Crescent City. Fortunately there are quite a few good authors who write about NOLA and Julie Smith is among the best. I've read the Talba Wallis series where I was the introduced to Skip Langdon. Since I enjoyed the Talba Wallis series so much I grabbed a copy of Jazz Funeral of off BookBub and thoroughly enjoyed the same great intrigue experienced before. The characters are multi dimensional and the plot gives more than one tiny twist. I'm going back and starting with New Orleans Mourning, read the entire Skip Langdon series. You should too if you enjoy good mysteries.
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