New Orleans Requiem

Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn Mystery #4

by D.J. Donaldson

Investigating an unusual murder in which the victim was left with four board-game tiles on his chest, New Orleans medical examiner Andy Broussard and psychologist Kit Franklyn realize that they are the next targets.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller

250 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

D.J. Donaldson also writes under the names Don Donaldson and Don J. Donaldson, as well as David Best.

Reviews

[Rebecca Follenius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author needs a map

Author needs a map

Book was a moderate read . Needs to freshen up on the FQ. streets - you don't go down Bourbon to get to Decatur St - these streets run the same direction. It's not a poor boy but a Po Boy. Felixs Restaurant is not on Bourbon. Using non existing businesses and areas is one thing in writing a book but when using actual things that exist, keep it true. Then again- maybe only us natives would catch those errors and others.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Orleans Requiem is the fourth book in Don J. Donaldon's mystery series featuring chief medical examiner Andy Broussard and Kit Franklyn, a consultant psychologist for both the ME's office and the NOPD.

The story opens with Andy and Kit being called to a crime scene in the New Orleans French Quarter. The body of a man has been discovered in a locker in Jackson Square, stabbed through the heart, with an eyelid removed and a newspaper propped on his chest with four scrabble letters taped to it. When a second body is found two days later with identical wounds, a newspaper and three scrabble letters, Andy and Kit fear a serial killer is stalking the town. Broussard and Kit are taken aback when what little evidence they have points to the killer being a colleague with a grudge, but with hundreds of forensic specialists in town attending the Annual American Academy of Forensic Science conference, narrowing the field of suspects isn't going to be easy.

An interesting blend of police procedural and medical thriller, New Orleans Requiem is an enjoyable novel. The case at the heart of this mystery is well plotted and believable and the identity of the murderer came as a surprise. The pacing is good, with the duration of the conference providing a natural time frame in which to solve the mystery.

Broussard and Franklyn are well developed characters. An affable man with a large appetite, Broussard is an experienced and well regarded ME. Kit considers Andy both a colleague and a mentor. She has good instincts and is both resourceful and intelligent. Their professional skills complement each other and they make a good team.

First published in the early 1990's the absence of 'Google' and cell phones are evident in some aspects of the novel but the story doesn't feel dated. I'd recommend New Orleans Requiem to readers who enjoy procedural mysteries, especially those with a forensic focus (think Quincy, ME or CSI).

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A forensic scientists' meeting in New Orleans provides the backdrop for this story, involving a serial killer that is leaving cryptic clues for the police and the forensic team of Dr. Andy Broussard and Dr. Kit Franklyn. Andy and Kit work together and separately, with some added tension based on handling a meeting of thousands of doctors of various disciplines for a convention.

The story is clever and the ending heartbreaking for Andy. This is another story (after Blood on the Bayou) where he is forced to face the fact that he is losing friends and all he has is his work. He is depressed and realizes that he needs to change. The readers hope he will recover and maybe find a new friend or two, in addition to the relationship he is building with his protege, Kit.

He won't acknowledge his feelings for her- that he is proud of her, values her work and her input. She feels it, though and she has recognized his diffidence for what it is. Kit also realizes that she is fortunate to have a wonderful man like Teddy around and vows to nurture that relationship, too.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a happy book for me. New Orleans Requiem shows the city in all its old glory, a decade before Hurricane Katrina, when all the Neville Brothers were still alive, active and actually living in the city that time forgot. Of course you get to see its scruffy, seedy side here but it was still relatively safe and fun. Setting a mystery within a forensics convention was genius on the part of the author. Speaking of forensics, it is very well done. The primary characters are the very New Orleansish medical examiner and a forensic psychologist who works for the police department. The forensics are more strictly detective work and not gore.

The two main characters could have had a little more depth to them and the end should not have been so strained and hard for the characters to wrap up and explain to themselves.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite series ! This is the second book Ive read in the series, and I loved it enough to sit down and order the others!

Exciting story line, great twists and turns, all set in older new Orleans. Highly recommended.

[Jack Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find Waldo

This was a really good one - two pro medical examiners going head to head. The problem is that one of them is the bad guy (obviously not our protagonist). Very clever whodunit.

[Anthony Ambruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

I enjoyed this one. Good story, well thought out. It's got me wanting to move to New Orleans, a place I have loved for a long time, but I can't explain why.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery could have been interesting if the pace hadn't just plodded along.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story full of twists

Engaging characters and the story is full of twists and turns. This is the second Andy and Kit story I've read. I'll search out the others.

[Susan San · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked It!

First time I read Donaldson. Love a good mystery. Going back for more! It has an interesting perspective on murder.

[Joeanna Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was very true to the city I lived in the city for 9 years and the book is very true to the city especially the restaurants and the streets! Great read.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated mystery lots of fun clues

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences gets under way in New Orleans, Chief Medical Examiner Andy Broussard and Kit Franklyn, a psychologist with the ME’s office have their hands full. First, they are in charge of all the plans for the conference, but even more important…a serial killer has chosen this time to begin a series of horrible crimes.

The gruesome crimes leave their victims stabbed, eyelids removed and Scrabble tiles taped to their bodies. Andy and Kit have their work cut out for them, especially when their investigation leads them directly to the forensics conference. As unbelievable as anything they could imagine, one of their own could very well be a psychotic killer. The clock is ticking as they race to find a killer before the killer finds his or her next victim.

This is the fourth book in the Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn mystery series and the first book I ever read. I can honestly say, it didn’t make one bit of difference that I didn’t read one word of the previous books. This book stood alone for me and I enjoyed picking apart the clues right along with Andy and Kit. Although I didn’t need to read the previous books, I definitely want to. I love the New Orleans scenery and this book really made the reader feel like they were there.

Donaldson’s writing style was a pleasure to read. The book flowed beautifully from page to page. It’s fast-paced, filled to the brim with action and suspense. The story took a few twists and turns and kept you guessing to the end. I know I didn’t guess who the culprit was until it was revealed in the book. Donaldson is an excellent storyteller and I’ve been won over with this book. I want to read more!

On a side note: Quite often throughout the book I wondered why Andy and Kit didn’t use Google to assist them. Then I realized the book was originally written in 1994. It made me realize how spoiled we’ve all become. It didn’t hurt the book at all, it just made me laugh at the change in times.



FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'New Orleans Requiem' by D. J. Donaldson.

We are often guilty of judging by appearances. The look of ones clothes, their demeanor and often their size lead us to make assumptions that are often grossly incorrect.

In New Orleans Requiem by D. J. Donaldson, we are introduced to a wonderful medical examiner, Andy Broussard. Plump and proud, he loves his food. His looks deceive even the most wary of fiends, for he is not only one of the best in his field, but he hates murderers. To top it off his helper is psychologist Kit Franklyn and together they are unstoppable.

When a man is found stabbed with one eyelid removed and four Scrabble tiles on his chest they are both appalled and intrigued. What is the killer trying to tell them? As the killings continue the pattern is obvious, and it does not appear as though he will go away. Can they figure out the clues before he can continue with his macabre game?

Donaldson has given us a wonderful character in Broussard. He is very human and full of fun. He enjoys his food, but he is spot on in his dislike of those who take the lives of others. He is witty and charming, yet also has the degree of toughness to get him through some of the worst of killings. You will find him to be an unlikely hero, yet champion for the dead all the same.

Kit too is an interesting character, and her strength lends solidity to Broussard in a very uncanny way. Together they are as two parts of a whole and they can bend and twist the bizarre evidence into contortions that make sense.

If you enjoy mysteries and the inner workings of medical examiners, you will find this a great read. If you enjoy the whodunit type of mystery, overseen by very human characters then you have found a new type of hero.

Donaldson has given us a grisly killer playing a sick game, and as his characters move forward, we are surprised to find who the killer really is, there is a twist of surprise that keeps you guessing to the very end.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Orleans Requiem is one of several re-releases of Donaldson's books by Astor + Blue Editions. Originally published in the late 80s and early 90s, the heroes of Donaldson's stories have no cell phones, only beepers, and the presenters at the forensics meeting use actual slide shows instead of Power Point presentations. So, we all get to go for a short time travel trip to a time when one cut phone line can mean life or death for one of the characters. The story itself, however, doesn't feel dated at all.

Serial killers and high-suspense thrillers are, generally speaking, not my cup of tea. But the description of Broussard and Kit put me in mind of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin and the scrabble tile clues made for a nice hook to draw me in. It also helps that this is more a blend of police procedural/forensic investigation than a straight-up serial killer fest. I thoroughly enjoyed Broussard and Kit and the way their skills complement each other. Kit regards Broussard as a mentor as well as a colleague and so often feels like she isn't quite measuring up, but without her skills and input there is little chance that he would arrive at the correct solution.

A fast-paced thriller with much of the classic whodunnit. There is a really nice twist at the end and the final reveal came as a big surprise. Enjoyable read for thriller, police procedural, and whodunnit fans alike. [First posted at My Reader's Block.]

[Disclaimer: My review policy is posted on my blog My Reader's Block, but just to reiterate....The book was offered to me for impartial review and I have received no payment of any kind. All comments are entirely my own honest opinion.]

[Cissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intricately plotted murder mystery, with some interesting and nicely-drawn characters. However, the resolution to New Orleans Requiem, by D.J. Donaldson, just made me say "Huh?" rather than being satisfied with the end.

These are harsh words, I know. But -- and I will try to avoid spoilers -- once All Becomes Clear ... well, it just didn't seem to make any sense to me. Yes, it covered all the clues, so that's fair -- but HUH? The motive did not, in my opinion, explain pretty much any of the intricacies of plot, which once the motive and murderer were revealed, made NO sense and were basically a waste of time.

I was disappointed in the setting, too. Although billed as a New Orleans novel, there was nothing in the setting that made it vital that it happen in NOLA, rather than, say, Minneapolis. Any local atmosphere was cursory at best.

But the worst part was the plot. There was just no reason at all for the murderer to go to all that trouble, when he could have made his point much more efficiently. I'm willing to suspend disbelief -- but not infinitely.

Not recommended. No particular sense of place (if you want a Big Easy, I recommend Poppy Brite's NOLA novels, such as Liquor) and a really implausible plot.

I got this book from Rambles.net in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story stars with the discovery of a man stabbed in the heart, his eyelids cut off, and a newspaper and Scrabble tiles on him. Although both Andy and Kit want to solve this murder before another happens, Andy is wrapped up in a forensic conference that he is hosting with Kits help. Also, Kit finds her dog poisoned and is hoping he will be ok.

As another victim is found, it is clear that the murderer has to be someone from the forensic convention. But who would kill both of these guys. Kit decides to research the Scrabble tiles and realizes that the numbers on them is what is important. But what does an old band that was part of a hospital team have to do with these killers.

I absolutely love DJ Donaldson’s books. You get sucked in right away and never seem to be able to guess the killer. All of the characters are realistic and I feel right there with them. The convention was a great way to hide the killer and The Heartbreakers was a really good twist.

If you love mysteries, you have to read this series. You don’t have to read them in order, each book is written like a stand alone novel. Now I can’t wait to read Sleeping with the Crawfish.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephen Terrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the late 1980s, I fell in love with New Orleans. Soon after, I started tracking down authors who wrote about or set their stories in the City that Care Forgot. These included James Lee Burke, John Kennedy Toole, Anne Rice and Percy Walker. But it also included lesser known authors like Julie Smith, Christine Wiltz, Tony Dunbar and, of course, D.J. Donaldson.

Donaldson's series features rotund forensic pathologist Andy Broussard and his running mate, forensic psychologist Kit Franklin. Donaldson recently republished the original stories in the series, which are set in the infancy of cell phones and DNA. At the same time, he decided to revisit his characters after a long absence, and has written a new mystery featuring the pair. It's a welcome return.

New Orleans Requiem is set curing a convention of pathologists that has descended upon New Orleans. At the same time, a serial killer has appeared, leaving seemingly indecipherable clues. Broussard needs to find the killer before he strikes again -- and before he leaves Broussard's reputation in shambles before the collective eyes of his entire profession.

If you like a fun mystery read, check it out.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘New Orleans Requiem’ is an interesting read but not exactly a page turner. The story follows investigators as they try to solve a series of murders in New Orleans. They’re not particularly gruesome and there isn’t a ton of action to put it in the thriller category and it didn’t take me long to whittle the suspect pool down to the point where they got it about half way through the book. Normally with character driven series’ there is something that makes the main characters standout, but I didn’t find Kit nor Andy to be that quirky or noteworthy. Overall it’s well written and thought out for those who like mysteries but didn’t add enough for me in the way of action or descriptions which made me feel as if I’m in the crescent city with them.

[Marilyn Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murdered man is found in a locker; murderer covered his tracks well & left the detectives some Scrabble letters taped together.

NOLA coroner andy Broussard is helping as much as he can while also hosting the annual forensics meeting in New Orleans. Kit Franklin, forensic psychologist follows her instincts in tracking down leads too.

Overall, a good police/ CSI procedural.

i've lost touch what order these are in, but based on reviews will probably go for Louisiana Fever next.

Note: this one was written on 1994

[John Brissette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick moving NOLA thriller

I love New Orleans. A cultural home to me, I'll read anything set there. So I picked this up. It s a nice, entertaining, quick moving detective story. Sure I was able to guess the ending but there were a few surprises too. All in all it is well done & entertaining. It uses the beautiful setting of New Orleans, which is a real life movie set, but it doesn't overuse it and avoids the cliches and over worked, forced references I've seen in other "NOLA" books. So all in all well done.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read and enjoyed in the Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn series. A lot of CSI meets Criminal Minds detection in a colorful setting with great restaurants and local food references thrown in. I read somewhere that many of the earlier books in this series were out of print but another publisher has reprinted some of them? Don't know if all are available but I hope so. I want to read more.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't know why my review wasn't updated the first time...or the second or third times. I finished this book long ago and have read three more since then!!

I love these John Donaldson books. Great fun. Always end with twists.

[Kimberlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read. the mystery team of psychiatrist and forensic scientist gave the technical flavor. ending not predicted.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the characters, culture, and interactions. A good "whodoneit" to the end. I love books with the story based in New Orleans.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to Donaldson's books.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book at Book Trib and have never read this author before. I really enjoyed it and the characters in the book. Looking forward to reading others in this series.

[Paulette Ponte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this might be an interesting new crime series. It was okay.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the series - not bad, but not one of my favorites. Fun light reading if you're on a flight though.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love the characters