What do you think?
Rate this book
Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn Mystery #6
Sleeping With the Crawfish
When a body is delivered to his lab, forensic pathologist Andy Broussard discovers that the deceased is a convict allegedly serving time in the Louisiana state prison, and when prison officials claim the man is still in his cell, Andy and Kit follow a trail of murder and scandal. Reprint.
260 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
36 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Donaldson
34 books109 followersD.J. Donaldson also writes under the names Don Donaldson and Don J. Donaldson, as well as David Best.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 12, 2018
Some interesting characters and plot twists. The plot moved quick enough to hold my attention.
January 6, 2014
I liked that the author was obviously familiar with Louisiana (including how boring the drive is between New Orleans and Baton Rouge). Tiny details made it very real.
The story was okay. It was predictable, and yet, a well-written predictable. It's good escape literature, when you don't want to think too much.
The story was okay. It was predictable, and yet, a well-written predictable. It's good escape literature, when you don't want to think too much.
September 2, 2014
It is a good solid read! Strong, likable characters. Well plotted, believable mystery. I enjoyed the humor, Kit's strength and the relationships between the characters. I didn't even come close to figuring it out! Really liked the climatic chase scene at the end! Only drawback was I felt like I needed a fan to fan myself in all that heat and humidity! Good sense of place.
August 17, 2015
I enjoyed this. If you are looking for great literature, it might not meet your needs, but it is a fun quick read with a great Louisiana flavor. I like the characters and the setting, and I always like forensics related stories, so I enjoy this whole series. Some are more mystery and some more forensics.
November 12, 2014
The book started off a bit slow, but once I got into it, it was difficult to put it down. I want to read others in the series, as this one seemed to be second or third of several.
March 13, 2018
I've find a new favorite series! I'm a big fan of Robicheaux, and this one is also set in New Orleans..
I think I'm missing something because this story felt "older" (in time) .. no cell phones or high tech anything, but it's a solid, exciting story and I REALLY enjoyed it. I'm going to look into more of the series, but unfortunately my public library only has one other title... I'll be checking that out right away.
REALLY great characters and a VERY exciting story. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
I think I'm missing something because this story felt "older" (in time) .. no cell phones or high tech anything, but it's a solid, exciting story and I REALLY enjoyed it. I'm going to look into more of the series, but unfortunately my public library only has one other title... I'll be checking that out right away.
REALLY great characters and a VERY exciting story. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
April 20, 2022
The characters in this series are interesting and amusing as well as providing scientific information I have not had access to before since I have not been a student in the field of medicine. This was the second time I had read the book, but I have read all others in the series and needed to revisit old friends, as it were. It is a good afternoon read.
March 20, 2019
good action and suspense...hard to follow story sometimes
October 28, 2014
D.J Donaldson takes his readers on an engaging ride of mystery through Louisiana and the Crescent City in his latest book, Sleeping with the Crawfish. His previous two books, New Orleans Requiem and Louisiana Fever introduce readers to New Orleans Medical Examiner, Andy Broussard, and his sidekick of sorts, psychological profiler Dr. Kit Franklin. Sleeping with the Crawfish rejoins the pair doing what they seem to do best, solving murders and almost getting themselves killed in the process.
Even without reading the first two adventures of Kit and Broussard-trust me they’re now in my “to read” pile-the stand alone Sleeping with the Crawfish introduces us to a world in New Orleans filled with mystery, greed, cover up and murder. The case at hand begins simply enough with Broussard contacting the warden at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary or the “Alcatraz of the South”) regarding a body that has shown up on his table with a face and prints that match to a man who is supposed to be doing life behind lock and key. The warden’s response, of course, is that the man is still there.
So Kit is asked to meet with the warden and obtain prints and a picture of the man behind bars to compare them to the stiff on his table. Kit-who has taken a bit of a sabbatical from working cases and is now clerking at an art gallery below her apartment-agrees to go and obtain proof that the dead man on the slab in New Orleans isn’t who all signs are pointing him to be. What starts out as an easy trip down to Angola for Kit turns into a case that will reach even the attention of the governor. The question isn’t who the dead man really is; rather will Kit make it out with her life? AND that’s just the beginning!
Although I find Kit and Broussard to be interesting enough characters, I think if I'd read the first couple of books I would have found them to be more developed. Much more emphasis is placed on Kit in this book so I feel I know her better; whereas I can only think of a few details about Broussard. Again, I'm sure if I'd read the books prior to this-which I definitely plan on doing while they're all on sale for 99 cents-I would feel differently.
I enjoyed Donaldson’s writing. Because the two main characters are doctors there was quite a bit “science talk” as I’ll refer to it. Donaldson doesn’t just assume that the reader is well versed in medical or other scientific details. He makes sure the reader is a part of the story. As aforementioned, I do enjoy Kit and Broussard. When I think of Broussard, I actually imagine Ducky from NCIS. Overall, I would consider this one of those detective reads you would curl up with on a rainy day and finish the book by the time the clouds clear.
I am definitely going to read the other Broussard/Kit books, the next recently released in June, Bad Karma in the Big Eaay. All of D.J Donaldson’s books are on sale in e-book format for 99 cents for the rest of the month. He also has a new book coming out called No Mardi Gras for the Dead. The books can be purchased using the links below. I definitely think this series of sorts is worth getting them while they’re on sale so you can read them all.
Even without reading the first two adventures of Kit and Broussard-trust me they’re now in my “to read” pile-the stand alone Sleeping with the Crawfish introduces us to a world in New Orleans filled with mystery, greed, cover up and murder. The case at hand begins simply enough with Broussard contacting the warden at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary or the “Alcatraz of the South”) regarding a body that has shown up on his table with a face and prints that match to a man who is supposed to be doing life behind lock and key. The warden’s response, of course, is that the man is still there.
So Kit is asked to meet with the warden and obtain prints and a picture of the man behind bars to compare them to the stiff on his table. Kit-who has taken a bit of a sabbatical from working cases and is now clerking at an art gallery below her apartment-agrees to go and obtain proof that the dead man on the slab in New Orleans isn’t who all signs are pointing him to be. What starts out as an easy trip down to Angola for Kit turns into a case that will reach even the attention of the governor. The question isn’t who the dead man really is; rather will Kit make it out with her life? AND that’s just the beginning!
Although I find Kit and Broussard to be interesting enough characters, I think if I'd read the first couple of books I would have found them to be more developed. Much more emphasis is placed on Kit in this book so I feel I know her better; whereas I can only think of a few details about Broussard. Again, I'm sure if I'd read the books prior to this-which I definitely plan on doing while they're all on sale for 99 cents-I would feel differently.
I enjoyed Donaldson’s writing. Because the two main characters are doctors there was quite a bit “science talk” as I’ll refer to it. Donaldson doesn’t just assume that the reader is well versed in medical or other scientific details. He makes sure the reader is a part of the story. As aforementioned, I do enjoy Kit and Broussard. When I think of Broussard, I actually imagine Ducky from NCIS. Overall, I would consider this one of those detective reads you would curl up with on a rainy day and finish the book by the time the clouds clear.
I am definitely going to read the other Broussard/Kit books, the next recently released in June, Bad Karma in the Big Eaay. All of D.J Donaldson’s books are on sale in e-book format for 99 cents for the rest of the month. He also has a new book coming out called No Mardi Gras for the Dead. The books can be purchased using the links below. I definitely think this series of sorts is worth getting them while they’re on sale so you can read them all.
August 16, 2014
There's a big difference between going somewhere and reading about it. For example, I watched a superhero movie the other day in which Park Ave near Grand Central Terminal got totally destroyed. That hasn't happened ONCE since I got here. Monsters and storms are always wrecking this city, yet the only thing I have to complain about is being crushed by the mass of humanity that is 8+ million people on my daily commute (that's actually a big deal to me and I'll be leaving as soon as possible).
Memphis was almost the opposite. It was so boring there (nothing happening in the suburbs, nothing happening downtown -- unless you were a tourist who wanted to walk down the 2 blocks that is Beale Street) that I left when I was adult enough not to have my parents follow me. But when I write, I like to include Memphis as one of my settings (in The Silent TreatmentI definitely did, and I've hinted at it in others). Why? Because Memphis is more interesting on paper, as any of my hair clients will mention when I tell them where I'm from.
Sleeping with the Crawfish* by Don J. Donaldson is set a little bit in Memphis. Not so much that I felt like I was sitting in morning rush hour traffic on I-40, but enough to make me glance away from the text occasionally and think, "Yeah. I miss it." And the author didn't only focus on the cliche touristy places (such as the aforementioned Beale Street), he takes the characters into a lived-in city.
The bulk of the book is set in New Orleans and surrounding areas. (Question: does everyone in New Orleans have a French last name?) While the author does write a bit in dialect (mostly in the form of leavin' a G off the ends of words), it doesn't distract from the story.
This book surprised me. The writing was fluid and nearly invisible. The story kept me going (in the whole "one more chapter... and one more..." vein) and kept me guessing.
For the squeamish, there's loads of information about how a body is cremated. I found this fascinating, but some might be weirded out. You know what, though? This is a murder mystery with shootings and cars in the bayou and foot chases (with guns) and people getting locked in giant freezers. Grizzly stuff is all part of the genre, and it's why I love mysteries so much.
While the plot did involve a web of deceit I kind of got confused with (especially with the lengthy "here's how it happened" at the end), the story was exciting and ended in a satisfying way.
Though this book appears late in the series, it wasn't difficult to get to know (and love) the characters. Hints at past plots make me want to go back and read the other books.
Don J. Donaldson, you have a new fan.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Memphis was almost the opposite. It was so boring there (nothing happening in the suburbs, nothing happening downtown -- unless you were a tourist who wanted to walk down the 2 blocks that is Beale Street) that I left when I was adult enough not to have my parents follow me. But when I write, I like to include Memphis as one of my settings (in The Silent TreatmentI definitely did, and I've hinted at it in others). Why? Because Memphis is more interesting on paper, as any of my hair clients will mention when I tell them where I'm from.
Sleeping with the Crawfish* by Don J. Donaldson is set a little bit in Memphis. Not so much that I felt like I was sitting in morning rush hour traffic on I-40, but enough to make me glance away from the text occasionally and think, "Yeah. I miss it." And the author didn't only focus on the cliche touristy places (such as the aforementioned Beale Street), he takes the characters into a lived-in city.
The bulk of the book is set in New Orleans and surrounding areas. (Question: does everyone in New Orleans have a French last name?) While the author does write a bit in dialect (mostly in the form of leavin' a G off the ends of words), it doesn't distract from the story.
This book surprised me. The writing was fluid and nearly invisible. The story kept me going (in the whole "one more chapter... and one more..." vein) and kept me guessing.
For the squeamish, there's loads of information about how a body is cremated. I found this fascinating, but some might be weirded out. You know what, though? This is a murder mystery with shootings and cars in the bayou and foot chases (with guns) and people getting locked in giant freezers. Grizzly stuff is all part of the genre, and it's why I love mysteries so much.
While the plot did involve a web of deceit I kind of got confused with (especially with the lengthy "here's how it happened" at the end), the story was exciting and ended in a satisfying way.
Though this book appears late in the series, it wasn't difficult to get to know (and love) the characters. Hints at past plots make me want to go back and read the other books.
Don J. Donaldson, you have a new fan.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2014
Kit is having a hard time after her kidnapping (Louisiana Fever). She thinks she is a total failure and has quit police work to help out in an art gallery. Andy misses Kit dearly but can’t figure out how to tell her how he feels. When a dead body appears on his table that is supposed to be in the Louisiana state prison, Andy sends Kit to take fingerprints.
When Kit arrives in this small town, things seem amiss. She learns that the prisoner died the night before and that they all ready cremated the body. But things take a turn for the worse when, on her way home, Kit’s car mysteriously won’t start, then she is run off the road and nearly killed.
When the governor steps comes to tell Andy and Kit that they are concerned about a medical research facility but the prison, Kit volunteers to go under cover to try to find out what is really going on. But people are still suspicious and she finds herself in another brush with death.
So, you know that I am a huge fan of Don Donaldson’s books. You get sucked in and can’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what is going to happen next. My heart broke for Kit, she is still suffering from the kidnapping and so unsure of herself. But I also wanted to kick Andy in the butt for being so difficult.
This was a great mystery. I knew something was up and thought I knew, but I was completely wrong. There are some good plot twists and lots of chances for Kit to get herself in trouble. This is series that you HAVE to read. You won’t be sorry.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
When Kit arrives in this small town, things seem amiss. She learns that the prisoner died the night before and that they all ready cremated the body. But things take a turn for the worse when, on her way home, Kit’s car mysteriously won’t start, then she is run off the road and nearly killed.
When the governor steps comes to tell Andy and Kit that they are concerned about a medical research facility but the prison, Kit volunteers to go under cover to try to find out what is really going on. But people are still suspicious and she finds herself in another brush with death.
So, you know that I am a huge fan of Don Donaldson’s books. You get sucked in and can’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what is going to happen next. My heart broke for Kit, she is still suffering from the kidnapping and so unsure of herself. But I also wanted to kick Andy in the butt for being so difficult.
This was a great mystery. I knew something was up and thought I knew, but I was completely wrong. There are some good plot twists and lots of chances for Kit to get herself in trouble. This is series that you HAVE to read. You won’t be sorry.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2014
After having read a previous novel in this series, I was looking forward to reading Sleeping with the Crawfish. I was not disappointed either. The pairing of Andy Broussard and Kit Franklyn is an odd match indeed. But I think that they work well together. Kit has left the Medical Examiner's office, feeling that this is not the profession for her especially after what happened in the previous novel, when her co worker Andy asks her to assist him with a new case. As soon as Kit agrees to help Andy, she finds that her life is in danger at every turn. Her car is run off the road and she nearly drowns trying to get out of her car. So who is after her and why? The more that Kit investigates the more corruption she is finding. Can she find out what happened to the dead man or even who he is without joining him in the morgue?
The writing is fast paced and the story line suspenseful, the characters are believable. The Andy Broussard / Kit Franklyn mysteries are definitely worth a read. You don't need to start off with the first book in the series but it does help I think to start at the beginning. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend the books.
The writing is fast paced and the story line suspenseful, the characters are believable. The Andy Broussard / Kit Franklyn mysteries are definitely worth a read. You don't need to start off with the first book in the series but it does help I think to start at the beginning. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend the books.
September 21, 2018
I found this one very unsatisfying. I get that Donaldson is making a point primarily for YA readers, but his female lead is really annoying. I wonder if he realized that slightly and years older readers might find that offensive.
The feminist thing is played out, too. Andy and Phil are at least as interesting, if not more complex than Kit, and yet it feels as though she is out front. This story is heavily weighted towards their somewhat blundering adventures and the wrapup almost invisible.
The feminist thing is played out, too. Andy and Phil are at least as interesting, if not more complex than Kit, and yet it feels as though she is out front. This story is heavily weighted towards their somewhat blundering adventures and the wrapup almost invisible.
March 4, 2015
A good tale by Donaldson as Broussard & Kit must figure out why a prisoner in for life has died on the streets a free man. Characters are very likable and the plotting and suspense is very good. My only problem was that the ending was quick and had a slightly unbelievable twist. Recommended to mystery fans. I will probably be reading more in this series.
March 13, 2016
Not bad, but definitely not my favorite. It seems as though this was meant to be the final book, but the series came back to life six years later - and honestly, I'm very glad. This would have been a fairly weak end. Side note: why mention Kit's sweaty panties twice in the same chapter?? That was weird. Bottom line: fun, but feels like it was written in a hurry.
May 11, 2015
You can almost smell the gumbo..
Believable people trying on suits of life until one fits.. in the meantime taking death seriously and stopping murder in its tracks...well researched plots and fast pace...
Believable people trying on suits of life until one fits.. in the meantime taking death seriously and stopping murder in its tracks...well researched plots and fast pace...
February 2, 2017
This book did not provide as much of the scientific information I have enjoyed as some of the previous, but I did enjoy the mystery involved and all the great bits of Louisiana culture I don't experience in my circle of living. It was a delightful afternoon companion of a book.
June 29, 2018
Wow!
I loved this book. It has been the best so far in this series. It had lots of action, great suspense, and many thrills. It was very well-written. I recommend this to you with no reservations.
I loved this book. It has been the best so far in this series. It had lots of action, great suspense, and many thrills. It was very well-written. I recommend this to you with no reservations.
July 1, 2013
Another good medical examiner mystery/thriller. Hope he continues to write more books with these characters.
September 6, 2014
Good book that is worth the time to read - the twist at the end really made me go WHAT? ...... good mystery
December 16, 2019
Corruption Louisiana Style
Another solid entry in this series, with our protagonists both getting sucked into corruption. But on the plus side Kit got her mojo back.
Another solid entry in this series, with our protagonists both getting sucked into corruption. But on the plus side Kit got her mojo back.
October 26, 2014
One day, easy read, had to finish it to know how the puzzle fits together.
November 25, 2014
Another enjoyable read in the Andy Broussard series. Good characters. Fast read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews