The Devil's Jazz: The Haunted Chronicles of the Axman of New Orleans

by Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco

The Devil’s Jazz
A Gripping Historical Thriller of Murder, Music, and Madness in 1918 New Orleans

“Captivating... a compelling true-crime-style horror novel about taking down... the serial killer that only the Crescent City could spawn.”
— Independent Book Review

“They have never caught me and they never will... I have been, am, and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or the realm of fancy.”
— The Axman

In the haunted heart of New Orleans, as World War I draws to a close, a sinister presence stalks the streets. A brutal serial killer—known only as the Axman—emerges from the shadows, targeting the city’s Sicilian immigrant community with chilling precision. Inspired by true events, The Devil’s Jazz resurrects one of America’s most disturbing unsolved murder cases in a city steeped in music, mystery, and myth.

Retired detective Giancarlo Rabito is pulled back into the darkness when the killings begin. The press fans hysteria. The public panics. And when the Axman sends a blood-chilling letter to the newspapers—promising death unless every home plays jazz on a chosen night—the city answers with a desperate and defiant flood of music.

As Rabito investigates, he must navigate a city divided by racial prejudice, corruption, and fear. Behind every door lies a secret. In every alley, a shadow. Is the Axman a man, a myth... or a supernatural force hiding in plain sight?

Blending the pulse of a Jazz Age thriller with the eerie atmosphere of a Southern Gothic mystery, The Devil’s Jazz is a dark, lyrical journey into a time of blood and brass, murder and melody, and into a world where music meets madness, and silence can be fatal.

Perfect for readers of:

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin

“LoCoco has a poetic way with prose... anyone who enjoys historical fiction, the occult, or true crime would enjoy this.”
— NetGalley Reviewer

“Early 1900s New Orleans comes to life... rich in atmosphere... fearing a brutal killer that seemingly disappears into the night.”
— NetGalley Reviewer

The Devil’s Jazz will grip you from the first note—and haunt you long after the music fades.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction

334 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2024

About the author

Chip LoCoco's love of music, stories and of his Sicilian-American heritage shines in all of his novels. His novels have been ranked on Amazon as Bestsellers and Top Rated novels.

His first novel was Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera. Tempesta's Dream was awarded the Pinnacle Award in Historical Fiction.

Chip's next novel, A Song for Bellafortuna, forms Book 1 of his much beloved Bellafortuna Series. That novel won the B.R.A.G Medallion Award in Historical Fiction and was named a short-list finalist in the prestigious William Faulkner Writing Competition.

Book 2 of the Bellafortuna series is Saving the Music. It too has been listed as a Top Rated novel on Amazon and as a Bestseller in Italian Historical Fiction. It was selected as the Winner of the 2022 American Fiction Award in Historical Fiction. It was also named as a Finalist in the 2022 International Book Awards in the Historical Fiction Category and Best Fiction Cover Design.

Sicilian Melody is Book 3 in the series, It is a story that concerns the reemergence of the Mafia after WWII. The novel has been named an Amazon Hot New Release.

His latest release is The Devil's Jazz: The Haunted Chrocnicles of the Axman of New Orleans. A thriller of a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Chip is an estate planning attorney in New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and two children. Chip is a member of the Italian American Writers Association. Chip has given extensive talks to book clubs, organizations, and has appeared on The Catholic Channel on Sirius Radio.

For more information, visit him at www.vincentlococo.com.

Reviews

[Cindy DiMaggio · Rating 5 out of 5]

captivating

Being a New Orleanian I found this book very good. I loved the history of the city and Italian community and the suspense of the axman murders. Well written and easy to follow. I highly recommend it.

[Esther Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping tale

The Devil’s Jazz kept my interest from beginning to end. Interesting style. Descriptive. Unique story line blended well with historical elements.

[Aaron Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher-Cefalutana Press and received through NetGalley-in exchange for an honest review. This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. I live only about two hours away from New Orleans and many of the places and going ons of the city were pretty spot on in the book. The supernatural aspect of the city is still prevalent today and Giancarlo was an amazing detective. I received a digital copy of The Devil’s Jazz but I will be buying a physical copy for my library. Definitely worth the read. BTW there is a Spotify playlist for the songs in the book. Really wished I saw this while I was reading it instead of at the end of the book.

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I had high hopes going in - thinking this would be a suspense/police procedural with supernatural elements. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy The Devil's Jazz. It started off interesting enough - a mysterious killer reemerges when the detective who had been hunting them retires, but it went downhill after that. The different storylines felt really jumpy. Also, some parts could have used a lot more explanation and only got 1-2 paragraphs of a quick breakdown - as well as the opposite, other parts dragged out and got repetitive. There were parts that were well paced, they were just few and far in between. On top of it all, the ending didn't even answer any of lingering questions I had throughout the book. 1/5 Stars

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the sultry heart of New Orleans, a city haunted by the legacy of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror in London, a new menace emerges. The year is 1918, and the Axman of New Orleans prowls the cobblestone streets, targeting the city’s large population of Sicilian immigrants.

Retired detective Giancarlo Rabito is reluctantly drawn into the shadows, entangled in the pursuit of the Axman, challenging the wide-spread belief that the Mafia is responsible. Hysteria grips New Orleans with each gruesome crime as the axe swings across the city, with no leads and hazy recollections from surviving victims.

This is a fictional account of a true crime serial killer in the early years of the twentieth century. While the writing is very good, and the author paints a very clear picture of New Orleans in the early ages of Jazz, he fails to catch my full attention.
I so wanted to love this, The Axman has always facinated me. But for me, this just did not hit the mark. While it is above so many books out there, Mr. LoCoco missed the target with me because the story felt disjointed and uneven. My mind kept wandering as I read, and it shouldn't have.

This may be perfect for others who don't mind if the story is slightly unengaging.

Thanks to @netgalley and Cefalutana Press for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: The Devil's Jazz: The Haunted Chronicles of the Axman of New Orleans by Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco

Rating: 3 Stars

When I picked up The Devil's Jazz, I was drawn in by the promise of a gripping tale steeped in suspense and horror, set against the sultry backdrop of New Orleans. The premise seemed thrilling: a mysterious killer known as the Axman is on the loose in 1918, targeting Sicilian grocers. The tension is palpable as the retired detective Giancarlo Rabito, grappling with his own demons, is pulled back into the fray to uncover the truth behind this shadowy figure.

To summarize what I gathered from the book, the Axman is not just a cold-blooded killer; he claims to be more than that—almost a supernatural entity. He sends chilling letters to the local newspaper, asserting his identity as a devilish spirit and threatening to spare those who indulge in jazz on his chosen night of terror. With each murder, fear grips the city like a vice, and as the jazz pulses through the air, it feels as if New Orleans itself is held captive by this phantom menace.

However, as I delved deeper into the narrative, I found myself feeling a bit let down. While the initial chapters had me eagerly flipping pages, hoping for a spine-tingling adventure, I eventually realized that the storylines felt somewhat disjointed. The idea of exploring the spirit world for answers was intriguing, particularly given that some survivors suspected the Axman might be more ghost than man. Still, this angle didn’t quite gel with me as much as I had hoped.

The pacing varied dramatically throughout the book. Some sections were well-crafted and engaging, while others dragged on or felt rushed. As a reader, I craved more consistency in flow and connection between the storylines. It didn't help that the epilogue revealed that this was a fictionalized take on true events; it left me wanting to know more about the actual historical context rather than just the fictional dramatization.

In conclusion, The Devil's Jazz has its moments of brilliance and intrigue that showcase the rich and haunted history of New Orleans. Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco certainly paints a vivid picture of a city gripped by fear and superstition. However, for me, it missed the mark on delivering a consistently engaging experience. I'd give it a solid three stars—there's potential here, but it just didn’t hit all the right notes for my taste. If you’re fascinated by tales of historical horror and are willing to wade through some uneven storytelling, it might still be worth your time.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Bethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

|:: The Devil's Jazz: The Haunted Chronicles Of The Axman Of New Orleans.
By Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco
Chapter 12 Page 94
The Strange Case of the Besumers
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

[ The afternoon edition of the Daily States printed a very interesting interview. Unnamed detectives within the police had sat down with Mark Gilson, a reporter. They proceeded to ridicule and call into question the belief that these latest attacks were all the actions of one individual. Each attack was separate and distinct, they opined.
Chief Mooney was incensed that these unnamed men would go behind his back and assure the public that the attacks were unrelated, when his belief was tending toward the fact that they were in fact connected. He stood in the kitchen inside his home early that evening, drinking an Old Fashioned to relieve the sting of betrayal. ]

In this dark and intense account of the Axman that terrorised New Orleans from Detective Giancarlo Rabito, we are invited on a crash course of death, magic, and beyond.
The beloved and well-respected detective was finally listening to his doctors and slowing down. He was going to retire and live out the rest of his days in peace and tranquility if he had earned that, while his heart allowed him to.

His journey through his retirement is fraught with sorrows and trepidation leading him down paths that earlier in his career, he would never have dared to walk. But there is an evil nemesis who has shared his intent with the world just as Detective Rabito dared to bow out of it in peace.

Will this ailing adversary be caught? Will GianCarlo have enough time to avenge the thorn embedded in his side for years?

I loved this story. It was written with so much care and detailed creativity I could hear the jazz playing and the soft laughter and chatter from residents of Little Palermo as they went about the day to day business. I had never heard of the Axman of New Orleans, and I didn't know much about New Orleans or American History before reading this book. Being born in the UK, I thought I would be at a disadvantage, but with the care and passion flowing from this book, I was able to fully immerse myself in 19th Century Sicilian life in the French Quarter. I thoroughly enjoyed this new arrangement of storytelling and the presence of history and communicational intent the author shared with his readers. It's a book I would gladly pass on to others.


A huge thank you to Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco, Cefalutana Press, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|

[Jessi Brandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Devil’s Jazz by Vincent B. LoCoco is a historical fiction novel with elements of thrill and horror laced in. LocCoco brings the Big Easy to life with his skillfully crafted, deeply researched, and gripping tale of suspense and horror of the Axman. In 1918 the city of New Orleans's large population of Sicilian immigrants became the target of the Axmen. Giancarlo Rabito retires just as the Axmen begin his rain of terror. He is reluctantly drawn into the entanglement of pursuit to catch the Axmen. This proves challenging as the widespread belief that the Mafia is involved and responsible. The population of New Orleans becomes widespread with hysteria as each gruesome crime is committed by the axe-swinging madman. The police have no leads, only the hazy recollections from the few surviving victims. The Axman’s reputation grows more when he mocks the people of New Orleans with a letter in the newspaper. He claims he is a hellish demon, but will spare those who revel in the devil’s music, jazz, during a chosen night of killing. Captivated by fear the citizens of New Orleans play jazz all night long, but is it enough to stop the Axman once and for all?

I had high hopes that going into this novel, it would be a serial killer thriller. Unfortunately, that is not what The Devil’s Jazz genre is. I would say this novel is 85% historical fiction with 15% of it being a thriller. When I say thriller take it very lightly. I will credit the author who researched or knew his facts on the city and aspects around this time. The details of history were in-depth. The bouncing from history lesson to crime scene is where this book lost me along with being slow for the first 80% and then picking up the last 20%. Overall just not a book I would normally read for enjoyment. Thank you to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent B. ‘Chip’ Lococo’s The Devil’s Jazz is a masterfully woven historical thriller that plunges readers into the dark, jazz-filled streets of 1918 New Orleans. With a meticulous blend of history, suspense, and atmospheric horror, Lococo brings the legend of the Axman to life in a way that is both chilling and utterly captivating.

At the center of the novel is retired detective Giancarlo Rabito, a man reluctantly pulled back into the shadows to hunt a murderer terrorizing the city’s Sicilian immigrant population. As hysteria spreads and the killer taunts New Orleans with his eerie demand—that jazz must play to stave off death—Rabito must navigate the city’s underbelly, confronting both real and imagined demons. Lococo paints a vivid portrait of a city pulsating with danger, superstition, and the intoxicating sounds of early jazz.

The novel’s strength lies in its immersive storytelling. Lococo expertly balances historical accuracy with gripping fiction, making the reader feel the oppressive heat, the smoky clubs, and the ever-present sense of dread. The Axman himself is a terrifying figure, his menace amplified by the eerie historical fact that his identity was never discovered.

For fans of true crime, historical thrillers, and gothic noir, The Devil’s Jazz is a must-read. With its evocative prose, unforgettable setting, and relentless suspense, it stands as a haunting tribute to one of America’s most mysterious serial killers and the city forever shaped by his legend.

[Angelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabs you from the very first page. I am born and raised in La. and didn't realize of the great Sicilian influence that they had in New Orleans. It grabs old world historical places of the past into this fictious reading. I had heard of several of the places that the author wrote of but was just as memorized to look some places and themes up. I am very much pleased that Vincent B. Chip Lococo wrote this novel in the entirely of the great city of New Orleans and incorporated his love of the city. It flows thru each page the pride of his heritage and the love his has for the the city, he grew up in and lives. I am from about 2 hours away from New Orleans, so going there was a great trip back in the 80's/90s. As an adult, I remember making it to my very first Jazz Fest and being immersed inside a culture that truly grabs ahold of your soul and if you are very lucky won't let go. My family is Creole' and American Indian so the culture of Voodoo holds much truth to me as well as I hold to my values of being Catholic. Thank you so very much for the read and wish you great success with this book and will continue to be a fan.......

[Patricia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads, Cefalatuna Press, and Chip Lococo for The Devil' Jazz in exchange for my honest review. His writing is intriguing-- there are books that I "see" in the theatre of my mind. The words disappear, what's written immediately is represented in my occiptal lobe, visualizing the sounds, scents, characters in the book. This is one of those. A New Orleans detective is retiring because of heart disease. He is widowed and yearns for his wife who died in childbirth; but he canot let go of who he is-- a detective. He is compelled to solve the mystery of the Axman who murdered and destroyed lives in early 1900's New Orleans. Beautifully woven into the mystery are the descriptions of the music, the buildings, the people, and the 'Spirits' of New Orleans. We learn of Voodoo and wonder are those spectres the result of his heart disease, the medications and herbs he's taking, OR part of the inner spirit of New Orleans. (I really enjoyed reading it AND the epilogue and the acknowledgments..)

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of historical fiction, murder mysteries, and New Orleans, this book checked a LOT of boxes. The historical aspects of this book were incorporated in a way that a reader could explore a topic further on their own while the details stayed relevant to the story. (Sometimes historical bits are forced into a storyline, I didn't feel that with this book.) I loved how the author told the stories of beautiful New Orleans and included things which aren't general knowledge, including the Sicilian history.
At the end did I want more? Yes! There are facets of this book that leave me unsettled, as a good mystery should. Did the author do it justice, absolutely.

(I received an advance reader copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher!)

[Jill Spinelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Retired Detective Giancarlo Rabito spends his days writing about his years on the police force. When an old unmasked adversary begins killing his fellow Sicilians once again he finds himself wrapped up in helping police and journalists find the Axeman.
This book contains some great apt descriptions of New Orleans, the Italian-American experience, and actual research of the infamous murders.
I had high hopes for this book as the premise had so much promise. However, the novel fell very short of those expectations. The sheer amount of extrapolation and over-explaining really took me out of the novel. It reads more like a historical fiction novel (emphasis on the historical) and has very little in terms of mystery and thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley & Cefalutana Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Jazz: The Haunted Chronicles of the Axman of New Orleans is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction. LoCoco has a poetic way with prose, and is able to really give you a feel for the world of New Orleans.

The author blends the story of a retired detective with that of the gruesome murders that took place. The story itself though is so much more - it is a story of love and life and resilience, in addition to a story of murder and the underworld (both literally and figuratively). The rich cast of characters he brings to life adds to the story, making you feel as though you know them.

This is a story that anyone who enjoys historical fiction, the occult, or true crime would enjoy. Although there are some gory scenes, it is so much more than gore.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good. The main character was interesting and anything "Detective" like is always a plus in my book. however, I found that sometimes the story deviated from the main character and focus a lot on the surrounding and story of the city and its places of notability, which stretch the books by a lot, perhaps this is what a Historical Fiction book is supposed to be like, and this being my first, is something new to me.

The authors has a gift for transporting the reader to the places he is describing, you can almost smell the city in your mind.

If you are into Historical Fiction this is a good choice to read.

[H. Woodward · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I love this case! It is one of my all time favorites to teach about, and my high school students love trying to solve it. I’m also madly in love with NOLA. The research for this book is meticulous and well done. However, the transitions between the fact sections of the book and the fiction sections are clunky and really need an editor to smooth them out. Also, the fantastical elements of the story were a little surprising. I like the way the author wove the Axman into the burning of the opera house, but the resolution of the book was a bit cliched. With some reworking, this could be wonderful, but it’s not there yet.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place around around 1919-1921. Primarily Sicilian grocers are being axed to death by an unknown entity in New Orleans. The city is on edge and frightened. A retired detective (a widower) has spent many of his active plus retired years trying to find the killer (or the axman as they refer to him). He finally decides to see if the spirit world is able to help, as some survivors are saying he may be a phantom.

The epilogue states the story is a fictionalized version of a true story.

[Megan Magee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a Louisiana resident, I truly love exploring the city and learning about all the mysteries and true crimes that occurred there. Really, if you ever get the chance= take a mule ride or a ghost tour and thank me later. There's a feel there that you'll never quite experience anywhere else, and this book delivered on giving me that vibe. The Axman is a story mentioned in every true crime museum- but it's still technically unsolved, which made for a somewhat disjointed plot wise book. I think LoCoco did an excellent job with such an interesting story full of folklore and intrigue.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t familiar with the Axman of New Orleans and was drawn to this book to learn more about him. This was an interesting telling of the story. I felt it embraced the essence of New Orleans. I didn’t realize there was a Sicilian population in New Orleans. What the Axeman did to his victims was horrific and the author did a good job of describing the details. The ending wrapped it up well.

Thank you to the author, Cefalutana Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Andrea Salamat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Cefalutana Press and NetGalley, and I couldn't put it down. The chilling true tale of the Axman of New Orleans has always both horrified and fascinated me. Just imagining the eerie atmosphere of jazz music drifting through the deserted streets, all while a serial killer lurks in the shadows sent chills up my spine. "The Devil’s Jazz" offers a captivating glimpse into the vibrant culture and unsettling events of early 1900s New Orleans. From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't stop reading

[Shawna Briseno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book intrigued me with its historical fiction aspect as well as the murder mystery angle. It’s based on the story of the Axman, a serial killer who terrorized the city of New Orleans in the early 1900s. It’s a fictional tale that successfully blends in historical aspects of the city and its citizens. I didn’t especially love the characters but the story itself was good. And the accurate depictions of historical New Orleans make up for any other shortcomings.

[Lauren Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing book!!! I could not put it down. It was so absorbing!! it's like a mixture between history and a ghost story!!! it was great!! i also enjoyed learning about what life would like back then for Sicilians and Italien Immigrants! I'll definitely be looking for more books by this guy!!! 1000/1000!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Being from Louisiana, I really enjoyed the history of New Orleans, as told in this book. I could picture the way New Orleans looked back then as this book vividly described. It was a good story, a little drawn out and somewhat boring at times. I also found that there were quite a few grammatical errors in the book.

[Liz Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a very smooth, engaging, fast, and intriguing mystery. The historical details are a phenomenal and added bonus to the mystery of the Axman murders. Readers not only get to experience the chilling mystery of the murders, and fears and conspiracies of the residents, but also get to enjoy additional details about the history of New Orleans and the Voodoo and Jazz culture during the time period. I even watched a documentary about this time period while reading the book because these additional details were so intriguing. I also very quickly connected with the main character and secondary characters, and maintained that connection, empathizing with and rooting for him and them throughout the book, which also helps pull you into the story. This is a great, entertaining, and quick read that is full of information and mystery to keep you hooked!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an ARC from Goodreads and enjoyed reading about New Orleans jazz culture with mystery and spirituality thrown in. I wasn’t familiar with the Sicilian heritage of Little Palermo in the city and learned a lot while reading this book.

[Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

I Dnf at 20% the overuse of the word Sicilian got to me in the first chapter. The writing felt all over the place. Received an arc.for an honest review

[Lauria · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Lovers of New Orleans History

Historical fiction that reads like a documentary of crime and the rise of jazz in New Orleans, mingled with local superstitions

[Vincent LoCoco]

Here is an advance review of The Devil's Jazz:

"A tense and compelling story that kept me turning pages well past my bedtime. LoCoco paints a vivid picture of New Orleans during a dark and turbulent era. The city's sometimes forgotten Sicilian past takes center stage, along with unforgettable characters, unsettling spirits, and thrilling plot twists." — Elisa M. Speranza, author of The Italian Prisoner