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Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn Mystery #7
Bad Karma in the Big Easy
Andy Broussard, the plump and proud New Orleans medical examiner, obviously loves food. Less apparent to the casual observer is his hatred of murderers. Together with his gorgeous sidekick, psychologist Kit Franklyn, the two make a powerful, although improbable, mystery-solving duo. Among the dead collected in The Big Easy floodwaters after Hurricane Katrina are three nude female bodies, all caught in the same brush tangle, none with water in their lungs. Broussard knows in his ample gut that this was not an act of God, and not the work of Katrina. But Broussard has perhaps the biggest challenge of his colorful career. The city and all its records are destroyed, practically the entire population is scattered, the police force has no offices, and many of the rank and file (who haven't defected) are homeless. Soon, Broussard and his sidekick are on a dangerous journey through the obscenely damaged city, leading them to a kind of evil that neither of them could imagine.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2012
40 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Donaldson
34 books108 followersD.J. Donaldson also writes under the names Don Donaldson and Don J. Donaldson, as well as David Best.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 22, 2014
It’s like Bones, or Law & Order: SVU, or all the other cool crimes shows, just without Bones and Booth and Olivia and Elliot, instead there’s the “plump and proud” Broussard, and psychologist sidekick Kit. Bad Karma in the Big Easy could easily have its own TV show.
First off, I’ve got to be honest, I haven’t read any of the other books in this series. I was contacted to review this book, and I didn’t do my research. *sigh* BUT, you don’t have to read the other books to know what’s going on. It’s like I said earlier, this book could be its own TV show, and generally, you don’t have to watch the previous episode of a show to know what’s going on in the current episode. So that’s a big thumbs up!
At first, I was skeptical going into this. Would I like it? It’s not to my typical tastes. (I’m a YA fantasy reader, in case you didn’t know.) However, once I got about a tenth of the way through the book I was finding myself enjoying the storyline. I learned quite a bit of random medical and various other jargon and factoids. I also laughed out loud intermittently throughout the book.
The characters were great! Broussard had his own unique personality that I could picture quite easily, and Kit Franklyn was an interesting contrast to Broussard. The only thing I wish I could have seen, and felt, more of, was the dynamic between the two. This could also be said of the other few characters that were introduced. Maybe I wasn’t seeing it as much because I hadn’t read the other books? Also, I wasn’t really sure what Kit actually contributed through her profession, to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her character and the plot developments, I just didn’t get a lot of psychiatrist vibes from her points of view.
The book’s plot had me guessing, and making a fool of myself, the entire time I was reading. Murder mysteries always have you thinking you know what the heck’s going to happen, and I had my theories, but what actually happened in the book had my theories looking pretty stupid. It’s definitely a shocking revelation when everything finally comes together in the end.
All in all, I went in to Bad Karma in the Big Easy not expecting much, but I actually managed to enjoy it. I would definitely recommend this book/series to anyone who thinks they might be interested in starting the Murder/Mystery genre, as well as anyone who’s already into it.
4/5 stars
*Note: I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher. This in no way altered my opinion/review.
First off, I’ve got to be honest, I haven’t read any of the other books in this series. I was contacted to review this book, and I didn’t do my research. *sigh* BUT, you don’t have to read the other books to know what’s going on. It’s like I said earlier, this book could be its own TV show, and generally, you don’t have to watch the previous episode of a show to know what’s going on in the current episode. So that’s a big thumbs up!
At first, I was skeptical going into this. Would I like it? It’s not to my typical tastes. (I’m a YA fantasy reader, in case you didn’t know.) However, once I got about a tenth of the way through the book I was finding myself enjoying the storyline. I learned quite a bit of random medical and various other jargon and factoids. I also laughed out loud intermittently throughout the book.
The characters were great! Broussard had his own unique personality that I could picture quite easily, and Kit Franklyn was an interesting contrast to Broussard. The only thing I wish I could have seen, and felt, more of, was the dynamic between the two. This could also be said of the other few characters that were introduced. Maybe I wasn’t seeing it as much because I hadn’t read the other books? Also, I wasn’t really sure what Kit actually contributed through her profession, to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her character and the plot developments, I just didn’t get a lot of psychiatrist vibes from her points of view.
The book’s plot had me guessing, and making a fool of myself, the entire time I was reading. Murder mysteries always have you thinking you know what the heck’s going to happen, and I had my theories, but what actually happened in the book had my theories looking pretty stupid. It’s definitely a shocking revelation when everything finally comes together in the end.
All in all, I went in to Bad Karma in the Big Easy not expecting much, but I actually managed to enjoy it. I would definitely recommend this book/series to anyone who thinks they might be interested in starting the Murder/Mystery genre, as well as anyone who’s already into it.
4/5 stars
*Note: I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher. This in no way altered my opinion/review.
May 4, 2014
I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK, THE FIRST IN THIS SERIES I'VE READ, WON'T BE THE LAST. CSI,ACTION-PACKED, EXCITING MYSTERY, SO WELL WRITTEN. THIS TAKES PLACE IN NEW ORLEANS, I LOVE BOOKS WITH A SOUTHERN FLARE. IT WAS HARD READING ABOUT HOW PEOPLE MUST HAVE FELT LIVING THROUGH THE AFTERMATH AND DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE KATRINA. THE AUTHOR REALLY CAPTURES THAT FEELING, YOU FEEL THE SADNESS THROUGH HIS CHARACTERS. I WAS SO PROUD I FIGURED OUT WHO/WHAT WAS GOING ON AROUND 24-25% I COULDN'T READ FAST ENOUGH TO SEE IF I WAS RIGHT. WHOO-HOO ME! WHAT A GREAT BOOK! ;D
July 11, 2017
I love D.J. Donaldson! Glad I got to read another of his books!
June 11, 2018
Great read!
Love this book...it had it all....mystery, romance,and excitement! It had all of my favorite things in a book. I would highly recommend it!!!
Love this book...it had it all....mystery, romance,and excitement! It had all of my favorite things in a book. I would highly recommend it!!!
Read
September 25, 2021This is a great book!!! It is a bit gorey but well worth it. The characters are wonderful and diverse and I love all of them. Highly recommend it for you mystery buffs!
March 30, 2022
This book provided a good perplexing mystery. It also gave some interesting highlights to possible conditions in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
May 31, 2014
This is my first Donaldson murder mystery so far, and I have to say I would definitely return to read more of his stories. Though Bad Karma in the Big Easy started off at a tolerable consistent pace, it took a good part of the first half of the book to really grab me. After that, I couldn’t stop reading. The story pulls out many twists, turns and surprises, it kept me flipping each page, eager to find out what would happen next. I especially appreciated the rich detail of the devastation of New Orleans. It’s raw, descriptive and makes the desolation of the area incredibly real as we follow along and discover a killer in hiding.
A formulaic murder/mystery, Bad Karma in the Big Easy follows a tightknit group of medical examiners and detectives led by the Andy Broussard, the lead Medical Examiner. Along with his sidekick psychologist Kit Franklyn, they are an unlikely team, but complement each other well. Following the destruction left in Hurricane Katrina’s wake across New Orleans, this dynamic duo along with some quirky yet hilarious friends: Phil Gatlin-a fellow investigator and some loveable locals follow the clues they discover from three bodies, which were pulled from a brush pile and delivered to the temporary morgue where the Medical Examiner’s crew currently works.
Along the way, Broussard and Kit discover these were no ordinary drownings. The tiny clues they manage to scrape up from the victims and a trail of mystery, deceit, and some horrible facts turn the case into not only one that hits really close to home for the team, but one that could kill them all. Stuffed full of shootings, uncooperative witnesses, alligators, and a foe who’s more conniving than they’d anticipated, this story has it all, and it could cost these detectives their lives.
An intriguing mystery that takes the reader through the mystery step by step to experience an insider’s look as a medical examiner pieces together the clues from dead bodies and turns into field detective in the process. The action in the second half never stops and the array of characters are quaint and hard to let go. A great introduction to an intricate storyteller.
I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
A formulaic murder/mystery, Bad Karma in the Big Easy follows a tightknit group of medical examiners and detectives led by the Andy Broussard, the lead Medical Examiner. Along with his sidekick psychologist Kit Franklyn, they are an unlikely team, but complement each other well. Following the destruction left in Hurricane Katrina’s wake across New Orleans, this dynamic duo along with some quirky yet hilarious friends: Phil Gatlin-a fellow investigator and some loveable locals follow the clues they discover from three bodies, which were pulled from a brush pile and delivered to the temporary morgue where the Medical Examiner’s crew currently works.
Along the way, Broussard and Kit discover these were no ordinary drownings. The tiny clues they manage to scrape up from the victims and a trail of mystery, deceit, and some horrible facts turn the case into not only one that hits really close to home for the team, but one that could kill them all. Stuffed full of shootings, uncooperative witnesses, alligators, and a foe who’s more conniving than they’d anticipated, this story has it all, and it could cost these detectives their lives.
An intriguing mystery that takes the reader through the mystery step by step to experience an insider’s look as a medical examiner pieces together the clues from dead bodies and turns into field detective in the process. The action in the second half never stops and the array of characters are quaint and hard to let go. A great introduction to an intricate storyteller.
I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2014
Andy Broussard is slowing going through all the bodies that have been gathered after Katrina struck. As he going through them, he finds something irregular. Three women, that recently gave birth, found naked. Something bothers him from the start and when he discovers that they had been frozen he knows that he is going to have to try and find a killer.
At the same time, Kit is helping on a strange suicide that looks like there was more to it. When she starts looking into it, she learns that the victim was a twin that works at a specialized office that creates lab quality livers for children. But when the killer decides to try and take Kit out of the picture, she doesn’t know if she can keep going on. Then Andy realizes that he missed a vital piece of information and starts questioning his abilities. It looks like this may be the last case for both of them.
This is another great story by Don Donaldson. Amidst the horrors of Katrina and everyone own person regrets from the storms aftermath, Andy and Kit are trying to come to terms with some deaths that happened. I felt for both Andy and Kit and what they went through, I don’t wish that one anyone. And the twist ending, I admit that I kind of had an idea on how it was related but it turned out better than what I had thought, creepy but really good.
This is a great book in a wonderful series. Mystery/thriller readers, you HAVE to read this book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
At the same time, Kit is helping on a strange suicide that looks like there was more to it. When she starts looking into it, she learns that the victim was a twin that works at a specialized office that creates lab quality livers for children. But when the killer decides to try and take Kit out of the picture, she doesn’t know if she can keep going on. Then Andy realizes that he missed a vital piece of information and starts questioning his abilities. It looks like this may be the last case for both of them.
This is another great story by Don Donaldson. Amidst the horrors of Katrina and everyone own person regrets from the storms aftermath, Andy and Kit are trying to come to terms with some deaths that happened. I felt for both Andy and Kit and what they went through, I don’t wish that one anyone. And the twist ending, I admit that I kind of had an idea on how it was related but it turned out better than what I had thought, creepy but really good.
This is a great book in a wonderful series. Mystery/thriller readers, you HAVE to read this book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2014
It was a lucky day for Astor + Blue and for me when they contacted me to review Bad Karma in the Big Easy by D J Donaldson. I was in a pretty receptive mood and the premise of the novel had me intrigued. Despite the fact that it was the seventh yes seventh, book in a series I haven’t read I went against my personal rules and accepted. Rest assured this book stands just fine on it’s own.
I have to say that I immediately fell in love with Donldson’s characters. They fit so well together it was like a family. The setting of post-Katrina New Orleans may still be raw for some. I live in the midwest and I’ll admit that it was incredibly eye opening. There’s a big difference between a detached news report and living it through another’s perspective, even if the perspective is fictional.
I enjoyed Bad Karma in the Big Easy so much I’m going back and picking up the first six books in the series. That’s saying something because the first three are sort of hard to find. I’m very eager to spend more time among the Southern officials and New Orleans!
I have to say that I immediately fell in love with Donldson’s characters. They fit so well together it was like a family. The setting of post-Katrina New Orleans may still be raw for some. I live in the midwest and I’ll admit that it was incredibly eye opening. There’s a big difference between a detached news report and living it through another’s perspective, even if the perspective is fictional.
I enjoyed Bad Karma in the Big Easy so much I’m going back and picking up the first six books in the series. That’s saying something because the first three are sort of hard to find. I’m very eager to spend more time among the Southern officials and New Orleans!
April 17, 2014
The setting: New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina, where Medical Examiner Andy Broussard is working to help identify victims. Three of the victims, young women, appear to have been murdered rather than die in the hurricane. Kit Franklyn works with Andy and the police to figure out what really happened.
Some of it I figured out early, but this was a wild ride, and kept me engaged during the entire story. I'll be getting more by this author - looks like this one is part of a series, but not the first.
Warning: very graphic content as the main characters ARE working with cadavers
Some of it I figured out early, but this was a wild ride, and kept me engaged during the entire story. I'll be getting more by this author - looks like this one is part of a series, but not the first.
Warning: very graphic content as the main characters ARE working with cadavers
May 7, 2014
This book shows the devastation in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and the heart and spirit of its residents. The main character is the medical examiner and the story can be a bit gruesome at times (not recommendeded for reading while eating). The plot keeps your interest with good characters and local color. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities and this book brings it to life. Can't wait to read more in the series.
May 15, 2014
This is a fast-paced mystery with several interesting facets to it, not all of which work well together but are separately quite intriguing. The talents of all the principal players are used at one point or another, itself a fairly remarkable achievement. A solid mystery overall, but one that requires a (slight) suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy. Read our full review, here: http://www.mysteriousreviews.com/myst...
April 27, 2014
Not a great book! Easy to figure out plus the medical examiner aspect a bit gross sometimes. However, I love reading stories set in New Orleans and Donaldson has one of the best descriptions of new orleans ever: "two hundred years of cookin' and simmerin' until it had a thousand flavors that could be sensed but not described."
May 4, 2014
Bad Karma in the Big Easy
Good tale that sped to a totally unexpected ending. Most of the book went off in confusing directions, often seeming to lead to a dead end. The author was able to get his characters to the final solution almost in one of those searches that led to a conclusion when totally unexpected.
Good tale that sped to a totally unexpected ending. Most of the book went off in confusing directions, often seeming to lead to a dead end. The author was able to get his characters to the final solution almost in one of those searches that led to a conclusion when totally unexpected.
December 17, 2019
A hurricane ain't the worse part
This one takes place after New Orleans was devastated by hurricane Katrina. Broussard finds three bodies that lead to the strangest case of this series. While still a good, imaginative series, I still don't care much for Kit's emotional rollercoaster ride.
This one takes place after New Orleans was devastated by hurricane Katrina. Broussard finds three bodies that lead to the strangest case of this series. While still a good, imaginative series, I still don't care much for Kit's emotional rollercoaster ride.
April 12, 2014
Bad Karma in the Big Easy
WOW!! Action and suspense galore!!! Interesting - the premise and plot twists. My first read by this author. Will need to get more. Can't beat NOLA for a backdrop!
WOW!! Action and suspense galore!!! Interesting - the premise and plot twists. My first read by this author. Will need to get more. Can't beat NOLA for a backdrop!
June 28, 2014
Another Fast Read
I'm reading the series bass akwards, but still a great read! Another fast paced episode of CSI in New Orleans on steroids. But written WAY BEFORE CSI was even a thought and takes the reader places the FCC wouldn't allow Quincy M.D. to go!
I'm reading the series bass akwards, but still a great read! Another fast paced episode of CSI in New Orleans on steroids. But written WAY BEFORE CSI was even a thought and takes the reader places the FCC wouldn't allow Quincy M.D. to go!
June 20, 2018
Very interesting book
This story was exciting and contained enough action to keep you going. I really love Donaldson's books set in New Orleans. Several of the scenes made me feel like I was right in them. I plan to read the whole series.
This story was exciting and contained enough action to keep you going. I really love Donaldson's books set in New Orleans. Several of the scenes made me feel like I was right in them. I plan to read the whole series.
May 1, 2014
A really good read
The story progressed in such a way that I was never bored. Am looking forward
to.more of D.J. Donaldson's entertaining books.
The story progressed in such a way that I was never bored. Am looking forward
to.more of D.J. Donaldson's entertaining books.
January 24, 2015
Well written
Love the characters in this book,they were real, mistakes and all. I found it all very believable.Will get more by this author.
Love the characters in this book,they were real, mistakes and all. I found it all very believable.Will get more by this author.
April 18, 2016
It's the last book in the series, and it's the best one! I wish they'd all been this good... what a great way to end it though. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews