The Devil Drinks Monsoons

by SueBird Sparrow

Grumpy P.I. Richard is secretly ridding his beloved New Orleans of the offenders on his “List” in a variety of inventive ways that favor his bad back. Molly, recently blinded from an accident and nursing a broken heart, moves to the city, right next door to Richard, in search of a new start. When Molly’s newborn baby attracts the attention of Richard’s ladyfriend, (who, unbeknownst to him, is be a vampire queen), he obliviously entangles himself in a dangerous power struggle between the humans and the dark forces that fester just beneath the surface of daily life in The Big Easy.

Will Molly find her happily ever after? Will Richard redeem himself from his own dark past? In turns both darkly humorous and shockingly gruesome, The Devil Drinks Monsoons will chill your blood even as you find yourself laughing out loud.

Genres: Horror

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2025

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, SueBird! What an amazing read. I was captivated from the opening. Living in Nola is a pleasure and a curse and you have captured it all. The dirt, the spirit, the lore, the history and you did it with style and character. Once I really got into it the characters resonated large with me. We know these people. Your ability to suss out a character is amazing. You hit a homerun here!!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the backstory and history of New Orleans. So well done. People that live in Nola become family and that is the story being told here along with its VERY dark side. Delicious!!!

[lizface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That is the word that came out at the ending of this book.

I am normally a huge romance reader but I love to branch out into other genres every now and then. Growing up in NOLA drew me to this book and I’m so glad I was chosen for an ARC copy 🫶🏼

This book is perfect for the spooky season or if you’re just looking for those vibes at the moment.
With a mixture of mystery and suspense with a dash of love and family, and a sprinkle of the paranormal this was a wonderful read and I’ll miss all of the characters now that it’s over.
I ADORED Candi! Like no kidding she was my favorite and I love her so much for being her no matter what others around her think of what comes out of her mouth 😆
The places mentioned just brought me right back to NOLA, and it’s been 17 years 🥹
Molly’s character was outstanding!! I wish I got more time with her character in the book only because I wanted to know so much more about her. But the bits and pieces we do get definitely give you enough to shape her into the image perceived in the writing. Richard was WILD! But we all have that one neighbor right? 😆
The Port of Call cup was an amazing touch.

This was my first book by Miss Sue and I think I’ll be grabbing the rest of her backlog and future books.

Thank you to SueBird Sparrow and RR BookTours for my ARC copy.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Sparrow welcomes you into the lives of the characters with such an effortless approach. Beautiful Molly conveys an inspiring strength. Richard is everyone’s neighbor and Candi’s naivety is hilarious. The vampires are woven into the tale with bewitching details of their histories. New Orleans hosts, once again, a chronicle of underworld terror and mayhem worthy of its eminence. I enjoyed the ride. Hope to take another with this author.

[Mary Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fascinated me. I admit that New Orleans has a siren song for me, and I often get disappointed when I read stories set there. But not this time. Brilliantly written, the city's different aspects are personified in the characters, each of whom reveals a distinct facet; complex and interesting, going beyond their archetypes. You can feel the Quarter breathing around you as the plot grips you like that boa constrictor that inhabits there. The right pinch of supernatural, too. An ode to friendship, love, and resilience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Samantha Ivy (novelsbysamantha) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. This book was fantastic! As a lover of all things New Orleans and vampires and graveyards, I approve and highly recommend this book. I loved everything about this book and I’m so glad I inquired about this book.

[Jim Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of SueBird Sparrow's interesting and beguiling novel. It doesn't fit neatly into a particular genre; rather it inhabits a space in a Venn diagram at the intersection of supernatural thriller, paranormal mystery, and contemporary fantasy, with a splash (bloody, of course) of horror. This isn't my usual fiction fare; but ultimately the genre boundaries don't matter, because the characters grab you.

There are many protagonists, but Molly, a blind former journalist, her neighbor Richard, a P.I. with an alternate agenda for ridding the city of malignant evil-doers, take the lead, with Jeanne, the owner of a French Quarter antique shop, emerging as antagonist. Those connected to New Orleans will recognize many of the locations in the novel, and those unfamiliar with the Crescent City will have ample descriptions to locate the action in your imagination. The city is (to employ an overused phrase) a character in itself.

There's a fairly lengthy runway for the development of these characters and their supporting cast, which is the main reason I couldn't maintain the unanimity of the five-star reviews. Nevertheless, it's an engaging, action-filled journey, and one which rewards the patience of the reader when the stakes are raised to their highest level. By the end of the narrative, you realize that you care deeply about Molly, Richard, and their community of merry misfits.

If you're looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, set in one of the most baroque cities in the U.S., then this one's for you. Enjoy!

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to SueBird Sparrow and RRTours for the chance to be an ARC reader. I also want to thank SueBird for the gifted physical copy to read and to provide my honest review.

Personally, I have always been curious about New Orleans and I love how SueBird managed to encapsulate the vibe of New Orleans into this book. This book was a wild journey that takes the reader on the mixed path of fantasy and mystery. With the scary demon that prowls for victims and all the way to the funny characters in this story definitely made me feel like I was in some sort of show or movie with suspense and humor lurking around every corner. Richard was a very interesting character and I found him to be a mixture between a hero and a villain at times with the way he was handling his big secret (that I will not reveal so other readers can find out!). Without ever stepping foot into New Orleans, I felt like this author did a great job at bringing this world to life and I’ve never read a book like this before. It kept me intrigued the entire way through and I’m happy I got to read this!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Drinks Monsoons pulled me in from page one with rich, well-developed characters that held my attention and made me crave more of the story. And the setting is perfection-- New Orleans and all its mysteries. Most of all, the plot moves from page one and doesn't stop. A great read by a great writer-- highly recommend!

[chelle_reads_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I have never read a story quite like this one. It’s so funny the characters I thought I didn’t like I loved by the end. I feel like this book does not fit into one genre. It is a good mix of supernatural, horror, mystery and everything in between.

[Victoria Belue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Drinks Monsoons takes you on a wild ride from start to finish! The debut novel from SueBird Sparrow is raucous and humorous, with just the right amount of horror for my own taste. The plot is fast-paced and captivating, pulling you in and not turning you loose until the unforgettable finale. I was instantly drawn to Richard, Molly, and their quirky companions, whose tangled stories are both heartfelt and entertaining. The vampire element added a clever twist that really sucked me in. I’m ready to dive into whatever this author writes next.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting into this world and how the characters were used to tell the story that was needed, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. It worked so well in the horror genre and had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed the use of vampires in this. I was invested in Richard and Molly and was enjoying getting to know them and the rest of the characters in this book. The plot was everything that was promised and glad it was so well written. SueBird Sparrow was able to weave a strong storyline and was glad I got to read this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who lives in New Orleans, this book was such a treat! It’s funny, dark, and perfectly captures the madness of our magical city. I quickly connected with Richard, Molly and the rest of the cast of misfits and the story of their intertwined lives. It’s not a book I’d typically pick up (vampires aren’t usually my thing!) so I’m glad I discovered it. A really fun, well-written book.

[Elizabeth Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wild ride! The author has created a cast of vibrant, funny and diverse characters. A fun, engaging and exciting story that sucks you in and keeps you turning pages through the thrilling conclusion. Great first book - I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Lori Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Drinks Monsoons is a perfect combination of Grady Hendrix and John Kennedy O’Toole, with a dash of Anne Rice just for fun. Full of quirky characters that could only exist in New Orleans and the occult that seems almost mundane there, this book grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go until the end.
Like the best of literature, sometimes it’s hard to tell who the good guys and the bad guys are. They swap places, sometimes on the same page. Is the story’s hero the ancient vampire queen? The voodoo priestess? The geriatric serial killer? The cop on the take? The sweet and domestic prostitutes? The mysterious Marine who shows up out of nowhere to woo a blind dojo owner/investigative journalist?
Sparrow could easily let her characters slip into farce, but she doesn’t. They’re three dimensional and all have their own voices and motivations. That motivation might be skewed, noble, or simply survival, but it exists in each and every one of them in a unique way.
Clever and imaginative, this book is hard to categorize. The presence of vampires and magic makes it fantasy, but there’s definitely a mystery within. Who is the demon that is killing tourists? The violence, fear, and suspense makes it horror, but there’s also a real laugh in every scene, even the most gory.
The sense of place is impressive as well. The setting, New Orleans, is as much a character as any of the humans (or near-humans) in the story. Sparrow does a great job bringing us into the seedy bars, smelling the freshly shucked oysters, and experiencing the joyful crowds of the French quarter.
In other words, Sparrow has written a book that is all her own. In a world full of formulaic stories, this one catches you unawares at every turn.

[Sara Jacobelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in New Orleans, so I'm very picky about any books that are set here. So many people get it wrong! This one, however, is a real treat. An incredible romp through the city, author Sparrow gets it just right: the local accents, the dive bars, the various streets and neighborhoods. The regulars versus the tourists. The ins and outs of the Quarter. Life in the service industry. The good parts of life in the city that are beloved by local denizens: incredible food, fantastic music, amusing local characters. The bad parts that we all have to deal with: the crime, the grit, the trash, the slow bureaucracy, the lack of services, the threat of hurricanes and flooding.

Sparrow writes beautifully, with a keen attention to detail. This book has many layers: supernatural elements, a crime story, private detective stuff, but most of all, the relationships between people and how they all intertwine. New Orleans, on the one hand, has big city problems. On the other hand, it often feels like a very small town where everyone knows everyone. Filled with contradictions: It's a city of secrets, yet a city of gossip. A place where locals cling to traditions and fight change, yet face a constant invasion of newcomers: most temporary, some permanent. There's multiple mysteries in this story, along with some scary, creepy, stuff, and some dark humor. I'm already picturing this intriguing book being made into a movie!

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Drinks Monsoons by Suebird Sparrow is a book with so much going on, you can not help but want to read this book. There is a mystery, vampires, New Orleans as a backdrop to the story, and romance! The story takes place in New Orleans, which I have never visited but you can tell by reading this book that the author knows the area really well;) I love the realism of the language in this book and how it starts in a New Orleans cemetery, what a great place to start a book with vampires involved! Our MC is named Richard who takes care of cats, I love this about him. Richard is also an older man who is a P.I. We also get a taste of Cindi as a reader, in the first and second chapters who is a pro woman working for a really bad pimp who beats her up. Richard makes a list of people who he doesn't like and have wronged him or someone he knows, to be rid of them. Molly is Richard's new neighbor who has a new baby and a journalist who smells a story about missing men in the New Orleans quarter both she and Richard live in. I love the character of Richard overall as he is a kind of vigilante and definitely makes the story so much more interesting. I loved the writing and the fast pacing of this book, I really hope the author writes more of these type of books or maybe this can become a series, hint hint;)

[Robin.Bookish.Escape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in New Orleans, this fast-paced dark crime mystery is laced with suspense, has Vampires and graveyards, sprinkle of humor and horror, family and love, interesting quirky characters, endurance and redemption, voodoo priests and serial killer on the loose. If you are a fan of Anne Rice with a hint of Vampire Diaries and a crime junkie, then this one is for you!!

This story follows Richard, the irritable and ill-tempered private investigator, who is determined to rid his city of those on his list. Looking for a fresh start after an accident takes her sight and breaks her heart, Molly finds herself and her newborn baby captivating the attention of her new next-door neighbor, the grumpy P.I. and his Vampire Queen consort (although the Queen’s true identity is hidden from Richard). In this new tangled web of crime, and gruesome darkness, Molly searches for her happy ending while Richard seeks to redeem his haunting past and atone for his mistakes.

This was a relatively short read, the writing was so well done that the pages practically moved themselves. I finished this story in one afternoon. I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans, but now even more so after reading this story.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Drinks Monsoons is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat on page one and somehow makes you laugh while doing it. SueBird Sparrow masterfully blends dark humor, Southern Gothic grit, and supernatural chaos into a story that feels both outrageous and strangely heartfelt.

Richard is a grumpy P.I. with a bad back, a worse attitude, and a very creative approach to vigilante justice. His “List” alone is worth the price of admission. Molly, newly blind and heartbreak bruised, brings a beautiful emotional counterweight, especially as she tries to rebuild her life and protect her newborn. Their unlikely connection is charming, messy, and deeply human.

The vampire queen subplot is delightfully wild equal parts chilling and hilarious, the power struggle simmering beneath New Orleans adds a layer of tension that makes this book impossible to put down.
It’s sharp, strange, surprisingly tender, and absolutely brimming with atmosphere.

Perfect for readers who want their humor dark, their horror clever, and their characters unforgettable.

[Stacey Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to be an advance reader for “The Devil Drinks Monsoons,” a quick-paced thriller with vibrant characters and a plot that moves right along. The story opens in a familiar – to – visitors-of-New Orleans setting, one of the City’s graveyards. It quickly connects to the daily lives of quirky and authentic feeling characters; a retired detective, his big hearted prostitute neighbors, and a newcomer to their neighborhood – a former journalist who is blind and sharp. Oh and vampires. There are, of course, vampires in this story.

Almost all the characters are sympathetic and funny even though many take actions that are horrific. The author unfolds the mystery in twists that are not always expected, but that I appreciated. We can see where things are going much of the time, though the characters cannot, which adds to the page-turning suspense. The author shares humor, tenderness, and a bit of the grotesque, with detailed skill all around.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
No, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn’t want it to end, and I certainly didn’t want it to end with _that_ particular cliffhanger! Aaarrggh!!

And the worst thing? There is not a second in the series yet, because this one (which I received for free as an advance copy from BookSirens in return for leaving this review voluntarily) won’t even be published until next month—October of 2025.

Is this great literature? Absolutely not.

Is it right up my alley because it’s set in New Orleans and about vampires, amongst other things supernatural?

Absolutely.

Perfect poolside read this Labor Day.

PS
I gotta note for the record that my mind was blown when I got to the acknowledgement section and found out that SueBird Sparrow—by her own admission—is a Yankee. Would’ve pegged her for a native.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, quirky, yet dark and touching horror story, and I loved every moment of it. It’s really such a blend of different things that you need to read and experience it to truly understand. The scenes are so well described that you’ll feel like you’re right there in NOLA with them. The characters are so different, yet fit together like a jigsaw puzzle of sorts. You’ll find yourself falling in love with them, even though they aren’t your typical heroes... or villains. And the story, well, let’s just say it’s so hard to stop reading because you get so swept up in it. It’s the perfect book to read curled up with your favorite warm drink on a storm night under a cozy blanket, and definitely one you don’t want to miss!

[kathleen griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a cheap and wild trip to New Orleans? This book will not disappoint. I started The Devil Drinks Monsoons and couldn’t put it down until the last page. The characters are wild, hilarious, and so vividly drawn that I felt like I’d slipped right into the city itself. The descriptions are so intense I actually gagged at one point—and still couldn’t look away. I can’t wait for the Netflix series!

I love everything about New Orleans, but most books about the city don’t quite live up to its magic. Not so here. Vampires, prostitutes, and plenty of murder, all served up alongside the city’s vibrant culinary scene. I loved it from start to finish!

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do New Orleans, a grumpy P. I., and vampires have in common? This book! SueBird brings us Richard and Molly. They are neighbors who meet when Molly's baby draws the attention of Richard's lady friend, who happens to be the vampire queen. What happens next? Chaos ensues. Quirky characters, the atmosphere of New Orleans, a serial killer, and Voodoo priests are just a few of the crazy antics that Richard has to deal with. It's darkly funny with great characters. Can't wait to read more from her in the future.

[Sandra Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suebird Sparrow’s debut novel, The Devil Drinks Monsoons, is a literary carnival ride steeped in the magical realism and mystery of New Orleans. Sparrow's prose is brilliant—her keen sensory writing brings every chapter, and each uncommon yet hauntingly familiar character, vividly and unforgettably to life. If you love crisp contemporary Southern tales, grab your copy today.
Sandra Hughes,
Playwright/Author
Member, The National League of American Pen Women

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious tale about some activities that most tourists to New Orleans don't get to see. Well, a few might, but they don't live for long. The story is funny and full of captivating characters who are so true to New Orleans. It's a quick read, and a welcome addition to the list of NOLA occult stories that compares nicely to the stories of Anne Rice, as well as Fat White Vampire Blues.