Cities of the Dead

Michael Spraggue Mystery #4

by Linda Barnes

Former PI and independently wealthy actor Michael Spraggue attends a get-together of great New Orleans chefs where the secret ingredient is murder Sophisticated Boston Brahmin Michael Spraggue will never forget the flaky strawberry tarts Dora Levoyer made for him when he was a little boy. A French immigrant who has worked for Michael’s eccentric aunt Mary for decades, Dora has an old-world sensibility, an elegant palate, and a past that cannot be spoken of. Deserted by her husband long ago, she has fought hard to put him out of her mind. But when Dora is invited to a banquet held by the finest chefs in New Orleans, she sees a man who looks just like her missing spouse. Before she can confront him, he is found with a chef’s knife embedded in his heart—and every piece of evidence points to Dora as the killer. At his aunt Mary’s behest, Michael hops the first plane down to New Orleans—a mysterious city where the dead, like the living, have dangerous secrets. Cities of the Dead is the 4th book in the Michael Spraggue Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Genres: Mystery

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Linda Barnes is an American mystery writer, born and raised in Detroit, and graduated from Boston University"s School of Theater. She is best known for her series featuring Carlotta Carlyle, a 6'1" redheaded detective from Boston. Carlotta Carlyle is often compared to the hard-boiled female detectives created by Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky. Her new novel, "The Perfect Ghost," which will be published in April, 2013, is her first stand-alone mystery.

Reviews

[Kris Alverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

A great read with interesting characters and an ending I hadn't imaged. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans and the burial practices due to the high water table.

[Niccole Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the flow of the story plus it’s bittersweet ending. I finished the book in just 4 days. Good quick read.

[Lianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a book club. Even though I'm not a fan of cozy mysteries, this wasn't as bad as most.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4 in the Michael Spraggue III series. The series ended with this 1986 entry and Linda Barnes moved on to her more noted series featuring volleyball playing, cab driving Carlotta Carlyle.

Michael Spraggue III series - The great chefs of New Orleans stage an elegant banquet. Cajun chef Joseph Fontenot is found with a knife through his heart, and all the evidence points to Dora Levoyer, cook to Mary Spraggue Hillman. Mary summons her nephew Michael Spraggue, actor-cum-private detective, to the scene. And soon Spraggue is investigating the murder case.

[Rebecca Gernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read. First mystery I have read by this author and lied it well enough that I would read others by her. Read it because it is set in New Orleans where I live, and the is mostly accurate with local details.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like the charm of Barnes novels. Details come fast and furious, as there is so much to tell about each character. I enjoyed it!

[Toesnorth's mom]

boring

[Robert Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Michael Spraggue mystery. I don't remember reading any others. Finished 12/05/2010. +