Jass: A Mystery of Storyville, New Orleans

Storyville #2

by David Fulmer

In a riveting encore to the award-winning mystery Chasing the Devil's Tail, David Fulmer brings us Jass. Here again is Creole detective Valentin St. Cyr, journeying fatther into the bloody netherworld of Storyville, New Orleans, that rowdy red-light district where saloons and dance halls echo with the raw and raucous music they call "jass." Four musicians have turned up dead. Called upon to investigate the gruesome murders, St. Cyr discovers that all of the victims once played in the same band: the only one left alive has gone into hiding.

When a shadowy woman emerges as the key to the mystery, Valentin's efforts to find her touch nerves. Soon the police, the mayor, and even Tom Anderson—the notorious "King of Storyville"—want him off the case. But their efforts only convince him that something larger and darker lurks at the heart of this sordid business. Will he risk everything to get to the truth?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Crime, Detective, Mystery Thriller

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

David Fulmer has been a writer and producer for over twenty-five years.

Series:
* Valentin St. Cyr Mystery
* Eddie Cero Mystery

Reviews

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The birth of jazz in the birthplace of that music; how people of color brought their music to the streets and taverns of the town. Fulmer is wonderful

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I almost didn't finish the book due to the fact that I was annoyed as St. Cyr's constant belly aching and no real emotions, just hidden feelings and non-communication going on. But then, one night, when I was having trouble sleeping and it was the only book on the night table, I resumed reading it. I must have left off at a turning point in the novel, and the pace started to quicken. Still, at the end, I was disappointed with the book.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really engaging followup to Chasing the Devil's Tail which I read and enjoyed a couple of years ago. I don't really remember a lot of the details of Devil's Tail so it probably would have been better to read these two novels closer together. Anyway, this one again features the Creole detective Valentin St. Cyr and the streets of New Orleans during the early part of the 20th century. Fulmer really paints a vivid picture of the city at that time including the notorious red-light district called Storyville. There, a new form of music called "jass" is heard throughout the district and would later spread and become jazz. Jelly Roll Morton, an early jazz pianist plays a role in this novel when he informs St. Cyr that black jass musicians are being killed because they are playing in some white areas of the city. But then St. Cyr finds that the musicians that are killed all played in the same jass band at one time. So why are they being killed and who is behind it? A shadowy woman emerges as the key to the mystery but the local police and Tom Anderson, the so-called "King of Storyville" who St. Cyr works for, want him to back off his investigation. But of course, this only encourages him to continue and get to the truth.

I really enjoyed this one and I have a couple more novels in the St. Cyr series that I hope to read soon. The characters as well as the prejudices and mores of the time in the novel are well-portrayed and I especially liked how Fulmer puts you into the New Orleans of 1908. Highly recommend.

[Dennis Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

JASS by DAVID FULMER...the first half of the book is what I would call a slow burn, with each chapter we see a larger glimpse of the puzzle, just enough to keep the pages turning. I got the impression that St Cyr could care less about the death of one Black Jass man. It's only when his friend Jelly Roll Morton begs him, and after two deaths, that he relents and decides to half-heartedly look into the situation. Along the way he has to contend with Tom Anderson's demand that he drop the investigation and Picot's constant roadblocks.

Luckily the second half of the story begins to trot along until an excellent ending. Every smart writer needs a hook and David's double hook is very near the end. Beansoup asks St Cyr, "What should I tell Miss Justine if she asks me when you're coming back?" Shortly thereafter, Prince John, the fifth jass man, is murdered by an unknown man (or woman). So, now I have to read the third St Cyr mystery. I have a strong feeling that the detective will not be in St. Louis very long. Storyville is in his blood.

I liked the books cover. The print in the hardcover edition was easy to read. Harcourt did a very good job editing Jass. The few editing errors I found are too miniscule to mention.

[Rickeclectic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently one of a series. I think I likely missed something by reading this one first as I think it is the second in the series. It is set in turn of the century New Orleans. A bouncer and apparently accidental detective who works for the de facto "mayor" of Storyville gets drawn into investigating a set of murders. The story is pretty accurate to the times, the lives and the social/political world of this period. The plot is overall good and the writing is good, though like most books I find these days, it could have been a third shorter and been a better book. It does have a somewhat bothersome unnecessarily cryptic postscript ending, but that does not hurt the actual main story. If you like New Orleans historical fiction, mysteries and the seamy side of the town, this is an interesting read.
I will say that another book set in NOLA, The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice (yes the vampire lady) is a better written, shorter book (not really a mystery) that is focused on the dilemma of being a creole in a changing world. A slightly different view of things, but my nod goes to that choice over this one.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first Valentin St. Cyr mystery a dozen years ago and meant to read this soon thereafter, but other books claimed my attention, and I didn't get to this until now. Which does not mean I didn't find the first compelling. I loved it, and in reading this sequel, I fell in love with Valentin all over again. A Creole detective who usually passes for white in 1908 New Orleans, Valentin is coaxed by Jelly Roll Morton (one of the cast of characters based on real people) into investigating the deaths of two jass (as jazz was called back then) musicians. At first, Valentin is skeptical that there's a connection, but when a third musician is found dead, a pattern emerges. The more he investigates, the more pushback he receive from a local police lieutenant and from Valentin's boss Tom Anderson, the politically connected "King of Storyville," the district where prostitution was legal.

Fulmer has a way of bringing both his characters and early-20th Century New Orleans to life. That I figured out one part of the puzzle before it was revealed just made the resolution of the mystery more satisfying for me.

[Stephen Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of David Fulmer's all to short series featuring turn-of-the-century New Orleans detective Valentine St. Cyr. The joy in this book is not so much the plot, but in the way Fulmer transports the reader to the Storyville whore houses, back alleys, waterfront and cultural gumbo of New Orleans at the birth of Jazz -- only then called by the moniker "jass."

To be honest, by the end of the book, the plot seems a bit contrived. Musicians from a particular jass band are suddenly dying under strange but seemingly unrelated circumstances. Real-life jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton seeks out St. Cyr to find out what is happening. The hunt leads St. Cyr from the shacks along Lake Pontchartrain to the tony houses of the Garden District.

But the plot isn't really what keeps you reading. It is the unvarnished look at the Crescent City and the myriad of characters that inhabit it. For anyone with an interest in history or in New Orleans, it's a worthwhile read.

[mj · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 STARS
THIS WAS AMAZING
omg the jazz, the thriller aspect, the writing style????? immaculate!!!
AND THE ENDING??? the way prince john was killed and no one knows who did it or if valentin is gonna look into it? wonderful.
i loved valentin's personality, he totally fit the whole jelly roll morton/edgar allen poe story vibe.
this novel was everything i expected and more!!!
i did think the whole reveal of who the killer was and the storyline behind why they were killing the jazz artists was......a bit strange. i kind of expected something completely different but hey, the mystery still turned out very good! and it ended on a cliffhanger

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but not great. The description of Storyville us the highlight for me, since I'm also working on a book with a Storyville setting. It took me longer to devour this book than the first than the first.
I noticed a few editing errors, which took me away from the story. They weren't huge, but still a distraction.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written noir, and it deepens our understanding of Valentin St. Cyr and his boss, the Mayor of Storyville. I am not sure I can read much more in this series if the author continues to paint women as nymphomaniacs, tragic mulattos, and hookers with hearts of gold, however.

[Mike Eckhardt · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Storyville, #1 I think I forgave some aspects of the plot in exchange for the well written backdrop of Storyville era New Orleans...it was harder this time around, instead of developing, the characters and underlying mystery remained too thin to be overlooked.

[Candee Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Great feel for old New Orleans

[Susie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. I like the way he develops his characters by keeping some from the 1st story and introducing new ones. New Orleans is one of my favorite cites!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Valentin St. Cyr mystery. Jass (jazz), musician murders, and family secrets make this an excellent mystery about the NOLA detective.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

unfortunately i've ended up reading these out of order. doesn't matter. for a good writer, it doesn't matter.

[Lee]

Good, but it took awhile to get there

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The case itself intrigued me and I didn't want to put the book down because it kept me interested. I wanted to know why all these musicians were being murdered in such distinctly different ways. I also thought the relationships of the characters were very interesting.

*spoilers*

However, I feel like the book did not actually pick up until after the death of Dominique. Only after that did St. Cyr seem to really show interest in the case. Which I understand because after that the case was more personal for him. However, I don't feel that it would be rational for him to only take interest in the case after her death when Justine was clearly in danger before that. I realize maybe he felt betrayed by her but they'd been together for years, you would think a real person would care a bit more about her than the tart who recently moved in (I'll be straightforward and say I did not like Dominique's character. She seemed like a useless plot point that kept the author distracted from the case, the actual point of interest. Not to mention that her character was written like a one sided floozy).

Never the less, I liked the actual story behind the book (3.5/5)

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent sequel to CHASING THE DEVIL'S TAIL historical mystery. Exceptionally well researched with a well-crafted blend of fact and fiction. Fewer real historical figures in this one, although Tom Anderson "The King of Storyville" and "Jellyroll" Morton play prominent roles. I felt that this installment was slightly less good than the first book of the series as it has more than a few repeated plot elements. Also, I'm getting the feeling that St. Cyr isn't actually all that great a detective. Competent, yes. Dogged, yes. Tough, certainly. But it still feels like it takes him FOREVER to identify the perpetrator, and, often, even the motive. Also, for god's sake, if you are staying with a detective who is investigating multiple murders (and a mysterious killer on the loose), DON'T unlock the door when someone knocks on it and mumbles something that you can't understand (This has happened TWICE in two books). 3.5 stars.

[Istiningdyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuation of private detective Valentin St. Cyr’s adventure in Storyville, New Orleans. This time, the mystery revolves around several jass players who’ve been mysteriously murdered. No one seem to care about a couple of jass players died in a span of a week, expect Jelly Roll Morton. He knew that something else is going on. So he asks Valentin to solve the mystery. After all, he did very well in the last Black Rose Murder case.
We don’t necessarily have to read the first book to read Jass. The case in the first book is not related to the case in the second book. If you want to understand our main character more, I suggest reading Chasing the Devil’s Tail first. Fulmer did provide background for Valentin in this book, but not as in depth as in the first book.
Full review here

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

JASS (Private Investigator-New Orleans-1909) – VG
Fulmer, David – 2nd in series
Harcourt, 2005- Hardcover
Investigator Valentin St. Cyr is asked to look into the deaths of four New Orleans musicians. Although the manor of each death is different, they all once played in the same "jass" band. When St. Cyr is pressured to give up the investigation, he becomes more determined to find the reason, and killer, behind the deaths.
*** Fulmer has a wonderful style and ability to convey the feeling of New Orleans. St. Cyr is a wonderful character about whom we learn more in this book. There was a twist at the end I didn't see coming and a thread left to be resolved. This is a great series and I am looking forward to his next book.

[Laura Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in the Valentin St. Cyr mystery series, Jass continues the story of a creole detective in Storyville New Orleans. In this book, jazz musicians are being murdered and it's up to Valentin to find the connection. The mystery itself almost takes a backseat to the continuing development of secondary characters - the relationship between Valentine and Justine takes a surprising turn, and we learn more about her past. The detective's sidekick is back too, the streetwise orphan nicknamed 'Beansoup'. Filled with rich flavor and history, Fulmer takes you in to the time period and provides a good story that'll keep you interested and wanting to read the next book. Recommended for history buffs, jazz lovers, and mystery fans.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like David Fulmer's gritty Storyville series, set in the red-light district of 1900s New Orleans. The author beautifully captures the uniqueness of this multiracial city, and the setting and historical detail are probably the strongest attributes of this novel. The action/mystery holds the reader's attention, but for me, having visited and loved New Orleans, it was his tribute to the place that won me over. Creole detective Valentin St. Cyr provides the pefect insider's perspective on the novel's events and place. Just bought the third novel in this series, and I look forward to another virtual visit to this fascinating city!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading Fulmer's Valentin St. Cyr mysteries out of order. The are very rich historical period pieces. You feel like you are in New Orleans in the early 1900's. According to the book jazz was first called jass. The book's story line is based on the murder of jass musicians. The plot is intricate and it is not easy to see where things are going for some time. St. Cyr's complicated love life and brooding psyche are covered a little much at times for my liking. However, when the action comes it is fast paced and worth the wait. I will continue to read this series.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

review not written until 12.28.2013): sequel to CHASING THE DEVIL’S TAIL (not yet read by me) about a detective searching for a killer of most of the band “jass”. The sole survivor has gone into hiding & local authorities are trying to convince the detective to ‘drop the case’, naturally without success; a mysterious lady is the major clue. As I recall I devoured this book while on vacation in northern CA; read Aug. ‘13/#65

[Ronn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a LOT of New Orleans literature, especially right before a trip there, and I am heading there on Saturday. This book is as evocative of a time and place as any I have ever read. I really believe I have found a new favourite N.O. author. I intend to seek the other books featuring this protagonist.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love New Orleans, you have to read this book! The setting is the height of the jazz age - 1920s New Orleans. The descriptions of the city are dead-on, and beautiful to boot. I enjoyed every descriptive word that jumped off the page. Fulmer manages to capture a time and place so well, you feel as if you're there.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creole detective Valentiin St Cyr. solves a puzzling mystery in 1900's New Orleans. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the city. Felt like I could be sitting right there in New Orleans. Fulmer's "Chasing the Devil's Tail" won the shamus award. I am putting that book on my "to read" list.

[Chris Wharton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valentin St. Cyr investigates murders of jass (forerunner of jazz) musicians in New Orleans in 1910. Race, gender, power atmospherics from Storyville and other districts. St. Cyr contends with historical characters -- Jelly Roll Morton, Tom Anderson (King of Storyville), various madames, ghost of Buddy Bolden.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good detective novel, though most of the actual detecting comes towards the end. The characters are interesting and the book really feels like it belongs in that early jass period. There were some subplots that I didn't think were really resolved at all, but overall it was a good read.

[Jay Cardam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jass is the second of Mr Fulmer's ST CYR series and I would say better than the first. Over all the story flowed more smoothly and the characters felt better developed. This could be in part because I am getting to know these characters better as a reader this being my 3rd novel in the series. (Yep, I started with the third, Rampart Street.) Waiting for number four to arrive in the mail.