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Herbert and Melancon #1
The Krewe
His brother has thrown himself under the eight o’clock freight train, or so he’s been told.
Felix is heartbroken, mystified, and above all else: deeply suspicious. His gut screams foul play.
The black sheep of a wealthy, respected family in New Orleans, Felix knows his gut is untested, naïve, addled by drugs and self-doubt. Who will believe him? Should he even trust himself?
As the Mardi Gras season descends on the city, Felix will have to find a way. His purpose is, for once, very clear: to find out who, or what, caused his big brother to die in such heinous circumstances, no matter what it takes.
But there are shadowy forces at work. As he gets in over his head, he’ll need the help of a garrulous police detective, the family’s ancient butler, and a massive pork fortune, all in order to fight his way to the bottom of things.
Will he live up to the family name and avenge his brother? Find out in part one of a hard-boiled detective series set in the Big Easy.
Felix is heartbroken, mystified, and above all else: deeply suspicious. His gut screams foul play.
The black sheep of a wealthy, respected family in New Orleans, Felix knows his gut is untested, naïve, addled by drugs and self-doubt. Who will believe him? Should he even trust himself?
As the Mardi Gras season descends on the city, Felix will have to find a way. His purpose is, for once, very clear: to find out who, or what, caused his big brother to die in such heinous circumstances, no matter what it takes.
But there are shadowy forces at work. As he gets in over his head, he’ll need the help of a garrulous police detective, the family’s ancient butler, and a massive pork fortune, all in order to fight his way to the bottom of things.
Will he live up to the family name and avenge his brother? Find out in part one of a hard-boiled detective series set in the Big Easy.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2018
721 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
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April 17, 2019”When you run over a human being with a train, there isn’t so much as a bump for those people riding or conducting inside the cars themselves. People are just too soft, and trains too hard and inestimably heavy. It might as well be mud under the flanged steel.”
When Felix Herbert, the frequently stoned underachiever, finds out his older brother Robert, the always overachieving doctor, has committed suicide, he doesn’t believe it for even one millisecond. When he discovers that his brother was wearing an angel corkscrew mask before he stepped out in front of that train, there is no doubt in his mind that his brother was trying to leave a clue to lead him to the truth.
Who and what drove Robert beneath the wheels of a train?
Fortunately, Detective Melancon is on the case. ”Detective Melancon was old and thin. His clothes fitted poorly and were of a forgotten color. But his eyes were bright, pale blue, piercing, and his mouth seemed far from tired. He cleared his throat and sat down.” His sixty-two year old body might remind him all too often that his best years are a distant memory, but his mind, honed by experience, is still as sharp as a butcher’s blade.
The Herbert legacy was made in pork, and as Felix begins to wield the power of his family to open those doors, closed to most of New Orleans society, he will need the steady hand of the honor-fixated Herbert family butler, Tomas De Valencia to help guide him. Felix, in his obsessive search for the truth, can quickly become mired in trouble so deep that even the Herbert fortune won’t be able to distract him.
Everyone Felix knows has been wanting him to grow up and accept the responsibility his family position has made possible for him, but now, with needing justice for his brother, he will have to finally become the man that everyone has been waiting for him to become.
And who is driving the black Plymouth that keeps following him all over town?
Felix may not have trained in the medical field, but with spending several years trying various illicit and prescription drugs to keep a hazy barrier between him and real life, he has a working knowledge of the effectiveness of most drugs. When he finds a drug called Scopodol is part of the swirling mists surrounding his brother’s death, he knows this is the clue that could lead him to the killer.
How does all this tie into a carnivale organization called The Krewe?
If his brother’s death is a suicide, who exactly keeps chasing him all over New Orleans? Felix has to discover skills he never knew he had. ”How to Survive a Foot Chase in 1000 Quick Steps.” He can tell he is getting closer to the truth by the level of interest that is being paid to his actions.
Tomas, Melancon, and Felix might not be Hollywood casting for the three musketeers, but together they prove to be a relentless trio against the diabolical schemes of the most ambitious and fiendishly driven villain I’ve met in a long time. It will take the combined efforts of all of them to have a chance to bring Robert’s killers to justice.
I caught up with the author, Seth Pevey, lounging in his hammock, under a Spanish moss draped Bald Cypress tree, sipping a Hurricane with... fortunately... no storm clouds on the horizon.
Jeffrey D. Keeten: Tell me a bit about where the inspiration to write The Krewe came from?
Seth Pevey:New Orleans Mardi Gras is a big deal, to put it lightly. The entire city shuts down for days, and most of the elite, old-money families are deeply tied in with its machinations, one way or the other. Local nabobs wear masks, drink out of flasks, ride horses down the main thoroughfare of the city while being hailed by the crowds. I always thought, watching those parades growing up, that the situation was just so ripe for mystery and intrigue. Who are those people behind the masks? What is going on behind the scenes of this incredibly expensive, excruciatingly planned party? Therein were the seeds of "The Krewe.”
JDK:I found the characters of Tomas and Melancon to be much more interesting than your main protagonist. That could be because I am older and love to see wisdom being appreciated over, say, youthful enthusiasm. What are your plans for those two characters going forward?
SP:Melancon is the main focus of book #2, Roots of Misfortune, and really kind of the main character of the series, despite how things open in the first book. Tomas, as you've hinted at, is meant to be the sort of moral bedrock of the crazy, chaotic NOLA of the novels. I can't say much more than that without spoiling what I have planned, but know that both older characters will be dispensing their wisdom in more adventures to come.
JDK:With the voracious, Kindle loving readers chewing through books like a beaver on amphetamines, do you have any plans to write some short pieces, say a 1.5 or a 2.5, to keep your series in front of them while you write the third novel?
SP:At least the beaver would eventually burn out! I see the Kindle market only getting bigger and more voracious as time goes by. I do have some plans for short, free (or .99c) novellas, which may be prequels or dive more deeply into particular characters. But, I'm not one of these writers who can churn out a book every eight weeks, unfortunately. So, I may end up just taking the hit to sales in order to produce the quality that I need to satisfy myself. I do seem to be getting faster as momentum and experience build and have some pretty ambitious plans for the future.
JDK:Lena Troxclair is a great villainous character. You've combined beauty and the beast into one person, which is frequently confusing to people who meet her. Is she beautiful, or is she horribly disfigured? Tell me about how that character evolved in your mind?
SP:The villain is always secretly my favorite character in a thriller/mystery, particularly if they are done well. For me, the best villains were always coming out of left field-- those that made you drop your guard and then stabbed you in the back. Lena has a beautiful face, but a disfigured body with a bit of a hunchback. That beauty is only a mask. It's nothing but a weapon in itself. The idea of "face" played largely into my construction of her: a person who places all their energy on controlling what you see when you look at them, while secretly hiding something toxic on the inside.
JDK:If you were working in a bookstore, what section would you shelve The Krewe? The young adult market is exploding right now. I came away thinking this could work well as a YA book, given the morality, good versus evil, no steamy sex scenes, or gory violence parameters of the plot.
SP:I don't like gore for gore sake, or sex for sex sake, in books or film. At the same time, I think some of the themes in my work (drug addiction, the darkness of humanity, the futility of resisting death and decay) might not lend "The Krewe" to a kid's summer reading list. I still hope they'd read it (and other dark, disturbing books) because all those things do exist and are going to have to be dealt with at some point in a kid's life. I sure read the darkest stuff I could get my hands on when I was a kid and relished every second of it. To answer your question more directly though, the book is written to be in the thriller/mystery section, and hopefully one day to sit in it's place in the "local fiction" section that's in every independent NOLA bookshop. That's the dream.
JDK:Speaking of no steamy sex scenes, there were no romantic entanglements in the book. I haven't read the second book yet, but do you have plans to bring romantic interests into the plots of the series?
SP:Absolutely-- Roots of Misfortune will definitely satisfy if you enjoy a little romance with your mysterious deaths and disappearances. I tend not to like romantic subplots all that much, but the characters led me there, and I couldn't say no to them.
JDK:What other interests besides writing do you have? I've heard rumors that you are a Cleaner for the mob, which must be exciting. By denying it, you are confirming it.
SP:I talk far too much to work for the mob. I bought an old house in the country and have been fixing it up, learning all that's involved with that, and really enjoying it. I also read a lot, obviously. I have a nice treadmill parked in front of Netflix as well, and that is something I'd recommend to anyone who loves story but feels guilty about binging. Besides that, I work in the family business (real estate) and make frequent trips down the road to New Orleans with my wife for the food, music, and festivals.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
When Felix Herbert, the frequently stoned underachiever, finds out his older brother Robert, the always overachieving doctor, has committed suicide, he doesn’t believe it for even one millisecond. When he discovers that his brother was wearing an angel corkscrew mask before he stepped out in front of that train, there is no doubt in his mind that his brother was trying to leave a clue to lead him to the truth.
Who and what drove Robert beneath the wheels of a train?
Fortunately, Detective Melancon is on the case. ”Detective Melancon was old and thin. His clothes fitted poorly and were of a forgotten color. But his eyes were bright, pale blue, piercing, and his mouth seemed far from tired. He cleared his throat and sat down.” His sixty-two year old body might remind him all too often that his best years are a distant memory, but his mind, honed by experience, is still as sharp as a butcher’s blade.
The Herbert legacy was made in pork, and as Felix begins to wield the power of his family to open those doors, closed to most of New Orleans society, he will need the steady hand of the honor-fixated Herbert family butler, Tomas De Valencia to help guide him. Felix, in his obsessive search for the truth, can quickly become mired in trouble so deep that even the Herbert fortune won’t be able to distract him.
Everyone Felix knows has been wanting him to grow up and accept the responsibility his family position has made possible for him, but now, with needing justice for his brother, he will have to finally become the man that everyone has been waiting for him to become.
And who is driving the black Plymouth that keeps following him all over town?
Felix may not have trained in the medical field, but with spending several years trying various illicit and prescription drugs to keep a hazy barrier between him and real life, he has a working knowledge of the effectiveness of most drugs. When he finds a drug called Scopodol is part of the swirling mists surrounding his brother’s death, he knows this is the clue that could lead him to the killer.
How does all this tie into a carnivale organization called The Krewe?
If his brother’s death is a suicide, who exactly keeps chasing him all over New Orleans? Felix has to discover skills he never knew he had. ”How to Survive a Foot Chase in 1000 Quick Steps.” He can tell he is getting closer to the truth by the level of interest that is being paid to his actions.
Tomas, Melancon, and Felix might not be Hollywood casting for the three musketeers, but together they prove to be a relentless trio against the diabolical schemes of the most ambitious and fiendishly driven villain I’ve met in a long time. It will take the combined efforts of all of them to have a chance to bring Robert’s killers to justice.
I caught up with the author, Seth Pevey, lounging in his hammock, under a Spanish moss draped Bald Cypress tree, sipping a Hurricane with... fortunately... no storm clouds on the horizon.
Jeffrey D. Keeten: Tell me a bit about where the inspiration to write The Krewe came from?
Seth Pevey:New Orleans Mardi Gras is a big deal, to put it lightly. The entire city shuts down for days, and most of the elite, old-money families are deeply tied in with its machinations, one way or the other. Local nabobs wear masks, drink out of flasks, ride horses down the main thoroughfare of the city while being hailed by the crowds. I always thought, watching those parades growing up, that the situation was just so ripe for mystery and intrigue. Who are those people behind the masks? What is going on behind the scenes of this incredibly expensive, excruciatingly planned party? Therein were the seeds of "The Krewe.”
JDK:I found the characters of Tomas and Melancon to be much more interesting than your main protagonist. That could be because I am older and love to see wisdom being appreciated over, say, youthful enthusiasm. What are your plans for those two characters going forward?
SP:Melancon is the main focus of book #2, Roots of Misfortune, and really kind of the main character of the series, despite how things open in the first book. Tomas, as you've hinted at, is meant to be the sort of moral bedrock of the crazy, chaotic NOLA of the novels. I can't say much more than that without spoiling what I have planned, but know that both older characters will be dispensing their wisdom in more adventures to come.
JDK:With the voracious, Kindle loving readers chewing through books like a beaver on amphetamines, do you have any plans to write some short pieces, say a 1.5 or a 2.5, to keep your series in front of them while you write the third novel?
SP:At least the beaver would eventually burn out! I see the Kindle market only getting bigger and more voracious as time goes by. I do have some plans for short, free (or .99c) novellas, which may be prequels or dive more deeply into particular characters. But, I'm not one of these writers who can churn out a book every eight weeks, unfortunately. So, I may end up just taking the hit to sales in order to produce the quality that I need to satisfy myself. I do seem to be getting faster as momentum and experience build and have some pretty ambitious plans for the future.
JDK:Lena Troxclair is a great villainous character. You've combined beauty and the beast into one person, which is frequently confusing to people who meet her. Is she beautiful, or is she horribly disfigured? Tell me about how that character evolved in your mind?
SP:The villain is always secretly my favorite character in a thriller/mystery, particularly if they are done well. For me, the best villains were always coming out of left field-- those that made you drop your guard and then stabbed you in the back. Lena has a beautiful face, but a disfigured body with a bit of a hunchback. That beauty is only a mask. It's nothing but a weapon in itself. The idea of "face" played largely into my construction of her: a person who places all their energy on controlling what you see when you look at them, while secretly hiding something toxic on the inside.
JDK:If you were working in a bookstore, what section would you shelve The Krewe? The young adult market is exploding right now. I came away thinking this could work well as a YA book, given the morality, good versus evil, no steamy sex scenes, or gory violence parameters of the plot.
SP:I don't like gore for gore sake, or sex for sex sake, in books or film. At the same time, I think some of the themes in my work (drug addiction, the darkness of humanity, the futility of resisting death and decay) might not lend "The Krewe" to a kid's summer reading list. I still hope they'd read it (and other dark, disturbing books) because all those things do exist and are going to have to be dealt with at some point in a kid's life. I sure read the darkest stuff I could get my hands on when I was a kid and relished every second of it. To answer your question more directly though, the book is written to be in the thriller/mystery section, and hopefully one day to sit in it's place in the "local fiction" section that's in every independent NOLA bookshop. That's the dream.
JDK:Speaking of no steamy sex scenes, there were no romantic entanglements in the book. I haven't read the second book yet, but do you have plans to bring romantic interests into the plots of the series?
SP:Absolutely-- Roots of Misfortune will definitely satisfy if you enjoy a little romance with your mysterious deaths and disappearances. I tend not to like romantic subplots all that much, but the characters led me there, and I couldn't say no to them.
JDK:What other interests besides writing do you have? I've heard rumors that you are a Cleaner for the mob, which must be exciting. By denying it, you are confirming it.
SP:I talk far too much to work for the mob. I bought an old house in the country and have been fixing it up, learning all that's involved with that, and really enjoying it. I also read a lot, obviously. I have a nice treadmill parked in front of Netflix as well, and that is something I'd recommend to anyone who loves story but feels guilty about binging. Besides that, I work in the family business (real estate) and make frequent trips down the road to New Orleans with my wife for the food, music, and festivals.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
August 27, 2021
Caffeinated Reasons To Listen To The Krewe…
1. Noir & Southern Fiction – Felix Herbert is the black-sheep of a well off family, an underachiever and stoner. But when Robert, his successful brother, commits suicide, Felix must step up and prove it was murder. To solve the case, he will have to convince Detective Melancon, a seasoned officer, that his brother didn’t off himself and that something else was at play. He’ll also need the help of Thomas De Valencia, the family butler from his connections to advice. The story had all the classic elements I love in a solid Noir crime thriller with southern flair.
2. Clever Mystery – Pevey did a great job of casting doubt, delivering clues and building up the suspense from dead ends to strange cars following Felix. The story was tightly woven and engaging with an air of believability. From evil villains to solving Robert’s murder, I found myself invested.
3. NOLA Setting. Are you drawn to stories set in New Orleans? Do you like slipping into the circle of families from old wealth? The story takes place during Mardi Gras with masks, costumes and distractions. I confess I often grab book and audios because of the setting and NOLA is a one-clicker.
4. Characters – Felix, Tomas and Melancon are quite the odd team, but together they tackle the case and go head to head with the villain. The characters are fleshed out, and each had their strengths. I loved the way they interacted and Felix grew on me as a character. I am looking forward to more stories with the Krewe.
5. Narration – Gary Bennett narrates and delivered a stellar performance. He gave each character a unique voice and mannerism that suited their personas. His pacing built up the suspense, helped to cast doubt and got my heart racing as the tension increased. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
1. Noir & Southern Fiction – Felix Herbert is the black-sheep of a well off family, an underachiever and stoner. But when Robert, his successful brother, commits suicide, Felix must step up and prove it was murder. To solve the case, he will have to convince Detective Melancon, a seasoned officer, that his brother didn’t off himself and that something else was at play. He’ll also need the help of Thomas De Valencia, the family butler from his connections to advice. The story had all the classic elements I love in a solid Noir crime thriller with southern flair.
2. Clever Mystery – Pevey did a great job of casting doubt, delivering clues and building up the suspense from dead ends to strange cars following Felix. The story was tightly woven and engaging with an air of believability. From evil villains to solving Robert’s murder, I found myself invested.
3. NOLA Setting. Are you drawn to stories set in New Orleans? Do you like slipping into the circle of families from old wealth? The story takes place during Mardi Gras with masks, costumes and distractions. I confess I often grab book and audios because of the setting and NOLA is a one-clicker.
4. Characters – Felix, Tomas and Melancon are quite the odd team, but together they tackle the case and go head to head with the villain. The characters are fleshed out, and each had their strengths. I loved the way they interacted and Felix grew on me as a character. I am looking forward to more stories with the Krewe.
5. Narration – Gary Bennett narrates and delivered a stellar performance. He gave each character a unique voice and mannerism that suited their personas. His pacing built up the suspense, helped to cast doubt and got my heart racing as the tension increased. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 22, 2018
A great thriller/mystery! I finished it all in one sitting because I had to know what happened next. The writing is fantastic and the amount of suspense was perfect. The characters are well developed, especially in the beginning. Pevey really lets you get to know the main character, Felix, who despite some flaws, you can't help but empathize and cheer for. It's great watching him as he grows and develops throughout the book. Overall, a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon!!
Want to read
March 30, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
September 29, 2018
Now, that was freakin' awesome. Whew. I'd been despairing of a good new-to-me author to read and I stumbled across this on one of the FB groups I follow. So glad I took the chance. Seriously good writing. Great plot. Awesome twists and turns. I loved the characters. And the setting. I can't wait to see what's next in store for Herbert and Melancon. Fingers crossed the next book will be out soon.
December 3, 2018
Pevey's prose has real substance to it. His characterisation manages to provide both verisimilitude and dynamism, never verging on the clichés that often beset this genre. Meanwhile, the plot is pacy and offers enough twists to satisfy even the most voraciouus of readers. Although the limited proofreading can be jarring at times and suggests a rushed publication, this is an impressive debut novel.
April 26, 2019
A book not to be flushed! Exciting plot, interesting characters, and setting. I read this book in one sitting because I really wanted to find out who the killer was. The book is very descriptive and pulls you into the narrative. I will definitely be purchasing the second book in this series. I hope there are more to follow!
February 14, 2020
Enjoyable, Amiable, Congenial Murder Mystery
If a book about homicide can have some bonhomie, this is that book. The death that begins the story is, as often the case, a shock to the family and loved ones.
Unraveling the Who’s, Why’s and Wherefore’s makes for a gentle, yet effective and engaging good time.
If a book about homicide can have some bonhomie, this is that book. The death that begins the story is, as often the case, a shock to the family and loved ones.
Unraveling the Who’s, Why’s and Wherefore’s makes for a gentle, yet effective and engaging good time.
April 22, 2019
Thrilling Ride
Starts at the gate and runs hard to the end. Unexpectedly engaging plot and sympathetic characters. I’ve got a new author to follow. Highly recommend this if you need a good read.
Starts at the gate and runs hard to the end. Unexpectedly engaging plot and sympathetic characters. I’ve got a new author to follow. Highly recommend this if you need a good read.
November 23, 2018
Worth Reading
The book had little it of a slow read in the beginning but definitely worth finishing. Unusual story line and good characters. I am glad I finished it.
The book had little it of a slow read in the beginning but definitely worth finishing. Unusual story line and good characters. I am glad I finished it.
May 7, 2019
Totally enjoyed the history, mystery and backstabbing crimes. New Orleans is a wild place and you nailed it. Powerful teamwork and the payback was perfect. Ready for more, just ordered the next in the series.
November 21, 2020
A really enjoyable gothic, noirish southern detective story. Builds well and shows impressive character depth over a relatively short space of time. Definitely recommend!
January 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more about the characters.
December 1, 2018
Rough around the edges,but a good read
This book needs a bit of editing for punctuation, but has a strong story line, memorable characters, and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the next mystery in this series.
This book needs a bit of editing for punctuation, but has a strong story line, memorable characters, and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the next mystery in this series.
February 13, 2020
BY 9% I WAS SO CONFUSED I WAS READY TO HURL MY KINDLE AGAINST THE WALL. ALL I COULD THINK WAS, PLEASE LET THIS SHIT GET BETTER. OR AT LEAST SO I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. YIKES! THIS HAD A WEIRD STORY LINE, NOT TERRIBLE BUT THE WRITING STYLE WAS KIND OF WEIRD IN SPOTS. BUT I DID REALLY LIKE IT, I THINK THIS MIGHT MAKE A GOOD MOVIE. ;D
June 5, 2022
A few months back I read Pevey’s fifth installment in the Herbert and Melancon series and I absolutely loved it. Luckily for me, I’m glad I read this series out of order because I may not have given the other installments a chance after having read the first one.
Felix Herbert’s brother, Robert, was a prominent doctor in New Orleans serving his community for many years. Having come from good stock in the Herbert family business and name, Robert was someone the people respected. So, as you can imagine to the surprise of everyone when it was reported in the media that Robert had committed suicide by train, Felix was the first to call bullshit! Robert had a wife and children. He had everything to live for. He was Felix’s big brother and he looked out for him regardless as to his being the screw up in the family. Felix looked up to Robert and knew that there wasn’t any way in hell his brother would commit suicide, let alone do it by lying down on the tracks and letting a train literally obliterate his entire being.
Even though everyone continually advised the family that Robert’s death was a suicide, Felix refused to let it go. In fact, he believed whole heartedly that his brother didn’t kill himself that he and his longtime friend and butler to the family, Tomaś, went in search of answers to avenge his beloved brother. And with that came a whole host of problems for Felix and Tomaś. They find themselves getting arrested and thrown out of parties that the pair decided to crash. Mrs. Herbert was already grief stricken and now she had to worry about her youngest child finding himself in the ‘forever sleep’ situation. She bailed him and Tomaś out a few times and it was getting old.
However, there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Detective Melancon having seen better days and wished his body and mind were much younger than they were, came upon Felix and Tomaś on one such arrest landing them in his precinct. As soon as Detective Melancon interacted with Felix, he knew in his gut this young man, despite all his woes, had something special. And that, readers, is where our story takes us.
This was a good book but there were a few things that bothered me with it. For starters, I didn’t find much mystery in the story. I figured out pretty much what was happening early on. Even though I figured most of it out, that’s not what bothered me. As I mentioned, it didn’t appear to be much mystery as to who done it and why. I also found the story a bit wordy and boring at times. I think it’s safe to say that Pevey definitely has gotten better with telling his stories because I truly enjoyed the fifth installment of this series, but not so much a fan of the very first book. And I will say, as any author will tell you, your writing gets better with time and his most certainly did.
The premise of this book was spot on and the story line was one that I haven’t ever read before with the victim being killed like he was, so that truly held my interest. I wish he would have delved more into the investigation of the case and not so much on the victim’s family, but I suppose he was building up his characters with their back story for the series. I’m now interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
To read original post, please go to: https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2022...
Thanks.
Felix Herbert’s brother, Robert, was a prominent doctor in New Orleans serving his community for many years. Having come from good stock in the Herbert family business and name, Robert was someone the people respected. So, as you can imagine to the surprise of everyone when it was reported in the media that Robert had committed suicide by train, Felix was the first to call bullshit! Robert had a wife and children. He had everything to live for. He was Felix’s big brother and he looked out for him regardless as to his being the screw up in the family. Felix looked up to Robert and knew that there wasn’t any way in hell his brother would commit suicide, let alone do it by lying down on the tracks and letting a train literally obliterate his entire being.
Even though everyone continually advised the family that Robert’s death was a suicide, Felix refused to let it go. In fact, he believed whole heartedly that his brother didn’t kill himself that he and his longtime friend and butler to the family, Tomaś, went in search of answers to avenge his beloved brother. And with that came a whole host of problems for Felix and Tomaś. They find themselves getting arrested and thrown out of parties that the pair decided to crash. Mrs. Herbert was already grief stricken and now she had to worry about her youngest child finding himself in the ‘forever sleep’ situation. She bailed him and Tomaś out a few times and it was getting old.
However, there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Detective Melancon having seen better days and wished his body and mind were much younger than they were, came upon Felix and Tomaś on one such arrest landing them in his precinct. As soon as Detective Melancon interacted with Felix, he knew in his gut this young man, despite all his woes, had something special. And that, readers, is where our story takes us.
This was a good book but there were a few things that bothered me with it. For starters, I didn’t find much mystery in the story. I figured out pretty much what was happening early on. Even though I figured most of it out, that’s not what bothered me. As I mentioned, it didn’t appear to be much mystery as to who done it and why. I also found the story a bit wordy and boring at times. I think it’s safe to say that Pevey definitely has gotten better with telling his stories because I truly enjoyed the fifth installment of this series, but not so much a fan of the very first book. And I will say, as any author will tell you, your writing gets better with time and his most certainly did.
The premise of this book was spot on and the story line was one that I haven’t ever read before with the victim being killed like he was, so that truly held my interest. I wish he would have delved more into the investigation of the case and not so much on the victim’s family, but I suppose he was building up his characters with their back story for the series. I’m now interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
To read original post, please go to: https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2022...
Thanks.
August 20, 2021
Great Locations. Great Mystery.
4.5 out of 5 stars
I went into this one pretty blind. The cover jumped out at me and I obviously love books that are narrated by Gary Bennett. So, I dove in without knowing much of what was going on. I was instantly intrigued – the opening sequence sucked me right in and held on for the rest of the book.
The intrigue along with the “secret society” vibes that this book had really allowed my imagination to run wild. Fortunately for my sane mind, the actual thing that was causing issues and being abused had a reasonable explanation. But that didn’t keep my mind from wandering and wondering what could be causing such weirdness.
Felix as the main character took a bit to get used to and to enjoy, but I think that Pevey wrote him that way. He was aloof, a drug addict, and just not a very likable person. But as the story progresses and he’s trying to figure out what happened to his brother I started to like him a lot. I can’t recall when it happened, but one moment I was like “why do we care about him” and the next I thought “I really want him to succeed, find his brothers killer (if there is one), and make a name for himself doing something he loves. Like I said, I don’t know when it happened, but it did and that’s the sign of a really good book.
Overall, I thought that the Mardi Gras vibes mixed with the locations (lots of swamps) really made this mystery book even more intense. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and really flew through it. I’ll be looking for more books in this series in the near future.
4.5 out of 5 stars
I went into this one pretty blind. The cover jumped out at me and I obviously love books that are narrated by Gary Bennett. So, I dove in without knowing much of what was going on. I was instantly intrigued – the opening sequence sucked me right in and held on for the rest of the book.
The intrigue along with the “secret society” vibes that this book had really allowed my imagination to run wild. Fortunately for my sane mind, the actual thing that was causing issues and being abused had a reasonable explanation. But that didn’t keep my mind from wandering and wondering what could be causing such weirdness.
Felix as the main character took a bit to get used to and to enjoy, but I think that Pevey wrote him that way. He was aloof, a drug addict, and just not a very likable person. But as the story progresses and he’s trying to figure out what happened to his brother I started to like him a lot. I can’t recall when it happened, but one moment I was like “why do we care about him” and the next I thought “I really want him to succeed, find his brothers killer (if there is one), and make a name for himself doing something he loves. Like I said, I don’t know when it happened, but it did and that’s the sign of a really good book.
Overall, I thought that the Mardi Gras vibes mixed with the locations (lots of swamps) really made this mystery book even more intense. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and really flew through it. I’ll be looking for more books in this series in the near future.
January 24, 2023
I like noir, solid type stuff, and this book gave me a good feeling at its start. By 30% through, it seemed that the hero was more a trudge of little thought. It continued that way. I felt I was watching some of the "lovable by luck" tv detectives who have answers fall from the sky, trip and knock someone off the 10th floor and find that he was a bad guy so it's OK. Nope, I want to see the logic unfold, the hints I missed, the smartness of the hero. Not here.. Pulling out guns, dropping wires and gizmos in public, accusing bad guys of bad things in seclusion, drugging someone to borrow equipment. Not my idea of intelligent.
The book could use a little more editing, but not the worst of what I've read. Because of the natural course of the book's simple formula, it was a little hard to finish, but that is something I am compelled to almost always do.
Because I already have over 1000 ebooks waiting for me, I spend time on the reviews. No point in reading 5 star ones, I won't learn anything. Why do people write 4 star reviews saying the books was superb? Hello? 4*? Then what is a 5*? So I gave this 3*. The book flowed, could be edited better, the hero grated on me as too lazy to think seriously, and really, a drug that takes 10 minutes to lose your memory and the FDA is cool with that? Other logic flaws were not so bad.
The book could use a little more editing, but not the worst of what I've read. Because of the natural course of the book's simple formula, it was a little hard to finish, but that is something I am compelled to almost always do.
Because I already have over 1000 ebooks waiting for me, I spend time on the reviews. No point in reading 5 star ones, I won't learn anything. Why do people write 4 star reviews saying the books was superb? Hello? 4*? Then what is a 5*? So I gave this 3*. The book flowed, could be edited better, the hero grated on me as too lazy to think seriously, and really, a drug that takes 10 minutes to lose your memory and the FDA is cool with that? Other logic flaws were not so bad.
February 16, 2022
Set during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it felt like an extra character in this dark thriller. Felix, the disappointing son from a rich and dysfunctional family, is grieving the death of his brother from an apparent suicide until he starts to suspect that all might not be as it seems and starts investigating what really happened. He puts himself in some dangerous situations but thanks to the grumpy detective Melancon and his family butler, he manages to survive his own poor choices and uncover the truth.
The characters were all interesting and complicated, I particularly liked Tomas’ the butler’s characters though I found I was often yelling at Felix for doing idiotically dangerous things.
The narrator, Gary Bennett, was a revelation – his character voices were spectacular and felt like an entire cast. He really added a sense of suspense to a slow burn which I think I personally would have struggled to read on my own.
*I received a review copy of this audiobook, all opinions are honest and unbiased*
The characters were all interesting and complicated, I particularly liked Tomas’ the butler’s characters though I found I was often yelling at Felix for doing idiotically dangerous things.
The narrator, Gary Bennett, was a revelation – his character voices were spectacular and felt like an entire cast. He really added a sense of suspense to a slow burn which I think I personally would have struggled to read on my own.
*I received a review copy of this audiobook, all opinions are honest and unbiased*
February 21, 2020
The story starts out with a horrifying incident: a man wearing a Mardi Gras mask sits down on some train tracks outside New Orleans and is killed. Robert Herbert was a successful physician with a family, and no history of suicidal ideation. His ne'er do well brother, Felix, wants answers. So does aging Police Detective Melancon.
This is the kind of hard-boiled noir tale that seems to have walked right out of the 1960s and into modern times. Everyone involved has horrible secrets, the New Orleans cops in the tale are almost all corrupt, and no one seems to make very good decisions.
I found the story engaging, and the characters well-drawn for the most part. The two most corrupt police officers were a little bit caricature-like, which ultimately cost this book a star. Everyone has motivations and reasons for their behaviors ... and we don't get to see why these two guys wound up on the take.
Anyway, if you like noir, this one is worth checking out.
This is the kind of hard-boiled noir tale that seems to have walked right out of the 1960s and into modern times. Everyone involved has horrible secrets, the New Orleans cops in the tale are almost all corrupt, and no one seems to make very good decisions.
I found the story engaging, and the characters well-drawn for the most part. The two most corrupt police officers were a little bit caricature-like, which ultimately cost this book a star. Everyone has motivations and reasons for their behaviors ... and we don't get to see why these two guys wound up on the take.
Anyway, if you like noir, this one is worth checking out.
September 13, 2020
The Big Easy Story
I enjoyed this mystery set in New Orleans because of the thrill of this city and because I lived there and now live across the lake. Including Mardi Grad into the story was enjoyable especially if anyone has experienced a parade or been a part of a ideas. I liked the main character and family members and setting, well done. The story line held my interest and kept me guessing till the end. My one exception was the corruption side of the NOPD. My father-in-law as a officer and detective for both NOPD and Jefferson Parish. Yes there is corruption but you made it seem throughout the force and shed a bad light on a lot of dedicated men and women in the Crescent City. I hope your next book will not put so much shame on their shoulders.
I enjoyed this mystery set in New Orleans because of the thrill of this city and because I lived there and now live across the lake. Including Mardi Grad into the story was enjoyable especially if anyone has experienced a parade or been a part of a ideas. I liked the main character and family members and setting, well done. The story line held my interest and kept me guessing till the end. My one exception was the corruption side of the NOPD. My father-in-law as a officer and detective for both NOPD and Jefferson Parish. Yes there is corruption but you made it seem throughout the force and shed a bad light on a lot of dedicated men and women in the Crescent City. I hope your next book will not put so much shame on their shoulders.
April 14, 2019
Not my usual read
I read this book because I read a later Krew book & really enjoyed it. I was so happy to get book 1 in my library to find out how the already got started. Now I need book 2. I usually don’t read crime & cop novels liking paranormal stories. However, New Orleans and Mardi Gras interest me very much so I thought I would give it a whirl. Now I am hooked. You are a excellent story teller. Your characters are believable and sincere. I like the Way it is easy to get started on and fast paced. Thanks so much for the good reads ( both of the books I read) and I look forward to the rest of them.
I read this book because I read a later Krew book & really enjoyed it. I was so happy to get book 1 in my library to find out how the already got started. Now I need book 2. I usually don’t read crime & cop novels liking paranormal stories. However, New Orleans and Mardi Gras interest me very much so I thought I would give it a whirl. Now I am hooked. You are a excellent story teller. Your characters are believable and sincere. I like the Way it is easy to get started on and fast paced. Thanks so much for the good reads ( both of the books I read) and I look forward to the rest of them.
May 11, 2019
Loved it. Stayed up late to finish it.
Can't wait to get into the next one. Will purchase it , as I idid this one, so I can keep it in my library. Love all the descriptions of NOLA as I lived there for a number of years and it really brought me back. Characters were spot on.
Plan to follow your new series and buy the books instead of using Kindle Unlimited so I can keep them in my library. One question however, I can' remember where Spanish Turn is. Seems I remember it being on the West Bank near the I-10 bridge. If you have an opportunity, please send me an email to the address on your Amazon follow page .
Can't wait to get into the next one. Will purchase it , as I idid this one, so I can keep it in my library. Love all the descriptions of NOLA as I lived there for a number of years and it really brought me back. Characters were spot on.
Plan to follow your new series and buy the books instead of using Kindle Unlimited so I can keep them in my library. One question however, I can' remember where Spanish Turn is. Seems I remember it being on the West Bank near the I-10 bridge. If you have an opportunity, please send me an email to the address on your Amazon follow page .
December 16, 2024
3.75 rounded up to 4.
[SPOILERS]
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It was a little hard to get into, and then the ending wasn't super satisfying either. I suppose because we find out quite early on who the villains are, and then it's just a matter of how they are captured, and even then it was a rather contrived. It was also a little too location-specific sometimes, in that for those of us who don't understand Louisiana, we don't really understand what swamplands mean to have to go through them (also, if they walked right past an alligator, why didn't they get eaten?)
Having said all that, once you got past the beginning bit, it was a pretty fast-paced read, so yeah. Maybe book 2 will be better.
[SPOILERS]
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It was a little hard to get into, and then the ending wasn't super satisfying either. I suppose because we find out quite early on who the villains are, and then it's just a matter of how they are captured, and even then it was a rather contrived. It was also a little too location-specific sometimes, in that for those of us who don't understand Louisiana, we don't really understand what swamplands mean to have to go through them (also, if they walked right past an alligator, why didn't they get eaten?)
Having said all that, once you got past the beginning bit, it was a pretty fast-paced read, so yeah. Maybe book 2 will be better.
August 30, 2020
Romp in The Swamp!
I just spent some fun time in New Orleans and never left home. Author Seth Pevey took me there during Mardi Gras. He soon had me being chased by bad cops and crawling in smelly swamp water. It was all to keep his good guy characters from dying at the hands of, of all things, doctors. Sounds complicated but Pevey helps you survive . Most characters make it, but not all. It's a gumbo of fun in a book. I'm looking forward to a trip back really soon in his next book.
I just spent some fun time in New Orleans and never left home. Author Seth Pevey took me there during Mardi Gras. He soon had me being chased by bad cops and crawling in smelly swamp water. It was all to keep his good guy characters from dying at the hands of, of all things, doctors. Sounds complicated but Pevey helps you survive . Most characters make it, but not all. It's a gumbo of fun in a book. I'm looking forward to a trip back really soon in his next book.
October 11, 2020
Marvelous Mardi Gras
Worth 5 stars because it is a well-written, interesting and very wryly humorous New Orleans mystery that you won't put down. Terrific first novel in what I hope becomes a series. Loved the inside look at the New Orleans rich people. Loved the Mardi Gras parts. Especially loved the with and intelligence of the characters' dialogue. Very little base violence, just a couple of shootings and that train business. Good reading and I will look for more from the author.
Worth 5 stars because it is a well-written, interesting and very wryly humorous New Orleans mystery that you won't put down. Terrific first novel in what I hope becomes a series. Loved the inside look at the New Orleans rich people. Loved the Mardi Gras parts. Especially loved the with and intelligence of the characters' dialogue. Very little base violence, just a couple of shootings and that train business. Good reading and I will look for more from the author.
February 2, 2023
This was the first of three freebies in the Herbert and Melancon series from Bookbubs. It's nice when I stumble upon a new series in my favorite genre, and it's even better if the first books are free so I can jump right into the next.
Book 1 focuses more on the "Herbert" in the series-a very flawed, born-into-wealth young man whose family tragedy led to meeting Melancon, an older detective which will lead to an unlikely partnership. I am starting the second book today which I hope will lead to a better understanding of what makes the old detective tick. The setting is in New Orleans.
Book 1 focuses more on the "Herbert" in the series-a very flawed, born-into-wealth young man whose family tragedy led to meeting Melancon, an older detective which will lead to an unlikely partnership. I am starting the second book today which I hope will lead to a better understanding of what makes the old detective tick. The setting is in New Orleans.
February 5, 2020
Thoroughly Enjoyed
I read a lot of mysteries, thrillers, and police procedurals ( four or five a week) and this is the best I've read in a very long time. The characters are engaging and well developed and you won't find a better setting for a "noir" thriller than New Orleans. If you're looking for a new twist in the genre, read on. I've already started the next book in the series!
I read a lot of mysteries, thrillers, and police procedurals ( four or five a week) and this is the best I've read in a very long time. The characters are engaging and well developed and you won't find a better setting for a "noir" thriller than New Orleans. If you're looking for a new twist in the genre, read on. I've already started the next book in the series!
February 25, 2020
Herbert vs Hebert.. Pet peave I guess..
Aside from using the name Herbert vs Hebert, a more proper Cajun South La name ,like Melancon, I liked this book. Mostly authenic New Orleans especially the Mardi Gras scenes, and that is where I was born and raised. I still live in South La but now Bayou Country. I wish the author would have used a more traditional La name for Felix Herbert..... It would have made the book perfect and I would have given it 5 stars vs 4.
Aside from using the name Herbert vs Hebert, a more proper Cajun South La name ,like Melancon, I liked this book. Mostly authenic New Orleans especially the Mardi Gras scenes, and that is where I was born and raised. I still live in South La but now Bayou Country. I wish the author would have used a more traditional La name for Felix Herbert..... It would have made the book perfect and I would have given it 5 stars vs 4.
December 16, 2020
New Orleans crime mystery
Based on a Facebook post, I gave a chance to a murder mystery taking place in New Orleans. I liked how the mystery started, even though you knew the death wasn't what it seemed. The character development was only so-so, but it did work. You knew who was good and bad early, but it was enjoyable. I rate it 4.2 out of 5 and will give the next one in the series a shot.
Based on a Facebook post, I gave a chance to a murder mystery taking place in New Orleans. I liked how the mystery started, even though you knew the death wasn't what it seemed. The character development was only so-so, but it did work. You knew who was good and bad early, but it was enjoyable. I rate it 4.2 out of 5 and will give the next one in the series a shot.
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