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Skip Langdon #11
The Big Crazy
PHONES ARE OUT AND THE CITY’S UNDER WATER—
A FIELD DAY FOR CRIMINALS! AND LOTS OF THEM ARE COPS…
A FIELD DAY FOR CRIMINALS! AND LOTS OF THEM ARE COPS…
August 29, 2005 - Doomsday: New Orleans is eighty per cent under water—no electricity, no phones, no 911 service, no rules. Facing the complete breakdown of systems and normality, New Orleans homicide Detective Skip Langdon is on her own to interpret and execute the only direction she’s given: Get out there and keep the peace.
With communications down and all emergency services on search and rescue, all Skip can hope to accomplish is helping the person right in front of her. More than once that person turns out to be Billy, a gutsy 15-year-old from Treme who’s in greater danger of being swamped by his chaotic home life than the Cat 5 hurricane Skip shelters him from.
When she escorts him home and discovers the scene of a possible homicide, homicide detecting must take a back seat to maintaining order—if not peace. Outrageous rumors are swirling, stirring up unrest, but what really bothers her is the one about a police department order to use the chaos as a cover for “cleaning up” by rounding up criminals and assassinating them. Now that just can’t be true. Can it?
But after she hears it for the third time, Skip teams up with the only cop in the city she’s positive she can trust, her former partner, movie-star handsome, kickass, praline-sweet Adam Abasolo. They may not be able to fix everything, but, as the bodies pile up, they are damn sure going to hit back at the guys who’re giving their department a black eye.
On any regular weekday, New Orleans lives up to its billing as The Big Crazy. In post-Katrina New Orleans, where the dirty cops and lunatics are running the asylum, author Julie Smith also takes us inside the actual asylum, Charity Hospital emergency psych unit, an unexpected oasis of comfort in stark contrast to endless amounts of ever-present filthy water and hordes of half-drowned people.
Smith strikes just the right note, capturing the massive tragedy of the events and the inevitable comedy as the survivors struggle to make sense of the closest thing to hell squared that any of them has ever seen.
Mystery fans who love hard-boiled women sleuths, lots of action and adventure, and offbeat police procedurals will love Detective Skip Langdon.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2019
1035 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Julie Smith
259 books403 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 11, 2019
This book is one of the best Julie Smith has written!
The insight into what people went through during and after Hurricane Katrina, as illustrated in the experiences of characters we've come to love, is extremely poignant. Add to that a definite page turner, compelling new characters, an underlying mystery, and new insight into characters we know, and you definitely cannot put this book down.
It's good that Smith waited to write this, as it serves as a reminder of the human cost paid by the people of New Orleans for the events that unfolded.
The insight into what people went through during and after Hurricane Katrina, as illustrated in the experiences of characters we've come to love, is extremely poignant. Add to that a definite page turner, compelling new characters, an underlying mystery, and new insight into characters we know, and you definitely cannot put this book down.
It's good that Smith waited to write this, as it serves as a reminder of the human cost paid by the people of New Orleans for the events that unfolded.
May 2, 2020
Katrina relived
I loved this book because it is so many things I like: well written, vivid characters, and history in a palatable format. Fourteen years after the actual event, the author had finally been able to write about the event. No worries; it was worth the wait.
I loved this book because it is so many things I like: well written, vivid characters, and history in a palatable format. Fourteen years after the actual event, the author had finally been able to write about the event. No worries; it was worth the wait.
Want to read
October 12, 2019author gift 299
Want to read
November 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/4/2020)! 🎁
October 5, 2021
That's it
That's it because so much was left as characters were introduced, but not known who they are! Another chapter introduces more with very little detail of who they are, not much character build.
The story seemed all over the place too. Not very detailed of the storm much either.
Sadly disappointed.
That's it because so much was left as characters were introduced, but not known who they are! Another chapter introduces more with very little detail of who they are, not much character build.
The story seemed all over the place too. Not very detailed of the storm much either.
Sadly disappointed.
June 22, 2025
1⭐
unfortunately i just couldn't get into it 😕
unfortunately i just couldn't get into it 😕
April 14, 2020
The latest mystery starring Skip Langdon. A predictable and safe reading during these unsettling times.
November 21, 2019
Another EXCELLENT BOOK for Julie Smith!
Skip has a major disaster on her hands. Hurricane Katrina hit and chaos has erupted in the city. Looting and the usual FUN that comes with a disaster is not the only problem. Rumors of the police force killing drug dealers are running around the town and it just doesn't seem to be that far off the truth when a few bad guys end up dead, and not from natural causes. Follow Skip as she tries to help those who need it in a great book and one I'm going to highly recommend! I love this character and the motley crew of friends who make up her family.
Skip has a major disaster on her hands. Hurricane Katrina hit and chaos has erupted in the city. Looting and the usual FUN that comes with a disaster is not the only problem. Rumors of the police force killing drug dealers are running around the town and it just doesn't seem to be that far off the truth when a few bad guys end up dead, and not from natural causes. Follow Skip as she tries to help those who need it in a great book and one I'm going to highly recommend! I love this character and the motley crew of friends who make up her family.
November 20, 2019
Another winner
This Julie Smith tale of New Orleans police makes hurricane Katrina the star, not Skip Langdon. It is her usual gripping story, but this time so poignant, it puts the reader into the proverbial- and actual!- eye of that horrific storm. It reads differently from her others, more about individual tales of devastation but it still keeps a couple of plot lines centered on familiar characters. Well worth your time.
This Julie Smith tale of New Orleans police makes hurricane Katrina the star, not Skip Langdon. It is her usual gripping story, but this time so poignant, it puts the reader into the proverbial- and actual!- eye of that horrific storm. It reads differently from her others, more about individual tales of devastation but it still keeps a couple of plot lines centered on familiar characters. Well worth your time.
November 26, 2025
This was a “I don’t want to but I have to” read. I was in the city for the hurricane as my husband had to work and I went with him. This book brought back so many dark memories but also reminded me of the gratitude (for my life) and how unimportant “stuff is”. I was curious about this book and wondering if it was another case of “fictional sensationalism” as reported by some media. I think the author captured the mood, prior, during and after the hurricane. She mentioned several rumors that I had heard but were never proven. Bringing those rumors in were important because it depicts the desperation, chaos and fear that were real at the time. The heat, the mayhem, desperate rescues by volunteers and families separated were all real. I cannot attest to the gang activity but I trust that the author researched this as mostly everything was spot on. The characters were well developed albeit I had a hard time keeping up with the many characters outside of the main characters. There were many named gangster rivals that did not play a pivotal role. Billy, Kathy, Adam and Skip were the main characters who were complex and the reader could identify with their back stories that aided in the empathy that the reader felt for them. My one criticism and I tread very lightly here because I am by no means a grammarian, is that there were some obvious editing overlooks such as bought instead of brought. Spelling or grammar? I don’t know but it was still a nice book that captured the reality of that unfortunate moment in New Orleans history without the untruths and sensationalism that still persists today.
April 18, 2020
An ABSOLUTELY AWESOME READ!!
I actually figured out, that I had read this book, quite a while ago. I throughly enjoyed it, the 2nd time around. A fantastic Hurricane story, that most people will remember the horror that it was!
It really had a special meaning for me, as I actually met two of the Navy Corpsmen, who did the helicopter rescues, as mentioned in this book!
On a School trip, with my Nephew and his classmates, we drove from South Florida to Jacksonville, Florida. We got to spend the night at Transit Housing at NAS Jacksonville. At the meeting with multiple people there, who were telling the students, of going into the Navy. Then up came two of the men, who did those incredible rescues!! The one guy said, they couldn't get close to one house for a rescue. They had to drop him from the helicopter to the house next door. He had to leap over to the correct house. Slide down the roof and pushing the front door. The house had a great amount of water flooded in.. He found the entire family, standing on the kitchen cabinets. The water was up to their feet on the counter tops. One, by one, he took each person out, to be rescued!
This story, brought back those memories!!
I actually figured out, that I had read this book, quite a while ago. I throughly enjoyed it, the 2nd time around. A fantastic Hurricane story, that most people will remember the horror that it was!
It really had a special meaning for me, as I actually met two of the Navy Corpsmen, who did the helicopter rescues, as mentioned in this book!
On a School trip, with my Nephew and his classmates, we drove from South Florida to Jacksonville, Florida. We got to spend the night at Transit Housing at NAS Jacksonville. At the meeting with multiple people there, who were telling the students, of going into the Navy. Then up came two of the men, who did those incredible rescues!! The one guy said, they couldn't get close to one house for a rescue. They had to drop him from the helicopter to the house next door. He had to leap over to the correct house. Slide down the roof and pushing the front door. The house had a great amount of water flooded in.. He found the entire family, standing on the kitchen cabinets. The water was up to their feet on the counter tops. One, by one, he took each person out, to be rescued!
This story, brought back those memories!!
August 28, 2024
I love reading novels by Julie Smith: This one about being in New Orleans during Katrina sounds unreal; but all the stories I've heard from others are all too real. I had just moved to Mississippi in 2004; after a nasty divorce; and 2005 my daughter was getting married up north in early september at my mother's house. I had to leave to travel to there soon; but not in August. I was going to stay; but when the Weather Channel said 150-170 mph and 15ft. storm surge I left. I didn't know for days if I still had my house or it's condition. I went back to Ms. and the terrain looked like a war had taken place with the national gun with guns guarding south of I-10. I won't go into specifics; but any story from here is true; no matter how bizarre! Even I will cry also; when someone tells you their experiences. New Orleans ready had their problems too with many people trying to Evacuate; not everyone has the funds needed or are handicapped. The Supperdome was the shelter of last resort; but turned out to be an added catastrophe. Crimes were committed; but people needed shelter, food and water. It took quite awhile to get that helping to who needed it most and that was a who lots of people and animals! Never forget the tragedy of Katrina!
October 11, 2021
When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, Detectives Skip Langdon and Adam Abasolo find their skills and mental health stretched to the limit. Death, destruction, and crime are everywhere. Adam’s new love interest, Dr. Kathy Bordelon, who’s treating psychiatric patients at Charity Hospital, is also struggling. Encounters with the Polite family cause her and the cops’ world to overlap in a significant way, as Skip realizes that officers might be killing local gangsters.
Author Julie Smith provides chilling descriptions of the disaster’s aftermath, both geographically and emotionally. Although she wisely focuses on a small number of personal stories, the magnitude of the destruction and distress is displayed in eye-popping ways that had me shaking my head. Some details I knew through news accounts, but the characters’ viewpoints made things poignant and heart-wrenching.
It must be tricky to write about real-life disasters and locations and not lapse into tirades of blame on specific institutions, governments, or people. Smith, however, succeeds in keeping the story a riveting page turner. Highly recommended.
Author Julie Smith provides chilling descriptions of the disaster’s aftermath, both geographically and emotionally. Although she wisely focuses on a small number of personal stories, the magnitude of the destruction and distress is displayed in eye-popping ways that had me shaking my head. Some details I knew through news accounts, but the characters’ viewpoints made things poignant and heart-wrenching.
It must be tricky to write about real-life disasters and locations and not lapse into tirades of blame on specific institutions, governments, or people. Smith, however, succeeds in keeping the story a riveting page turner. Highly recommended.
January 7, 2020
Wow. I felt like I was in New Orleans after Katrina. Not only was I there, I was with characters I liked, going through that hell. Additionally, I enjoyed all the eccentric secondary characters. I have neighbors like these. There is no specific crime as the focus of the story. The real crime was the failure of any government agency to plan for this disaster. It's not like New Orleans, indeed the whole country, had not been warned that this would happen under the right storm conditions. This is the story of the people of New Orleans rising to the occasion or using it for criminal activities. I started the Skip Langdon series with this 11th book because it was free from Amazon. I am definitely going to read the series from the beginning. Here's hoping my local library has them all.
April 30, 2020
The Big Crazy is a GREAT name for this book. This is my 2nd book by this author and I will be getting more. This was so much better then the 1st book I read by this author. Just my personal preference.
Hurricane Katrina has devastated New Orleans - Police procedures are a thing of the past for now. Police ( Skip Langdon and her former partner Adam Abasolo are on a search and rescue mission. All they want to do is save people they care about and help the citizens of The Big Easy. Nothing is EVER simple because dirty cops are taking advantage of the chaos to line their pockets. Add the usual New Orleans lunatics and resident crazies and these 2 cops have more than they can handle, but they keep trying.
Don't miss this one !!!
Hurricane Katrina has devastated New Orleans - Police procedures are a thing of the past for now. Police ( Skip Langdon and her former partner Adam Abasolo are on a search and rescue mission. All they want to do is save people they care about and help the citizens of The Big Easy. Nothing is EVER simple because dirty cops are taking advantage of the chaos to line their pockets. Add the usual New Orleans lunatics and resident crazies and these 2 cops have more than they can handle, but they keep trying.
Don't miss this one !!!
June 18, 2020
Absolutely riveting!
Since I’ve read the other Skip Langdon novels, I expected this one to be good as well. But wow, Julie Smith outdid herself here! To use Katrina as the backdrop brought back all the stories we’d heard as people in other parts of the country, but to see it firsthand through Skip and A.A.’s eyes was another thing altogether. The story at Charity Hospital was heartwrenching and brings to light (even more so) the heroes that worked there. I especially liked how Skip’s brother Conrad was brought into this story, and how he turned out to be somewhat of a hero himself. I wasn’t able to click on the link to see updates on the characters from this story though. I had hoped to read that.
Since I’ve read the other Skip Langdon novels, I expected this one to be good as well. But wow, Julie Smith outdid herself here! To use Katrina as the backdrop brought back all the stories we’d heard as people in other parts of the country, but to see it firsthand through Skip and A.A.’s eyes was another thing altogether. The story at Charity Hospital was heartwrenching and brings to light (even more so) the heroes that worked there. I especially liked how Skip’s brother Conrad was brought into this story, and how he turned out to be somewhat of a hero himself. I wasn’t able to click on the link to see updates on the characters from this story though. I had hoped to read that.
April 10, 2021
It’s just crazy that I loved a book recounting Hurricane Katrina when we know there was so much devastation. However, through Julies characters we experience the good in people, some of the bad and the resourcefulness of those brought together in adversity. Once again Skip Langdon is managing to solve crimes in her inimitable fashion whilst the fury of nature rages around her six foot frame. I now am keeping my fingers ,toes and anything else handy crossed , that we get another Skip Langdon adventure in the near future. I have read all 11 books to date and have become quite attached to Skip and all the other characters that make up her vibrant New Orleans world.
July 17, 2023
Skip, Katrina, and The Big Easy
I recommend this book to anyone who likes Skip Langdon and watched Katrina from outside The Big Easy. Even with the limited amount of “police procedure” in this book, the true-to-fact characters and activities that make up the tangled web of this story mean this is a worthy addition to Ms Smith’s oeuvre.
A.A. and his most recent lady friend feature prominently in this book, with the lady friend, a hospital psychologist, receiving almost as many pages as either Skip or A.A. Katrina was a crucible; these three characters come through changed and stronger.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes Skip Langdon and watched Katrina from outside The Big Easy. Even with the limited amount of “police procedure” in this book, the true-to-fact characters and activities that make up the tangled web of this story mean this is a worthy addition to Ms Smith’s oeuvre.
A.A. and his most recent lady friend feature prominently in this book, with the lady friend, a hospital psychologist, receiving almost as many pages as either Skip or A.A. Katrina was a crucible; these three characters come through changed and stronger.
June 30, 2020
Terrific!
Skip Langdon books are always fun to read, and this one is no exception. The pace is as frenetic as living through Hurricane Katrina must have been. Then a locked down psych ward, a precocious young teen, gang activity and dirty cops are added in, and the story careens down to a satisfying end. The plot does fold back on itself a bit, so you need to get used to some chapters having their timeline beginning in the middle of the previous chapter. I'm glad I read this.
Skip Langdon books are always fun to read, and this one is no exception. The pace is as frenetic as living through Hurricane Katrina must have been. Then a locked down psych ward, a precocious young teen, gang activity and dirty cops are added in, and the story careens down to a satisfying end. The plot does fold back on itself a bit, so you need to get used to some chapters having their timeline beginning in the middle of the previous chapter. I'm glad I read this.
July 29, 2021
This is a truly amazing story, with the main backdrop being the horrors inflicted on the people of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. As someone to watched the crisis unfold from 1000 miles away, I was fascinated again and in greater depth by the impact of the storm with all of its side effects. The gripping plot involves the detective Skip Langdon and her efforts to survive, help those around her, and do her best to maintain law and order, which had just reached all-time lows. I could not put this book down!
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July 30, 2022Page turning
This book is rated as a police procedural. Nevertheless, the real story is how quickly things fall apart in the face of a truly catastrophic disaster. I am a survivor of Andrew. 1992 Katrina, was 2005. You will note it takes 3 days for the federal government to even begin to help.
This book is accurate in the devolving society. Fighting over water, rations, and people shooting others. I could not put it down.
This book is rated as a police procedural. Nevertheless, the real story is how quickly things fall apart in the face of a truly catastrophic disaster. I am a survivor of Andrew. 1992 Katrina, was 2005. You will note it takes 3 days for the federal government to even begin to help.
This book is accurate in the devolving society. Fighting over water, rations, and people shooting others. I could not put it down.
June 17, 2023
I read this book almost straight through. I watched the news intently at the time because my brother had recently moved to Louisianan. Far enough away not to be in this mess. The story was fascinating and I enjoyed the characters. They are like old friends as we follow them through the books. Julie writes books that gripe you, surprise you, entertain you, amuse you and at times you want to cry. That is what makes them so memorable.
August 13, 2023
As a fan of this series, I've waited for this book for 18 years. Grew up in New Oleans and now reside in Mississippi Gulf Coast.... and my family & I lost everything in Katrina. I was anxious to read how Ms Smith would write Skip's Katrina story.......WOW exactly on point. She puts the reader there so perfectly. It's as close as you can come to understanding what it's like to survive a natural disaster....and a fun mystery to boot. Thank you so much for this book Ms Smith!
January 9, 2020
Postcards From Hell
It was really like this. I've never been able to describe those first five days to anyone without falling apart or, oddly, needing desperately to sleep.
If you've ever wondered what would happen if everything you knew became a question mark, you won't be able to put this book down.
It was really like this. I've never been able to describe those first five days to anyone without falling apart or, oddly, needing desperately to sleep.
If you've ever wondered what would happen if everything you knew became a question mark, you won't be able to put this book down.
January 18, 2020
The Big Crazy
I have read most of the Skip Langdon book series and liked all of them but "The Big Crazy" is the best one in the series! The historical treatment of Katrina's influence on New Orleans was wrapped around an exciting case for Skip to solve in her own way. Her regular cast of characters add to story and many new ones came in hopefully to return in future stories.
I have read most of the Skip Langdon book series and liked all of them but "The Big Crazy" is the best one in the series! The historical treatment of Katrina's influence on New Orleans was wrapped around an exciting case for Skip to solve in her own way. Her regular cast of characters add to story and many new ones came in hopefully to return in future stories.
January 22, 2020
I've been reading and loving Julie Smith's books for ages and this is possibly the best. The multiple story lines are woven together cohesively. The descriptions of NOLO during and after Katrina are evocative of the terror, loss, and hopelessness, as well as of the creativity and generosity that were the order of the day. If you pick this one up, read all the way through the acknowledgments!
February 10, 2021
Good story
My husband was in New Orleans shortly after Katrina so it was meaningful comparing what he saw. It was a different Julie Smith tale but always has the young person she is attached to and feels compelled to help. I always like happy endings, though. It was disappointing that nothing more was said if Adam and Kathy might be together. Another story?
My husband was in New Orleans shortly after Katrina so it was meaningful comparing what he saw. It was a different Julie Smith tale but always has the young person she is attached to and feels compelled to help. I always like happy endings, though. It was disappointing that nothing more was said if Adam and Kathy might be together. Another story?
August 14, 2021
Loved this story!!
The devastation Katrina wrought was mind-blowing! It seems unbelievable that it happened so long ago.
How people managed to keep on working, continuing to serve one another while their city drowned just proves that ordinary people are capable of being incredibly brave under certain circumstances.
The devastation Katrina wrought was mind-blowing! It seems unbelievable that it happened so long ago.
How people managed to keep on working, continuing to serve one another while their city drowned just proves that ordinary people are capable of being incredibly brave under certain circumstances.
October 31, 2022
wow! what a an amazing read
This is one of those stories that grips you & makes you hope you never have to experience anything like New Orleans & Katrina.
The goodness of some people & the absolute evil of others, never ceases to amaze me.
Julie Smith is an excellent wordsmith & I’m happy to all she writes.
This is one of those stories that grips you & makes you hope you never have to experience anything like New Orleans & Katrina.
The goodness of some people & the absolute evil of others, never ceases to amaze me.
Julie Smith is an excellent wordsmith & I’m happy to all she writes.
June 5, 2023
Loved it!
Another great book in the Skip Langdon series. The storyline takes place during the Hurricane Katrina time, and the aftermath of trying to police a city through a crazy crisis. The devastation and destruction, not only of the infrastructure, but of the lives of the people of New Orleans is brought into this story. Loved it!
Another great book in the Skip Langdon series. The storyline takes place during the Hurricane Katrina time, and the aftermath of trying to police a city through a crazy crisis. The devastation and destruction, not only of the infrastructure, but of the lives of the people of New Orleans is brought into this story. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews