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Wildeblood Coalition #1
Murder in the Big Easy
The body of a young boy is found discarded in a dumpster. Even in a town used to deadly crimes, this one touches a nerve.
Miles Jenkins is new to the police force, and while he was prepared to deal with routine traffic stops and occasional gang violence. He wasn’t prepared to open a trash bag and find two glassy eyes staring back at him. The rest of the NOPD writes the death off as a casualty of the streets, but Miles is confident it’s something more.
He’s so confident, in fact, that he’s determined to uncover the truth, and the first step is talking to the boy’s mother, her boyfriend, and her older brother, Leonard Davis.
Leo Davis has a lot going on. With a mother battling a drug addiction and the recent loss of his only nephew, the last thing he wants is a cop to come snooping around his streets, especially one as bright-eyed and hopeful as Officer Jenkins.
The officer is obsessed with finding out who killed his nephew, and he’s determined to involve Leo in his search. However, what starts out as a simple off-hours investigation quickly turns into more. With mounting threats and more dead bodies, can Leo and Miles find out who committed this heinous crime before they’re both silenced for good?
Murder in the Big Easy is the first of an on-going series. There’s mystery, romance, and action all wrapped up in one nice, fast-paced package. This is an origins story, so while it may feel a little light on the paranormal, realize there’s a lot more to come. This story is gritty and a little dark, so if you’re not into streetwise gangbangers or are sensitive to that language, this may not be the series for you.
Murder in the Big Easy is 101k and a complete story, but there are open threads and an overarching plot that will be resolved as the series continues.
Miles Jenkins is new to the police force, and while he was prepared to deal with routine traffic stops and occasional gang violence. He wasn’t prepared to open a trash bag and find two glassy eyes staring back at him. The rest of the NOPD writes the death off as a casualty of the streets, but Miles is confident it’s something more.
He’s so confident, in fact, that he’s determined to uncover the truth, and the first step is talking to the boy’s mother, her boyfriend, and her older brother, Leonard Davis.
Leo Davis has a lot going on. With a mother battling a drug addiction and the recent loss of his only nephew, the last thing he wants is a cop to come snooping around his streets, especially one as bright-eyed and hopeful as Officer Jenkins.
The officer is obsessed with finding out who killed his nephew, and he’s determined to involve Leo in his search. However, what starts out as a simple off-hours investigation quickly turns into more. With mounting threats and more dead bodies, can Leo and Miles find out who committed this heinous crime before they’re both silenced for good?
Murder in the Big Easy is the first of an on-going series. There’s mystery, romance, and action all wrapped up in one nice, fast-paced package. This is an origins story, so while it may feel a little light on the paranormal, realize there’s a lot more to come. This story is gritty and a little dark, so if you’re not into streetwise gangbangers or are sensitive to that language, this may not be the series for you.
Murder in the Big Easy is 101k and a complete story, but there are open threads and an overarching plot that will be resolved as the series continues.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2021
57 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Jules Monroe
12 books22 followersJules Monroe is a POC author who loves writing about things that go bump in the night. They like exploring the "what-ifs" associated with paranormal and supernatural and developing unique lore.
But for real, they just like writing about growly werewolf boys, prim and proper vampires, and any other types of shifters and supernaturals that strike their fancy.
If you're reading a Jules Monroe book, expect slow-burn, sensual romance between unique, diverse characters.
But for real, they just like writing about growly werewolf boys, prim and proper vampires, and any other types of shifters and supernaturals that strike their fancy.
If you're reading a Jules Monroe book, expect slow-burn, sensual romance between unique, diverse characters.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
not-interested
May 18, 2022DNF at 15%
I really wanted to like this book, it has a lot of potential.
Dynamic, unique characters with distinct POV
A detailed and well written setting - gotta love the “biggest organized gang in the city” lines. It’s taking on a lot of big social problems, and doing it well as far as I can tell. I’d love to see how this relationship between Miles and Leo develops.
But…
I was drowning in overwrought purple prose. Some paragraphs I’d forget where they started because of the extensive, meandering descriptions. With this book clocking in at almost 500 pages(!!), there’s just no way I can make it through. If it got edited down, lost…say 80% of the excessive descriptions, I think this could be a real winner. The writing otherwise is quite good.
As is, I just can’t do it, and it’s a real bummer. Maybe it'll work for others though.
*I've changed this to no rating/not-interested shelf as the writing style is something I would have put the book down for in a sample, were it not KU.
I really wanted to like this book, it has a lot of potential.
Dynamic, unique characters with distinct POV
A detailed and well written setting - gotta love the “biggest organized gang in the city” lines. It’s taking on a lot of big social problems, and doing it well as far as I can tell. I’d love to see how this relationship between Miles and Leo develops.
But…
I was drowning in overwrought purple prose. Some paragraphs I’d forget where they started because of the extensive, meandering descriptions. With this book clocking in at almost 500 pages(!!), there’s just no way I can make it through. If it got edited down, lost…say 80% of the excessive descriptions, I think this could be a real winner. The writing otherwise is quite good.
As is, I just can’t do it, and it’s a real bummer. Maybe it'll work for others though.
*I've changed this to no rating/not-interested shelf as the writing style is something I would have put the book down for in a sample, were it not KU.
March 10, 2021
A Love Letter to This Book:
Full disclosure I’m only 25% in to this book but I was busting at the seems to write this review already because this book is EVERYTHING!! Like I don’t have words for how overwhelmed I am with this book in the best way. I am a Queer Black Womxn who LOVES murder mysteries and this book a love letter to people like me. I read Queer stories al the time but normally it’s nothing but white characters so having this Beautiful Queer Black men and an an awesome plot??? My heart is exploding. I will update when finished but if it keeps the way it’s going it’ll be just me gushing as I buy the next book in the series
Update: FINISHED! I haven't found a book that set me on an all night reading binge in a really long time, during the week I normally stick to books 200 pages and under just so I don't lose sleep but this book kept calling to me and I am so so grateful it did even if it did cost me 6 hours of sleep. This book is just as good start to finish. I consumed every word of it and still did not want it to end. I wanted to fall in to the pages and meet every character. I felt a part of the world being built around me. The characters are some of the richest and most beautiful people I've had the pleasure of meeting. The plot is engaging and excellently paced. I just have no criticisms of this book except that I wanted it to be LONGER which I never want from a book. Jules, thank you so much for sharing this gift with the rest of us! The minute I finished this I went an pre-ordered the sequel (how am supposed to survive until October?!??!). This book has made me feel seen, heard and excited in a way only a treasure of a book can. Thank you!
Full disclosure I’m only 25% in to this book but I was busting at the seems to write this review already because this book is EVERYTHING!! Like I don’t have words for how overwhelmed I am with this book in the best way. I am a Queer Black Womxn who LOVES murder mysteries and this book a love letter to people like me. I read Queer stories al the time but normally it’s nothing but white characters so having this Beautiful Queer Black men and an an awesome plot??? My heart is exploding. I will update when finished but if it keeps the way it’s going it’ll be just me gushing as I buy the next book in the series
Update: FINISHED! I haven't found a book that set me on an all night reading binge in a really long time, during the week I normally stick to books 200 pages and under just so I don't lose sleep but this book kept calling to me and I am so so grateful it did even if it did cost me 6 hours of sleep. This book is just as good start to finish. I consumed every word of it and still did not want it to end. I wanted to fall in to the pages and meet every character. I felt a part of the world being built around me. The characters are some of the richest and most beautiful people I've had the pleasure of meeting. The plot is engaging and excellently paced. I just have no criticisms of this book except that I wanted it to be LONGER which I never want from a book. Jules, thank you so much for sharing this gift with the rest of us! The minute I finished this I went an pre-ordered the sequel (how am supposed to survive until October?!??!). This book has made me feel seen, heard and excited in a way only a treasure of a book can. Thank you!
November 26, 2021
Rookie cop Miles is both colored and gay ... both of which one would assume to be serious drawbacks in a career in law enforcement. Well - not the gay so much but the focus of this book lands squarely on racial profiling, discrimination and abuse as systemic/social injustice for the poor and disadvantaged. As such - this was a great start to a new series (and a new author for me).
The MCs are likeable and the dance of attraction was nicely drawn out (no insta-lust-jumping-into-the-sack here folks) with one memorable cock-blocking scene. Leo's immediate family, Miles' work partner and some of their friends also provided some interesting (and hopefully fully recurring) secondary characters; and one lady cat answering to the name Simon!
Some readers may be dismayed at the liberal use of the 'N'-word, but as these are mostly expressed by a truculent secondary character of color, I'm assuming we're meant to be more forgiving of this. At the mid-way mark, I was beginning to wonder if the paranormal aspects advertised in the marketing blurb was a total lie ... but patience and perseverance paid off as a lot more was revealed towards the surprising end. I'm now hoping the next book keeps up the standard as I've already pre-ordered it.
The MCs are likeable and the dance of attraction was nicely drawn out (no insta-lust-jumping-into-the-sack here folks) with one memorable cock-blocking scene. Leo's immediate family, Miles' work partner and some of their friends also provided some interesting (and hopefully fully recurring) secondary characters; and one lady cat answering to the name Simon!
Some readers may be dismayed at the liberal use of the 'N'-word, but as these are mostly expressed by a truculent secondary character of color, I'm assuming we're meant to be more forgiving of this. At the mid-way mark, I was beginning to wonder if the paranormal aspects advertised in the marketing blurb was a total lie ... but patience and perseverance paid off as a lot more was revealed towards the surprising end. I'm now hoping the next book keeps up the standard as I've already pre-ordered it.
June 28, 2021
Aight!
Not much paranormal, but okay by me. The characters are believable for the most part, the MC romance story was perfect. A fun suspense story but some violence that may not be for everyone. I loved the idealism of Miles. Wish his ideas could work in the real world.
Not much paranormal, but okay by me. The characters are believable for the most part, the MC romance story was perfect. A fun suspense story but some violence that may not be for everyone. I loved the idealism of Miles. Wish his ideas could work in the real world.
January 17, 2021
Starting out with a heavy thump of social classist and racist reality issues, the story gradually binds the reader into the lost hope and resigned despair of various types of city life. The possibility of good weighed down by the barriers seemingly impossible to overcome. Someone new, from another place and a different life, entering into dynamics of consolidated cop vs street-gang rivalry.
Fairly well depicted, perhaps slightly optimistic, with sentiments running deep even when the actual "steamy moments" are sparse, and nicely developed characters and interaction.
The foreshadowing of most of the answers to the initial puzzle may or may not be confirmed by the end, but the relationships of the primary and secondary characters are nicely plotted out in a crescendo of comprehension about all their situations.
**Slight spoiler**
I'd forgotten that this was going to become a supernatural story, while reading through most of it, and was almost disappointed by the appearance of that element, in the direst moment. After this, the rest of the story seems to be a lead-in for a series that might be intriguing, with possibilities opening for other supernatural events in further stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fairly well depicted, perhaps slightly optimistic, with sentiments running deep even when the actual "steamy moments" are sparse, and nicely developed characters and interaction.
The foreshadowing of most of the answers to the initial puzzle may or may not be confirmed by the end, but the relationships of the primary and secondary characters are nicely plotted out in a crescendo of comprehension about all their situations.
**Slight spoiler**
I'd forgotten that this was going to become a supernatural story, while reading through most of it, and was almost disappointed by the appearance of that element, in the direst moment. After this, the rest of the story seems to be a lead-in for a series that might be intriguing, with possibilities opening for other supernatural events in further stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 14, 2021
Officer Miles Jenkins made choices that his father was’t happy with. He joined the military and then the police academy and became successful on the force. He’s made a change and now has joined the NOPD, with hopes to bring law enforcement and the community together. So much of the crime was blamed on the gang’s and the mean streets of New Orleans. Miles takes it very hard when he finds a young boys body, Brandon Davis, in a dumpster. Miles can’t let it go as the results of the investigation don’t add up. Miles doesn’t believe it’s just a gang or street issue.
In his search for answers, Miles seeks out Leonard Davis, Brandons uncle. Leonard could have had it all, with his athletic ability, but his home life and environment was his downfall. Meeting Leo is an eye-opener for Miles. He sees the struggle that drugs and gangs brought to Leo’s life and so many other issues within his family. Leo carries it all on his shoulders. Now he has a decent job cleaning floors at night with Mr. Martin. He strives to do one thing, and that is to get help for his bipolar, drug addicted mother.
At first things are somewhat rocky between Leo and Miles. As they get closer, Leo takes Miles out and shows him that New Orleans isn’t as bad as it seems. As their connection grows there’s warnings form both sides, that they should keep away from each other. As Miles sees the bigotry and how screwed up the investigation of Brandons death is, he digs deeper. The more he pieces together, he has no idea what danger lies ahead for him.
First time read, for me, by Jules Monroe and she does really well in giving an in-depth look at Miles Jenkins and Leonard Davis. As a reader of mysteries this is my first time reading a novel that has two MC’s who are Afro-American and it was very well done. I really got wrapped up in both these characters: their lives, environment, personalities and the connection that they make. The author keeps the story moving with so many interesting, secondary characters: Zahavia, Katarina, Xavier, Auntie Octavia, Chris, Farhad, Miles Ashe Jenkins the first, Dorian Davis, and Mr. Martin.
The author covers many aspects of the Afro-American community: gangs, bigotry, racism, homosexuality and many issues that exist today, with the hopes to bring the gangs, community and law enforcement together.
One thing Jules Monroe does that makes this intriguing, she does let the reader know that it’s just a touch paranormal. As I kept reading, I kept looking for it and was totally surprised with what was to come. I don’t think it was intentional but it did make the story even more appealing. But I have to say, Miles and Leonards characters carried this story perfectly. There is a second novel to come, “Murder and Bad Gris-Gris”, coming October 31, 2021. Now that I know what the paranormal is, I can’t wait to see how the next book will play out and how it will effect Miles and Leonard.
In his search for answers, Miles seeks out Leonard Davis, Brandons uncle. Leonard could have had it all, with his athletic ability, but his home life and environment was his downfall. Meeting Leo is an eye-opener for Miles. He sees the struggle that drugs and gangs brought to Leo’s life and so many other issues within his family. Leo carries it all on his shoulders. Now he has a decent job cleaning floors at night with Mr. Martin. He strives to do one thing, and that is to get help for his bipolar, drug addicted mother.
At first things are somewhat rocky between Leo and Miles. As they get closer, Leo takes Miles out and shows him that New Orleans isn’t as bad as it seems. As their connection grows there’s warnings form both sides, that they should keep away from each other. As Miles sees the bigotry and how screwed up the investigation of Brandons death is, he digs deeper. The more he pieces together, he has no idea what danger lies ahead for him.
First time read, for me, by Jules Monroe and she does really well in giving an in-depth look at Miles Jenkins and Leonard Davis. As a reader of mysteries this is my first time reading a novel that has two MC’s who are Afro-American and it was very well done. I really got wrapped up in both these characters: their lives, environment, personalities and the connection that they make. The author keeps the story moving with so many interesting, secondary characters: Zahavia, Katarina, Xavier, Auntie Octavia, Chris, Farhad, Miles Ashe Jenkins the first, Dorian Davis, and Mr. Martin.
The author covers many aspects of the Afro-American community: gangs, bigotry, racism, homosexuality and many issues that exist today, with the hopes to bring the gangs, community and law enforcement together.
One thing Jules Monroe does that makes this intriguing, she does let the reader know that it’s just a touch paranormal. As I kept reading, I kept looking for it and was totally surprised with what was to come. I don’t think it was intentional but it did make the story even more appealing. But I have to say, Miles and Leonards characters carried this story perfectly. There is a second novel to come, “Murder and Bad Gris-Gris”, coming October 31, 2021. Now that I know what the paranormal is, I can’t wait to see how the next book will play out and how it will effect Miles and Leonard.
January 1, 2022
Intense mm urban fantasy novel
The intense part of this novel is through most of it but I wondered where the fantasy part came into the story. It really doesn’t show up until the very end and there are more questions brought up than answered. The suspense is well kept up throughout the well paced plot but the real star of this book to my mind is the way the characters are written. All of the people in this story wether good or bad, main character or small side character are written by Jules Monroe so that I could picture them and I wanted to know what happened to them. I’m glad that the next book in this series is already written so I can get some answers.
The intense part of this novel is through most of it but I wondered where the fantasy part came into the story. It really doesn’t show up until the very end and there are more questions brought up than answered. The suspense is well kept up throughout the well paced plot but the real star of this book to my mind is the way the characters are written. All of the people in this story wether good or bad, main character or small side character are written by Jules Monroe so that I could picture them and I wanted to know what happened to them. I’m glad that the next book in this series is already written so I can get some answers.
June 27, 2022
Have you ever read a story that you enjoyed but was murder at first to get into? Yeah, that was this book for me. *headdesk* ;p
Maybe it was because the mystery wasn't really a surprise or maybe because it was so dang long? Either way, once things clicked the story really worked for me... finally! *grin*
Miles and Leo made all the aforementioned problems worthwhile! ❤
Maybe it was because the mystery wasn't really a surprise or maybe because it was so dang long? Either way, once things clicked the story really worked for me... finally! *grin*
Miles and Leo made all the aforementioned problems worthwhile! ❤
June 21, 2021
unexpectedly(not a fan of murder mysteries)....I loved it!
July 2, 2021
It’s a really good book but disappointing in the romance department.
Read
December 4, 2021Slow burn, a little slow book in general and the paranormal part meh
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews