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Jeri Howard Mystery #13
The Devil Close Behind
Private investigator Jeri Howard is on vacation in New Orleans when a friend asks a favor: her sister Laurette has disappeared with a boyfriend, and Jeri's trip turns into a case. Slade, a mercurial musician, tends to strike out when thwarted, sometimes leading to deadly consequences. Jeri's investigation takes her from French Quarter clubs to workaday NOLA, then back to California, into jeopardy--and an explosive conclusion.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2022
81 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dawson
65 books71 followersJanet Dawson is the author of The Sacrificial Daughter, first in a new series featuring geriatric care manager. She has also written thirteen novels featuring Oakland private investigator Jeri Howard. Her first, Kindred Crimes, won the St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America contest for best first private eye novel. The most recent book in the series is The Devil Close Behind.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 1, 2019
Thirteenth in Janet Dawson’s excellent Jeri Howard series, The Devil Close Behind finds Jeri in New Orleans on a birdwatching trip with her father. Just before they are to return to Oakland, Jeri’s friend Davina calls and tells Jeri that her sister, Laurette, who lives in New Orleans is missing and not answering her phone. Davina asks Jeri if she can spend a couple of days looking into where Laurette might be.
Teaming up with a New Orleans investigator, Antoine, whom she met at a convention, Jeri and Antoine begin looking into what Laurette was doing just before she dropped out of sight. What they find is troubling: Laurette quit her job, moved out of her apartment, and left with Slade, a guitar player she met in a club in New Orleans – all without a word to her parents who also live in New Orleans and who are frantic. As they continue to investigate it becomes clear that Laurette and Slade are on a road trip but where are they heading?
Ultimately Jeri has to return to Oakland and her business but soon after Davina calls to say that Laurette and Slade are in Oakland and she wants Jeri to meet them because Davina has a bad feeling about what is going on with them. After meeting them Jeri begins following Slade and discovers that he has a secret he has kept for a long time, and he is using Laurette - but to what end? Unfortunately, what Jeri finds puts herself and Laurette in danger leaving her to wonder if she can thwart Slade’s plan before it’s too late.
I love this series! In Dawson’s hands, Jeri comes alive and her investigations ring true. I only hope Dawson continues to find new problems for Jeri to tackle!
Teaming up with a New Orleans investigator, Antoine, whom she met at a convention, Jeri and Antoine begin looking into what Laurette was doing just before she dropped out of sight. What they find is troubling: Laurette quit her job, moved out of her apartment, and left with Slade, a guitar player she met in a club in New Orleans – all without a word to her parents who also live in New Orleans and who are frantic. As they continue to investigate it becomes clear that Laurette and Slade are on a road trip but where are they heading?
Ultimately Jeri has to return to Oakland and her business but soon after Davina calls to say that Laurette and Slade are in Oakland and she wants Jeri to meet them because Davina has a bad feeling about what is going on with them. After meeting them Jeri begins following Slade and discovers that he has a secret he has kept for a long time, and he is using Laurette - but to what end? Unfortunately, what Jeri finds puts herself and Laurette in danger leaving her to wonder if she can thwart Slade’s plan before it’s too late.
I love this series! In Dawson’s hands, Jeri comes alive and her investigations ring true. I only hope Dawson continues to find new problems for Jeri to tackle!
March 19, 2024
free ebook , i love this series and wish i could read them all
she goes to new orleans with her dad on a bird watching vacation when his buddy fell off a ladder and couldnt go
her friend in ca called her and said her sister was missing and could she stay longer and look into it. she did
she had a friend pi there who helped her. her husband had died in the war, then she was in a car accident and her daughter was killed. the sister met a musician no one liked, and moved away with him without telling her family.
the sister finally had called from tx but she and the pi still think the boyfriend is no good. there was a murder and more than a few fires associated with him
she had to go back home and take care of her own business but was still going to look into the case as the boyfriends mom lived in ca
her own boyfriend was off on another one of his nature hikes which was his business. i still dont know what happened to the aids pediatrician she used to go out with, i missed a book
the new boyfriend of the friends sister is going to dump her and take her car. she knows nothing about his plan. he is trying to get money from his mom, his stepdad said no more money. his cousin lights fires like he does. his cousin wont give him all the $ he owes him either. they are going to get even with the step dad. they set fire to the neighbors garage when they got mad at him when they were in hs. they also set fire to a club they were mad at
they caught him after him and his cousin lit a fire, but his cousin died in the fire
they explained about him to her friends sister
her boyfriend came home and she picked him up from the airport
she goes to new orleans with her dad on a bird watching vacation when his buddy fell off a ladder and couldnt go
her friend in ca called her and said her sister was missing and could she stay longer and look into it. she did
she had a friend pi there who helped her. her husband had died in the war, then she was in a car accident and her daughter was killed. the sister met a musician no one liked, and moved away with him without telling her family.
the sister finally had called from tx but she and the pi still think the boyfriend is no good. there was a murder and more than a few fires associated with him
she had to go back home and take care of her own business but was still going to look into the case as the boyfriends mom lived in ca
her own boyfriend was off on another one of his nature hikes which was his business. i still dont know what happened to the aids pediatrician she used to go out with, i missed a book
the new boyfriend of the friends sister is going to dump her and take her car. she knows nothing about his plan. he is trying to get money from his mom, his stepdad said no more money. his cousin lights fires like he does. his cousin wont give him all the $ he owes him either. they are going to get even with the step dad. they set fire to the neighbors garage when they got mad at him when they were in hs. they also set fire to a club they were mad at
they caught him after him and his cousin lit a fire, but his cousin died in the fire
they explained about him to her friends sister
her boyfriend came home and she picked him up from the airport
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2022
In the 13th novel in the series, Jeri Howard’s in New Orleans with her father. A phone call from a friend starts an investigation to find Laurette, who’s missing with her boyfriend Slade. Initial enquiries reveal that her family don’t approve of Slade, leaving Jeri uneasy. With the help of local PI, Antoine Lasalle, the investigation uncovers a dark and disturbing side to Slade.
He likes to get even, usually by starting fires.
Like all the previous novels in the series, this is a gripping story. It’s filled with all the detail and thorough investigation of the previous novels, but with extra menace. Jeri remains charismatic and relentless as she draws closer to Slade. The tension rises as the threat to herself increases, leading to an exciting climax on home territory in California.
This is an outstanding novel in a brilliant series that offers the best in private investigator fiction. Jeri’s a determined and dedicated PI, who never lets her feelings or personal life compromise her work. She’s thorough, witty and feisty, resourceful and consistently entertaining.
I hope there will be another novel in the series as it’s one of the best I’ve had the pleasure to read.
He likes to get even, usually by starting fires.
Like all the previous novels in the series, this is a gripping story. It’s filled with all the detail and thorough investigation of the previous novels, but with extra menace. Jeri remains charismatic and relentless as she draws closer to Slade. The tension rises as the threat to herself increases, leading to an exciting climax on home territory in California.
This is an outstanding novel in a brilliant series that offers the best in private investigator fiction. Jeri’s a determined and dedicated PI, who never lets her feelings or personal life compromise her work. She’s thorough, witty and feisty, resourceful and consistently entertaining.
I hope there will be another novel in the series as it’s one of the best I’ve had the pleasure to read.
June 3, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. At first, I wasn't sure, but the characters grew on me. It was good to watch the main character through the 13 books. Time elapsed, but I didn't get a sense that she grew any older!
This last book started in New Orleans and then ended back in Oakland.
I think I will miss reading these books/
This last book started in New Orleans and then ended back in Oakland.
I think I will miss reading these books/
August 3, 2024
Always like Jeri
Good one with one of my favorite PIs. Love the primary setting and always enjoy
jeri’s level head. Nice plot with well described bad guys who fit their roles to a tee!
Good one with one of my favorite PIs. Love the primary setting and always enjoy
jeri’s level head. Nice plot with well described bad guys who fit their roles to a tee!
July 1, 2022
I loved this book. The action and adventure kept coming. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the end.
April 26, 2024
A great series that I've thoroughly enjoyed!!
Read
August 12, 20248/24
February 17, 2025
I rate this one 4 stars.
March 24, 2025
Excellent Plot
The only criticism I can offer is that the author is addicted to description. The characters and plot lines are well drawn. I also found one typo.
The only criticism I can offer is that the author is addicted to description. The characters and plot lines are well drawn. I also found one typo.
May 22, 2025
An entertaining arson thriller
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews