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Simone Doucet #2
Wicked Bleu: Simone Doucet Series Book 2
A 103-year-old murder mystery.
An amateur ghost sleuth.
Can a wrong be rectified in death?
Eight months ago, Simone experienced her first spectral encounter. It awakened a dormant second sight and opened a chasm to the afterlife. Now, another spirit from 1917 New Orleans has wandered through that passage, haunting her with an intoxicating jasmine fragrance and wicked antics.
To escape this mysterious ghost, Simone jumps at a seven-day complimentary Mardi Gras hotel package, unaware there might be an ancestral power behind her decision, an identity she grapples with.
Is the ghost’s name Bleu?
She’s a lady of the night who lived a dangerous life in the infamous Storyville. A place lined with mansion-like brothels on the edge of the French Quarter run by unscrupulous madams and frequented by dangerous criminals. WWI is on the horizon, jazz music is burgeoning, and Bleu’s life unravels.
Visions of her past and horrific death beset Simone as she explores present-day New Orleans with her three roommates.
But why are the images fragmented? Has Bleu forgotten what happened the stormy night she died? Can Simone uncover Bleu’s murderer and reunite her with her loved ones before it’s too late?
An amateur ghost sleuth.
Can a wrong be rectified in death?
Eight months ago, Simone experienced her first spectral encounter. It awakened a dormant second sight and opened a chasm to the afterlife. Now, another spirit from 1917 New Orleans has wandered through that passage, haunting her with an intoxicating jasmine fragrance and wicked antics.
To escape this mysterious ghost, Simone jumps at a seven-day complimentary Mardi Gras hotel package, unaware there might be an ancestral power behind her decision, an identity she grapples with.
Is the ghost’s name Bleu?
She’s a lady of the night who lived a dangerous life in the infamous Storyville. A place lined with mansion-like brothels on the edge of the French Quarter run by unscrupulous madams and frequented by dangerous criminals. WWI is on the horizon, jazz music is burgeoning, and Bleu’s life unravels.
Visions of her past and horrific death beset Simone as she explores present-day New Orleans with her three roommates.
But why are the images fragmented? Has Bleu forgotten what happened the stormy night she died? Can Simone uncover Bleu’s murderer and reunite her with her loved ones before it’s too late?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2022
4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
E. Denise Billups
15 books131 followersE. Denise Billups is an American author born in rural Alabama, raised in New York City, formed by a multicultural environment. Previously a Wall Street Portfolio Analyst, Denise now writes haunting paranormal mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. The rigors of ballet shaped her childhood and earlier years — a discipline she carried into her writing. Today, Denise lives in New York City, where she’s a fitness fanatic by morning, a writer by day, and an avid reader during her free time. When she’s not penning her next thriller, she’s lost in the pages of a book, indulging her passion for literature or surrounding herself with friends and family. For more insight into Denise’s world of fiction, visit her website at edenisebillups.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 25, 2025
Wicked Bleu is the second book in the Simone Doucet series written by E. Denise Billups, an author whose work I've been following (and very much enjoying) for the last five years. From short stories to dark collections containing intense drama, mystical and unexpected connections, and spellbinding supernatural experiences, the plots and characters are always memorable, ethereal, and intriguing. I love the way Billups slowly builds the tension so readers become close to her characters, wondering exactly when and how the ghosts will appear. In this installment, readers learn what's transpired since the last book, which only took place recently and opened up Simone's ability to connect with ghosts. One in particular seems very determined to drag Simone to New Orleans, and while it's unfolding, Simone brings three roommates with her who also fall prey to the machinations of a tortured yet endearing ghost from a century earlier.
Billups always packs a punch when the other worldly visitations appear, and I found myself eagerly switching back and forth from past to present day, learning of the connections between everyone involved. Watching Simone's friendships and love interest evolve is a lovely side story, and the author's depth of research about early 20th century American lifestyles is apparent and pays off in dividends. Toss in the early stages of COVID appearing in America, and there's a realistic touch that grips readers until the end. What's causing Simone's friends to get ill, and is the ghost responsible for all the drama or an unknown illness beginning to spread around the world? I can't wait to see what happens in a possible third installment. Thanks for making some magic happen, Ms. Billups.
Billups always packs a punch when the other worldly visitations appear, and I found myself eagerly switching back and forth from past to present day, learning of the connections between everyone involved. Watching Simone's friendships and love interest evolve is a lovely side story, and the author's depth of research about early 20th century American lifestyles is apparent and pays off in dividends. Toss in the early stages of COVID appearing in America, and there's a realistic touch that grips readers until the end. What's causing Simone's friends to get ill, and is the ghost responsible for all the drama or an unknown illness beginning to spread around the world? I can't wait to see what happens in a possible third installment. Thanks for making some magic happen, Ms. Billups.
January 25, 2023
WICKED BLEU – Simone Doucet Series – Book Two – by E. DENISE BILLUPS
Though I have not read TAINTED HARVEST, Book One in the Simone Doucet Series—wherein an ancestral specter awakens Doucet’s second sight, thus enabling restless spirits to vie for her attention—I had no trouble navigating the storyline in Book Two, WICKED BLEU, which features a spectral pull from a being whose plight and intentions reveal in the Prologue.
Here is a snippet:
‘Your light gives me hope, another chance to set matters right before returning to that ultimate sleep. Fear, not my wiles. I may wander into your warm flesh, alive again, to roam beneath wrought-iron terraces, strut to the beat of sultry jazz in my beloved city once more. For a century, I’ve waited for someone to hear my story.’
‘Can’t you see the distance I’ve traveled?’
The novel opens on February 16, 2020, in Brooklyn, New York, and centers around Simone Doucet and her three Brownstone roommates: Stacy Sahara Alanis, Mitchell Hu Young, Jude Michael Foster, and a ghost who was murdered one hundred and three years ago.
Wanting to get away from the mysterious ghost, Doucet and her roommate’s venture to New Orleans, Louisiana, to take advantage of the seven-day complimentary Mardi Gras hotel accommodations she received for a travel magazine article she wrote about the aforementioned hotel, the Bourbon Orleans—that’s—you guessed it—haunted.
Having stayed there before, Doucet has never experienced anything paranormal, that is, until this trip. Having awakened her second sight, the spirit that’s drawn to her the most is the one she’s worked so hard to evade, a lady of the night in 1917 who lived a dangerous life in Storyville, near the French Quarter; her name is Bleu.
‘Visions of her past and horrific death beset Simone….But why are the images fragmented? Has Bleu forgotten what happened the stormy night she died? Can Simone uncover Bleu’s murderer and reunite her with her loved ones before it’s too late?’
You will have to read the book and find out for yourselves. ;)
From this reader’s perspective, WICKED BLEU ticked all the boxes for me, so now I ask you…
Would you care to partake in a Supernatural tale?
Possession?
Witness a romance or two?
Try and solve a centuries-old murder whilst you are seamlessly thrust to and fro from present-day to events from the past in search of answers?
If you answered yes to one or all of the above, then I encourage you to dive into the Simone Doucet Series, starting with TAINTED HARVEST, then WICKED BLEU, and…
I hear there is going to be a Book Three!
Insert *squeeeeeeee* here
Thank You, Coffee And Thorn Book Tour, for inviting me onboard the tour, and Next Chapter Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of WICKED BLEU at the request of an honest review.
Though I have not read TAINTED HARVEST, Book One in the Simone Doucet Series—wherein an ancestral specter awakens Doucet’s second sight, thus enabling restless spirits to vie for her attention—I had no trouble navigating the storyline in Book Two, WICKED BLEU, which features a spectral pull from a being whose plight and intentions reveal in the Prologue.
Here is a snippet:
‘Your light gives me hope, another chance to set matters right before returning to that ultimate sleep. Fear, not my wiles. I may wander into your warm flesh, alive again, to roam beneath wrought-iron terraces, strut to the beat of sultry jazz in my beloved city once more. For a century, I’ve waited for someone to hear my story.’
‘Can’t you see the distance I’ve traveled?’
The novel opens on February 16, 2020, in Brooklyn, New York, and centers around Simone Doucet and her three Brownstone roommates: Stacy Sahara Alanis, Mitchell Hu Young, Jude Michael Foster, and a ghost who was murdered one hundred and three years ago.
Wanting to get away from the mysterious ghost, Doucet and her roommate’s venture to New Orleans, Louisiana, to take advantage of the seven-day complimentary Mardi Gras hotel accommodations she received for a travel magazine article she wrote about the aforementioned hotel, the Bourbon Orleans—that’s—you guessed it—haunted.
Having stayed there before, Doucet has never experienced anything paranormal, that is, until this trip. Having awakened her second sight, the spirit that’s drawn to her the most is the one she’s worked so hard to evade, a lady of the night in 1917 who lived a dangerous life in Storyville, near the French Quarter; her name is Bleu.
‘Visions of her past and horrific death beset Simone….But why are the images fragmented? Has Bleu forgotten what happened the stormy night she died? Can Simone uncover Bleu’s murderer and reunite her with her loved ones before it’s too late?’
You will have to read the book and find out for yourselves. ;)
From this reader’s perspective, WICKED BLEU ticked all the boxes for me, so now I ask you…
Would you care to partake in a Supernatural tale?
Possession?
Witness a romance or two?
Try and solve a centuries-old murder whilst you are seamlessly thrust to and fro from present-day to events from the past in search of answers?
If you answered yes to one or all of the above, then I encourage you to dive into the Simone Doucet Series, starting with TAINTED HARVEST, then WICKED BLEU, and…
I hear there is going to be a Book Three!
Insert *squeeeeeeee* here
Thank You, Coffee And Thorn Book Tour, for inviting me onboard the tour, and Next Chapter Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of WICKED BLEU at the request of an honest review.
October 29, 2022
Wicked Bleu (Simone Doucet Series, #2) By E. Denise Billups is a captivating paranormal mystery that follows a dual timeline, as spirits arrive to wreak havoc on the living and tell their tragic stories through another.
New Orleans is a rich and atmospheric city that is perfect as the backdrop to an unsolved murder, a passionate love story and how the past always returns to inform the present. Loved the cemetery references, the local dialect and glimpses of St. Louis Cathedral. It's a gorgeous place.
Storyville is an integral part of the plot and I find it fascinating to know more about the history of Nola.
When Simone gets a travel writing assignment and a few of her friend's tag along on a working vacation, one begins to act strangely (Stacy.) Not everyone understands what's going on and it creates some truly bizarre situations. When dealing with the spirit world, all bets might be off, especially when you're staying at a haunted hotel that used to hold the infamous Quadrant Balls.
If you enjoy modern ghost stories, but also understand the importance of the past, you would enjoy this story immensely. Well done and excellent research about a vibrant part of New Orleans and a perilous time quite similar to this one, that most might have forgotten.
New Orleans is a rich and atmospheric city that is perfect as the backdrop to an unsolved murder, a passionate love story and how the past always returns to inform the present. Loved the cemetery references, the local dialect and glimpses of St. Louis Cathedral. It's a gorgeous place.
Storyville is an integral part of the plot and I find it fascinating to know more about the history of Nola.
When Simone gets a travel writing assignment and a few of her friend's tag along on a working vacation, one begins to act strangely (Stacy.) Not everyone understands what's going on and it creates some truly bizarre situations. When dealing with the spirit world, all bets might be off, especially when you're staying at a haunted hotel that used to hold the infamous Quadrant Balls.
If you enjoy modern ghost stories, but also understand the importance of the past, you would enjoy this story immensely. Well done and excellent research about a vibrant part of New Orleans and a perilous time quite similar to this one, that most might have forgotten.
December 21, 2022
Here is an intelligent and thought provoking ghost story, that will haunt you long and long. Simone, sophisticated, modern, a journalist, has the gift of contact with her long ago relatives. It’s not a welcome gift: her predecessors, poor, black women from the deep south in New Orleans, have no happy messages to bring her from the past. But they want to be heard. They need to be heard. There are old injustices to uncover. They have waited long enough.
So they press their way into Simone’s modern life whether she wills it or not. And one of them, Bleu, will not let go until her wrongs are righted, even if that means taking possession of one of Simone’s friends, wearing her like a garment, leading Simone to the terrible truth of her story. The premise, worked out against the deeply atmospheric backdrop of New Orleans at Mardi Gras, is terrifying, but there is a curious innocence about the ghost, in its directness and its neediness, that takes away the possibility of horror in this story and insists upon sympathy.
The story is told simply, with the lightness of touch that I have seen before in this author. There is nothing weighty or pretentious in the writing. None the less, it raises profound questions about the persistence of the past. In truth, the ghosts of the past never leave us: they are inscribed not only in our blood, our DNA, but also in the lives that we lead now, that our parents lived, that our children will live. The lives of black people in America, even now, even those like Simone, who have achieved success, equality, privilege, are inscribed with the wrongs of the slave trade. Privilege, entitlement, abuse – these also wind back through the generations. The men who abused poor black women in the brothels of New Orleans at the turn of the last century have not gone away. Injustice has changed, moved, morphed, but it hasn’t gone away either. Lives are still destroyed by poverty, prostitution, violence, abuse.
The story has the pace and suspense of a detective novel, but also allows us time to get to know the characters and care about them. Its conclusion is satisfying and neat. Billups is a master of her art, and at home in her material. A captivating book.
So they press their way into Simone’s modern life whether she wills it or not. And one of them, Bleu, will not let go until her wrongs are righted, even if that means taking possession of one of Simone’s friends, wearing her like a garment, leading Simone to the terrible truth of her story. The premise, worked out against the deeply atmospheric backdrop of New Orleans at Mardi Gras, is terrifying, but there is a curious innocence about the ghost, in its directness and its neediness, that takes away the possibility of horror in this story and insists upon sympathy.
The story is told simply, with the lightness of touch that I have seen before in this author. There is nothing weighty or pretentious in the writing. None the less, it raises profound questions about the persistence of the past. In truth, the ghosts of the past never leave us: they are inscribed not only in our blood, our DNA, but also in the lives that we lead now, that our parents lived, that our children will live. The lives of black people in America, even now, even those like Simone, who have achieved success, equality, privilege, are inscribed with the wrongs of the slave trade. Privilege, entitlement, abuse – these also wind back through the generations. The men who abused poor black women in the brothels of New Orleans at the turn of the last century have not gone away. Injustice has changed, moved, morphed, but it hasn’t gone away either. Lives are still destroyed by poverty, prostitution, violence, abuse.
The story has the pace and suspense of a detective novel, but also allows us time to get to know the characters and care about them. Its conclusion is satisfying and neat. Billups is a master of her art, and at home in her material. A captivating book.
December 21, 2022
Spoilers: If you are going to write a supernatural mystery in which a ghost of a murdered woman haunts her descendant and helpa her solve family mysteries, it might as well be set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Yes, it's cliche but it is a setting that lends itself to such magic and mystery by its very nature. It is one of the best locations for this type of genre and is one of my favorite places to read about. In good books, New Orleans becomes a character that thrives on this supernatural energy and respect and reverence for all things macabre.
In this case New Orleans is not the only star of E. Denise Billups' Wicked Bleu, the second volume of Billups' Simone Doucet. The other is the title character, Bleu, the ghost of a woman who lived a life of abuse, racism, and sexual assault and makes her voice heard finally.
First, Bleu invades psychic and magazine writer Simone Doucet's dreams and gives her visual and audio impressions of her presence. Simone had long communicated with her ancestor and spiritual advisor, Delphine so communicating with ghosts is nothing new to her. But, Bleu's presence is more threatening.
Simone had visions of violence and drowning. Worst of all, her friend, Stacy, seems to be acting strangely like she's possessed. The answers appear to be found in New Orleans so Simone, Stacy, and their friends Mitchell and Jude go to the Big Easy during Mardi Gras to do some super sleuthing and ghost hunting.
The New Orleans setting is very prominent and is filled with spooky elements. There are many passages where Simone and her friends have to face New Orleans' undead residents.
It's an all too easy location to imagine ghosts around every corner from Jackson Square to the Garden District.
The book also reveals the less savory aspects of New Orleans' past, particularly the Storyville section, a notorious haven for prostitution. When a location has a depraved history of racism and misogyny, there are bound to be spirits trapped because of a society that profited off another's suffering.
Much of the setting adds to Bleu's character revealing why she is a frightening and sympathetic character at the same time. Many of the chapters where she possesses Stacy add to the overall eeriness. Stacy acts contrary to her usual behavior so Simone and the others are concerned for the changes in her friend.
Bleu flirts with total strangers and jeopardizes Stacy's health in her pursuit of the pleasures that she had in life. She also cuts Stacy off from her friends by creating dissension and discomfort among them. In her anger over the injustices that she suffered in life, Bleu makes an effort to put the living, especially the woman whom she possesses in an emotional hostage situation.
We also spend the last third learning about Bleu's history. Simone reads her diary and recounts an abusive lonely life with an immature prostitute mother and being subjected to abuse and degradation in her youth.
Bleu's diary is heartbreaking as she is buried with secrets that destroyed not only her life but those of the people close to her. The racism and sexism surrounds her as she strives to make a better life for herself but ends up in a far worse situation than she imagined. This guilt and anger compel to seek revenge from beyond the grave and puts innocent modern lives at risk.
Wicked Bleu is an effective supernatural horror novel because it reminds us that some monsters are born and some are made by society.
Yes, it's cliche but it is a setting that lends itself to such magic and mystery by its very nature. It is one of the best locations for this type of genre and is one of my favorite places to read about. In good books, New Orleans becomes a character that thrives on this supernatural energy and respect and reverence for all things macabre.
In this case New Orleans is not the only star of E. Denise Billups' Wicked Bleu, the second volume of Billups' Simone Doucet. The other is the title character, Bleu, the ghost of a woman who lived a life of abuse, racism, and sexual assault and makes her voice heard finally.
First, Bleu invades psychic and magazine writer Simone Doucet's dreams and gives her visual and audio impressions of her presence. Simone had long communicated with her ancestor and spiritual advisor, Delphine so communicating with ghosts is nothing new to her. But, Bleu's presence is more threatening.
Simone had visions of violence and drowning. Worst of all, her friend, Stacy, seems to be acting strangely like she's possessed. The answers appear to be found in New Orleans so Simone, Stacy, and their friends Mitchell and Jude go to the Big Easy during Mardi Gras to do some super sleuthing and ghost hunting.
The New Orleans setting is very prominent and is filled with spooky elements. There are many passages where Simone and her friends have to face New Orleans' undead residents.
It's an all too easy location to imagine ghosts around every corner from Jackson Square to the Garden District.
The book also reveals the less savory aspects of New Orleans' past, particularly the Storyville section, a notorious haven for prostitution. When a location has a depraved history of racism and misogyny, there are bound to be spirits trapped because of a society that profited off another's suffering.
Much of the setting adds to Bleu's character revealing why she is a frightening and sympathetic character at the same time. Many of the chapters where she possesses Stacy add to the overall eeriness. Stacy acts contrary to her usual behavior so Simone and the others are concerned for the changes in her friend.
Bleu flirts with total strangers and jeopardizes Stacy's health in her pursuit of the pleasures that she had in life. She also cuts Stacy off from her friends by creating dissension and discomfort among them. In her anger over the injustices that she suffered in life, Bleu makes an effort to put the living, especially the woman whom she possesses in an emotional hostage situation.
We also spend the last third learning about Bleu's history. Simone reads her diary and recounts an abusive lonely life with an immature prostitute mother and being subjected to abuse and degradation in her youth.
Bleu's diary is heartbreaking as she is buried with secrets that destroyed not only her life but those of the people close to her. The racism and sexism surrounds her as she strives to make a better life for herself but ends up in a far worse situation than she imagined. This guilt and anger compel to seek revenge from beyond the grave and puts innocent modern lives at risk.
Wicked Bleu is an effective supernatural horror novel because it reminds us that some monsters are born and some are made by society.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
Now I’m really not a typical reader of ghost stories, and the paranormal and I aren’t regular bedfellows, in fact we’re rarely on the same page, but WICKED BLEU still drew me in, pushed me out of my cosy, comfort zone and totally captivated me. Granted it was the opening line of the description that got my attention. As an avid mystery fan, who was I to turn down a 103-year-old murder mystery? It’s the ultimate cold case… but with a difference, and that difference is the magical quality of the author’s writing, teamed with the history and mystique of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and topped off with a fascinating, bone-chilling, heart-wrenching and tragic plot.
With a dual timeline of the present day and a little over a century ago, the key players in this story are Simone Doucet (a successful writer) and two females named Bleu – mother and daughter – who lived in New Orleans in the notorious red light district. And their connection to Simone is one of blood… and an unsolved mystery that prevents them – and others – from fully leaving this world.
You see, Simone Doucet has second sight – more fully explained in the first book in the series – and, initially, Orphan Bleu makes the connection in order to get justice for her mother’s death – a murder by any other name. In New Orleans with her buddies to take advantage of a thank-you gift from a previous client, Simone and her three friends are looking forward to enjoying Mardi Gras. That is until Bleu (the mother) decides to tell Simone her story by adopting Simone’s friend’s body. The others realise Stacy is acting oddly, but eventually Simone “sees” what’s going on and is transported back in time to witness life back then. There, amidst the sights, smells and sounds of the dangerous streets of the red light district, she comes to understand Bleu’s character, sees her falling in love and being loved back by her artist lover whose paintings of her went on to earn him great acclaim. Simone sees the evil misogyny of the clients of the brothel who care only for themselves, who cannot bear to be mocked by a woman, who think nothing of taking a life to save themselves. It’s a brutal existence, made all the more raw by the viewpoint of Bleu’s daughter, the Orphan Bleu who feels abandoned and unloved by her mother, yet who cannot “rest” until her mother gets justice.
While trying to enjoy the Mardi Gras with her friends, Simone cannot relax, she feels obliged to know the full story but can she put right a century-old wrong and let the spirits finally rest? Billups writes beautifully, not just with words but with the images she creates, the characters she brings to life and the injustices she conveys of those times. I was drawn in completely by the setting (the cathedral, the Creole dialect, the jazz music – bliss!) and the story, but more to the point to understanding the past and how we should (but rarely do) learn from it.
A suspenseful tale, crafted with care, told with heart and which left me wanting more.
With a dual timeline of the present day and a little over a century ago, the key players in this story are Simone Doucet (a successful writer) and two females named Bleu – mother and daughter – who lived in New Orleans in the notorious red light district. And their connection to Simone is one of blood… and an unsolved mystery that prevents them – and others – from fully leaving this world.
You see, Simone Doucet has second sight – more fully explained in the first book in the series – and, initially, Orphan Bleu makes the connection in order to get justice for her mother’s death – a murder by any other name. In New Orleans with her buddies to take advantage of a thank-you gift from a previous client, Simone and her three friends are looking forward to enjoying Mardi Gras. That is until Bleu (the mother) decides to tell Simone her story by adopting Simone’s friend’s body. The others realise Stacy is acting oddly, but eventually Simone “sees” what’s going on and is transported back in time to witness life back then. There, amidst the sights, smells and sounds of the dangerous streets of the red light district, she comes to understand Bleu’s character, sees her falling in love and being loved back by her artist lover whose paintings of her went on to earn him great acclaim. Simone sees the evil misogyny of the clients of the brothel who care only for themselves, who cannot bear to be mocked by a woman, who think nothing of taking a life to save themselves. It’s a brutal existence, made all the more raw by the viewpoint of Bleu’s daughter, the Orphan Bleu who feels abandoned and unloved by her mother, yet who cannot “rest” until her mother gets justice.
While trying to enjoy the Mardi Gras with her friends, Simone cannot relax, she feels obliged to know the full story but can she put right a century-old wrong and let the spirits finally rest? Billups writes beautifully, not just with words but with the images she creates, the characters she brings to life and the injustices she conveys of those times. I was drawn in completely by the setting (the cathedral, the Creole dialect, the jazz music – bliss!) and the story, but more to the point to understanding the past and how we should (but rarely do) learn from it.
A suspenseful tale, crafted with care, told with heart and which left me wanting more.
January 23, 2023
*4.5:Stars On My Instagram Account*
"Simone...blood of my kin...Let me in, or I shall torment day and night with sounds of my untimely death, lure with divine jasmines, and haunt with my wicked ways."
Bleu will do all that and more to Simone and her friends in order to solve a 103 year old murder in the second installment of The Simone Doucet series, Wicked Bleu, by the poetically descriptive author E. Denise Billups.
Just like in the first book, Tainted Harvest, Simone is able to have spectral encounters with her ancestors who's spirits are unable to leave this world until the injustices against them have been made right.
Bleu and her young mother live in Storyville, New Orleans where they are subjected to abuse from the men who pay to have sex with them, the sadistic madams, and the criminals who roam New Orleans at night as Jazz music blares from the rundown brothels.
The writer recreates the atmospheric New Orleans night life from Bleu's perspective and though it's filled with misogynistic violence there is also Bleu's enthusiasm for life, adventure and just a damn good time. Bleu can be selfish, narcissistic, and even cruel but as Simone learns more and sees more she realizes Bleu is a victim of her environment and in another life she could have been a fierce survivor.
As Bleu inhabits Stacey's body (Simone's friend) she taunts and tortures it until Simone willingly solves the murder. Be forewarned it's a brutal and vicious death and Simone's heartbreak over it is a devastating experience.
This book can be a standalone but reading both will just be more satisfying as you see Simone understand the history of the black women who have lived, suffered, and endured so that she could one day exist. This story is wickedly good.
I received a free copy of this book from Coffee and Thorn Book Tours for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
"Simone...blood of my kin...Let me in, or I shall torment day and night with sounds of my untimely death, lure with divine jasmines, and haunt with my wicked ways."
Bleu will do all that and more to Simone and her friends in order to solve a 103 year old murder in the second installment of The Simone Doucet series, Wicked Bleu, by the poetically descriptive author E. Denise Billups.
Just like in the first book, Tainted Harvest, Simone is able to have spectral encounters with her ancestors who's spirits are unable to leave this world until the injustices against them have been made right.
Bleu and her young mother live in Storyville, New Orleans where they are subjected to abuse from the men who pay to have sex with them, the sadistic madams, and the criminals who roam New Orleans at night as Jazz music blares from the rundown brothels.
The writer recreates the atmospheric New Orleans night life from Bleu's perspective and though it's filled with misogynistic violence there is also Bleu's enthusiasm for life, adventure and just a damn good time. Bleu can be selfish, narcissistic, and even cruel but as Simone learns more and sees more she realizes Bleu is a victim of her environment and in another life she could have been a fierce survivor.
As Bleu inhabits Stacey's body (Simone's friend) she taunts and tortures it until Simone willingly solves the murder. Be forewarned it's a brutal and vicious death and Simone's heartbreak over it is a devastating experience.
This book can be a standalone but reading both will just be more satisfying as you see Simone understand the history of the black women who have lived, suffered, and endured so that she could one day exist. This story is wickedly good.
I received a free copy of this book from Coffee and Thorn Book Tours for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 21, 2022
I love a ghost story and this one is gorgeous. With a dual timeline, in New Orleans in modern times and a hundred years ago, its protagonists are a successful modern woman and a poor girl living long ago in the notorious red light district of the city, linked by distant blood and driven by a century old crime.
Simone Doucet – you may have met her in a previous novel but nothing lost if you haven’t, it reads well on its own – has a gift of second sight, but only in relation to her own long dead kith and kin. One of them, Bleu, has become an insistent voice in her life and also a glorious character in her own right – she took a hold of me as well, just like she took hold of Simone and her friends!
Her story is painful, tragic, no doubt reminiscent of the lives of many real girls living at that time, and beautifully told as a counterpoint to the lives of the modern young people who find themselves caught up in her demand for justice after her life is shattered by a terrible crime.
The setting of a old colonial city at the height of a festival was a perfect backdrop for a ghost story. In festival time, everything is heightened, fantasy is powerful, anything could happen…. I’ve never been to New Orleans and probably never will, but the city of the story felt familiar to me – we have festivals too, and a city whose underbelly is still scarred by old injustices, colonialism, prostitution, and whose exoticism is a magnet for excited tourists. The suspense of the story grafted perfectly into the world I knew, and I felt each step of the story vividly.
Beautifully written, nicely plotted, the right amount on spine tingling suspense. I really enjoyed this book.
Simone Doucet – you may have met her in a previous novel but nothing lost if you haven’t, it reads well on its own – has a gift of second sight, but only in relation to her own long dead kith and kin. One of them, Bleu, has become an insistent voice in her life and also a glorious character in her own right – she took a hold of me as well, just like she took hold of Simone and her friends!
Her story is painful, tragic, no doubt reminiscent of the lives of many real girls living at that time, and beautifully told as a counterpoint to the lives of the modern young people who find themselves caught up in her demand for justice after her life is shattered by a terrible crime.
The setting of a old colonial city at the height of a festival was a perfect backdrop for a ghost story. In festival time, everything is heightened, fantasy is powerful, anything could happen…. I’ve never been to New Orleans and probably never will, but the city of the story felt familiar to me – we have festivals too, and a city whose underbelly is still scarred by old injustices, colonialism, prostitution, and whose exoticism is a magnet for excited tourists. The suspense of the story grafted perfectly into the world I knew, and I felt each step of the story vividly.
Beautifully written, nicely plotted, the right amount on spine tingling suspense. I really enjoyed this book.
October 10, 2022
This is an intoxicating novel one that you will not be able to set down. The novel is well written and the world building is extensive and right in shape with the story. A story line of ghosts and paranormal adventures, a girl who goes on a trip with who roommates to New Orleans. She expects to have a wild weekend, only to find it complicated by witches and ghosts and all kinds of various paranormal events. This author is able to captivate you from page one. You find yourself hanging onto the edge of your seat, never being able to set the novel down. This is a complicated, nerve racking and wonderful all at the same time. I can't wait to read the next one. I know it will be even better. I received this novel from bookfunnel. This is my true and honest review.
November 17, 2022
I like reading paranormal suspense/mystery/thriller. This reflects in the books that I review. If I get a request to review a book in any of those genres, I will accept it. That was the case with Wicked Bleu. I read the synopsis, and I knew that I was going to love it. And guess what, I did!!
Wicked Bleu had an exciting plotline. Eight months previously, Simone had dormant powers awakened, and she could connect with the dead. A new ghost from 1917 is taunting her with its presence. Unnerved, Simone takes a trip to New Orleans with her roommates but finds that the encounters intensify, and they turn in an unexpected direction. On the cusp of the Covid 19 pandemic that shut down the country, Simone must unravel a century-old murder. Who was Bleu? Who killed her? And more importantly, what is Simone’s connection to her?
Wicked Bleu is the second book in the Simone Doucet series. I never say this, but readers can read this as a stand-alone. I would recommend reading book one, but it isn’t needed.
I am going to put up a trigger warning for this book. I went back and forth on it for a little bit while writing my notes. I decided to include it because of the subject matter and some scenes in the brothel. There is a scene of attempted rape, mentions of rape and bearing a child of rape, the beating and murder of the main character, comments of a serial killer in Storyville, drug use (opium), and descriptions of the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. If any of these trigger you, I recommend not reading Wicked Bleu.
Wicked Bleu is a fast-paced book. I read it in one night, mainly because I didn’t want to put it down. I did pay for it the next day, but it was worth it. Also worth it was the locations where the book took place. The beginning of the book takes place in an apartment in Brooklyn and the rest in New Orleans. I loved it. Having never been to Mardi Gras, I was living through the characters when they were at the parades. I also loved the descriptions of 1917 New Orleans and the colorful Storyville.
The main characters complimented the book and added extra depth to the plotline.
Simone: I enjoyed her character. She wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t have liked her if she was. She didn’t want her gift (I wouldn’t have either, she blacks out), but at the same time, she learned to embrace it in this book.
Bleu: She wasn’t someone I particularly liked at first. She came across as selfish and manipulative. Add in that she possessed Simone’s friend Stacey (a huge no-no). But, after the possession, I started to see a different side to her. All she wanted was to find out who murdered her, reconnect with the love of her life, and get her daughter’s forgiveness. It was at that point that I started to like her.
The secondary characters complicated the main characters. The only ones I didn’t like were Jude (he was very distant for most of the book), Bleu (for reasons stated above), and the person who killed Bleu (spoiler if I gave the name away).
Wicked Bleu is a paranormal mystery with a bit of suspense added to it. The author kept me guessing who the killer was (I figured it out shortly before Simone did) and that person’s motives. As for the paranormal angle, I enjoyed seeing a different take on ghosts and Bleu possessing Stacey. It fits very well within those genres.
The main storyline with Simone, Bleu, and Bleu’s murder was well written. Like I said above, I kept guessing who the murderer was (at one point, I did think a client killed her). I also loved the descriptions of 2020 and 1917 New Orleans. It has reignited a desire to visit there and visit.
The storyline with Simone, Bleu, Bleu’s daughter, Bleu’s fiance, and Bleu’s former best friend broke my heart. I did have a hard time following it (and not because of how it was written but because I kept getting interrupted). But once I got all of my distractions settled (cough9yearoldwhowouldnotgotobedcough), I could better focus on it. And that storyline broke my heart. I was alternately sad, angry, and triumphant (you know why if you have read the book).
I couldn’t believe the ending. The author wrapped everything up in a way that I loved. And then she did something unexpected. It was a cliffhanger, and I couldn’t believe what I had read. I cannot wait to see what Simone will do!! It has made me all fired up for the next book.
Three things I liked about Wicked Bleu:
The characters. They were all well-written and had distinct personalities.
The location. New Orleans has been on my must-visit list for years.
The end. Talk about not expecting what happened!!
Three things I disliked about Wicked Bleu:
Bleu’s possession of Stacey. It proved to be dangerous.
Bleu’s daughter’s backstory. I felt bad for that child and everything she had been through.
Who killed Bleu. That person deserved everything that they got!!
I would recommend Wicked Bleu to anyone over 21. There are no graphic sex scenes (most were implied or nongraphic). There was language and violence. See also my trigger warning.
Wicked Bleu had an exciting plotline. Eight months previously, Simone had dormant powers awakened, and she could connect with the dead. A new ghost from 1917 is taunting her with its presence. Unnerved, Simone takes a trip to New Orleans with her roommates but finds that the encounters intensify, and they turn in an unexpected direction. On the cusp of the Covid 19 pandemic that shut down the country, Simone must unravel a century-old murder. Who was Bleu? Who killed her? And more importantly, what is Simone’s connection to her?
Wicked Bleu is the second book in the Simone Doucet series. I never say this, but readers can read this as a stand-alone. I would recommend reading book one, but it isn’t needed.
I am going to put up a trigger warning for this book. I went back and forth on it for a little bit while writing my notes. I decided to include it because of the subject matter and some scenes in the brothel. There is a scene of attempted rape, mentions of rape and bearing a child of rape, the beating and murder of the main character, comments of a serial killer in Storyville, drug use (opium), and descriptions of the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. If any of these trigger you, I recommend not reading Wicked Bleu.
Wicked Bleu is a fast-paced book. I read it in one night, mainly because I didn’t want to put it down. I did pay for it the next day, but it was worth it. Also worth it was the locations where the book took place. The beginning of the book takes place in an apartment in Brooklyn and the rest in New Orleans. I loved it. Having never been to Mardi Gras, I was living through the characters when they were at the parades. I also loved the descriptions of 1917 New Orleans and the colorful Storyville.
The main characters complimented the book and added extra depth to the plotline.
Simone: I enjoyed her character. She wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t have liked her if she was. She didn’t want her gift (I wouldn’t have either, she blacks out), but at the same time, she learned to embrace it in this book.
Bleu: She wasn’t someone I particularly liked at first. She came across as selfish and manipulative. Add in that she possessed Simone’s friend Stacey (a huge no-no). But, after the possession, I started to see a different side to her. All she wanted was to find out who murdered her, reconnect with the love of her life, and get her daughter’s forgiveness. It was at that point that I started to like her.
The secondary characters complicated the main characters. The only ones I didn’t like were Jude (he was very distant for most of the book), Bleu (for reasons stated above), and the person who killed Bleu (spoiler if I gave the name away).
Wicked Bleu is a paranormal mystery with a bit of suspense added to it. The author kept me guessing who the killer was (I figured it out shortly before Simone did) and that person’s motives. As for the paranormal angle, I enjoyed seeing a different take on ghosts and Bleu possessing Stacey. It fits very well within those genres.
The main storyline with Simone, Bleu, and Bleu’s murder was well written. Like I said above, I kept guessing who the murderer was (at one point, I did think a client killed her). I also loved the descriptions of 2020 and 1917 New Orleans. It has reignited a desire to visit there and visit.
The storyline with Simone, Bleu, Bleu’s daughter, Bleu’s fiance, and Bleu’s former best friend broke my heart. I did have a hard time following it (and not because of how it was written but because I kept getting interrupted). But once I got all of my distractions settled (cough9yearoldwhowouldnotgotobedcough), I could better focus on it. And that storyline broke my heart. I was alternately sad, angry, and triumphant (you know why if you have read the book).
I couldn’t believe the ending. The author wrapped everything up in a way that I loved. And then she did something unexpected. It was a cliffhanger, and I couldn’t believe what I had read. I cannot wait to see what Simone will do!! It has made me all fired up for the next book.
Three things I liked about Wicked Bleu:
The characters. They were all well-written and had distinct personalities.
The location. New Orleans has been on my must-visit list for years.
The end. Talk about not expecting what happened!!
Three things I disliked about Wicked Bleu:
Bleu’s possession of Stacey. It proved to be dangerous.
Bleu’s daughter’s backstory. I felt bad for that child and everything she had been through.
Who killed Bleu. That person deserved everything that they got!!
I would recommend Wicked Bleu to anyone over 21. There are no graphic sex scenes (most were implied or nongraphic). There was language and violence. See also my trigger warning.
January 17, 2023
Possessions, ghosts, spirits, and a 103 year old mystery bring together a cast of characters that will intrigue and possibly horrify you.
This is the second in the Simone Doucet series. Simone has Creole blood and discovered in the first book that she could communicate with her ancestors and uncover the mystery of why they perished. While the first book was tame, this one is a bit more dangerous because it isn't just Simone's body that the ghosts inhabit, they take over several of her friend's bodies, and it creates quite an incident.
In the first book, we get the full story of her ancestor, but in this novel, it is told in bits and pieces until near the end. I'm not sure which way I prefer, but I know that the little dribs and drabs sprinkled throughout the first half of the book only piqued my interest in who was trying to communicate with Simone and why. I did find it interesting that the ghosts were able to track her to New York, where she lived, and were not bound to the area where they died. But this is what brings her to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, well, partially, anyway.
Outside of trying to decipher what the ghosts are trying to tell her, Simone is connecting with other family members that she never knew about before. She is connecting with them in an unusual way, but it brings an added dimension to the story. We all have skeletons in our closets; we just may not know about all of them. But Bleu wants her help in solving her murder and reconnecting her with those that were important to her 103 years ago.
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the ghosts. I am not sure why Simone tried to keep it a secret from her roommates, but they figured it out pretty quickly. This was actually a good thing because they could watch out for her and make sure she was ok if a ghost inhabited her body.
There is even a little romance in this book between Simone and her roommate Mitchell. She keeps him at bay until she realizes that he can adapt to her gift.
This book is set in early 2020, and Covid is just beginning, so there are several references to the virus. I think that helps bring it closer to home in a way. It is something that is happening in the world and in the book.
If you like mysteries and paranormal facets, you just might enjoy this book. We give it 5 paws up.
This is the second in the Simone Doucet series. Simone has Creole blood and discovered in the first book that she could communicate with her ancestors and uncover the mystery of why they perished. While the first book was tame, this one is a bit more dangerous because it isn't just Simone's body that the ghosts inhabit, they take over several of her friend's bodies, and it creates quite an incident.
In the first book, we get the full story of her ancestor, but in this novel, it is told in bits and pieces until near the end. I'm not sure which way I prefer, but I know that the little dribs and drabs sprinkled throughout the first half of the book only piqued my interest in who was trying to communicate with Simone and why. I did find it interesting that the ghosts were able to track her to New York, where she lived, and were not bound to the area where they died. But this is what brings her to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, well, partially, anyway.
Outside of trying to decipher what the ghosts are trying to tell her, Simone is connecting with other family members that she never knew about before. She is connecting with them in an unusual way, but it brings an added dimension to the story. We all have skeletons in our closets; we just may not know about all of them. But Bleu wants her help in solving her murder and reconnecting her with those that were important to her 103 years ago.
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the ghosts. I am not sure why Simone tried to keep it a secret from her roommates, but they figured it out pretty quickly. This was actually a good thing because they could watch out for her and make sure she was ok if a ghost inhabited her body.
There is even a little romance in this book between Simone and her roommate Mitchell. She keeps him at bay until she realizes that he can adapt to her gift.
This book is set in early 2020, and Covid is just beginning, so there are several references to the virus. I think that helps bring it closer to home in a way. It is something that is happening in the world and in the book.
If you like mysteries and paranormal facets, you just might enjoy this book. We give it 5 paws up.
October 13, 2022
What a deliciously descriptive read! I've been a fan of E. Denise Billups for a while now, and I love her scene and setting descriptions! She captures the eerieness of her characters' supernatural encounters very well. I love stories with ghosts and the strange ability to interact with them on some level. I enjoy books that have some sort of ancestral element as well as different time periods, so this book and Denise's writing really draw me in and has everything I look for in this genre. This second book in the series can be read alone but also has some references to the first book, which is equally evocative.
In this story, the reader gets to experience New Orleans both present-day and historically. The main character, Simone, has ghostly encounters and must figure out why she's being haunted, how she's connected, and what she can do to help them rest peacefully. She's inhabited by these spectres, so she experiences life as it was back then through their eyes. Fascinating! The story fills you with the dream of what once was, evoking powerful visions in your mind as you read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
In this story, the reader gets to experience New Orleans both present-day and historically. The main character, Simone, has ghostly encounters and must figure out why she's being haunted, how she's connected, and what she can do to help them rest peacefully. She's inhabited by these spectres, so she experiences life as it was back then through their eyes. Fascinating! The story fills you with the dream of what once was, evoking powerful visions in your mind as you read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
January 20, 2023
I'm always in the mood for a ghost story as it's one of my favorite types of books. Wicked Bleu is more than just any old ghost story though...and I am so here for it.
Simone is such a wonderful character. She is so full of emotion, and vibrant in her mannerisms. I love that she can be both vulnerable and strong, as well as fierce and courageous. I mean the dead surround her and intoxicate every part of her senses. Whew! I couldn't even imagine going through all that.
I also really enjoyed the setting for this one. I've never been to New Orleans, but with the rich history surrounding the city...I bet it's a hot spot for ghosts and paranormal activity. It makes the perfect backdrop for Simone's adventure.
This is definitely one to pickup and add to those Spooktober lists, or for when the mood strikes and a good paranormal mystery is calling your name. I sincerely appreciate the author and Coffee and Thorn Book Tours for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Simone is such a wonderful character. She is so full of emotion, and vibrant in her mannerisms. I love that she can be both vulnerable and strong, as well as fierce and courageous. I mean the dead surround her and intoxicate every part of her senses. Whew! I couldn't even imagine going through all that.
I also really enjoyed the setting for this one. I've never been to New Orleans, but with the rich history surrounding the city...I bet it's a hot spot for ghosts and paranormal activity. It makes the perfect backdrop for Simone's adventure.
This is definitely one to pickup and add to those Spooktober lists, or for when the mood strikes and a good paranormal mystery is calling your name. I sincerely appreciate the author and Coffee and Thorn Book Tours for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 23, 2023
I usually do not read paranormal suspense/murder mysteries, but I enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the author’s command of the language, and her ability to create music through words. I could feel every whisper, every shift, and every movement as if it were happening in my room.
I also enjoyed the complex and extensive world-building that transported me to a world populated by ghosts, spirits, and formless voices. The dual timeline successfully held my interest as the story switched from the present to the past.
I loved the mystical quality of the story, and the unexpected ending. Of course, readers must be aware of the disturbing scenes before they choose to dive into the book.
(I received an e-copy of the book from Coffee and Thorn Book Tours with a request for an honest review.)
I also enjoyed the complex and extensive world-building that transported me to a world populated by ghosts, spirits, and formless voices. The dual timeline successfully held my interest as the story switched from the present to the past.
I loved the mystical quality of the story, and the unexpected ending. Of course, readers must be aware of the disturbing scenes before they choose to dive into the book.
(I received an e-copy of the book from Coffee and Thorn Book Tours with a request for an honest review.)
October 18, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It is a fantastic follow up to the first book, Tainted Harvest. The author does an amazing job of building the supernatural world and blending it into the here and now. The visual descriptions make you feel like you are right there with Simone and Bleu on this paranormal mystery adventure. I wish I could better articulate what a well written book this is! You will just have to read it to understand :) I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes their Historical Fiction with a mix of paranormal mystery and suspense.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes their Historical Fiction with a mix of paranormal mystery and suspense.
December 19, 2022
An intriguing story centered in New Orleans in the past through the eyes of a sensitive woman Simone. The history of the centuries old murder get gritty on details of how awful people are and we’re to each other. Bringing COVID into the ending was unexpected but made it feel more true to life.
December 24, 2022
I quite enjoyed reading this book.
December 4, 2022
An ancient mystery to be solved. Danger everywhere that the characters go. You will be drawn in and try to solve the mystery with everyone. Don’t miss out.
January 22, 2023
One of the reasons that I love bookstagram so much is that I am introduced to some wildly talented authors who write fascinating novels. Take, for instance, Wicked Bleu by E. Denise Billups. Although this is the second Simone Doucet book, it was an excellent standalone read despite my not reading the first in the series. This is by far the BEST gothic paranormal mystery that I have had the pleasure of reading and I loved that it was set in New Orleans, an old haunt of mine and one of the most perfect settings for a modern/historical ghostly conundrum.
As COVID is just beginning to hit in the U.S., Simone Doucet, a young journalist with newly discovered paranormal communication abilities, leaves the city for New Orleans to enjoy a Mardi Gras adventure with her roommates. Eerie visions coupled with possession and a bouquet of alluring scents take Simone on a mysterious journey to discover the secrets of a sensual and chaotic (if reluctant) prostitute, her young innocent, and resentful daughter, and those they loved during their short lives. Billups weaves a paranormal tale full of beauty, betrayal, loss, and love as we follow Simone on her mission to find out what really happened to the mysterious Bleu in this haunted city.
I absolutely loved this book. I found that I couldn't put it down and stayed up late over two nights to keep on reading so I could find out the true story of Bleu. I appreciated the masterful way Billups touched on the COVID pandemic (and tied it to the Spanish flu of 1918) while not making it an overwhelming part of the overall story. E. Denise Billups' writing is rich, poignant, and evokes myriad emotions, capturing your mind and heart in ways only a true writer can. I'm looking forward to reading the first book in this series, and I also can't wait to check out other books by this amazing author. If you're a fan of gothic paranormal mysteries, this is one that you aren't going to want to miss!
I received a digital copy of this book for free from the author through Coffee and Thorn Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily as a courtesy.
As COVID is just beginning to hit in the U.S., Simone Doucet, a young journalist with newly discovered paranormal communication abilities, leaves the city for New Orleans to enjoy a Mardi Gras adventure with her roommates. Eerie visions coupled with possession and a bouquet of alluring scents take Simone on a mysterious journey to discover the secrets of a sensual and chaotic (if reluctant) prostitute, her young innocent, and resentful daughter, and those they loved during their short lives. Billups weaves a paranormal tale full of beauty, betrayal, loss, and love as we follow Simone on her mission to find out what really happened to the mysterious Bleu in this haunted city.
I absolutely loved this book. I found that I couldn't put it down and stayed up late over two nights to keep on reading so I could find out the true story of Bleu. I appreciated the masterful way Billups touched on the COVID pandemic (and tied it to the Spanish flu of 1918) while not making it an overwhelming part of the overall story. E. Denise Billups' writing is rich, poignant, and evokes myriad emotions, capturing your mind and heart in ways only a true writer can. I'm looking forward to reading the first book in this series, and I also can't wait to check out other books by this amazing author. If you're a fan of gothic paranormal mysteries, this is one that you aren't going to want to miss!
I received a digital copy of this book for free from the author through Coffee and Thorn Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily as a courtesy.
October 13, 2022
Wicked Bleu By E. Denise Billups
This is the second book in the series and I loved it even more than the first.
Simone is back and still trying to come to terms with her new calling: her powers of sensing, seeing and smelling the nearness of ghosts. They haunt her dreams, abuse her roommates, and won’t stop until Simone can solve their problems.
This time, she travels to New Orleans for Mardi Gras with her roommates: Stacey, Jude and Mitchell, where she will discover past ancestors involved in a complex plot of jealousy, servitude, and murder.
Several ghosts form part of this mysterious story, and we discover the elements of their lives through a series of vignettes either through Simone’s dreams, or flashes of their memories whenever a ghost reaches out and touches her. The plot is more convoluted than the reader first imagines, and behind all her investigating, Simone and her friends are dealing with the threat of the Covid Virus.
Too many secrets make Simone’s investigation exceedingly difficult to unravel, but interlaced within it all, both in the past and the present is the overpowering beauty of true love.
This was a great read. The ghostly characters tug at your heartstrings and you can’t help but imagine how much more difficult life was for these people in the past.
I highly recommend this novel, and can’t wait for the next one.
This is the second book in the series and I loved it even more than the first.
Simone is back and still trying to come to terms with her new calling: her powers of sensing, seeing and smelling the nearness of ghosts. They haunt her dreams, abuse her roommates, and won’t stop until Simone can solve their problems.
This time, she travels to New Orleans for Mardi Gras with her roommates: Stacey, Jude and Mitchell, where she will discover past ancestors involved in a complex plot of jealousy, servitude, and murder.
Several ghosts form part of this mysterious story, and we discover the elements of their lives through a series of vignettes either through Simone’s dreams, or flashes of their memories whenever a ghost reaches out and touches her. The plot is more convoluted than the reader first imagines, and behind all her investigating, Simone and her friends are dealing with the threat of the Covid Virus.
Too many secrets make Simone’s investigation exceedingly difficult to unravel, but interlaced within it all, both in the past and the present is the overpowering beauty of true love.
This was a great read. The ghostly characters tug at your heartstrings and you can’t help but imagine how much more difficult life was for these people in the past.
I highly recommend this novel, and can’t wait for the next one.
November 10, 2022
This is the second book in a series about a woman named Simone Doucet. I have not read the first one, however, I liked this book, so I will check out the first one.
This book is set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The Big Easy is the perfect setting for a paranormal mystery thriller. The book features a dual timeline that shows us the events of the past as Simone experiences them too through her second sight. Before setting off on the trip, Simone starts to experience some things involving a ghost that won't show who they are. However, once arriving in New Orleans, things take a turn when her roommate Stacy is possessed by the ghost. Simone must investigate and try to figure out what the ghost wants in order to help her move on.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I love the New Orleans setting. Even though I am just being introduced to the characters, I really enjoyed the dynamics between them. I can tell the author did a lot of research into the area and the dialects from the city and it brought a lot of realism to the book. I will definitely look into the first book, and I look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review. This book will be available November 16, 2022.
This book is set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The Big Easy is the perfect setting for a paranormal mystery thriller. The book features a dual timeline that shows us the events of the past as Simone experiences them too through her second sight. Before setting off on the trip, Simone starts to experience some things involving a ghost that won't show who they are. However, once arriving in New Orleans, things take a turn when her roommate Stacy is possessed by the ghost. Simone must investigate and try to figure out what the ghost wants in order to help her move on.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I love the New Orleans setting. Even though I am just being introduced to the characters, I really enjoyed the dynamics between them. I can tell the author did a lot of research into the area and the dialects from the city and it brought a lot of realism to the book. I will definitely look into the first book, and I look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review. This book will be available November 16, 2022.
January 23, 2023
A compelling and brilliant read!
E. Denise Billups writes a suspenseful, ghostly tale with Wicked Bleu. This book is part of the Simone Doucet series, and this is volume two. In the first book, Tainted Harvest, Simone had her first real encounter with a spirit, and her connection to the afterlife began. Now, still reeling from her experiences, she is trying to find her new place, not just a travel writer anymore, but a problem solver, a detective of sorts. Now, she's in New Orleans, and though she's there in present day, looking to explore the French Quarter, she is now haunted by her own visions, but also the "lady of the night" that is lingering around her. What an emotional rollercoaster. I'm a big fan of this author! Simone, even with her past, still develops throughout the story, and has a bit of ancestry discovery. Sometimes you have to put the book down, just to take a breath. This read is more than just words on a page. A very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Wicked Bleu is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
E. Denise Billups writes a suspenseful, ghostly tale with Wicked Bleu. This book is part of the Simone Doucet series, and this is volume two. In the first book, Tainted Harvest, Simone had her first real encounter with a spirit, and her connection to the afterlife began. Now, still reeling from her experiences, she is trying to find her new place, not just a travel writer anymore, but a problem solver, a detective of sorts. Now, she's in New Orleans, and though she's there in present day, looking to explore the French Quarter, she is now haunted by her own visions, but also the "lady of the night" that is lingering around her. What an emotional rollercoaster. I'm a big fan of this author! Simone, even with her past, still develops throughout the story, and has a bit of ancestry discovery. Sometimes you have to put the book down, just to take a breath. This read is more than just words on a page. A very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Wicked Bleu is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
October 10, 2023
Wicked Bleu is the second book in the Simone Daucet series but can easily be read as a standalone.
It is a beautifully written paranormal mystery that is simple yet detailed enough to keep you captivated to the very end. It is fast-paced, and I enjoyed every minute.
I found Bleu’s story interesting and also rather heartbreaking, especially when you get to know her character.
The story switches back and forth from past and present, and I think this was well done and flowed effortlessly. I also loved the descriptions of the different places both in the past and present times. My favourite was the description of New Orleans in 1917.
I thought the characters were well done and enjoyed following them throughout the book. Simone is not a perfect character, but there is something about her that keeps you wanting more. Bleu is a character I didn’t like at first, but as the story progressed, my opinion of her changed. I won’t say too much out. You’ll understand when you pick up the book.
Overall, it was a great read. Highly recommend to paranormal mystery fans.
I would like to thank Denise for sending me a copy of the eBook.
These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.
It is a beautifully written paranormal mystery that is simple yet detailed enough to keep you captivated to the very end. It is fast-paced, and I enjoyed every minute.
I found Bleu’s story interesting and also rather heartbreaking, especially when you get to know her character.
The story switches back and forth from past and present, and I think this was well done and flowed effortlessly. I also loved the descriptions of the different places both in the past and present times. My favourite was the description of New Orleans in 1917.
I thought the characters were well done and enjoyed following them throughout the book. Simone is not a perfect character, but there is something about her that keeps you wanting more. Bleu is a character I didn’t like at first, but as the story progressed, my opinion of her changed. I won’t say too much out. You’ll understand when you pick up the book.
Overall, it was a great read. Highly recommend to paranormal mystery fans.
I would like to thank Denise for sending me a copy of the eBook.
These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.
October 29, 2022
Book 2 in the series, but works as a standalone.
Simone experienced her first 'ghost invasion' in book 1 and now acknowledges the warning signs of a further presence. The prologue starts as Bleu reaching out for Simone, providing a depth reason for the contact. Then Bleu invades a friend of Simone, and inhabits the new body to state riddles in English and Creole. At the same time, Simone has visions of Bleu's past in 1917, through Bleu's presence or through Stacy's touch. While in Stacy's body, Bleu takes advantage of this life in 2020. Meanwhile, Simone is tasked to solve Bleu's mystery and bring her story to the surface so Bleu can finally rest.
The writing style is extremely pleasant. The story is visually and audibly well-described. At times it's difficult to determine which italics belong to which character - whether the italics are Simone's thoughts or Bleu's attempt at communicating before inhabiting Stacy's body.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
Simone experienced her first 'ghost invasion' in book 1 and now acknowledges the warning signs of a further presence. The prologue starts as Bleu reaching out for Simone, providing a depth reason for the contact. Then Bleu invades a friend of Simone, and inhabits the new body to state riddles in English and Creole. At the same time, Simone has visions of Bleu's past in 1917, through Bleu's presence or through Stacy's touch. While in Stacy's body, Bleu takes advantage of this life in 2020. Meanwhile, Simone is tasked to solve Bleu's mystery and bring her story to the surface so Bleu can finally rest.
The writing style is extremely pleasant. The story is visually and audibly well-described. At times it's difficult to determine which italics belong to which character - whether the italics are Simone's thoughts or Bleu's attempt at communicating before inhabiting Stacy's body.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
December 2, 2022
It's rare that I read a second book before the first but a previous title by this author entertained me and other reviews said you did not have to read the first to enjoy the second – and they were right. I don't like creepy or horror so usually if there is a mention of ghosts -I'm gone. However, in the case of this author, they had the ability to intrigue more than creep. While some of the scenes may be a little eery, the majority stem from a true desire by the lead character, Simone, to assist and help these spectral beings with what they need to accomplish to move on. While at first Simone tries to do everything on her own, she quickly learns that you can be more productive when you include others, especially when you are not sure what the spirit is trying to tell you.
Set mostly in New Orleans, the atmosphere of the location adds a more realistic feel to the story line. The historical parts of the book were very well done and researched, lending an authentic feel.
I enjoyed this book and next time will not hesitate to pick up another one by this author.
Set mostly in New Orleans, the atmosphere of the location adds a more realistic feel to the story line. The historical parts of the book were very well done and researched, lending an authentic feel.
I enjoyed this book and next time will not hesitate to pick up another one by this author.
January 27, 2023
I don't know what it is about this author, but I love her ghost stories! Wicked Bleu is the second book in the Simone Doucet series. I loved the first book - Tainted Harvest and how we were first introduced to Simone. One thing I have always been able to count on by this author is an atmospheric read. This one was no different.
This book takes place pre- WW1 in New Orleans. Okay. Already on board. Who doesn't love New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Simone is still discovering her ability to interact with ghosts. This ghost trying to tell her something and it frustrates her to no end. During a week-long trip to New Orleans with her 3 roommates, Simone starts to uncover what the ghost, Bleu, is trying to communicate with her. She learns many things about Bleu's heartbreaking past as she navigates it to find the truth.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you to @coffeeandthorn for the #gifted copy of the book.
This book takes place pre- WW1 in New Orleans. Okay. Already on board. Who doesn't love New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Simone is still discovering her ability to interact with ghosts. This ghost trying to tell her something and it frustrates her to no end. During a week-long trip to New Orleans with her 3 roommates, Simone starts to uncover what the ghost, Bleu, is trying to communicate with her. She learns many things about Bleu's heartbreaking past as she navigates it to find the truth.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you to @coffeeandthorn for the #gifted copy of the book.
October 14, 2022
This is a story about love, murder, jealousy, friendship, among other themes, all mixed and woven into a complex storytelling.
Author E. Denise Billups has a unique writing style that captivates and fascinates. There hasn’t been a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed.
Simone’s compassionate and kind, a tough lady, and she’s protective of her friends. Her abilities to see ghosts might be new, but she goes into things with an open mind. For that, she wants to puzzle out a 100 year old murder to give a ghost the peace she lacked in life.
I enjoyed watching the budding romance between Simone and Mitchell, the support among her friends, and unraveling the murder mystery alongside Simone.
This is the second book in this series and as great as the first one. Although I’d recommend reading them in order, you don’t have to.
Highly recommended!
Author E. Denise Billups has a unique writing style that captivates and fascinates. There hasn’t been a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed.
Simone’s compassionate and kind, a tough lady, and she’s protective of her friends. Her abilities to see ghosts might be new, but she goes into things with an open mind. For that, she wants to puzzle out a 100 year old murder to give a ghost the peace she lacked in life.
I enjoyed watching the budding romance between Simone and Mitchell, the support among her friends, and unraveling the murder mystery alongside Simone.
This is the second book in this series and as great as the first one. Although I’d recommend reading them in order, you don’t have to.
Highly recommended!
April 12, 2023
Simone Doucet and three friends venture for a quick trip to New Orleans attending Mardi Gras just before the 2020 pandemic lock-down. What they encounter is a touching story that takes place roughly a hundred years just prior to the last pandemic. The friends experience the supernatural told around a story that delves into Doucet’s family tree.
You won’t need to visit New Orleans (but you should anyway) to get a sense of America’s most jovial city— because author E. Denise Billups’ pen vividly transports you there. As reader, and fifth friend on the journey, you’re privileged to the city’s history, tradition and stirring elements in Wicked, other authors will come up short trying convey in similar genres. Sandwiching the timeline between the two pandemics was brilliant as New Orleans may change incrementally but its spirit remains eternal.
A great follow-up to the series.
You won’t need to visit New Orleans (but you should anyway) to get a sense of America’s most jovial city— because author E. Denise Billups’ pen vividly transports you there. As reader, and fifth friend on the journey, you’re privileged to the city’s history, tradition and stirring elements in Wicked, other authors will come up short trying convey in similar genres. Sandwiching the timeline between the two pandemics was brilliant as New Orleans may change incrementally but its spirit remains eternal.
A great follow-up to the series.
June 15, 2023
Set against the back-drop of New Orleans, author E. Denise Billups' "Wicked Bleu" is a delightfully haunting paranormal suspense tale. Main character Simone Doucet returns as the hip, free-lance journalist with a sensitivity to the supernatural. This time, however, the unfolding tale includes Simone's New York City roommates, who have all accepted her invitation to a deluxe hotel suite during Mardi Gras. While this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone, the first book in the series provides some insight into the depth of Simone's character and how far she's willing to go to set a tortured spirit free. Once again, Ms. Billups writing evokes powerful images that will stay with readers even after the story is completed. A highly recommended read for fans of paranormal fiction with a touch of dark mystery.
July 2, 2023
Wicked Bleu is a stylish and atmospheric ghost story set in New Orleans with dark themes. (Trigger warning for rape.) The author has enhanced this fascinating tale with an abundance of delectable prose to ponder and savor. In the recent past, Simone, the main character, discovered a long-buried gift of sensing spirits. When she is visited by two new spirits who show her visions of New Orleans, she accepts a previous invitation for a hotel stay during Marti Gras. Simone invites her three roommates along, not anticipating the complications that will ensue. This is a true treat for fans of historical fiction and/or the supernatural!
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