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Silhouette: Murder, Politics, and Mystery in post-Katrina New Orleans
AMBITION CAN BE MURDER
NEWLY WIDOWED AND STRUGGLING with single fatherhood, a small-town prosecutor investigating a murder uncovers racially-charged secrets that threaten a charismatic Black mayor's ambitious plans for New Orleans.
_______________________________
Murder is rare where prosecuting attorney Ben Harper lives. So when a swamp trapper fishes Carmen King out of the murk, Ben finds foul play from afar. His investigation brims with suspects—and more victims—after he discovers she was blackmailing someone with an explosive secret.
Suspects include the victim’s estranged husband David, a powerful New Orleans kingmaker. And the Big Easy’s charismatic African-American mayor, Jarman Martrell, locked in a tight race for Governor with an arch-rival and a brash plan: Build the world’s largest free college in a NOLA landmark, Charity Hospital, abandoned after Hurricane Katrina.
Ben can’t rule out Martrell’s elegant wife Madelyn, who left her career for his politics. Or Jarman’s operatives, like shady Ray Charbonneau and straight-arrow Kermit Houston. New Orleans cop Sam Marshall may have a hidden agenda. And Jarman definitely has an explosive secret: beautiful, bright, ambitious Claudette Margreaves.
A widower, Ben Harper left big-city crime and politics to raise his little girl. He won election as the first Black prosecutor in his rural Louisiana parish; lives in the family home; leaves the doors unlocked; walks his daughter to school.
Now, with a deadly adversary beckoning, Ben must uncover Carmen King’s terrible truth before more people die on the altar of ambition.
______________________________________
"A fascinating read, clear and suspenseful, all the way until the end. Keeps the reader guessing and turning the page. This is a complex tale with lots of characters."
"The author does a wonderful job expressing the intricacies and nuances of race in America."
"Ben Harper is smart, anchored, educated, and cares about his people."
About the Cover
At first glance, it's Enrique Alferez's sculpture, Louisiana at Work and Play, on the front facade of Charity Hospital in New Orleans. But a closer look reveals artist and cover illustrator Robin Vuchnich has added some diabolical twists to Alferez's aluminum masterpiece.
NEWLY WIDOWED AND STRUGGLING with single fatherhood, a small-town prosecutor investigating a murder uncovers racially-charged secrets that threaten a charismatic Black mayor's ambitious plans for New Orleans.
_______________________________
Murder is rare where prosecuting attorney Ben Harper lives. So when a swamp trapper fishes Carmen King out of the murk, Ben finds foul play from afar. His investigation brims with suspects—and more victims—after he discovers she was blackmailing someone with an explosive secret.
Suspects include the victim’s estranged husband David, a powerful New Orleans kingmaker. And the Big Easy’s charismatic African-American mayor, Jarman Martrell, locked in a tight race for Governor with an arch-rival and a brash plan: Build the world’s largest free college in a NOLA landmark, Charity Hospital, abandoned after Hurricane Katrina.
Ben can’t rule out Martrell’s elegant wife Madelyn, who left her career for his politics. Or Jarman’s operatives, like shady Ray Charbonneau and straight-arrow Kermit Houston. New Orleans cop Sam Marshall may have a hidden agenda. And Jarman definitely has an explosive secret: beautiful, bright, ambitious Claudette Margreaves.
A widower, Ben Harper left big-city crime and politics to raise his little girl. He won election as the first Black prosecutor in his rural Louisiana parish; lives in the family home; leaves the doors unlocked; walks his daughter to school.
Now, with a deadly adversary beckoning, Ben must uncover Carmen King’s terrible truth before more people die on the altar of ambition.
______________________________________
"A fascinating read, clear and suspenseful, all the way until the end. Keeps the reader guessing and turning the page. This is a complex tale with lots of characters."
"The author does a wonderful job expressing the intricacies and nuances of race in America."
"Ben Harper is smart, anchored, educated, and cares about his people."
About the Cover
At first glance, it's Enrique Alferez's sculpture, Louisiana at Work and Play, on the front facade of Charity Hospital in New Orleans. But a closer look reveals artist and cover illustrator Robin Vuchnich has added some diabolical twists to Alferez's aluminum masterpiece.
Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
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47 people want to read
About the author
Michael Martin
7 books29 followersI'm a journalist turned novelist who loves stories about anti-establishment rebels that defy the conventional wisdom in search of greater truth.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 8, 2024
twisted!
Keeps you jumping all the way through and very difficult to put down. You can figure out the who but the whys are a kick in the pants!
Keeps you jumping all the way through and very difficult to put down. You can figure out the who but the whys are a kick in the pants!
Displaying 1 of 1 review