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Micky Knight #5
Death of a Dying Man
New Orleans PI Micky Knight just had to get into a butch pissing contest with the journalist partner of a famous doctor working with her lover, Cordelia James. Micky's insistence that the skills of a reporter are of no use to a PI backfires, and now she's stuck with a drop-dead gorgeous assistant and the case of a dying gay man looking for a child he might have fathered. These chains of events—and an act of nature—will tear Micky's life apart in ways that may never be put back together.
281 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
20 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Redmann
28 books202 followersAlso writes under the pseudonym R. Jean Reid.
Jean Marie Redmann is an American novelist best known for her mystery series featuring New Orleans private investigator Micky Knight.
Main themes of Redmann's novels are the protagonist's troubled childhood and how it affects her adult life, discrimination based on sexual orientation and alcoholism. Her novels follow the tradition of hardboiled fiction. Redmann's third book The Intersection of Law and Desire won the Lambda Literary Award for lesbian mystery.
Jean M. Redmann is a gay rights activist and works as the Director of Prevention at NO/AIDS Task Force.
Jean Marie Redmann is an American novelist best known for her mystery series featuring New Orleans private investigator Micky Knight.
Main themes of Redmann's novels are the protagonist's troubled childhood and how it affects her adult life, discrimination based on sexual orientation and alcoholism. Her novels follow the tradition of hardboiled fiction. Redmann's third book The Intersection of Law and Desire won the Lambda Literary Award for lesbian mystery.
Jean M. Redmann is a gay rights activist and works as the Director of Prevention at NO/AIDS Task Force.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 12, 2017
This book was quite a bit different from the previous Mickey books. It was very emotional. In fact one scene was so upsetting, I could feel my heart racing while I read it, even though I had an idea of what was going to happen. Then my heart got ripped out a little more when Hurricane Katrina hits. This series takes place in New Orleans, and even after all these years, it's still so hard to read about it. I don't think I can give a bigger complement, to an author, than to say that a book made me feel. That I am so invested in the characters, I felt like things were happening to people I know. Redmann, can write, she can really write.
While the mystery was a pretty big part of the story, there was no heart stopping climax, that Redmann is so good at. I was okay with that. With all the other emotional things going on, I don't think I could have take anything more.
I love this series, but I must stress, read these books in order. They would just not have the same impact if you didn't. You would be doing yourself a disservice.
While the mystery was a pretty big part of the story, there was no heart stopping climax, that Redmann is so good at. I was okay with that. With all the other emotional things going on, I don't think I could have take anything more.
I love this series, but I must stress, read these books in order. They would just not have the same impact if you didn't. You would be doing yourself a disservice.
March 22, 2020
Heartbreak Hotel
The plot. August 2005, New Orleans. That's the setting for this heartbreaking 5th book about the adventures of Micky Knight, detective extraordinaire. While Micky races against the clock to find the possible daughter of her latest client, a literal storm has been brewing on the horizon.
The characters. Aside from the dying man in the title, two other new characters make an appearance in this book. One of them needs to be shot out of a cannon and into an active volcano and the other I'm hoping to see again in one of the other books in the series.
The writing. Great writing once again by Ms. Redmann. The book did drag a little for me in the beginning but thankfully picked up speed eventually. The last part of it was amazingly well written and may require a tissue or two.
The special. This book and the events that took place in Micky's personal life are the reason I've been away from GR for so long. It hit way too close to home and I just couldn't bring myself to write a review about it. Until now.
The negative. I wasn't a huge fan of the mystery aspect of this particular book. At one point it felt like a game of clue where Micky was just bouncing back and forth a lot between suspects.
The verdict. I'm taking a little break from the world of Micky Knight and all the angst and drama. I have enough of that in my personal life.
So here's the deal. It's been a hot minute since I've last been on GR and one or two things have happened since. For instance, did you know it's possible to get your heart broken twice in one week? It is. See I broke up with my GF because things hadn't been going well for a while. And then not even a week later I got my heart broken again by someone who claimed to be in love with me but was really two timing me all along.
Now I know some of you just raised an eyebrow and are wondering what's going on. If you have any questions about me, ask me instead of listening to gossip and rumors. I'll be more than happy to show you exactly what really happened.
The plot. August 2005, New Orleans. That's the setting for this heartbreaking 5th book about the adventures of Micky Knight, detective extraordinaire. While Micky races against the clock to find the possible daughter of her latest client, a literal storm has been brewing on the horizon.
The characters. Aside from the dying man in the title, two other new characters make an appearance in this book. One of them needs to be shot out of a cannon and into an active volcano and the other I'm hoping to see again in one of the other books in the series.
The writing. Great writing once again by Ms. Redmann. The book did drag a little for me in the beginning but thankfully picked up speed eventually. The last part of it was amazingly well written and may require a tissue or two.
The special. This book and the events that took place in Micky's personal life are the reason I've been away from GR for so long. It hit way too close to home and I just couldn't bring myself to write a review about it. Until now.
The negative. I wasn't a huge fan of the mystery aspect of this particular book. At one point it felt like a game of clue where Micky was just bouncing back and forth a lot between suspects.
The verdict. I'm taking a little break from the world of Micky Knight and all the angst and drama. I have enough of that in my personal life.
So here's the deal. It's been a hot minute since I've last been on GR and one or two things have happened since. For instance, did you know it's possible to get your heart broken twice in one week? It is. See I broke up with my GF because things hadn't been going well for a while. And then not even a week later I got my heart broken again by someone who claimed to be in love with me but was really two timing me all along.
Now I know some of you just raised an eyebrow and are wondering what's going on. If you have any questions about me, ask me instead of listening to gossip and rumors. I'll be more than happy to show you exactly what really happened.
July 20, 2025
Death of a Dying Man was the hardest one to read so far in the fabulous Micky knight series. Heartbreaking events throughout the story made it a very emotional read because this is book 5 and I know the characters so well by now. And to see them go through so much hurt is tough.
Micky and Cordelia… oh boy. My heart bleeds for both of them and I don’t know if they can mend things between them. I am almost fearful to read book 6.
J.M. Redmann’s masterful writing keeps me glued to the pages from beginning to end. If you haven’t read any of the series yet I urge you to start at book one. You won’t be sorry.
f/f explicit
Themes: New Orleans, a dying man and the search for a possible daughter, an altered will, hurricane Katrina, infidelity, loss, nothing will be the same ever again.
5 Stars
----------re-read 6 years later----------------
A slow start, but then the drama starts and keeps going. Raw. As I said in my first review, things will never be the same again for all of the characters I have come to know and love.
It was a lazy Sunday, so I've inhaled this one. Ready for book 6.
5 Stars
Micky and Cordelia… oh boy. My heart bleeds for both of them and I don’t know if they can mend things between them. I am almost fearful to read book 6.
J.M. Redmann’s masterful writing keeps me glued to the pages from beginning to end. If you haven’t read any of the series yet I urge you to start at book one. You won’t be sorry.
f/f explicit
Themes: New Orleans, a dying man and the search for a possible daughter, an altered will, hurricane Katrina, infidelity, loss, nothing will be the same ever again.
5 Stars
----------re-read 6 years later----------------
A slow start, but then the drama starts and keeps going. Raw. As I said in my first review, things will never be the same again for all of the characters I have come to know and love.
It was a lazy Sunday, so I've inhaled this one. Ready for book 6.
5 Stars
September 24, 2019
Well, I’ve beaten my old record with this series – I reread 2 books in 2017 (the first two). Now that I’ve reread book five, I’ve reread three in 2019. This news is extremely exciting, no?
I like giving ‘theme’s’ to the books. You know, like ‘this one is the child abuse one’, ‘this one is the reconnecting children/parents’. Well this one is the ‘cheating & hurricane Katrina’ one. Though the main case involved reconnecting a child with a parent.
A rich gay man who is/was wildly popular in New Orleans, owned three bars and threw wild parties (so wild, Torbin (Micky’s cousin), not exactly a calm retiring type, didn’t like attending the parties), and, because what’s kinkier than a gay man having sex with a woman? Ended up with a child. Well he, Damon, has six months to live and has decided to reverse one of his life choices: ignore the woman who said that he had fathered a child upon her (‘the one time I have sex with a woman?’). So he has hired Micky to search for and find the woman he knocked up, and the child as well (who, if I recall correctly, is about 7 now). Then, when someone gives him the ‘gift’ of cocaine, indirectly or directly hires her to find his murderer (hence the title of the book ‘Death of a Dying Man’; not exactly an uncommon theme in mysteries – ‘who’d kill someone already dying?’).
Micky has ‘help’ in this book: a reporter needing something to do has been . . . what was the phrase? Bah. Something like ‘because of a butch macho contest’ Micky has been saddled with this reporter woman. Whose name escapes me at the moment, though has a last name something like ‘Wild’. Shannon, that’s it. The woman’s name is Shannon. Shannon helps on both cases.
Why is Shannon bouncing around Micky? Because their girlfriends are busy doing doctor like stuff. Dr. Lauren being the girlfriend of Shannon, and, of course, Cordelia being the girlfriend of Micky.
As I mentioned it in the last book: so, is this a ‘good’ relationship book between Cordelia and Micky? On the one hand they are at or near their tenth year together (at one point the phrase 10 years was used, at another, the phrase 9 years was used). Rocky or not, that’s ten years together with the same woman living in the same house, and sharing cats. On the other hand . . . . On the other hand they do not spend a lot of time together, and even when together, Cordelia is busy talking doctor talk with Lauren, while Shannon flirts outrageously with Micky. It’s Lauren that doesn’t believe in monogamy, though, so, you know . . ..
Right, so. Shannon and Micky hunt down the missing kid, and investigate Damon’s friends to find his killer (not that he is dead yet). Most of the book involves those entwined mysteries, plus the dynamic between Shannon-Micky-Cordelia-Lauren (mostly with Cordelia and Lauren barely seen, and Shannon talking about how irresistible Lauren is, while Micky keeps talking about how . . . monogamous Cordelia is).
Then Micky walks into something shocking, flees (somehow with Shannon tagging along), then a hurricane hits. You know, Katrina. The one that destroyed New Orleans. Shannon and Micky probably would have died, but Micky became aware enough of her surroundings to realize the hurricane was heading directly for New Orleans in time to dive into the car and . . . very slowly crawl behind other cars as the clouds get all ominous looking.
In many ways a rather sad book.
Rating: 5
September 24 2019
I like giving ‘theme’s’ to the books. You know, like ‘this one is the child abuse one’, ‘this one is the reconnecting children/parents’. Well this one is the ‘cheating & hurricane Katrina’ one. Though the main case involved reconnecting a child with a parent.
A rich gay man who is/was wildly popular in New Orleans, owned three bars and threw wild parties (so wild, Torbin (Micky’s cousin), not exactly a calm retiring type, didn’t like attending the parties), and, because what’s kinkier than a gay man having sex with a woman? Ended up with a child. Well he, Damon, has six months to live and has decided to reverse one of his life choices: ignore the woman who said that he had fathered a child upon her (‘the one time I have sex with a woman?’). So he has hired Micky to search for and find the woman he knocked up, and the child as well (who, if I recall correctly, is about 7 now). Then, when someone gives him the ‘gift’ of cocaine, indirectly or directly hires her to find his murderer (hence the title of the book ‘Death of a Dying Man’; not exactly an uncommon theme in mysteries – ‘who’d kill someone already dying?’).
Micky has ‘help’ in this book: a reporter needing something to do has been . . . what was the phrase? Bah. Something like ‘because of a butch macho contest’ Micky has been saddled with this reporter woman. Whose name escapes me at the moment, though has a last name something like ‘Wild’. Shannon, that’s it. The woman’s name is Shannon. Shannon helps on both cases.
Why is Shannon bouncing around Micky? Because their girlfriends are busy doing doctor like stuff. Dr. Lauren being the girlfriend of Shannon, and, of course, Cordelia being the girlfriend of Micky.
As I mentioned it in the last book: so, is this a ‘good’ relationship book between Cordelia and Micky? On the one hand they are at or near their tenth year together (at one point the phrase 10 years was used, at another, the phrase 9 years was used). Rocky or not, that’s ten years together with the same woman living in the same house, and sharing cats. On the other hand . . . . On the other hand they do not spend a lot of time together, and even when together, Cordelia is busy talking doctor talk with Lauren, while Shannon flirts outrageously with Micky. It’s Lauren that doesn’t believe in monogamy, though, so, you know . . ..
Right, so. Shannon and Micky hunt down the missing kid, and investigate Damon’s friends to find his killer (not that he is dead yet). Most of the book involves those entwined mysteries, plus the dynamic between Shannon-Micky-Cordelia-Lauren (mostly with Cordelia and Lauren barely seen, and Shannon talking about how irresistible Lauren is, while Micky keeps talking about how . . . monogamous Cordelia is).
Then Micky walks into something shocking, flees (somehow with Shannon tagging along), then a hurricane hits. You know, Katrina. The one that destroyed New Orleans. Shannon and Micky probably would have died, but Micky became aware enough of her surroundings to realize the hurricane was heading directly for New Orleans in time to dive into the car and . . . very slowly crawl behind other cars as the clouds get all ominous looking.
In many ways a rather sad book.
Rating: 5
September 24 2019
December 26, 2019
I found the first 120 pages of this one in the series to be fairly yawn-worthy, which surprised me because this is Ms. Redmann! The first four Micky knight books had me drooling and bug-eyed! But I literally read two other books in between that first part because I found the content so dry. Micky is again at the helm of a PI case, and she talked to contacts for the dying man that hired her to find out who may be trying to manipulate him, and the pacing was just super slow. So as for the mystery part of this one, it really didn't hold much punch for me, I didn't like any of the new characters involved.
However......HOW-EVER.....two BIG THINGS HAPPEN just after page 120ish and I pretty much lost my mind. The emotions that I so cling to in this series come back full force, and Micky is again thrown into turmoil, not just personally but because of Hurricane Katrina. Now I am not an American, let alone from the south, but I remember following the news closely from up here and being quite affected by this disaster, so to read about it in only the way Redmann can tell it was heart-wrenching. There is drama and chaos and friends/family are separated and gas stations are minimal and food/water scarce and no phones work and death everywhere and phenomenal destruction and and.....
So I am glad I waded through those first 120 pages because when I got to the end, I promptly went back three chapters and read the end again, it was so well written. Again Micky is tested, trying to reconnect her life and figure out which direction to go. I had to knock off a star for that really slow start but otherwise....Wow. Immediately onto book #6......
However......HOW-EVER.....two BIG THINGS HAPPEN just after page 120ish and I pretty much lost my mind. The emotions that I so cling to in this series come back full force, and Micky is again thrown into turmoil, not just personally but because of Hurricane Katrina. Now I am not an American, let alone from the south, but I remember following the news closely from up here and being quite affected by this disaster, so to read about it in only the way Redmann can tell it was heart-wrenching. There is drama and chaos and friends/family are separated and gas stations are minimal and food/water scarce and no phones work and death everywhere and phenomenal destruction and and.....
So I am glad I waded through those first 120 pages because when I got to the end, I promptly went back three chapters and read the end again, it was so well written. Again Micky is tested, trying to reconnect her life and figure out which direction to go. I had to knock off a star for that really slow start but otherwise....Wow. Immediately onto book #6......
May 10, 2012
As I clicked the rating for this book, I found myself sighing, "But maybe it's not you; it's me."
As a longtime Micky Knight fan, I'm conflicted about the book. I don't know if her writing is the same and I am a different reader, or vice versa. After a decade away from reading lesbian fiction (of which Redmann's books were always the among the best) I think I don't have the patience for many of the mainstays. I'm not especially interested in the drama that can surround gay male culture or messy lesbian relationships where lovers stop communicating and the best way to work out your frustrations is to fall in bed with someone else. Am I too old?
As far as the mystery itself, it felt like there wasn't enough substance to it. The book read to me like it was one developmental edit away from completion. The dialogue all sounded the same to me; characters were too well-spoken with only a few high-contrast exceptions (George, for example). I didn't feel the characters in any depth.
So, maybe it's where I'm at: older, quieter, and wanting a lot from the little time I spend reading. Will I read the next Micky Knight novel? I might. It's hard to give up on someone who once made you so happy.
As a longtime Micky Knight fan, I'm conflicted about the book. I don't know if her writing is the same and I am a different reader, or vice versa. After a decade away from reading lesbian fiction (of which Redmann's books were always the among the best) I think I don't have the patience for many of the mainstays. I'm not especially interested in the drama that can surround gay male culture or messy lesbian relationships where lovers stop communicating and the best way to work out your frustrations is to fall in bed with someone else. Am I too old?
As far as the mystery itself, it felt like there wasn't enough substance to it. The book read to me like it was one developmental edit away from completion. The dialogue all sounded the same to me; characters were too well-spoken with only a few high-contrast exceptions (George, for example). I didn't feel the characters in any depth.
So, maybe it's where I'm at: older, quieter, and wanting a lot from the little time I spend reading. Will I read the next Micky Knight novel? I might. It's hard to give up on someone who once made you so happy.
March 4, 2014
This fifth book in the Micky Knight series not only has an intriguing yet heartbreaking mystery, more than half of the story unfolds as Hurricane Katrina barrels through New Orleans and the horrendous days that followed. Additionally, Micky's personal life is dealt a devastating blow. However, she attempts to stay focused on the last wishes of her client and along with the assistance of a plucky reporter who is helping Micky with the necessary grunt work that comes with detecting, they stay as focused as they possibly can. This is a tour de force on many levels, even if Micky's naturally snarky nature is a bit muted by all that is happening around her. Tremendously moving!
Damon LaChance is dying from complications of AIDS. He perhaps has six months and he desperately wants to find a child he possibly fathered during an odd one-time deviance from his normal sexual proclivities. He is also a considerably wealthy man because of his brilliant business dealings and an intuitive awareness. Now he is utilizing Micky's assistance in his search for that child. Damon is one of two golden personalities within this book. People just love him, are mesmerized by him, and want to be around him. Even in his weakened state, he still has a brilliant aura that is seductive. He is an extremely fascinating character.
Shannon Wild is the lover/companion of the other golden personality, Dr. Lauren Calder. Since Dr. Calder is involved in getting a project off the ground with Micky's lover Dr. Cordelia James, Shannon has become Micky's private investigator assistant. Shannon surprises Micky on many levels as she turns her journalistic skills to uniquely good use on multiple occasions. She also gets very caught up in the pursuit of reuniting Damon with is child as he is battling to stay alive. Shannon and Micky are together when they learn about the hurricane and become kind of locked at the hip in escaping from New Orleans while they continue to deal with the whereabouts of the child. Shannon also proves to be eminently sympathetic and supportive of Micky when she faces her major personal crisis. Shannon is notably remarkable and I liked her a good deal!
This book is fairly different from previous Micky Knight escapades, but I think definitely deserves a look/see. So many levels and dynamics swirl around Micky in much the same way that New Orleans faced tremendous challenges during and after Hurricane Katrina. There are different dynamics, fewer of Micky's cohorts, and some disturbingly troubling elements that must be faced by Micky, her client, and New Orleans, too. I give this book a sincere thumbs up as it provided some extraordinary events and people facing the challenges of a lifetime.
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Damon LaChance is dying from complications of AIDS. He perhaps has six months and he desperately wants to find a child he possibly fathered during an odd one-time deviance from his normal sexual proclivities. He is also a considerably wealthy man because of his brilliant business dealings and an intuitive awareness. Now he is utilizing Micky's assistance in his search for that child. Damon is one of two golden personalities within this book. People just love him, are mesmerized by him, and want to be around him. Even in his weakened state, he still has a brilliant aura that is seductive. He is an extremely fascinating character.
Shannon Wild is the lover/companion of the other golden personality, Dr. Lauren Calder. Since Dr. Calder is involved in getting a project off the ground with Micky's lover Dr. Cordelia James, Shannon has become Micky's private investigator assistant. Shannon surprises Micky on many levels as she turns her journalistic skills to uniquely good use on multiple occasions. She also gets very caught up in the pursuit of reuniting Damon with is child as he is battling to stay alive. Shannon and Micky are together when they learn about the hurricane and become kind of locked at the hip in escaping from New Orleans while they continue to deal with the whereabouts of the child. Shannon also proves to be eminently sympathetic and supportive of Micky when she faces her major personal crisis. Shannon is notably remarkable and I liked her a good deal!
This book is fairly different from previous Micky Knight escapades, but I think definitely deserves a look/see. So many levels and dynamics swirl around Micky in much the same way that New Orleans faced tremendous challenges during and after Hurricane Katrina. There are different dynamics, fewer of Micky's cohorts, and some disturbingly troubling elements that must be faced by Micky, her client, and New Orleans, too. I give this book a sincere thumbs up as it provided some extraordinary events and people facing the challenges of a lifetime.
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 19, 2009
Can I just say how glad I am that Micky Knight is back? Not very far in yet but already enjoying it.
I remember way, way back when the first in the series was published in Germany the press who published it added letters of discussion they had amongst themselves of whether they should publish a lesbian book with such an 'unfeminist' character. Seems like a very long time ago, a very different time.
How much do I love the new J.M. Redmann? Let me count the ways... ;)
Excellent novel, both in terms of the mystery and character development, most of all for its retelling of Katrina and what it did to a city and individual people. Heartbreaking. You can also feel the author's anger about events after Katrina and the lack of immediate and long-term support.
Character-wise I was so very happy that Micky Knight is back. She's a unique character in lesfic and I'm glad that BSB didn't mess with her edginess and rawness to make her fit into the BSB formula.
Go read it now, and if you've never read a Micky Knight mystery start with the first one now. You won't be sorry.
I remember way, way back when the first in the series was published in Germany the press who published it added letters of discussion they had amongst themselves of whether they should publish a lesbian book with such an 'unfeminist' character. Seems like a very long time ago, a very different time.
How much do I love the new J.M. Redmann? Let me count the ways... ;)
Excellent novel, both in terms of the mystery and character development, most of all for its retelling of Katrina and what it did to a city and individual people. Heartbreaking. You can also feel the author's anger about events after Katrina and the lack of immediate and long-term support.
Character-wise I was so very happy that Micky Knight is back. She's a unique character in lesfic and I'm glad that BSB didn't mess with her edginess and rawness to make her fit into the BSB formula.
Go read it now, and if you've never read a Micky Knight mystery start with the first one now. You won't be sorry.
June 27, 2015
It is not an easy read, heavy with memories of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, there are issues related to infidelity, drugs, haves and have nots. Although I do not like the direction of Mickey and Cordelia relationship, I understand that life happens and people are unpredictable therefore you never know what to expect. So, with hesitancy, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 10, 2023
I didn't want to write a review.
But after finishing this at 3 a.m. and having trouble sleeping because of some unanswered question, I'd feel somewhat better doing this
Did we ever know why Cordelia did what she did? Do I have to read Book 6 to know? 'Cause I don't think I can swallow another heartache.
I resonated so deeply with Micky that I felt so much disappointment with Cordelia. I was hoping Micky'd just slap both women then and there and demand answers. How could one who preach fidelity and monogamity with a cheating father finally succumbed to not-so'monogamity? I don't think I'd be satisfied with mere lust.
There are ups and downs with Micky. I mostly frowned whenever she quite literally fucked around or followed her stupid sense of justice. I also frowned a lot mostly about Danny and Cordelia because they could seem like hypocrites at times. But hey, people aren't black and white, so I wore my big gurl pants and tried thinking like some adult American woman in an adult American women community, which is hard to do when you've been raised in an Asian household where getting one less As in your report card is black and simply being an architect makes you white.
Anyway, Micky then changed for the better. Still with silly sense of justice but she stopped drinking and whoring about. She still lusted over some women at times but never followed what's between her thighs; yes, there was also that one time with the doctor who was Cordelia's friend whose name I've forgotten- But ANYWAY, so I thought Cordelia was good for Micky.
Imagine someone you so trusted, that you changed for because you loved her, betraying you.
In any case, I'd stop reading this series for now. Too many heartaches and I read and skip quite a bit that it seems like Micky will start drinking and whoring again. It almost seem like Micky and Cordelia will unite again after this hurdle since by Book 11, the case is still so closely related with Cordelia, almost seem like the Author wants to keep Cordy here kn the story but not yet because Micky needs to suffer first but I don't know.
If anyone's reading this, you can let me know if there's any answer to my question so I may sleep peacefully at night.
But after finishing this at 3 a.m. and having trouble sleeping because of some unanswered question, I'd feel somewhat better doing this
Did we ever know why Cordelia did what she did? Do I have to read Book 6 to know? 'Cause I don't think I can swallow another heartache.
I resonated so deeply with Micky that I felt so much disappointment with Cordelia. I was hoping Micky'd just slap both women then and there and demand answers. How could one who preach fidelity and monogamity with a cheating father finally succumbed to not-so'monogamity? I don't think I'd be satisfied with mere lust.
There are ups and downs with Micky. I mostly frowned whenever she quite literally fucked around or followed her stupid sense of justice. I also frowned a lot mostly about Danny and Cordelia because they could seem like hypocrites at times. But hey, people aren't black and white, so I wore my big gurl pants and tried thinking like some adult American woman in an adult American women community, which is hard to do when you've been raised in an Asian household where getting one less As in your report card is black and simply being an architect makes you white.
Anyway, Micky then changed for the better. Still with silly sense of justice but she stopped drinking and whoring about. She still lusted over some women at times but never followed what's between her thighs; yes, there was also that one time with the doctor who was Cordelia's friend whose name I've forgotten- But ANYWAY, so I thought Cordelia was good for Micky.
Imagine someone you so trusted, that you changed for because you loved her, betraying you.
In any case, I'd stop reading this series for now. Too many heartaches and I read and skip quite a bit that it seems like Micky will start drinking and whoring again. It almost seem like Micky and Cordelia will unite again after this hurdle since by Book 11, the case is still so closely related with Cordelia, almost seem like the Author wants to keep Cordy here kn the story but not yet because Micky needs to suffer first but I don't know.
If anyone's reading this, you can let me know if there's any answer to my question so I may sleep peacefully at night.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
“Death of a Dying Man” takes place several years after “Lost Daughters” and a lot has changed.
Micky Knight, the one-time promiscuous drunk, is off the booze and in a nine year monogamous relationship with Dr. Cordelia James.
They're living together and Micky has definitely mellowed. She can still fly off the handle at the drop of a hat but she is not as visceral as in the past.
There is, of course, a mystery to be solved. It is, in a way, peripheral to the main story but adroitly counterpoints it.
A dying man, once the darling of the gay community, hires Micky to find the daughter he refused to acknowledge as his. She's seven years old but he has no idea where she, or her mother, can be found.
Micky takes on an assistant, investigative journalist Shannon Wild, more or less to prove that she doesn't have the skills. She's dead wrong.
And then Micky's world comes crashing down just as Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
She knows it's bad but the full scale of the destruction only becomes real to her over days and weeks.
It becomes a story about loss and, ultimately, hope.
This is a series that just keeps getting better – by this stage I feel I know Micky better than some of my oldest friends.
4 very solid Stars. I only give 5 Stars to books which have stayed with my over the decades, but this is a definite contender.
4 Stars.
Micky Knight, the one-time promiscuous drunk, is off the booze and in a nine year monogamous relationship with Dr. Cordelia James.
They're living together and Micky has definitely mellowed. She can still fly off the handle at the drop of a hat but she is not as visceral as in the past.
There is, of course, a mystery to be solved. It is, in a way, peripheral to the main story but adroitly counterpoints it.
A dying man, once the darling of the gay community, hires Micky to find the daughter he refused to acknowledge as his. She's seven years old but he has no idea where she, or her mother, can be found.
Micky takes on an assistant, investigative journalist Shannon Wild, more or less to prove that she doesn't have the skills. She's dead wrong.
And then Micky's world comes crashing down just as Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
She knows it's bad but the full scale of the destruction only becomes real to her over days and weeks.
It becomes a story about loss and, ultimately, hope.
This is a series that just keeps getting better – by this stage I feel I know Micky better than some of my oldest friends.
4 very solid Stars. I only give 5 Stars to books which have stayed with my over the decades, but this is a definite contender.
4 Stars.
November 26, 2022
I am giving this four star. The story line was interesting. Two new characters, one of them I would like to abandoned on a lonely island. I do not know why Ms. Redmann has to separate CJ and MK? The reason behind CJ's infidelity was not justifiable. Why the heck she had to sleep with Lauren when she was preaching Micky about trust and fidelity? Why such deviation from a seemingly strong character?
Shannon Wilde was a good inclusion. But I doubt if hers is a recurring character! If Ms.Redmann has planned to do that, then as a reader I would love to see her with MK. I'm heartbroken seeing CJ and MK apart for no solid reason.
Shannon Wilde was a good inclusion. But I doubt if hers is a recurring character! If Ms.Redmann has planned to do that, then as a reader I would love to see her with MK. I'm heartbroken seeing CJ and MK apart for no solid reason.
June 20, 2021
Tremendo
Para mi quizás el mejor libro. Madre mía que sufrimiento y, adrinalina.
Lo he sufrido mucho con micky. Y la situación con cordelia. No me explico....
Encima todo lo que pasó con y después de hurricane. Me siento como parte de la historia, como micky fuese una persona cercana y me sigue doliendo su estado.
En el tiempo que no estaba leyendo me llevaba la angustia, de no saber que pasa o saber qué ha pasado. Un sufrimiento.
Espero que el próximo libro será mejor para mis nervios. Estoy a flor de piel
Para mi quizás el mejor libro. Madre mía que sufrimiento y, adrinalina.
Lo he sufrido mucho con micky. Y la situación con cordelia. No me explico....
Encima todo lo que pasó con y después de hurricane. Me siento como parte de la historia, como micky fuese una persona cercana y me sigue doliendo su estado.
En el tiempo que no estaba leyendo me llevaba la angustia, de no saber que pasa o saber qué ha pasado. Un sufrimiento.
Espero que el próximo libro será mejor para mis nervios. Estoy a flor de piel
October 31, 2020
Another tough-to-read Micky novel. The parts about Katrina were very difficult, I had to pause my reading several times, pace myself.
If you're a Katrina survivor, you might want to tread lightly with this one.
If you're a Katrina survivor, you might want to tread lightly with this one.
July 22, 2024
The first half was slow and uninteresting. The second half was far more eventful, with a painful story. Although not gratuitous. Somewhere between 2 and 5 stars, I cannot make up my mind. I would not read it again.
July 18, 2018
Good read. Interesting reflections on Katrina.
May 15, 2024
The Hurricane Katrina scenes were so vivid, I could feel the author's heartbreak for New Orleans.
For me, Micky Knight sets the bar for sapphic PI stories.
For me, Micky Knight sets the bar for sapphic PI stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Detective/Lesbian Noir Reading Level: Adult
Disclosure: I received a free copy of book 7 in this series in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the rest of the books in the series myself, so am under no particular obligation, but am happy to provide an honest review.
Synopsis: New Orleans PI Micky Knight just had to get into a butch pissing contest with the journalist partner of a famous doctor working with her lover, Cordelia James. Micky's insistence that the skills of a reporter are of no use to a PI backfires, and now she's stuck with a drop-dead gorgeous assistant and the case of a dying gay man looking for a child he might have fathered. These chains of events-and an act of nature-will tear Micky's life apart in ways that may never be put back together.
My Thoughts: This book takes place in 2005, and over 6 years after the events of the previous book. It focuses heavily on destruction and desperation: the destruction caused by Katrina, the destruction caused by trust betrayed, the desperation of people who are over their heads and trying to hold on. It is very much how I define noir – dark, difficult, and beautifully written.
Again, Micky’s friends are in the background, if they’re witnessed at all. Focus is placed more upon Lauren and Shannon and their interactions with Micky and Cordelia. With just two books left to read in this series, I’m hoping the focus will come back to Micky’s friends and their interactions and way of working together, but I guess we’ll see what happens. At any event, I enjoyed the book a great deal and if you enjoy romantic suspense and are not bothered by lesbian protagonists, then you should enjoy it too.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of book 7 in this series in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the rest of the books in the series myself, so am under no particular obligation, but am happy to provide an honest review.
Synopsis: New Orleans PI Micky Knight just had to get into a butch pissing contest with the journalist partner of a famous doctor working with her lover, Cordelia James. Micky's insistence that the skills of a reporter are of no use to a PI backfires, and now she's stuck with a drop-dead gorgeous assistant and the case of a dying gay man looking for a child he might have fathered. These chains of events-and an act of nature-will tear Micky's life apart in ways that may never be put back together.
My Thoughts: This book takes place in 2005, and over 6 years after the events of the previous book. It focuses heavily on destruction and desperation: the destruction caused by Katrina, the destruction caused by trust betrayed, the desperation of people who are over their heads and trying to hold on. It is very much how I define noir – dark, difficult, and beautifully written.
Again, Micky’s friends are in the background, if they’re witnessed at all. Focus is placed more upon Lauren and Shannon and their interactions with Micky and Cordelia. With just two books left to read in this series, I’m hoping the focus will come back to Micky’s friends and their interactions and way of working together, but I guess we’ll see what happens. At any event, I enjoyed the book a great deal and if you enjoy romantic suspense and are not bothered by lesbian protagonists, then you should enjoy it too.
August 17, 2012
I've really enjoyed the Micky Knight series and was looking forward to this one. The beginning left me wondering if the anticipation was to go sadly unrewarded: it begins with Micky engaging in a butch pissing contest which, for me, marks her character and relationship as rather unpleasantly macho rather than engagingly edgy which both have been in the past.
Hurrah! We get past this. Micky gets to work - on her relationships, her case and the elemental chaos about to create the biggest heave-ho around them all.
This book was a long time coming. I know that this was in no small part down to the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on New Orleans, its communities and the author Jean Redmann. New Orleans always feels like a vibrant additional character in this series and never more so than in this novel. The impact and effect of the hurricane, of the flooding, are palpable: the shock, the mourning, and, although muted, the anger at the lack of response, support and help for devastated communities. Certain of the post-flood scenes have a shocked, post-apocalyptic quietness about them. Chilling. And well executed.
The next Micky Knight is already out. Get catching up.
Hurrah! We get past this. Micky gets to work - on her relationships, her case and the elemental chaos about to create the biggest heave-ho around them all.
This book was a long time coming. I know that this was in no small part down to the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on New Orleans, its communities and the author Jean Redmann. New Orleans always feels like a vibrant additional character in this series and never more so than in this novel. The impact and effect of the hurricane, of the flooding, are palpable: the shock, the mourning, and, although muted, the anger at the lack of response, support and help for devastated communities. Certain of the post-flood scenes have a shocked, post-apocalyptic quietness about them. Chilling. And well executed.
The next Micky Knight is already out. Get catching up.
July 17, 2012
I am a long time fan of JM Redmann and the Micky Knight series of novels.
Without giving away any plot points, I can honestly say this book is one of the best novels of that excellent series.
Micky Knight is a complex and real character, with a wonderful and realized inner dialog, and this novel takes her into new depths and emotions.
It's not an easy read, heavy with dark overtones of Hurricane Katrina.
There are major incidents and life changing events in play during "Death Of A Dying Man" and none of them could be considered anything less than heartbreaking.
Kudos to JM Redmann for creating characters who feel as real, and true as Micky Knight.
I can whole-heartedly recommend the entire Micky Knight series, this book included.
Without giving away any plot points, I can honestly say this book is one of the best novels of that excellent series.
Micky Knight is a complex and real character, with a wonderful and realized inner dialog, and this novel takes her into new depths and emotions.
It's not an easy read, heavy with dark overtones of Hurricane Katrina.
There are major incidents and life changing events in play during "Death Of A Dying Man" and none of them could be considered anything less than heartbreaking.
Kudos to JM Redmann for creating characters who feel as real, and true as Micky Knight.
I can whole-heartedly recommend the entire Micky Knight series, this book included.
September 6, 2016
This one seemed lacking. Maybe it was because Micky Knight, now sober and in a long-term relationship, had become too normal. Or maybe it was because the mystery revolved around a lot of gay men, the least interesting form of human for me. The mystery also required almost no action and a lot of talking. Yawn. Then Micky's personal life takes a significant, albeit almost unbelievable, hit and Hurricane Katrina arrives. Things do juice up nicely, but unfortunately Micky experiences most things from a distance. She's not even the one to solve the first part of the mystery. This book really needed Cordelia's POV. A lot is left unresolved and I'm tempted to dig right into Water Mark.
August 7, 2009
Wow. Micky Knight's return was worth waiting for.
Set before, during, and after the calamity of Hurricane Katrina, Redmann conveys the dislocation of New Orleans and its inhabitants. Micky spends almost all of the book separated from her partner and her friends. It's raw and powerful in parts, while at others you just want to slap both Micky and Cordelia upside the head!
Redmann has said: "...given what happened to New Orleans from the failed levees, I felt I had to write a book that reflected, even just in a small way--the destruction of the city."
Set before, during, and after the calamity of Hurricane Katrina, Redmann conveys the dislocation of New Orleans and its inhabitants. Micky spends almost all of the book separated from her partner and her friends. It's raw and powerful in parts, while at others you just want to slap both Micky and Cordelia upside the head!
Redmann has said: "...given what happened to New Orleans from the failed levees, I felt I had to write a book that reflected, even just in a small way--the destruction of the city."
March 28, 2010
While the writing style was solid, I didn't like the story at all. Micky Knight is hired to find the child of a dying man. In the process she cheats on her partner and her partner cheats on her. I found that unappealing. Also, a good portion of the story is written during Katrina, something I really don't like to read about. Perhaps that's because it's still too fresh in my memory.
So, not a satisfying read like I had hoped.
So, not a satisfying read like I had hoped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2018
This book did something to me. From heart racing anxiety to gut wrenching emotion, Book 5 of the Micky Knight saga was intense. The actual case Micky is working wasn't as interesting as some of her past cases, albeit a heck of a lot safer, but the personal story was so incredibly written that I couldn't put this book down. From even before I started page 1, I knew from the blurb that this was going to be emotional, and boy did it ever. 4.5 Stars!
June 4, 2012
Redmann writes a good mystery with strong characters and a like-able lesbian lead character. I enjoyed this one somewhat less than her earlier works, but it is still a great book. I look forward to reading more Micky Knight adventures in the future.
November 26, 2017
This one didn't suck me in and compel me to read it as much as others in the series. Perhaps I prefer happier endings.
The parallel between the natural disaster and Micky's personal life was nice, but did make for a more somber book.
The parallel between the natural disaster and Micky's personal life was nice, but did make for a more somber book.
February 4, 2019
loved this series. i bingeread it and loved both the satisfying mystery in each volume and the long arc of Micky's relationships. i esp love the 2-3 set in and around katrina. maybe it's my own age (68), but i love the longevity and endurance between Micky and the doc.
July 27, 2011
I'm a big Micky Knight fan, love all the books in the series, and on second reading I'd say "Death of a Dying Man" is the best . . . so far!
August 9, 2011
I enjoyed this book,just as I have the other books by JM Redmann. Clever the way Hurricane Katrina was written in.
October 25, 2015
2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
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