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Scotty Bradley #1
Bourbon Street Blues
Native boy Scotty Bradley knows how to bend his hometown's every unwritten rule. it doesn't hurt that he's buff, boyish, and completely irresistible, with a job by day as a personal trainer...and the occasional night gig dancing on the bar for rent money. Hey, it's a living. Scotty likes his relaxed life, living upstairs from the coddling lesbian couple he calls his aunties, and hanging out with his eccentric, close-knit family -- stoner-hippie parents, Uptown but well-meaning sister, and scheming lawyer brother. And with New Orleans's biggest circuit party -- Southern Decadence -- about to hit town, Scotty's looking forward to plenty of dancing, cruising, and maybe, just maybe, an adorable Mr. Right.
But then Scotty discovers one of his best clients in front of his Decatur Street apartment, shot through the head, execution style. It's even more troubling when his friend Jeremy, he of the disappearing act a year ago, reappears briefly in the bar, begging Scotty to take care of a computer disk for him and spouting something crazy about people being after him. And things get really, really bad when everyone from the cops -- who don't believe anything Scotty says -- to a shadowy man claiming to be an FBI agent is tailing Scotty's every move, waiting for a chance to arrest him...or worse.
Now, with help from his best friend David and a gorgeous new lover who just happens to be a cat burglar of the real and not-Cary Grant variety, Scotty's diving into a web of tawdry Southern secrets that stretches all the way to a corrupt political machine whose members would do anything and use anyone to get to Scotty and that disk. Suddenly, the Big Easy's liveliest gay celebration has just taken on asinister glow, and Scotty's carefree living is turning into a desperate race for his life.
But then Scotty discovers one of his best clients in front of his Decatur Street apartment, shot through the head, execution style. It's even more troubling when his friend Jeremy, he of the disappearing act a year ago, reappears briefly in the bar, begging Scotty to take care of a computer disk for him and spouting something crazy about people being after him. And things get really, really bad when everyone from the cops -- who don't believe anything Scotty says -- to a shadowy man claiming to be an FBI agent is tailing Scotty's every move, waiting for a chance to arrest him...or worse.
Now, with help from his best friend David and a gorgeous new lover who just happens to be a cat burglar of the real and not-Cary Grant variety, Scotty's diving into a web of tawdry Southern secrets that stretches all the way to a corrupt political machine whose members would do anything and use anyone to get to Scotty and that disk. Suddenly, the Big Easy's liveliest gay celebration has just taken on asinister glow, and Scotty's carefree living is turning into a desperate race for his life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
31 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Greg Herren
80 books150 followersGreg Herren is a New Orleans-based author and editor. Former editor of Lambda Book Report, he is also a co-founder of the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, which takes place in New Orleans every May. He is the author of ten novels, including the Lambda Literary Award winning Murder in the Rue Chartres, called by the New Orleans Times-Picayune “the most honest depiction of life in post-Katrina New Orleans published thus far.” He co-edited Love, Bourbon Street: Reflections on New Orleans, which also won the Lambda Literary Award. He has published over fifty short stories in markets as varied as Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine to the critically acclaimed anthology New Orleans Noir to various websites, literary magazines, and anthologies. His erotica anthology FRATSEX is the all time best selling title for Insightoutbooks. Under his pseudonym Todd Gregory, he published the bestselling erotic novel Every Frat Boy Wants It and the erotic anthologies His Underwear and Rough Trade (to be released by Bold Strokes Books in 2009).
A long-time resident of New Orleans, Greg was a fitness columnist and book reviewer for Window Media for over four years, publishing in the LGBT newspapers IMPACT News, Southern Voice, and Houston Voice. He served a term on the Board of Directors for the National Stonewall Democrats, and served on the founding committee of the Louisiana Stonewall Democrats. He is currently employed as a public health researcher for the NO/AIDS Task Force.
A long-time resident of New Orleans, Greg was a fitness columnist and book reviewer for Window Media for over four years, publishing in the LGBT newspapers IMPACT News, Southern Voice, and Houston Voice. He served a term on the Board of Directors for the National Stonewall Democrats, and served on the founding committee of the Louisiana Stonewall Democrats. He is currently employed as a public health researcher for the NO/AIDS Task Force.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 20, 2014
A hilarious and wacky start to a new series and I really enjoyed it!!
A very entertaining murder mystery.
Meet Scotty, personal trainer and part time gay go-go dancer. Scotty is a much loved gay man with a great family and a great sense of self. He has two sets of conservative grandparents, hippy parents and a brother and sister who adore him. He is also born and bred in New Orleans and very much a child of that City. New Orleans is home.
Scotty is a fitness trainer and go go dancer. He is popular with friends, neighbours and no shortage of admirers and one night stands. Scotty also embraces the New Orleans festivals and night life and it is during one of these festivals that he becomes an amateur detective.
Decadence - sees gay men arrive in New Orleans to party and Scotty knows this is his time to dance and earn some cash. He dropped out of college much prefering to stick to dancing and fitness training and the decadence festival is an opportune time for him to pay off his bills.
Decadence is also a time of easy access to tricks, drugs, alchohol, heat and no holds bars partying but it is during this time that a lonely young man is murdered on Scotty's doorstep. Scotty then finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery which seems as if it has fallen from the pages of a fiction novel, but Scotty know that this is no figment of his imagination.
Together with his friends and one night stands, and aided by his psychic talent Scotty manages to solve the crime and save New Orleans.
This is a great read, a good murder with humour and entertaining characters. It is book one in the Scotty Bradley series and I am looking forward to reading the rest. There are some good twists and turns that make the mystery interesting and the back drop of New Orleans and night life give the story a kind of mysterious setting. It is great that Scotty doesn't have any problems with his identity and is just interested in dancing, fitness and attracting good looking guys.
He is also Interested in solving the case which he does with style and sass. I have read a few gay murder mysteries which are set in New Orleans and they are all well written, engaging and great to read.
So I am really pleased to find yet another series to get into :)
A very entertaining murder mystery.
Meet Scotty, personal trainer and part time gay go-go dancer. Scotty is a much loved gay man with a great family and a great sense of self. He has two sets of conservative grandparents, hippy parents and a brother and sister who adore him. He is also born and bred in New Orleans and very much a child of that City. New Orleans is home.
Scotty is a fitness trainer and go go dancer. He is popular with friends, neighbours and no shortage of admirers and one night stands. Scotty also embraces the New Orleans festivals and night life and it is during one of these festivals that he becomes an amateur detective.
Decadence - sees gay men arrive in New Orleans to party and Scotty knows this is his time to dance and earn some cash. He dropped out of college much prefering to stick to dancing and fitness training and the decadence festival is an opportune time for him to pay off his bills.
Decadence is also a time of easy access to tricks, drugs, alchohol, heat and no holds bars partying but it is during this time that a lonely young man is murdered on Scotty's doorstep. Scotty then finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery which seems as if it has fallen from the pages of a fiction novel, but Scotty know that this is no figment of his imagination.
Together with his friends and one night stands, and aided by his psychic talent Scotty manages to solve the crime and save New Orleans.
This is a great read, a good murder with humour and entertaining characters. It is book one in the Scotty Bradley series and I am looking forward to reading the rest. There are some good twists and turns that make the mystery interesting and the back drop of New Orleans and night life give the story a kind of mysterious setting. It is great that Scotty doesn't have any problems with his identity and is just interested in dancing, fitness and attracting good looking guys.
He is also Interested in solving the case which he does with style and sass. I have read a few gay murder mysteries which are set in New Orleans and they are all well written, engaging and great to read.
So I am really pleased to find yet another series to get into :)
May 1, 2016
Good sleazy fun is nothing to be ashamed of. What else could readers require from a gay thriller? Spiced with torrid sex, violent conspiracies, male strippers, murder and still more torrid sex, Bourbon Street Blues certainly doesn’t lack flavor. Okay, so maybe it’s not for the more sensitive literary palate. After all, the main character’s name is Dick Dansoir. No, really. At least, he calls himself that professionally. “Dick” is an exotic dancer and personal trainer in New Orleans. He’s also quite the heartthrob.
Possibly “heart” is the wrong word.
In this second of his mysteries to be set in New Orleans, Greg Herren again demonstrated an eye for the amusing detail and an ear for dialogue: the book hops from bars and circuit parties to assorted other hectic aspects of queer nightlife in the French Quarter. Mysterious strangers lurk in the sweltering nights alongside vicious thugs, evil politicians, and ubiquitous tourists. (As Dick often remarks, “It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity.”) There’s a gorgeous guy who turns out to be a federal agent – or so he claims. There’s even an African-American detective whose name is described as Venus Casanova. (Shades of Pharaoh Love!) The pacing is furious, and the text offers more frequent use of the word “hottie” than may ever have occurred in one place before. Dick, well, Scotty really, or actually Milton (long story), spends a lot of time pumping up, admiring his muscles, shaving his chest and other things. (Narcissism may not be the worst sin imaginable, but it’s no particular accomplishment. Still, Dick/Scotty/Milton is so good-natured and likeable that it’s hard to object much.) He drinks, gets stoned, gets laid a lot. Everybody has a summer like this in them. Some lucky bastards make it last. Scotty is still going strong at 29 and having the time of his life … until that fateful evening when he’s dancing on the bar and someone slips an “evil” computer disk into his boot. (Or perhaps it wasn’t his boot exactly. With so much going on, it’s difficult to recall the exact details. It was definitely evil though – Scotty knew at once because he has psychic powers, just like “Bird” in all those John Connolly mysteries, only not so damn depressing.) From that moment on, the bad guys are after his MacGuffin, and the bloody bodies just keep piling up.
It’s a wild ride. Okay, so maybe elegant prose it ain't, but the language stays breezy and funny, descriptions brief, characterizations vivid and quick. Like I said, what else do you need in a gay thriller?
Possibly “heart” is the wrong word.
In this second of his mysteries to be set in New Orleans, Greg Herren again demonstrated an eye for the amusing detail and an ear for dialogue: the book hops from bars and circuit parties to assorted other hectic aspects of queer nightlife in the French Quarter. Mysterious strangers lurk in the sweltering nights alongside vicious thugs, evil politicians, and ubiquitous tourists. (As Dick often remarks, “It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity.”) There’s a gorgeous guy who turns out to be a federal agent – or so he claims. There’s even an African-American detective whose name is described as Venus Casanova. (Shades of Pharaoh Love!) The pacing is furious, and the text offers more frequent use of the word “hottie” than may ever have occurred in one place before. Dick, well, Scotty really, or actually Milton (long story), spends a lot of time pumping up, admiring his muscles, shaving his chest and other things. (Narcissism may not be the worst sin imaginable, but it’s no particular accomplishment. Still, Dick/Scotty/Milton is so good-natured and likeable that it’s hard to object much.) He drinks, gets stoned, gets laid a lot. Everybody has a summer like this in them. Some lucky bastards make it last. Scotty is still going strong at 29 and having the time of his life … until that fateful evening when he’s dancing on the bar and someone slips an “evil” computer disk into his boot. (Or perhaps it wasn’t his boot exactly. With so much going on, it’s difficult to recall the exact details. It was definitely evil though – Scotty knew at once because he has psychic powers, just like “Bird” in all those John Connolly mysteries, only not so damn depressing.) From that moment on, the bad guys are after his MacGuffin, and the bloody bodies just keep piling up.
It’s a wild ride. Okay, so maybe elegant prose it ain't, but the language stays breezy and funny, descriptions brief, characterizations vivid and quick. Like I said, what else do you need in a gay thriller?
May 25, 2024
Loved the atmosphere and ambiance but the story not so. I have stayed in the Bourbon New Orleans, knew many of the roads and landmarks so lived my holiday all over again which was fun. But I’ll leave the series there, thank you.
May 4, 2015
Bourbon Street Blues was an entertaining read, but it took a while before the story really got going. The characters are fun and vividly described, including the main protagonist, Scotty Bradley. As he gets sucked into trouble, the story starts to flounder. His reactions to certain events is unrealistic, especially when they are potentially life-threatening.
Scotty is a free spirit. He isn't looking to find a guy to settle down with, yet there are a couple of possible love interests, which becomes confusing as things progress. It's hard to decipher who Scotty really cares about, since both of are likable characters.
Another issue I had revolves around Scotty's 'psychic abilities' which aren't explained in detail. They just happen to be a convenient plot device to move the story forward. There's no rhyme or reason to when he gets his visions, they just come at him out of nowhere.
The FBI and police involvement are also unrealistic, as neither of them would be as nonchalant in real life. They handle murder and threats of mass genocide like they were a simple bank robbery, putting quite a bit of trust in a male stripper. Also, I would have liked more mystery, since the culprit is made clear fairly early in the story. That made the remainder of the novel a rush against time. The ending was anti-climactic, as everything is quickly wrapped up, giving the impression that the author lost interest at the point.
As with other novels I've read, recently, I feel this one could have been much better. The foggy details need more clarification, the characters could have been fleshed out more, and the general flow of the story could be brought into focus.
Scotty is a free spirit. He isn't looking to find a guy to settle down with, yet there are a couple of possible love interests, which becomes confusing as things progress. It's hard to decipher who Scotty really cares about, since both of are likable characters.
Another issue I had revolves around Scotty's 'psychic abilities' which aren't explained in detail. They just happen to be a convenient plot device to move the story forward. There's no rhyme or reason to when he gets his visions, they just come at him out of nowhere.
The FBI and police involvement are also unrealistic, as neither of them would be as nonchalant in real life. They handle murder and threats of mass genocide like they were a simple bank robbery, putting quite a bit of trust in a male stripper. Also, I would have liked more mystery, since the culprit is made clear fairly early in the story. That made the remainder of the novel a rush against time. The ending was anti-climactic, as everything is quickly wrapped up, giving the impression that the author lost interest at the point.
As with other novels I've read, recently, I feel this one could have been much better. The foggy details need more clarification, the characters could have been fleshed out more, and the general flow of the story could be brought into focus.
March 21, 2020
3.5 Stars
March 4, 2024
not my normal read
Very well written first book. Engaging hero and a satisfying ending. Definitely written for men but enjoyable nonetheless the less.
Very well written first book. Engaging hero and a satisfying ending. Definitely written for men but enjoyable nonetheless the less.
December 17, 2022
I love this book. In an author's note, Greg Herren says he planned it as a kind of gay Hitchcock yarn--"The Stripper Who Knew Too Much." That is exactly what this is, executed with a delightful sense of humor and humanity, and perfectly plotted.
Scotty Bradley is indeed a stripper at a gay bar in New Orleans; he's also a personal trainer. And he also has some psychic abilities--he sees things in visions and he reads Tarot cards. All of these qualities serve him well when he inadvertently gets involved in a nefarious plot concocted by a truly evil villain who will remind you of a lot of contemporary villains (this book was written about twenty years ago), proving that Herren may be as able to read the future as his hero is.
What I love about the book is that it is a thrilling adventure story worthy of Hitchcock, one that holds together and always makes sense and always feels believable even as the most unforeseen events careen at you. Scotty, as unconventional a hero as I've ever come across, is a thoroughly charming and resourceful young man. He's courageous and principled and uses his skills and his gifts to get himself out of the many scrapes in which he finds himself--almost like a gay superhero.
Herren has surrounded him with a terrific cast of characters including a variety of clients and friends (many of whom he's had sex with; I won't call them ex-lovers because Scotty is resolutely not monogamous--so far). There's also the lesbian aunts who own the apartment house where he lives, his eccentric parents who are refugees from the '60s, his loving brother and sister, a sweetly hunky gay porn star, and a pair of love interests who are as surprising and appealing as Scotty is.
Herren deftly depicts all of the characters with real heart and humanity (even some of the bad guys). There's a little bit of sex, a lot of love and friendship, some darkness, a lot of light. The book revolves around a group of gay men who are wholly able to take care of themselves and who save the world in the process; it's such a positive image that I will hold on to it for a very long time. And I can't wait to read Scotty's next adventure.
Scotty Bradley is indeed a stripper at a gay bar in New Orleans; he's also a personal trainer. And he also has some psychic abilities--he sees things in visions and he reads Tarot cards. All of these qualities serve him well when he inadvertently gets involved in a nefarious plot concocted by a truly evil villain who will remind you of a lot of contemporary villains (this book was written about twenty years ago), proving that Herren may be as able to read the future as his hero is.
What I love about the book is that it is a thrilling adventure story worthy of Hitchcock, one that holds together and always makes sense and always feels believable even as the most unforeseen events careen at you. Scotty, as unconventional a hero as I've ever come across, is a thoroughly charming and resourceful young man. He's courageous and principled and uses his skills and his gifts to get himself out of the many scrapes in which he finds himself--almost like a gay superhero.
Herren has surrounded him with a terrific cast of characters including a variety of clients and friends (many of whom he's had sex with; I won't call them ex-lovers because Scotty is resolutely not monogamous--so far). There's also the lesbian aunts who own the apartment house where he lives, his eccentric parents who are refugees from the '60s, his loving brother and sister, a sweetly hunky gay porn star, and a pair of love interests who are as surprising and appealing as Scotty is.
Herren deftly depicts all of the characters with real heart and humanity (even some of the bad guys). There's a little bit of sex, a lot of love and friendship, some darkness, a lot of light. The book revolves around a group of gay men who are wholly able to take care of themselves and who save the world in the process; it's such a positive image that I will hold on to it for a very long time. And I can't wait to read Scotty's next adventure.
October 29, 2024
It's been so long since I've read a paper book...I didn't realize how much I miss turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the characters, and the setting. When the action started, it stayed pretty fast paced.
The romance is low, but that's good. I like when a series builds up to the romance. I want to see the whole thing unfold, not just jump into the HEA. It's more interesting to see the bonds unfold over a few books.
Scotty isn't one to settle down with one person. I'm glad he's giving it a shot, without jumping in to soon. He's also not one to stay out of trouble. I'm very interested in reading more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
re-read. So OTT. But I still liked it. I hope I get further in the series this time.
I really enjoyed the characters, and the setting. When the action started, it stayed pretty fast paced.
The romance is low, but that's good. I like when a series builds up to the romance. I want to see the whole thing unfold, not just jump into the HEA. It's more interesting to see the bonds unfold over a few books.
Scotty isn't one to settle down with one person. I'm glad he's giving it a shot, without jumping in to soon. He's also not one to stay out of trouble. I'm very interested in reading more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
re-read. So OTT. But I still liked it. I hope I get further in the series this time.
June 22, 2009
A quick and zany romp through New Orleans' gay pride festivals, with your tour guide, a male exotic dancer and part-time personal trainer. So cute!
I really liked the main character and his cast of friends and family--especially his two siblings, both of whom have coped with their parents' super-hippy upbringing in very different yet totally believable ways. I adored Scotty hooking up with his gorgeous dancing burgling friend, even if I thought his other romance was a little less believable.
The pace was a little fast for me, I like time to really wallow in settings, getting to know the characters, but overall, a good book. I'll definitely be checking out the next one in the series!
I really liked the main character and his cast of friends and family--especially his two siblings, both of whom have coped with their parents' super-hippy upbringing in very different yet totally believable ways. I adored Scotty hooking up with his gorgeous dancing burgling friend, even if I thought his other romance was a little less believable.
The pace was a little fast for me, I like time to really wallow in settings, getting to know the characters, but overall, a good book. I'll definitely be checking out the next one in the series!
Want to read
December 6, 2016Darn! I can't find an ebook version of this anywhere :-(
July 6, 2025
Herren's first go-around with former go go boy turned amateur investigator Scotty Bradley ended up being fairly entertaining. He did a good job in keeping the pace quick, leaving me to turn pages to see how he would resolve the murder. I got a good sense of queer life in New Orleans as someone who hasn't been to the city. Louisiana's party culture comes alive with the go go dancing Scotty does; fairly certain I know what remixes Herren was referencing when he dropped artist names. Even the threat the culprits were planning feels very realistic to queer fears now. Gotta love my friend, historicity, swinging into the scene at full force!
A lot did happen over the course of the few days in the plot, which did stretch my imagination a little bit (part of it didn't matter, since I tore through the book in two days). Poor Scotty needed sleep, and that wasn't afforded to him! I also didn't completely take his belief in the (tarot?) Goddess seriously, as whenever it came up (also during one sex scene), I kept on thinking of Alison Preglar's "Goddess of Fierce" joke from her ANTM two parter. Herren's writing also jumped from present to past tense often in describing New Orleans as a city before getting back to the plot, which made it clunky. I don't think I'll be reading more from this series, but looking into the follow ups a bit, and I'm intrigued that Herren decided to subvert the love triangle.
A lot did happen over the course of the few days in the plot, which did stretch my imagination a little bit (part of it didn't matter, since I tore through the book in two days). Poor Scotty needed sleep, and that wasn't afforded to him! I also didn't completely take his belief in the (tarot?) Goddess seriously, as whenever it came up (also during one sex scene), I kept on thinking of Alison Preglar's "Goddess of Fierce" joke from her ANTM two parter. Herren's writing also jumped from present to past tense often in describing New Orleans as a city before getting back to the plot, which made it clunky. I don't think I'll be reading more from this series, but looking into the follow ups a bit, and I'm intrigued that Herren decided to subvert the love triangle.
December 4, 2017
I don't often read mysteries but as I have an interest in New Orleans and Tarot, this was a must-read for me. The main character is something unique in fiction, a tarot reading, go-go dancing personal trainer who is tasked with solving a murder. The set up of the characters was fun, and while Scotty tends to be a little arrogant and superficial... that's sort of what I would imagine from a go-go dancing personal trainer.
I was expecting some implausible things to happen (this isn't the type of book to be taken too seriously), the way it all ties together at the end seems... I'm just going to say silly. We have to imagine that the villain, the villain's minions, the FBI and the police department are all incredibly incompetent and the main mystery of the book sort of feels like an afterthought by the end.
I will definitely be checking out the sequel (and hoping a favorite character returns into Scotty's life).
I was expecting some implausible things to happen (this isn't the type of book to be taken too seriously), the way it all ties together at the end seems... I'm just going to say silly. We have to imagine that the villain, the villain's minions, the FBI and the police department are all incredibly incompetent and the main mystery of the book sort of feels like an afterthought by the end.
I will definitely be checking out the sequel (and hoping a favorite character returns into Scotty's life).
June 20, 2017
While I'm open to a fun, sexy mystery (not everything has to have the gravitas of Poirot), the POV character Scotty was just too vapid for me to get behind. A psychic stripper has the potential to be an interesting character, but it felt too much like he was just breezing through it all to the end. I'm afraid that the concept behind the book is more interesting to me than the actual story.
February 19, 2024
2 stars
I'm baffled how this book manages to be both fast-paced and draggy at the same time. Reading it felt like listening to the narrator running his mouth non-stop all the way to the very end, which turned into a chore halfway through the book as he wasn't as interesting a character as expected, or at least didn't live up to the initial conception.
I'm baffled how this book manages to be both fast-paced and draggy at the same time. Reading it felt like listening to the narrator running his mouth non-stop all the way to the very end, which turned into a chore halfway through the book as he wasn't as interesting a character as expected, or at least didn't live up to the initial conception.
February 8, 2019
Entertaining and decently written, but the mystery/thriller was full of logical holes. I'll probably still read the rest of the series, though, eventually.
Herren's characters come from a gay subculture I've never been a part of, so they're a little alien to me but no less believable.
Herren's characters come from a gay subculture I've never been a part of, so they're a little alien to me but no less believable.
December 2, 2024
Fun introduction to series of mysteries starring go-go boy Scotty Bradley set in New Orleans. Mostly likable character with interesting mystery. Protagonist is rather cocky though which is what dragged it down to a 4 star rating for me
April 2, 2025
Full review here:
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
I enjoyed this; the humor leavens the seriousness of the plot, and everyone mostly winds up with a happy ending.
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
I enjoyed this; the humor leavens the seriousness of the plot, and everyone mostly winds up with a happy ending.
July 2, 2024
I would've quite liked it if the hero hadn't been psychic in addition to everything else.
October 9, 2015
What a wild ride! Picture a personal trainer and exotic dancer involuntarily turned detective because a client of his is murdered, an old friend asks for help, and there are suddenly weird goings-on all around him. Well, more weird than usual. All of this is set in the somewhat sleazier part of New Orleans during Pride celebrations. See where this is going?
This story had me at "Dick Dansoir", which is the main character's professional name when he dances. Okay, so he does a little more than that, but you get the picture. His real name is Scotty and he may be twenty-nine, but he is not serious about leading an "orderly" life, in fact, he does his best to avoid it. With his parents being hippies and his lesbian aunt and her partner living in the same building, his chances of a "non-normal" life remain good. The story is full of details of his exciting escapades that include somewhat illegal substances, lots of partying and drinking, and maintaining a super hot physique.
The mystery is good, what with a secret computer disk - yes, this feels like a "historical" novel but it's set in 2003, mysterious murders and a "hottie" FBI agent on Scotty's tail. What I likes most was Scotty's slowly revealed psychic powers, which he uses to good effect when solving the mystery of the evil villain's plans.
All in all, this is a mystery with heart and a distinctly gay flavor. I loved every minute of it. Scotty is the narrator, and he became my tour guide into a fascinating world of New Orleans, the more interesting parts of town, and a villain's plan for the city that was as unusual as it was scary. I look forward to Scotty's next adventure!
If you like mysteries with more than a hint of psychic powers - and forget any official police procedures, if you prefer some humor in your stories and a main character who doesn't take himself too seriously, and if you don't mind more than one hot romp between the sheets as he story progresses, then you will probably like this novel.
This story had me at "Dick Dansoir", which is the main character's professional name when he dances. Okay, so he does a little more than that, but you get the picture. His real name is Scotty and he may be twenty-nine, but he is not serious about leading an "orderly" life, in fact, he does his best to avoid it. With his parents being hippies and his lesbian aunt and her partner living in the same building, his chances of a "non-normal" life remain good. The story is full of details of his exciting escapades that include somewhat illegal substances, lots of partying and drinking, and maintaining a super hot physique.
The mystery is good, what with a secret computer disk - yes, this feels like a "historical" novel but it's set in 2003, mysterious murders and a "hottie" FBI agent on Scotty's tail. What I likes most was Scotty's slowly revealed psychic powers, which he uses to good effect when solving the mystery of the evil villain's plans.
All in all, this is a mystery with heart and a distinctly gay flavor. I loved every minute of it. Scotty is the narrator, and he became my tour guide into a fascinating world of New Orleans, the more interesting parts of town, and a villain's plan for the city that was as unusual as it was scary. I look forward to Scotty's next adventure!
If you like mysteries with more than a hint of psychic powers - and forget any official police procedures, if you prefer some humor in your stories and a main character who doesn't take himself too seriously, and if you don't mind more than one hot romp between the sheets as he story progresses, then you will probably like this novel.
April 2, 2013
New Orleans is a frequent go-to of authors, especially paranormal romance and urban fantasy writers, who do their best to capture all its uniqueness and exotic flavors, but few get it right. Few do the Crescent City justice and make it pop off the page. Greg Herren's "Bourbon Street Blues" shows us how it's done. He describes the city with the intimacy only a native would have, making it sizzle and snap off the page.
"Bourbon Street Blues" introduces us to Scotty Bradley aka Dick Dansoir, a personal trainer and sometime go-go dancer who gets tangled up in a plot from a crazed mayoral candidate to blow up New Orleans. Add in a sly but sexy fellow dancer, two loyal landladies you don't want to mess with, and an FBI agent on Scotty's tail for what becomes a murder investigation, not to mention Scotty's ability to read tarot cards and to have visions and you've got all the makings of a great mystery with a supernatural twist. Mystery fans as well as urban fantasy and paranormal romance fans will love this book.
For my full review, please click here: http://thedarkeva.com/2013/04/02/book...
"Bourbon Street Blues" introduces us to Scotty Bradley aka Dick Dansoir, a personal trainer and sometime go-go dancer who gets tangled up in a plot from a crazed mayoral candidate to blow up New Orleans. Add in a sly but sexy fellow dancer, two loyal landladies you don't want to mess with, and an FBI agent on Scotty's tail for what becomes a murder investigation, not to mention Scotty's ability to read tarot cards and to have visions and you've got all the makings of a great mystery with a supernatural twist. Mystery fans as well as urban fantasy and paranormal romance fans will love this book.
For my full review, please click here: http://thedarkeva.com/2013/04/02/book...
July 4, 2007
This is Greg Herren second detective series. This one features Scotty Bradley, exotic dancer, private trainer, youngest child of hippy parents who makes his home in New Orleans. Scott is a healthy young man, completely at ease with his body, his mind and his life. Being gay is just what he is. No drama here. No family drama. His parents are more marginal than he is. The plot is centered around right wing activists that want to blow up NO during the big gay festival. Scotty gets involved innocently enough while he gets very big hints of something tragic coming his way. Scotty has the gift of premonition, you see. It's light, it's fun. Definitely not serious or angsty even if there are some murders and violence. We kinda fall for Scotty care free mindset. The writing is okay, still some editing problems but not like his previous novels really more like typos than big neon mistakes. Over all I liked it and I'm looking forward to reading the next adventures of Scotty private eye with the gift.
March 12, 2022
This is the first book I've read from Herren, and I liked it. At first, Scotty really got to me. I thought he was really very conceded about himself and his body. I wanted to see him knocked down a peg or two. But, by the end of the story, I realized he was just repeating himself, like he was trying to convence himself that he was very hot, even though he has few to none clients.
I could tell that Herren really lives and loves his town of New Orleans. It's like you are truely there, that no other author can write.
Some of the characters do seem hard to believe. Like they are too fictional! In my opinion, David Thomas Lord writes better sex scenes and body descriptions.
I enjoyed this book, and plan to read more of Herren's novels. Scotty lives a normal eveyday life as a go-go dancer, until his friend returns from one year ago. Scotty is in possession of a disk that could ruin the political career of right wing Perkins. Scotty, with the help of a trick/cat burglar and a FBI agent, they are forced to put a stop to Perkins insane plot, or die.
I could tell that Herren really lives and loves his town of New Orleans. It's like you are truely there, that no other author can write.
Some of the characters do seem hard to believe. Like they are too fictional! In my opinion, David Thomas Lord writes better sex scenes and body descriptions.
I enjoyed this book, and plan to read more of Herren's novels. Scotty lives a normal eveyday life as a go-go dancer, until his friend returns from one year ago. Scotty is in possession of a disk that could ruin the political career of right wing Perkins. Scotty, with the help of a trick/cat burglar and a FBI agent, they are forced to put a stop to Perkins insane plot, or die.
March 22, 2012
Though it's hard not to like the story's hero-after all he keeps telling us he's irresistable--the real star of the show here is New Orleans. The author clearly knows and loves his city and presents it here in affectionate detail. He's captured its breezy fun-loving spirit in his characters and the plot. That in itself is enough to make this book a fun escapist read. It doesn't go far enough to be any more than that, though. It splits the difference between comedy and thriller. The plot takes forever to get going and when it does it's more of a caper than a mystery. The characters though likeable are all somewhat familiar. The narrative is at times repetitive and the story at times implausable. But the author's voice is clear and engaging and of course, there's New Orleans. I will definitely check out his other titles.
March 28, 2013
Being the first book in a new series you could almost forgive the author for the meandering start to this book with the need to set up the scene, conditions, locations etc, but personally I found it a little confusing until the mystery story started proper. When finally we got to the "meat" of this book (and no I am not talking about Frank - who I personally would love to meet!) the story took off like a roller coaster, not knowing for sure who were the goodies and who were the baddies until well on into the story. Extremely well written and but for the beginning few chapters, I enjoyed it that much that I would have given it five stars but for losing my attention and having to reread a couple of chapters I can only give it four.
August 31, 2013
I heard about this series on a book forum here, and found the first two in the series free on Paperback Swap. Main character is Scotty Bradley, personal trainer and occasional exotic dancer in gay nightclubs, who lives in New Orleans’ French Quarter. (pre-Katrina, publication date is 2003) During Southern Decadence weekend, Scotty picks up an unusual "tip" while dancing – a computer disc from a fringe religious group containing plans to bomb the Quarter during Decadence. It’s an okay story, with some amusing scenes which basically sets up Scotty to possibly become a private investigator in future books. Fun, quick read.
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August 12, 2008Because I'm not currently accepting applications for anymore gay boyfriends, I started reading this series and I really, really love the charactor Scotty. I can't wait to read the second. It's not exactly litrature but it's enjoyable. The city of New Orleans is a second charactor, also a big plus for me. The sex scenes are fairly graphic so if you're uncomfortable, maybe not for you.
June 25, 2013
I loved it! I read a review that claimed it had "graphic" sex scenes...it didn't! Sex is a part of it, yes, but the story, plot development and characters make this one hell of a good read! Written pre Katrina, it foresees some events, which made it even more vivid to read in 2013. Well done Mr. Herren! I'll be devouring the rest of the series soon!
November 5, 2016
Anyone who knows me knows I love a good gay themed mystery. I started this series, and found the main character intriguing! Set in New Orleans, Scotty Bradley, is a fitness instructor, who's a go go dancer in the evenings. What's interesting is he's slightly psychic, has visions and reads tarot cards. The mystery part was fascinating, and it was a quick exciting read. Now, on to book 2!
October 28, 2007
This is Greg Herren second detective series featuring Scotty Brady. I found the writing awkward and didn't really like the campy attitude of the first person narrator. I was very disappointed because I really wanted to like it.
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