A Little Death in Dixie

Detective Billy Able #1

by Lisa Turner

The blues were born out of pride, anger, and need. Murder comes from those same dark places.One of Memphis' most seductive and notorious socialites has disappeared. She's either off on another of her drunken escapades or the disappearance is something much more frightening. What begins as an ordinary day's work for Detective Billy Able of the Memphis P.D. quickly grows into a high-level spider's web of tragedy, mystery, suspicion, passion, and sordid secrets--including a few of Billy's own.Along with Mercy Snow, the estranged sister of the missing socialite, Billy follows a twisted path of human frailty and corruption to disturbing truths that undermine everything he thought he knew about himself and the people he loves.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Book Club, Southern

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2010

Reviews

[Sally Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this a 3 1/2 star rating, but that's not an option. I read the book in one day and thought the character development was very good. My reason for posting, is my pet peeve about some of the book reviewers on this site. You don't have any business giving a book a negative review when you haven't read the entire book. It's not like a food item, where you can take a bite and know if you like it or not. A book is more like a race horse, it can start out slow and end up surprising you with an amazing win. It's simply ignorant to review something you didn't read.

[Joseph Sciuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Turner's "A Little Death in Dixie" is a rapid fire, page turner... A novel that I enjoyed greatly. Set in Memphis, Tennessee, the author does a wonderful job incorporating this historical city, which in many in many ways is a throwback to the old south, and a memorial to Elvis. The characters, and there are many, are developed over the course of the book which adds greatly to the suspenseful nature of the novel. The writing is clear and lucid, at times almost poetic, especially when she describes the powerful Mississippi River, which in a sense is also a character in the book. The plot and storyline are full of surprises, and the author tackles some very difficult and troubling issues, such as child pornography. I truly enjoyed this book, and never once did it lack in excitement.

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely thrilled to read A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner since I have read Devil Sent the Rain book three in this series. I love that the story is set in Memphis, for some reason do I love reading stories set in the American South, especially crime stories. And, this one was no exception.

Like in Devil Sent the Rain must Billy Able solve a mystery that involves women he knows. In this case, it's a woman that Billy for years helped getting out of problems with the law (drinking and driving together is never a good idea), but now she has disappeared. She has done it before, but this time it seems to be more serious like someone wants to get rid of her.

This book is good, I quite liked this story, there were some slower moments when I felt that I wanted to speed up the investigations, also it was hardly surprising to learn who this books big bad was. However, there were some surprising moments towards the end of the book and all and all did I quite like this book and can't wait to read The Gone Dead Train that is waiting on my kindle app. And, I do hope more books will be written about Billy Abel because he is such a fabulous character!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly good regional mystery with the setting of Memphis, Tennessee. I say "surprisingly" because it starts a bit muddled. The author chooses to narrate with several viewpoints before finally settling on Memphis detective Billy Able as the main voice. The result is a somewhat fragmented and jerky story that took a little struggling to stay interested in. However halfway through, the story picks up with twists and turns that elevate the tale to a rip-roaring good novel. It was well worth staying with. This is Lisa Turner's first novel so I am sure she will be offering us some even better mysteries in the future hopefully with the same colorful Memphis environment. Three and a half stars.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So many nasty people doing nasty things. This was a brutal tale full of evil but in the end there was hope and mercy for the main character. This was an amazing look at all the ways people can do horrific things and hurt each other. And yet there was a tendril of good that wormed its way out of the darkness. Very well done. I feel a little dirty. Thankfully that hopeful ending made it bearable. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: I love Southern fiction and am always game for mixing my favourite genres, this time with a crime mystery.

The publisher's blurb tells us that a notorious socialite disappears and it's either because she's off on another drunken spree or perhaps something more sinister has happened. Then it hints at the story being more complex. So, with only that information to go on I really was not ready for the incredibly twisting, turning, complex plot that I found myself plunged into. As the publisher's blurb states "a complex spider's web of tragedy, mystery, suspicion, and sordid secrets". I thought that was typical overstatement to get one to buy the book, but no, it really describes the book in better words than I could come up with. Leaving it there, I'm not going to tell any more of the plot either, because it is best to let it all unravel not knowing what is going to come next.

I positively loved this Southern mystery which takes place in Memphis. The two main characters Detective Billy Able and Mercy Snow, sister of the missing person, are both fully fleshed, flawed and realistic characters. This is a stand alone book but I certainly wouldn't mind seeing them turning up again in a series. Every single person in this story has a skeleton in the closet or a dark secret, no one is totally innocent, even if it be only from withholding the truth. This cast of characters are dark, devious and eccentric bringing the Gothic flavour to the suspense. As the story progresses it becomes about so much more than a missing person, various other crimes are involved and the shocking reveals come out of nowhere.

Now, I did find the plot a little over the top, somewhat unrealistic in places (but again those are common Gothic elements) and possibly unsolvable by the reader because of the plot twists. There was so much going on though that I didn't even try to figure out who did what; I found myself just quickly turning the pages eager to find out what could possibly happen next and how it would all turn out in the end. A well-written and complex suspense novel. As Ms. Turner's first novel, I eagerly await what she will present for an encore.

[Barbara Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Turner goes right to the top of my favorite authors list with A Little Death in Dixie. I felt like I was in Memphis on a hot summer day when I began reading it, complete with what appeared to be stereotypical southern belles without a brain in their heads, their men who thought they were the masters of the house, the lazy Mississippi rolling by, and big mansions.

Then suddenly the pace picked up and I forgot all that molasses thick air and southern drawl. As one reviewer wrote, "The pages turned so fast they were smoking." (Mark Nykanen, author of The Bone Parade)

This is a complicated story of people who aren't what they seemed to be and underhanded dealings. The villain, easy to spot, is such a creep you'll love it when he gets his comeuppance. The fact that you know early on who he is doesn't spoil the story one bit. Everyone has secrets in this one. Best of all, nothing is left hanging out in the ether somewhere. Everything is wrapped up at the end.

The characters are just super. The dialogue sounds real - try reading it out loud, you'll see. Over all lies the mystery; what don't I know about this person or that? Will this person be saved? Will our hero, Det. Billy Able, get out of whatever jam he's in now? Good story. You will love it.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good! The best new mystery I've read this year.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia Dupree is a drunk, well-known around the precinct for her lush and careless ways. So, when she is reported missing, everyone thinks she may have just walked away. But Detective Billy Able had a fling with Sophia years ago, and still in love with her, decides to investigate. Something just doesn't seem right.

Billy's partner, Lou, has been acting really strange lately. Abusive and violent behavior that just isn't like him. Recently divorced, he seems to have spun into a cycle of depression. Billy fears he may be drinking again, and when Lou pulls a gun on him at a crime scene, Billy decides to let Lou cool down before approaching him.

Mercy Snow, baker extraordinaire, is called to Memphis at the behest of her sister Sophia for a weekend visit. Mercy isn't close to her sister or her mom Gloria, but decides a visit couldn't hurt. Mercy was scarred on her face as a child and has always been self-conscious. She knows her mom favors Sophia, but tries not to let it get to her. But when she arrives and find Sophia is missing, Mercy wants to help the nice detective find her sister.

Then, Judge Overton seems to be cozening up to Mercy's mom, in fact , they say they are to be married. Mercy doesn't care for the Judge's controlling ways, and how he seems to implicate himself into every decision. When Sophia's husband is called home, T. Wayne, he is the immediate suspect. Mercy may desire Detective Able but she cannot abide the fact he suspects her loving brother-in-law.

The clues pile up and Billy finds himself embroiled in several investigations at once. But the trails keep sliding into one another. As the secrets unfold, the bodies pile up. Billy begins to realize he didn't know some folks as well as he should have. And when more secrets are revealed, it could cost him a potential relationship with the lovely Mercy.

Edge-of-your-seat suspense, a clever and twisting plot, and complex and realistic characters set the scene for this compelling mystery. I was entranced in the lives of these characters and as more secrets were revealed, the more shocked I became. Lisa Turner does a masterful job of leading the reader through the investigations and unraveling one shocking truth after another. I was mesmerized and I absolutely loved this book. I would love to see another Detective Billy Able book in the future. Top-notch!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this book on my Kindle during one of those specials of the day. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It is a murder mystery that takes place in Memphis. I feel that the author had good ideas for both the characters and the plot, however, she didn't know when to stop, when to reign it in a little. All of the good characters are too good, too long suffering, one dimensional in their goodness. The same for the bad characters, they are really, really bad. And speaking of good and bad, it's all in here. You want corrupt judges, got it, corrupt cops, yep. In addition you get alcoholics, sibling rivalry, evil sisters, clueless rich women, drugs, mentally challenged characters, and lot's more, too much to mention. As I was reading it, I kept thinking, "enough" just let the story go, do not add another thing. Though I have to admit that the shocker that was thrown in about 3/4 through the book, totally amazed me, didn't see it coming at all, and it was not needed. I think there were enough characters and tangents for about 3 books in this one book.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many mysteries have a cookie-cutter feel. It's a real pleasure to find one that has unexpected twists and turns, that doesn't sound like the formula for a Lifetime Movie Network offering. This book grabbed me and pulled me in. Even though it was not a quick read, I hung on for the ride, rudely reading it instead of socializing with visitors. It's got a nice sense of atmosphere, of time and place, and it is besotted with that lovely Southern Gothic feeling. If you think you have it all figured out in the first few chapters, think again. The clues are there, but the story is so convoluted that it's hard to figure out all -- or even most -- of it. Kudos to Turner. I'll be keeping an eye out for any other books she may have written.

[Nina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story line of this book wasn't bad. It was the writing that was terrible. I would say pretty much all of the characters were one-dimensional, which was a shame since the plot left a lot of room for creating interesting characters. Alas, the bad guys were all predictable (they beat their women and horses) and the women all seemed to lack intelligence and backbone (the strongest female character in the book spends most of her time either letting her mother tell her she's ugly or baking pies). Even the descriptions of Memphis felt canned. If there's nothing else to read, go for it, but otherwise I'd pass.

[Solomong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the premise of the book sounded interesting so I asked for a copy to review. The book started off a bit slow, partly due to the choppiness of the writing, but I did get into the plot after a little while. I liked the plot and the pacing in this book. Character development was OK but I did like how the author told this story from different characters viewpoints. I would read another novel by Lisa Turner after reading this one. Hopefully the writing will get better and the story will still be a strong, interesting one.

[kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

the oft repeated criticism of multiple narrators in the beginning of the book is quite true. Trashy southern gothic gotta love it

[S.K. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Little Death in Dixie is jam packed action. I absolutely loved it! Our hero, Det. Billy Able, wakes up thinking this is going to be a regular day, but nothing could be further from the truth! Within a short period of time he find himself in a whirlwind of lies and deceit with his partner, his former lover and her husband, his boss, and a judge all in on the action. The writer gives us a wonderful taste of Old Southern charm. The narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, helps with the Memphis, Tennessee flavor. I recommend this audiobook and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

[Rachel Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggle with plot lines that just fail at basic semblance of reality, like how they’d let that cop having a mental breakdown continue to work, or how the detective was allowed to investigate the disappearance of someone he formerly dated. What? Not sure any of that would fly in real life. For a “thriller” this book moved painfully slow, it finally picked up in the last 25% of the book. It was entertaining and redeemed itself but I found the whole plot line so far fetched. Debating DNRing several times and also feel asleep multiple times while reading at night…oops. 2.5 stars, it was so slow in the beginning!

[Jeff Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fully admit that I may not be the ideal reader for this type of book, as I don't find the setting of "The South" particularly compelling, but I did find the book to be well written and the characters were well developed. I wish the story were a bit more original and the pacing were a little faster, but it was a decent read. I can't say that I'm particularly motivated to check out the next book in the series or anything else in the genre, but I did think it was a worthwhile read if only for the quality of the writing.

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner is a great listen. I love how the author wrote the layers to this southern story. There are some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed. Jeffrey Kafer was great performing the book. He added the right emotions to his voice and I could hear the various characters speaking. I was fortunate to receive this review copy audiobook at my request. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

[Lfirish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read with clearly defined white hats and black hats except for when white hats turn out to be black... really black! And, it's a more complex tale than you think. A sub-plot appears that seems to turn the story 180 degrees from where you thought it was going, but in the end, Ms. Turner weaves all plots together -- but definitely not in the way you initially surmise.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. The beginning was a 3 but the end was a 4. Good crime novel with several story lines going on at the same time which eventually came together for a surprise ending.

[Dan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line was good. The way it was written was questionable. Just out of the blue a new wrinkle would show up and you might find out the connection until much later in the book. Sometimes you jest never knew where you were in the story.

I will give this author one more chance.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of potential but author tried to do too much.

[Mom24dogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. Kept me interested right to the end. Like this author very much

[Trudy Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little death in dixie

I quite enjoyed this book it was a real page turner that's for sure. It kept me guessing all the way to the end.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Convoluted

I finished it so I have it three stars. A mixed up plot filled with coincidence and involved plot lines.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disliked every character and their ways of thinking.......
Only gave this a 2 because I finished it. If I don't finish it I give it a 1, but I am not recommending it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense, unpredictable, and mst all an ending I didn’t see coming

[Michael Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have enjoyed her writing style in all three of her books. Good character development.

[Melissa J.L Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, good character development and you can smell the ribs cooking down the street while you read!

[Peter McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid entertaining crimer. Would that they were all as good as this one.