Death and Hard Cider

by Barbara Hambly

Overview

Musician, sleuth and free man of color Benjamin January gets mixed in politics, with murderous results.

"The historical backdrop is vivid, and the writing is exquisite. One of the best in a not-to-be-missed series" - Booklist Starred Review

September, 1840. A giant rally is being planned in New Orleans to stir up support for presidential candidate William Henry Harrison: the Indian-killing, hard-cider-drinking, wannabe "people's president". Trained surgeon turned piano-player Benjamin January has little use for politicians. But the run-up to the rally is packed with balls and dinner parties, and the meagre pay is sorely needed.

Soon, however, January has more to worry about than keeping his beloved family fed and safe. During an elegant reception thrown by New Orleans' local Whig notables, the son of a prominent politician gets into a fist-fight with a rival over beautiful young flirt Marie-Joyeuse Maginot - and, the day after the rally is over, Marie-Joyeuse turns up dead. The only black person amongst the initial suspects is arrested immediately: January's dear friend, Catherine Clisson.

With Catherine's life on the line, January is determined to uncover the truth and prove her innocence. But his adversaries are powerful politicians, and the clock is ticking . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448308989
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	05/01/2022
Series:	A Benjamin January Historical Mystery , #19
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	302,219
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Barbara Hambly, though a native of Southern California, lived in New Orleans for many years while married to the late science fiction writer George Alec Effinger. Hambly holds a degree in medieval history from the University of California and has written novels in numerous genres.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/18/2022

Set in 1840, Hambly’s superb 19th mystery featuring free Black surgeon and musician Benjamin January (after 2021’s House of the Patriarch) unfolds in New Orleans during the presidential campaign between Whig William Henry Harrison and the Democratic incumbent, Martin Van Buren. January and his small orchestra play for both sides’ cider-fueled rallies, allowing him to witness political and romantic chicanery. Senator Henry Clay is in town to support Harrison, along with his 23-year-old son, James. Though James is already engaged to the daughter of the wealthiest man in Kentucky, he flirts with 16-year-old Marie-Joyeuse Maginot, a prominent Democratic planter’s daughter, who’s already adept at inflaming duels between young fools smitten with her. When Marie-Joyeuse is found shot to death, January and his white policeman friend, Abishag Shaw, investigate. Could the senator, as some believe, have killed the girl to prevent his son from marrying her? Hambly dramatically juxtaposes January’s bitter anger at the injustices inflicted upon enslaved people with the love he feels for his family and friends. This masterly portrayal of smoldering racial tensions deserves a wide readership. Agent: Frances Collin, Frances Collin Literary. (June)

Publishers Weekly

A stark and occasionally brutal story, and Hambly tells it superbly, in prose that is vivid and empathetic. For fans of this fine series, this is a must-read

Booklist Starred Review of Lady of Perdition

Hambly lays bare the dark underbelly of American society in the mid-nineteenth century. A fine entry in an impressive series

Booklist on House of the Patriarch

'This masterly portrayal of smoldering racial tensions deserves a wide readership’  – Publishers Weekly Starred Review

'The historical backdrop is vivid, and the writing is exquisite. One of the best in a not-to-be-missed series’  – Booklist Starred Review

'One of Hambly’s best mysteries combines historical detail, intense local color, and ugly truths about slavery and politic’  – Kirkus Reviews

‘Outstanding . . . Hambly's masterful historical detail, scrupulous character portrayal, and psychological analysis of human frailties contribute handsomely to her storytelling'  – Publishers Weekly Starred Review of House of the Patriarch

From the Publisher

2022-03-16
Hambly continues her series of mysteries about Benjamin January, a free man of color in 1840s New Orleans.

Educated as a physician, Benjamin makes a living as a piano player and teacher, and he’s in constant danger of being taken by slave traders. The miasmic city is abuzz with the arrival of former Secretary of State Henry Clay, who’s campaigning for Whig candidate William Henry Harrison against the Democrat Martin Van Buren. January and a few fellow musicians are playing at big campaign events for both parties. Trouble arrives in the form of Marie-Joyeuse Maginot, a beautiful, heartless flirt who has already occasioned several duels. Unfortunately, Clay’s son James is in love with her. So is her cousin Damien Aubin, who already has a wife and mistress. Neither Henry Clay nor Damien’s older brother Melchior approves of a romantic connection. When Melchior is called out by the worst shot in the parish, January is asked to provide his medical services but is sidetracked when Damien’s mistress, Zandrine, drinks quinine to abort a baby. Zandrine's mother, an old friend of January’s, is accused of murder when Marie-Joyeuse is shot dead, and January soon becomes involved in ugly political fights and family discord while attempting to clear her name.

One of Hambly’s best mysteries combines historical detail, intense local color, and ugly truths about slavery and politics.

Kirkus Reviews