Dead Man’s Blues by Ray Celestin

‘Dead Man’s Blues’ is Ray Celestin’s 2^nd novel and follows on from his first ‘The Axeman’s Jazz’ which was set in New Orleans. We are reunited with the main characters Michael Talbot, Ida Davis and Louis Armstrong six years later in 1928 in Chicago. There will eventually be four books in the series, each based in a different city and a different decade. The next will be in New York.

In Chicago in 1928, prohibition is still in place and Al Capone runs most of the city, providing alcohol and making a mockery of prohibition. But Al Capone is becoming increasingly erratic and is constantly under threat from rivals in Chicago and New York. The police are mostly corrupt and lazy and take payment to look the other way. In this environment, three events take place that turn out to be related.

A group of high ranking businessmen are poisoned at a party organised by Al Capone. Convinced that there is a traitor in his ranks, Capone calls in an outsider to investigate. Dante Sanfelippo planned never to return to Chicago, but can’t ignore the summons. He soon finds out that he has been brought back for more than one reason.

A Gangster is brutally murdered. Jacob Russo is a police photographer. He is also a brilliant investigator, but unable to join the police force due to a bad leg. When the police take no interest in the murder, he continues the investigation himself.

Michael and Ida work for Pinkerton’e detective agency and have gained a reputation for their good work. They are hired to find a missing heiress by the girl’s distraught mother. When Pinkertons try to shut down the investigation, they continue on their own.

Pretty soon the investigators cross paths. Jacob ends up working with Michael and Ida and Ida ends up sharing information with Dante as well.

In the extreme violence and corruption of 1920s Chicago the investigators risk their lives to achieve results.

Once again, Celestin has produced a brilliant novel. The atmosphere and characters were so realistic that I was completely immersed in 1920s Chicago. There were also a lot of celebrity appearances – Louis Armstrong, Al Capone and many more.

I can’t wait to meet the characters again in Celestin’s next novel.

Book Published 2016

See a full list of books by Ray Celestin