As I read more and more of this series I find the books more and more interesting. I think that for me this was the best I've read so far in the series. Benjamin January reluctantly agrees to go undercover as a slave to try to determine who is trying to kill his hated former owner. The man is as cruel as he once was but someone, perhaps a slave, is out to kill him. Tragedy after tragedy strikes the plantation and people die while Ben tries to discover the trail of the culprit. Unfortunately, the trail leads many directions. Supported by his musical friend and a lawman he trusts, Ben searches for clues. Eventually, he finds himself about to be arrested and jailed, perhaps for the murder of the very man he said he'd help. From this point the novel roars to an exciting ending, It is so very well done that I can't wait to get to the next in the series.
The Benjamin January series features an African American hero who was born in still-French Louisiana at the turn of the 19th century. His mother is the mistress of a plantation owner and his sister is following that path as well. Benjamin went to Paris to train as a doctor and returns to New Orleans only after the death of his beloved wife. January is a dark skinned man in a time and place where that alone is a risk: Unscrupulous men drifting in from American territory kidnap free blacks and sell them to plantation owners who don't ask questions. January is risking more than his livelihood in his effort to solve a mystery--he's risking his freedom and his life.
Connie A. (jazzysmom) - 