Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this period mystery. An educated slave goes under cover, working for a man he loathes, to find out which slave(or is it family member?) trying to kill him. January is the spy and i did fall for him right away. He is presented as attractive, strong and smart, and he also will not betray his people, as he was once a slave there on this sugar cane field too. This takes place in New Orleans, and i love the language and the land. But the thrill of this read was worth, me getting nothing done today at home, as i could not put this book down.
Loved this book!
Mary S. (mscottcgp) -
A mystery set in 1830's New Orleans. Benjamin January, a free black man, must pose as a slave to uncover the culprits responsible for arson, murder, and sabotage on a plantation owned by his cruel ex-master. " The novel is filled with brilliant twists and Hambly writes with inspired magic..."
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.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Sold Down the River (Benjamin January, Bk 4) on + 1451 more book reviews
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.
I'm reading this absolutely excellent series about New Orleans in the 1830's in order, and this is 4th in the series. Gritty, real, riveting - made all the more poignant by Katrina wiping out an area of such amazing history....
Fourth book in the Banjamin January series.
Another excellently plotted and atmospheric mystery. I tend to shy away from books with such dark overtones, but these are so vivid and real. It's one of those "You are there" books. You can't help but feel what it must have been like, knowing someone owns you and can do whatever they want to you and your family, and you have no recourse. That most of the people were able to withstand that and still make a life with what pleasure they were allowed is both awesome and terrifying. Hambly is so good at this that I spend much of each book afraid for Ben, even though I know he will go on into the next book. The motive in this one seemed fairly evident to me, but I didn't see how Ben was going to come out of it with the promised money.
Read the afterword from the author too, she gives a page or two on how she researched this and her thoughts on writing such a difficult subject.
Read the afterword from the author too, she gives a page or two on how she researched this and her thoughts on writing such a difficult subject.
Love the whole series
