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ausbelle's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent crafting. The structure of the plot and the intricacies of two different sets of people approaching the crimes from different angles was interesting and unique.
Looking forward to his next adventure.
Looking forward to his next adventure.
lhart2222's review against another edition
2.0
Going into this book I was extremely excited. Already familiar with the true story of the Axeman, the use of this crime and the added details sounded right up my street. Unfortunately, I was let down by the book for multiple reasons.
Giving us three main perspectives, with others littered throughout, all doing their own investigations into the Axeman’s killings. Chopping and changing to each person all on different trails made each thread seem less and less important.
Making these three the primary focus of the book, it lacked any real excitement. Not allowing the reader enough time with one character before switching again. It was hard to care about any of them or their stories.
An unknown person who would slay New Orleanians in the night with an axe, while remaining unnoticed. Taking the real and terrifying case of the Axeman. The author did his best job of making an already tailor-made villain shrouded in mystery secondary. Making him feel more like a prop in the story of these other people.
I found myself lacking enjoyment throughout. Every time I’d put the book down, I felt there was little reason for me to pick it back up. Plodding for most of the plot, it was boring. The only thing exciting was the Axeman, who faded into the background, in favour of less interesting characters.
With improper build-up and too much going on elsewhere, the “big” moments in this book just felt flat. Which I think is this book's biggest downside. At no point was I made to care enough about anyone for their fate to impact me.
Away from the plot the book was well written and flowed nicely. The setting was immense and great to immerse into, but the plot made it hard to stay engaged for the full 420 pages.
Overall, the use of the Axeman could have been done so much better. This killer could have been any ordinary serial killer and the book would have been no different. Reimagining an unsolved crime and making it take a back seat made zero sense. The best part of the book was the last five sentences.
Giving us three main perspectives, with others littered throughout, all doing their own investigations into the Axeman’s killings. Chopping and changing to each person all on different trails made each thread seem less and less important.
Making these three the primary focus of the book, it lacked any real excitement. Not allowing the reader enough time with one character before switching again. It was hard to care about any of them or their stories.
An unknown person who would slay New Orleanians in the night with an axe, while remaining unnoticed. Taking the real and terrifying case of the Axeman. The author did his best job of making an already tailor-made villain shrouded in mystery secondary. Making him feel more like a prop in the story of these other people.
I found myself lacking enjoyment throughout. Every time I’d put the book down, I felt there was little reason for me to pick it back up. Plodding for most of the plot, it was boring. The only thing exciting was the Axeman, who faded into the background, in favour of less interesting characters.
With improper build-up and too much going on elsewhere, the “big” moments in this book just felt flat. Which I think is this book's biggest downside. At no point was I made to care enough about anyone for their fate to impact me.
Away from the plot the book was well written and flowed nicely. The setting was immense and great to immerse into, but the plot made it hard to stay engaged for the full 420 pages.
Overall, the use of the Axeman could have been done so much better. This killer could have been any ordinary serial killer and the book would have been no different. Reimagining an unsolved crime and making it take a back seat made zero sense. The best part of the book was the last five sentences.
xander1894's review against another edition
3.0
A really interesting setting – New Orleans just after WW1 and just before prohibition kicks in, with jazz music starting to become more mainstream. A series of gruesome, clinically executed murders are being investigated three ways: A disillusioned veteran detective and his rookie sidekick; an inquisitive private detective and her friend Louis Armstrong (yes, as in the young jazz musician), and a mafia henchman fresh out of prison. All have their own motives for solving the case and preventing more murders, while the city becomes paranoid and consumed by jazz music hoping to ward off more killings. However, the tension built in the first half never really culminates in a satisfying conclusion, and the personality of the axeman is not explored in any way.
rosieclaverton's review against another edition
3.0
The Axeman's Jazz is based on the true story of a serial killer in 1919, weaving together an intricate and fascinating picture of post-war, pre-prohibition, Mafia-influenced and Jazz-soaked New Orleans.
The multiple protagonists are all unlikely detectives, even the actual police officer with his taboo personal life, the ex-cop Mafioso, and the first black female Pinkerton (who's mates with one Lewis Armstrong).
I enjoyed the characters a great deal and loved getting to know them. Unfortunately, I was forced to take a break between several big reveals and the final pages, and the tension dropped off for me - however, I think that was a personal mistake rather than a reflection of the book.
I am very much looking forward to the Chicago-set sequel featuring Mister Alphonse Capone.
The multiple protagonists are all unlikely detectives, even the actual police officer with his taboo personal life, the ex-cop Mafioso, and the first black female Pinkerton (who's mates with one Lewis Armstrong).
I enjoyed the characters a great deal and loved getting to know them. Unfortunately, I was forced to take a break between several big reveals and the final pages, and the tension dropped off for me - however, I think that was a personal mistake rather than a reflection of the book.
I am very much looking forward to the Chicago-set sequel featuring Mister Alphonse Capone.
mikecarter161's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abbslemmen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nicjohnston's review against another edition
4.0
A hugely enjoyable thriller which has been sitting in my TBR pipe since I saw the author at a debut author event when the book was released. Deeply atmospheric and rich in both setting and characterisations. My only slight irk is that it is a little flabby and unnecessarily complex in the final third. Overall a 4.5*.
juliehunt77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0