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A review by jmatkinson1
The Axeman's Jazz by Ray Celestin
5.0
One year after the end of the War and New Orleans is experiencing changes on an unprecedented scale, the Italians are running most of the vice but brothels have been closed down and not all the police are corrupt. Whilst segregation in Louisiana is not as great as in neighbouring Mississippi people are still judged by colour and jazz music is bridging the gap. Into this city a murderer appears slaying individuals with an axe and leaving a tarot card behind. He taunts the police by letter and they seem powerless to catch him. Who is the Axeman?
This is Ray Celestin's debut novel but his craft appears fully formed. Rather than have a single central character there are a section of voices adding layers to the storyline and different clues to the outcome. From the policeman with the secret coloured family to the enthusiastic young woman to the corrupt former cop to the addicted journalist, each is fresh and forms part of a jigsaw. In fact the only part of this book which jars is the inclusion of Lewis 'Louie' Armstrong, the character is fine, it is the forcing of a known 'game' into the narrative which feels false. Other than that this is a really satisfying and exciting book.
This is Ray Celestin's debut novel but his craft appears fully formed. Rather than have a single central character there are a section of voices adding layers to the storyline and different clues to the outcome. From the policeman with the secret coloured family to the enthusiastic young woman to the corrupt former cop to the addicted journalist, each is fresh and forms part of a jigsaw. In fact the only part of this book which jars is the inclusion of Lewis 'Louie' Armstrong, the character is fine, it is the forcing of a known 'game' into the narrative which feels false. Other than that this is a really satisfying and exciting book.