Cold Steel Rain

This author stands shoulder to shoulder with James Lee Burke when it comes to evoking the social decay, political corruption, racism, antebellum elegance, and all around fascinating duplicity of New Orleans. Danny Chaisson can trust no one, not even himself, in this complex tale of murder and sleaze in the Big Easy. The NOLA of this book is the kind of place where orders to kill are conveyed with graceful manners. If Martin Scorcese would ever look past New York and New Jersey mobsters, he might find an equally mesmerizing set of wise guys in this book, and just as worthy of film as Don Corleone.

Just finished Kenneth Abel's Cold Steel Rain and enjoyed the dialogue and pacing. It's yet another novel set in New Orleans which I worried about at the beginning. However, the narrative stayed fresh and lively.

It's truly breathtaking how well-written this book is. If G.P. Putnum had put some marketing dollars behind it I have no doubt it would have risen to the New York Times bestsellers list. Incredibly solid. I can't wait to read the new Danny Chaisson thriller. I am ordering it tonight with the gift certificate my brother gave me for Christmas.

In New Orleans, former assistant district attorney Danny Chaisson works as a political gopher for powerful state legislature Jimmy Boudrieux. His latest assignment is to exchange money for weapons at the Lotus Flower restaurant. After completing the deal, the restaurant owners Claude and Phuong Raymond ask Danny to do them a favor. He agrees, but leaves without taking the letter with him. He returns to Lotus Flower only to find five dead people including the owners. Before quietly leaving into the night, Danny anonymously calls 911.Someone must take the fall for the headline making homicides that has the ATF investigating. Apparently, a political deal turned deadly. Evidence exists pointing the finger at Danny and the employers of the hired goons decide the lackey is the perfect stooge and set him up to take the rap. Surprisingly, Danny, who always follows orders, refuses to sit back to take the hit, but instead he begins his own inquiries to prove his innocence.COLD STEEL RAIN is an exciting crime thriller that provides intriguing insight into politics, Louisiana style. The story line is taut and fun as Danny tries to regain his self-esteem even as he struggles to find the guilty party(s). The use of flashbacks to present the cast adds to the overall feel of audience involvement. This technique enhances the pace of the plot. As with the non-stop action tale BAIT, Kenneth Abel shows he is more than able to write a gripping crime drama that will beguile readers with its strong cast and powerful theme.Harriet Klausner