The Axeman's Jazz

This is the first book in the Skip Langdon series. It is a good mystery page-turner about a murderer who selects his victims from 12-step programs. I learned a lot about how 12-step programs work and the rhetoric associated with 12- step programs. This is a good book for vacation, beach or airplane.

I am shocked by the critical reviews. I really liked this book. It's my first by this author but won't be the last. She tells a good story. The sense of place (New Orleans) in this book was wonderful but made me a bit sad because I don't think that place will ever exist again as it was when she was writing. The story begins with a body being found -- a woman who recently moved to New Orleans from a smaller community, who didn't seem to have much of a life, so it's hard to figure out who she would have allowed into her apartment. Then a second body is found, and someone comes forward to say that both these people were seen at a meeting of a 12 step group. Thus Skip Langdon, 6 foot tall homicide detective (female) has a clue, which is particularly important in that it soon becomes apparent that these murders are the work of a serial killer. She and her task force start attending meetings, getting to know the people who frequent these -- with the assumption that this is how the killer meets his victims, so he must be a regular 12 stepper. The descriptions of some of the troubled attendees, many of whom attend several meetings a day every day, may make some 12 steppers squirm, but I was fascinated by what she described so astutely. The 12 step groups in question were not for substance abusers but for people who were unhappy and looking for a way to change their lives: in one group, people are trying to care for their inner child, so attendees hold dolls or teddy bears that represent their inner child. Some of the people described are quite likeable and relatively normal despite their problems, whereas others are so obviously angry and troubled that they are serious contenders for a possible serial killer. I didn't have too much trouble figuring out who the killer was, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I did find a couple of pages toward the end so distressing that I more or less skipped them. I'm sorry that other readers did not enjoy this book, but personally, I thought it was a real page-turner.

I just don't understand these folks who give bad reviews to this series! I'm a voracious reader and quite discriminating and I find it to be perfect, simply perfect! I've now read every single one of the Skip Langdon books (even one that is out of print) and I can't find one single complaint about the ENTIRE bunch! The plot was ingenious and riveting in this 12-step murder whodoneit. There were so many suspects, I was baffled to the very end---but I *did* have my suspicions. LOL! Thanks, Ms. Smith for the best reading entertainment I've had in years.

I've just discovered Julie Smith and I can't wait to read more of her books. I like mysteries that also offer well written characters and ongoing storylines-detective Skip Langdon is interesting and likeable-a good addition to the line of women detectives. This was a good story with characters I'd like to read about again. New Orleans makes a fun and unusual setting. The story kept me anxiously reading straight through and was intelligent and well written.

If you've ever lived in New Orleans you'll recognize the quirky characters. If you're like me and you MISS living in New Orleans, Axeman's Jazz, and Julie Smith's other Skip Langdon stories will transport you back there - as well as entertain you.