THE FRENCH QUARTER KILLERS

The French Quarter Killers is former New Orleans homicide detective John Dillman's account of a 1976 murder. Dillman explains how New Orleans heroin dealer David Sylvester arranged to have two witnesses murdered just two days before they were to testify against Sylvester. True crime fans will find that TFQK is a gripping drama. The book is filled with the sort of outlandish characters that have made New Orleans famous. There is Sylvester, the "Robin Hood" heroin dealer, who was a hero to many of New Orleans' poorest residents. The reader also meets the transvestites who helped Sylvester move his drugs. Harry Connick (the New Orleans District Attorney and the father of the singer) prosecutes the case. Living in Mobile, my wife and I make frequent trips to New Orleans. Though the murder was more than 30 years ago, we recognized many of the places in the book. Dillman is a skilled writer and he helps bring the "flavor" of New Orleans to his readers. I do agree with the editorial reviewer who said that the book loses momentum when it goes from the investigation to the trial. The story does bog down a bit over the last 50 pages. The French Quarter Killers is still a great read. Find a copy and read it.