The Lafitte Affair - (A Bruneau Abellard Novel) by Norman Woolworth (Paperback)

About the Book

Set against the singular backdrop of contemporary New Orleans, with glimpses of the city during its "Belle Epoque" of the 1820s, The Lafitte Affair is populated with characters as eccentric as the city itself.

Book Synopsis

When burglars break into Hope Mausoleum and violate Crypt 1083-A, where the remains of the former Girod Street Cemetery are housed, New Orleans property crimes detective Thibodeaux "Bo" Duplessis is confronted with three confounding questions: Who are the burglars? Why did they break into the crypt? What, if anything, did they take?

In need of expertise he does not possess, Bo turns to his childhood friend Bruneau Abellard, a cranky, overweight antiques dealer with exacting epicurean standards and a font of historical knowledge. Affecting annoyance, though privately intrigued, Bruneau agrees to assist with Bo's case. Together, the friends uncover a secret love affair between a famous antebellum actress, whose remains are contained in the crypt, and the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. As their investigation deepens, they find themselves confronting two separate yet entwined mysteries, two hundred years apart. To solve the present-day crime, they come to realize they must first unravel a conundrum from the distant, murky past.

Set against the singular backdrop of contemporary New Orleans, with glimpses of the city during its "Belle Epoque" of the 1820s, The Lafitte Affair is populated with characters as eccentric as the city itself: a grand dame of the Garden District; a competitive female puzzler; a slippery con man; a giant hermit with a shrouded past; a pugnacious French bulldog; and a phantom thief who seems always two steps ahead of his pursuers. Looming over them all is the ghostly presence of the pirate Lafitte, a larger-than-life figure of seemingly endless contradictions.

Review Quotes

"Norman Woolworth is a writer with an impeccable eye for detail, and his cleverly plotted novel is infused with the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of New Orleans. His descriptions of food and beverages alone will leave you eager to book the next flight to the Crescent City." - Proal Heartwell, author of In Beauty It Is Finished and The Boardinghouse

"The Lafitte Affair, exquisitely written and full of delightful plot twists, is peopled with Southern eccentrics drawn with insight, humor, and compassion. Those who love great Southern mystery writers like Greg Isles and John Berendt will appreciate Woolworth's weaving of real-life history with a modern New Orleans flare. Don't miss the first book in this series, featuring gourmand antiques dealer Bruneau Abellard as the quirky, loveable sleuth." - Claire Holman Thompson, author of The Ring and The Blue Water

"Bruneau Abellard doesn't necessarily need a mystery on his hands, but his friends think otherwise. With colonial pirate treasure, grave-robbing, decoding secret letters, and ties to Napoleon, the New Orleans gourmet finds himself tangled in an investigation of international proportions. Wonderfully intriguing; a little gritty and a lot of fun, Woolworth's debut offers good food, great wine and an exceptional whodunit." - Chris Keefer, author of No Comfort for the Undertaker and Tragedy's Twin, the Carrie Lisbon Mysteries.

"The Lafitte Affair is set in contemporary New Orleans but vividly evokes the 1820s. The novel is as much about the city's colorful characters as it is about the unfolding mystery. ... A fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read. ... Worthy of the big screen! Five Stars ⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕ " - Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite