Empire
of Sin by Gary Krist
This new book by author Gary Krist chronicles the twists
and turns of life in New Orleans round the turn of the 20th
century. The book takes into account two
murders, the growing up of the grandchildren of former slaves, and centers on
the period between 1890-1920. For anyone
familiar with Krist, his writing is penetrating, historically grounded, and
gets you right into the center of the action with clarity and wit.
The early part of the book looks at Detective George Long
and his investigation of the murder of Joseph and Catherin Maggio, Italian
immigrants who ran a small grocery story.
Immediately we find the junior detective and the senior detective (Long)
coming up with different scenarios concerning the person who committed the
murders. Yet, the one piece of evidence
that was still puzzling to them was a chalk message that was found earlier in
the day with the words, “Mrs. Joseph Maggio is going to sit up tonight just
like Mrs. Toney.” The clue was to a Tony
Schiambra who had earlier been murdered with his wife in their bed, and they
too were Italian immigrant grocers.
Krist brings us into this case and the discovery of some more details
that keeps the readers coming back for more.
Alongside the elevation of violence in a place like New
Orleans was also the growth of jazz. The
playing of jazz music became a haven for very public and behind the scenes
violence to take place. The short career
of Buddy Bolden is a an example of the growth of such a vibrant music scene
entwined with a violent ending.
Krist keeps the reader engaged and reading for the whole
way through.
If you are interested in
the early part of New Orleans, jazz, and the sinister violence that took place
in the city, you will enjoy this book.
Thanks to Blogging for Books for the copy of this book in
exchange for an honest review.
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