NOW AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIOBOOK“Can’t wait for the next Evanovich? Louisiana Hotshot’s Stephanie Plum with Tabasco, dawlin’.” -The Clarion Ledger The FIRST book in the Talba Wallis series by Edgar-Award winning author Julie Smith WANTED: HOTSHOT P.I. WITH NEAR SUPER-HUMAN SKILLS.Confirmed grump Eddie Valentino placed the ad. Hotshot twenty-something Talba Wallis knew exactly how to answer it.And … exactly how to answer it.
And thus was born the dynamic duo of New Orleans private detectives—one cynical, sixty-five-year-old Luddite white dude with street smarts, and one young, bright-eyed, Twenty-First century African-American female poet, performance artist, mistress of disguise, and computer jock extraordinaire. Think Queen Latifah and Danny DeVito.
In Louisiana Hotshot, their job is to hunt down a sociopath and pedophile who’s molested the fourteen-year-old daughter of their client, hangs out on the ragged edges of the rap and recording industries, and has more powerful allies than a Cabinet member.
But both detectives have unfinished business from the past—in Eddie’s case, something he deeply regrets; in Talba’s, a personal mystery, one so frightening no one will help her investigate. But she knows she won’t sleep till she solves it—and the truth will change her forever.
“Smith generates plenty of tension as the savvy veteran and the eager novice combine their talents. But it is Smith’s evocation of her beloved New Orleans and her deft exploration of her characters’ intimate relationships that will lure readers to this series.” -Publishers Weekly
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The characters are very developed, they have deep secrets and sad backgrounds. It has extended class distinctions and they combine to bring the story together. The old white P.I. and the young black poet/computer geek work the case and learn from each other. They also help each other to make up for their past mistakes. I really recommend this book …
This was a good book. I like the characters and the plot was good. It would have had 5 stars but the language is rough at times and had a smattering of a racist vibe. Still a very good fast read.
I liked it
Love these characters!
What do I mention first? the multiple plot twists, the adroit handling of family relationships, the idea of repressed memories, the open discussion of racism, or the wonderful setting of New Orleans (a place I love)? I did not want this book to end.
Didn’t really care for it. Read to the end to see who did it.
Talba Wallis is a very smart young woman who gets a job as a new investigator for an established Private Investigator. While working on her first job she finds things about her past. I enjoyed this story and look forward to the next book in the series.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Talba Wallis is a smart, sassy, computer whiz who applies for a job with a private detective agency run by Eddie Valentino. She shows off her computer skills by handing him a folder with his personal info. Julie Smith writes well drawn characters across racial lines–Talba is black and Eddie is white.
One quote …
The characters are overdone. The old detective is more of a caricature, the young black woman is not realistic.
Outstanding series
Not for me .
Love the main character.
I did not like but don’t want to spoil.
I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Julie Smith! This one does not disappoint. It took a little longer than usual to really get into but get into it, I did.
Tabla Wallis is a great character and I hope to read more of her stories. She is sassy and smart.
Great read!
Enjoyed reading great characters. Unpredictable ending, highly recommend.
It was difficult at first but I liked it after getting half way through it.
The use of Talba Harris as the main character is very interesting. As an African-American in New Orleans, she gives us an informative look into her ethnic family life.
If you love mystery and New Orleans – You’ll love this book.
this book is the worst book not funny and boring would not recommend to anybody
Slow evolving for me. Just not my type of book