Winner of the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger for Best Debut Crime Novel of the Year Shortlisted for the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year Award As recommended on the Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman Inspired by a true story set against the heady backdrop of jazz-filled mob-ruled New Orleans The Axeman's Jazz by Ray Celestin is a gripping thriller announcing a major talent in historical crime fiction New Orleans 1919 As a dark serial killer
- the Axeman
- stalks the city three individuals set out to unmask him Detective Lieutenant Michael Talbot
- heading up the official investigation but struggling to find leads & harbouring a grave secret of his own Former detective Luca d' Andrea
- now working for the mafia; his need to solve the mystery of the Axeman is every bit as urgent as that of the authorities And Ida
- a secretary at the Pinkerton Detective Agency Obsessed with Sherlock Holmes & dreaming of a better life she stumbles across a clue which lures her & her musician friend Louis Armstrong to the case -and into terrible danger As Michael Luca & Ida each draw closer to discovering the killer's identity the Axeman himself will issue a challenge to the people of New Orleans play jazz or risk becoming the next victim