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Axeman's Jazz:: A Female Sleuth, a Serial Killer, an Offbeat New Orleans Setting (The Skip Langdon Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Julie Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 out of 5 stars 3,179 ratings
The SECOND book in the Edgar Award-winning Skip Langdon mystery series
"A multilayered masterpiece " -Andrew Vachss
“Gritty, witty, & mesmerizing! Langdon is a splendid female heroine.” –People Magazine
WHAT’S THE PERFECT KILLING FIELD FOR A MURDERER?
A place where he (or maybe she) can learn your secrets from your own mouth and then make friends over coffee. A supposedly "safe" place where anonymity is the norm. The horror who calls himself The Axeman has figured it out and claimed his territory—he's cherry-picking his murder victims in the 12-Step programs of New Orleans.

And he's had the gall to name himself after a historical serial killer. He just needs to go down, and fast, because this is New Aw'lins, dawlin'—half the town is either alcoholic or co-dependent!

Who better to take him out than tall, funny, social-misfit Skip Langdon, now a homicide detective on the Axeman team, a gig that takes her into the 12-Step groups to meet the suspects (giving the author a chance for gentle satire). As Skip threads her fascinated way from one self-help group to another, she finds she has more in common with the twelve-steppers than just the murder—her mother, for one thing, whom she encounters at Overeaters Anonymous! And she knows what they do not: that among their anonymous numbers is a murderous, and dangerously attractive psychopath…

"Smashing . . . New Orleans Mourning was a tough act to follow. The Axeman’s Jazz is a wonderful, completely satisfying encore." -The Denver Post

"Julie Smith not only firmly establishes her claim to the New Orleans crime scene, but she explores an intriguing new franchise for the serial killer." –Sue Grafton

"Marvelous!" –Chicago Tribune

An action-packed crime thriller for fans of Showtime's DEXTER (and all serial killer stories), hard-boiled detective writers like Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Sue Grafton, Linda Barnes, Nevada Barr, J.A. Jance, and Marcia Muller, lovers of female sleuths and the deeper, more psychological police procedurals, like those of Tana French; and, of course, anyone who's ever been to New Orleans, or wanted to!

Excerpt:
"Langdon! In here!" Joe sounded furious.

"What is it? Did somebody leak the scarlet A's?"

"Worse. I swear to God it's worse."

With a pair of tweezers, he handed Skip a letter, typed on plain white paper. "Look at this."

It said:

Dear Broadcaster:
You probably remember me. The first time, I wrote to the print media, but there was no television then. I also used an axe. That, of course, would be messy in this day and age and I have two perfectly good hands to strangle with. So forget the axe, but I'm still who I am. My signature is awritten in blood. I kill whom I need to kill, both women and men.

As I mentioned before, they never caught me and they never will. I am not a human being, but an extraterrestrial. (Or perhaps that is the best way you can understand it.) I am what you Orleanians used to call the Axeman—make no mistake, I'm back.
It's me.

I'm baaaaaack.

Here's the deal: It's the same as before. Jazz is the lifeblood of this great city of ours—it was then and it is now. It's the only constant, the only universal. My spaceship lands Tuesday, and I'll be out for blood. (Did you know we extraterrestrials are vampires?) But I have an endless supply of infinite mercy and I will show it to anyone in whose home a jazz band is playing between the hours of 7 p.m. and daylight. Take heed—you will be spared!

But no matter if you aren't, my infinite mercy extends to my victims. I am quick and I am painless. Ask Linda Lee and Tom.

THE AXEMAN.
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  1. Book 2 of 11
    The Skip Langdon Series
  2. Print length
    402 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    16 Jan. 2014
  6. File size
    4.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 11 books in this series.

In this series (11 books)

Kindle Edition

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Review

"Gritty, witty, & mesmerizing! Langdon is a splendid female heroine." -People Magazine

"Smashing . . . New Orleans Mourning was a tough act to follow. The Axeman's Jazz is a wonderful, completely satisfying encore." -The Denver Post

"Julie Smith not only firmly establishes her claim to the New Orleans crime scene, but she explores an intriguing new franchise for the serial killer." -Sue Grafton

"A multilayered masterpiece " -Andrew Vachss



From the Inside Flap

"Julie Smith not only firmly establishes her claim to the New Orleans crime scene, but she explores an intriguing new franchise for the serial killer."
Sue Grafton
For detective Skip Langdon, the murder of a multiple self-help group member is no fun. Even if the guilty character is claiming the mantle last held by the Axeman, a notorious New Orleans serial killer of seventy years ago. Yet as Skip threads her fascinated way from one self-help group to another, she finds she has more in common with the twelve-steppers than just the murder. And she knows what they do not: that among their anonymous numbers is a deadly murderous, and dangerously attractive -- psychopath....

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007YCEW10
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ booksBnimble
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1617507212
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 11 ‏ : ‎ The Skip Langdon Series
  • Customer reviews:
    3.7 out of 5 stars 3,179 ratings

About the author

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Julie Smith

Julie Smith

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Visit Julie at http://www.booksbnimble.com

I first knew I wanted to be a writer at seven, knew it was mysteries I'd write at 12, was desperate to win the Edgar at 13, but became a journalist to...well...keep from starving till I had the courage to actually try it. I had a great time and learned more than ten colleges could have taught as a reporter for first the New Orleans Times-Picayune and later the San Francisco Chronicle. Finally, I wrote six or seven mysteries (I've lost count!) over a period of eight years, to absolutely no avail, and was about to give up when I made my first sale. DEATH TURNS A TRICK was my first published book, and the Rebecca Schwartz series was born. I later added a second San Francisco series, plus two in New Orleans, and guess what? My first New Orleans book, NEW ORLEANS MOURNING, won the Edgar for Best Novel.

So some dreams come true! Boy, it was hard, and it took forever, but mine actually did. I'm still pinching myself. After wanting something so much and finally getting it, who would have thought I'd turn to something else after twenty-one books? (That's right, twenty-one not counting a non-fiction one on writing itself. So, twenty-two, really.) My whole identity was writing. But along came ebooks! Suddenly a gigantic opportunity opened up. I realized I could be a publisher myself---I could help other people achieve their own dreams. I couldn't help it, I got the publishing bug. Bad.

In 2010, I founded www.booksBnimble.com, a digital publishing company that focused at first on video-enhanced ebooks, but now not so much enhanced as just great quality---and, as you might imagine, with an emphasis on mysteries. So far, we've published eight authors (including me). It's been a treat to learn to function in another whole world and it's been incredibly rewarding to be able to help other writers, to bring back people's backlists, and to discover new, exciting talent.

Check out some of our terrific authors--Patty Friedmann, Marika Christian, Tony Dunbar, Anneke Campbell, Whitney Stewart, and Lee Pryor. Coming soon: mystery authors Greg Herren, Liz Zelvin, Shelley Singer, and Mickey Friedman.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3,179 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a fantastic read with well-developed characters. However, the writing quality receives negative feedback, with several customers describing it as dreadful.

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ReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting quality
12 customers mention ‘Readability’9 positive3 negative

Customers find the book to be a fantastic read, with one mentioning it has a good story.

"...The characters were wacky, self-centered, extreme, psychotic and somehow likeable. This was a mystery within a mystery...." Read more

"...But a good story if you dont read it whilst tired." Read more

"Didn't like it. At least 100 pages too long, full of unnecessary descriptive passages and events that didn’t advance the story at all...." Read more

"...An interesting read." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Character development’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer highlighting the big female detective protagonist.

"...The characters were wacky, self-centered, extreme, psychotic and somehow likeable. This was a mystery within a mystery...." Read more

"...Each character has their own complex personality and their background stories engulf you in their, often harrowing, lives...." Read more

"I do like the big female detective and the New Orleans setting." Read more

"Very disappointed, good heroine, interesting plot, dreadful writing, awful editing, too many characters, who was doing what, where?..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing quality’0 positive4 negative

Customers criticize the writing quality of the book, describing it as dreadful with too many unnecessary descriptive passages and convoluted dialogue.

"Didn't like it. At least 100 pages too long, full of unnecessary descriptive passages and events that didn’t advance the story at all...." Read more

"...In fact, just too many people. And far too much information/background on most of them. Confusing, convoluted and rather nasty towards the end." Read more

"Very disappointed, good heroine, interesting plot, dreadful writing, awful editing, too many characters, who was doing what, where?..." Read more

"poorly written" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Father Ted
    4.0 out of 5 stars "A is for Axeman; HE is for Highly Entertaining"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I needed to read this book. Skip Langdon and New Orleans were just what the doctor ordered. The city simmered and pouted and enthralled you in equal measure. The characters were wacky, self-centered, extreme, psychotic and somehow likeable. This was a mystery within a mystery. I can't understand how I've never stumbled upon Julie Smith before. I hope our paths cross again soon.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Perkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping psychological thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The book is set in New Orleans and is as much a comment on Louisiana high society as a psychological thriller. Skippy is the daughter of an uncaring father and a social climbing mother. They wanted and expected a sweet-natured, socially acceptable, beautiful, obedient daughter. What they got was a six foot tall, large (by her own admission), unconventional police detective. New to homicide, Skippy's first murder case is the violent, inexplicable killing of a quiet, respectable young woman, apparently with no enemies. Very soon, there is a second killing and Skippy finds herself desperately seeking a serial killer. The characterisation in this book is fascinating. Each character has their own complex personality and their background stories engulf you in their, often harrowing, lives. It is soon clear that the link between the victims is a vast network of self-help groups that, until then, Skippy hadn't realised existed. In the same way that the reader is pulled into the various lifestories, Skippy herself becomes caught up in the groups and the sense of wellbeing that they offer the participants. It makes for an absolutely gripping and at times, highly emotional read. The ending was so highly charged that even though you are given a clear understanding of each character's motivation, I simply wasn't prepared for the emotions I experienced. A brilliantly crafted story in a vividly drawn setting. Fabulous.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Phil Crackers
    3.0 out of 5 stars Jazz Land detective story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Down South USA 'Jazz Land' detective story. Rather long winded in places and too many acronyms for my personal taste. But a good story if you dont read it whilst tired.
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  • Misfits farm
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Unique read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A different sort of detective book. You really can't see where this one is going. People in therapy, people trying to meet others through the same route. Who are the real "victims" and who are the socialites? Who has secrets to hide and why? Traumas from the past cause personalities to be not quite what they appear at first light. An interesting read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Ron Scot
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not so jazzy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Didn't like it. At least 100 pages too long, full of unnecessary descriptive passages and events that didn’t advance the story at all. I'm afraid I got bored long before the end.
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  • John Ed
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I do like the big female detective and the New Orleans setting.
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  • Closet Romantic
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to much
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't really enjoy reading this book. Too many needy people. In fact, just too many people. And far too much information/background on most of them. Confusing, convoluted and rather nasty towards the end.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Val, Hertsmere
    1.0 out of 5 stars Wasted interesting venue
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very disappointed, good heroine, interesting plot, dreadful writing, awful editing, too many characters, who was doing what, where? too much detail that did not matter, terrible dialogue. A shame.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • AMH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Axeman's Jazz.
    Reviewed in Canada on 13 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Another great read from Julie Smith, believable characters and plot. The 12 step meetings do seem the perfect place to find victims!
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  • Bella
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good mystery novel
    Reviewed in Australia on 26 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this book - not sure why I haven't read the first one! Skip is a great character, and I appreciated the way her character was developed throughout the book. An interesting premise, and I was engrossed from about the third page until the very final page - which I actually found a bit of a let-down. Overall though, a great book, and I will definitely be reading the others in the series.
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  • Pat Browning
    5.0 out of 5 stars Skip Langdon, ex-debutante, makes a good cop
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Opening lines:
    "New Orleans could wreck your liver and poison your blood. It could destroy you financially. It could shun you or embrace you, teach you tricks of the heart you thought Tennessee Williams was just kidding about. And in August it could break your spirit."

    So much for any romantic visions of New Orleans a reader might have. The "voice" belongs to Skip Langdon, ex-debutante, newly-minted homicide detective, packing for a vacation in California when a phone call sends her to a murder scene.

    The call pulls Skip in three directions. A high profile murder case is good for her career. However, she must delay her trip to Los Angeles and a romantic tryst with a documentary film maker named Steve. Also, this is the night of her brother's engagement party.

    Cutting short her appearance at the engagement party suits her fine. She has been at odds with her family ever since she became a cop. This novel is a police procedural but it's also about the cultural rift between generations -- the sharing, co-dependent, "recovering" generation of baby boomers, and the emotionally cruel, "pull up your socks" generation of their parents. The latter may have won a world war but they seem to know zip about raising well-adjusted families.

    The murder victim is a quiet girl, a newcomer to the city. She has been strangled and the murderer used lipstick to draw a big "A" on the wall. It's an ordinary apartment, nothing fancy, and most of the books are self-help books on relationships.

    Why an A" and why lipstick? Skip begins the routine questioning - landlord, neighbors, employers, ex-husbands. She works alongside her friend Joe Tarantino, now a lieutenant and head of Homicide, and Sgt. Capello, her supervisor.

    When the murderer strikes again Tarantino organizes a task force and the team digs into the tedious work of checking possible sources and contacts. Skip begins to canvas the bars: "As an army marches on its stomach, New Orleans staggers on its liver. If every cop in Louisiana were set end to end on a cat's cradle of a bar tour, they still couldn't cover the territory." Tarantino also hires a profiler named Dr. Cindy Lou Wootten.

    The investigation kicks into high gear when the murderer delivers a letter to all the TV stations. He claims to be the Axeman, a mass murderer from 100 years earlier. The new Axeman issues an odd challenge for the following Tuesday night: "Jazz is the lifeblood of this great city of ours ... my spaceship lands Tuesday and I'll be out for blood. ... But I have an endless supply of infinite mercy and I will show it to anyone in whose home a jazz band is playing between the hours of 7 P.M. and daylight. Take heed -- you will be spared!"

    Tarantino says, "... you ever been to a hurricane party? This is the kind of town where people think it's a real good idea to blow it all out just because a storm's on the way. Can you imagine what next Tuesday's gonna be like?"

    And in walks a neighbor with a tip about the local 12-step programs. It's the only clue the cops have linking the two murder victims. Racing against time, team members fan out to meetings of local programs. There are roughly 500 such programs in New Orleans so the team zeros in on the co-dependency group.

    According to Wootten, co-dependency is "... the biggest thing since VCRs -- maybe since the great god television itself. If you aren't addictive, then you're almost certainly codependent, and if you aren't codependent, you're nobody ... Nationwide, there are from 2 million to 20 million people in the recovery movement, depending on how you count."

    The "sharing" that goes on in the co-dependency meeting reveals the secret sorrows and suppressed anger of characters such as Abe, who moved to New Orleans to be close to his two young daughters; Missy, a born "pleaser;" Di, a self-styled voodoo priestess; and Alex, a cynical best-selling writer who wants to expose the programs. Wootten pronounces them all "crazy as bedbugs."

    The Axeman JazzFest brings party goers out in force to the French Quarter and all goes off smoothly. Even Steve, Skip's lover, flies in from Los Angeles with plans to make an Axeman documentary. But as Tarantino's task force breathes a sigh of relief, the Axeman strikes again.

    Everyone gets in on the action when the killer is exposed. This novel plumbs the depths of emotional misery, making even the killer seem almost sympathetic.
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  • ayeltee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping read
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    had me interested from the start; skip was a complex and likeable character that was worth investing in. look forwarding to seeing how this authors work develops over time.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four and a half stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 1 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading this book and getting reacquainted with Skip the main character.I was kept guessing until close to the end.I did find the book a bit darker than I like normally.
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